General: Perspective Taking
What does it mean to take a different perspective?
To look at something in more than one way.
A classmate crosses their arms, looks at their phone, and gives one-word answers during group work. What might they be feeling or needing?
frustration
You post a group photo and accidentally leave one person out. What might that person think when they see it?
They might feel left out
A peer sits at your lunch table whom you barely know, fiddling with their sleeves and looking at their phone the whole time. What can you infer?
They feel out of place or nervous and are using the phone as a shield.
How can you tell what someone is thinking or feeling?
body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, context
Your friend laughs at a joke someone else made, then immediately looks over at you with a nervous expression. What is the context?
the joke might be about you/make you offended
Someone leaves a sarcastic or ambiguous comment on your story. Why is it risky to reply angrily right away?
You might say something you don't really mean
Your group project partner stops answering texts 48 hours before the deadline. What should you do next?
Notify the teacher immediately, and/or make sure their part of the project gets done
What is interpersonal negotiation?
working together to find a solution that everyone can agree on
A teacher rubs their temples and sighs deeply before answering a repeated question. Why do they have this reaction?
They are feeling agitated that students aren't listening
Someone texts you in all caps with multiple exclamation marks: "WHY DIDN'T YOU PICK UP?!?!?!". What can you infer?
They are panicked, angry, and/or need you to respond right away.
Your boss or project lead sighs heavily and re-does a section of your work right in front of you without saying a word. What can you infer?
Your work did not meet the required standard or instructions, and you should ask for constructive feedback.
Why is interpersonal negotiation important?
Interpersonal negotiation helps you to get along with others and work together.
Someone says, "No, it's totally fine," when you accidentally spill coffee on their notebook, but their jaw is clenched. What are they actually thinking?
They are annoyed
You send a long, vulnerable paragraph to a friend about a family issue, and their only reply is "K." What can you infer?
They either didn't know how to respond, felt uncomfortable, or were being dismissive
An employer tells you, "We appreciate your hard work, we're just going to go in a different direction for this role/project." What are they trying to communicate?
They are trying to politely say somebody else is a better fit
Why is perspective taking important?
To understand what is going on around you and understand what other people are thinking and feeling; helps build stronger relationships
You arrive 20 minutes late to first period with a coffee cup in hand. Your teacher raises an eyebrow. What might they be thinking?
They think you prioritized getting coffee over getting to class on time.
Someone is running down a crowded hallway, accidentally shoulder-checks a locker, and keeps sprinting. What do you infer?
Someone's face is flushed red, they are avoiding eye contact, and they laugh nervously after tripping. What are they feeling?
Embarrassed