Abstract
A common conclusion in the organizational communication literature is that problems of superior-subordinate misperception and misunderstanding, often at extreme levels, are chronic occurrences. Authors such as Jablin and Hawkins and Preston have linked these perception problems to mutual misunderstanding of: subordinate job duties and requirements, future changes in the subordinate's job, and obstacles in the way of subordinate performance. It is safe to assume that misunderstandings of the types mentioned substantially affect organizational productivity and effectiveness. Thus, it is important that courses in organizational communication not only address the nature of superior-subordinate perception processes but that they also provide mechanisms for discovering and correcting misperception problems. In this essay, one technique for uncovering the nature of superior-subordinate perception and misperception is discussed, the Interpersonal Perception Method (IPM) of Laing, Phillipson and Lee. Following discussion of IPM, an example illustrating the technique is provided. Finally, the process of gathering and utilizing IPM data to correct superior-subordinate misperception problems is addressed. Here the focus is on correcting misperception problems through linking them with specific communication behaviors.
Journal Title
Iowa Journal of Speech Communication
Volume
18
Issue
2
First Page
14
Last Page
23
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Rose, Randall A.
(1986)
"A Method for Investigating Misperception Problems in Superior-Subordinate Relationships,"
Iowa Journal of Communication: Vol. 18:
No.
2, Article 8.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/ijc/vol18/iss2/8
Copyright
©1986 Iowa Communication Association
