bauxite company. But he is sensitive to the idea that Europeans basically are out to exploit his country; its recent independence is proof enough of the effect of colonialism.
When Rennalls went into Baker's office, he was ready to be promoted, and Baker fully expected to do so. That the conversation, which was pleasant enough at the time, would lead to Rennalls' resignation was probably as large a surprise to Rennalls as to Baker. The problems that arose came from the highly selective nature of perception, in which Rennalls paid attention to the negative items that Baker shared, and the need for individuals to seek congruence between their internal state and expectations.
Rennalls has a history of not getting along as well with the European employees as he might, and that may come from his impression or belief that the Europeans are all basically paternalistic and racist. As he analyzed Baker's comments later that evening, he is likely to have tried to bring the comments in line with his own beliefs and internal state with the result that he ended up distorting or avoiding data. In this case, he overlooked Baker's comments about what a valuable employee he was, or how the company would be promoting Barracanian employees as they become qualified, or that his own long-term prospects with the company were excellent.
Baker similarly distorted his perception of what he was saying to Rennalls, believing himself to be highly gifted at talking with "these people" and trying hard to "break through" to Rennalls in order to get him to see Baker's point of view. Had Baker recognized that the data he was putting forth could be interpreted in a way that reinforced Rennalls' own internal state, he would have likely chosen a different course.
One of the perceptual defenses that Rennalls used during the course of the conversation is that of not actively participating in the discussion throughout the entire meeting. Although it is lik...