Question

John is an engineer who recently learned that his retiring boss was going to be replaced by someone from outside the engineering firm for which he works. John knows little about the man replacing his boss, other than that he is coming from a competing firm where John himself had once worked for seven years. In John's experience at the other firm, he had found the management to often be overbearing and harsh. John was convinced that his new boss would be a difficult person for whom to work. Which of the following statements BEST describes John's perceptions about his new boss?

		John's motivational state resulted in a preconceived perception of his new boss.
		John's schemas determined the way in which he perceived his new boss.
		John was stereotyping his new boss based on the fact that he was part of management.
		John's mood on the day of hearing about his boss's replacement caused him to perceive his new boss in a negative light.

Answer 1

John was stereotyping his new boss based on the fact that he was part of management.

John had specific experience with the management in the previous company and thus he formed an image of all the management personnel in the organization. This is why he is stereotyping the management based on the fact that he was part of management.