Perception
Perception is the process by which the brain selects, organizes, and interprets the sensations. It refers to the way sensory information is organized, interpreted, and consciously experienced. Perception is psychological.
Characteristics:
- Perception shifts, like attention.
- Perception is a grouping and combining response. When several stimuli are put together, we understand its totality. Eg, when perceiving a face, we combine the eyes, ears, nose, mouth.
- Figure has an advantage over background in perception: i.e. things having definite forms are perceived.
- Perception is an isolating response: i.e. we perceive things that we select for our attention.
- Motivation and attention affect perception. It is also affected by our beliefs, values, prejudices, expectations and life experiences.