Psychology

Brief Explanation Of
Perception
By Babygurl
 Perception
Nature
The study of perception is directed at finding out how we
take stimuli and form conscious representation of the
environment. Perception is clearly an outgrowth of sensation.
The primary difference is that sensation stimulus, while
perception is the process by which it is interpreted, analyzed
and integrated with other sensory information.
The world is full of stimuli, perception enables us to take
those different stimuli and place them in a context that
provides us with meaning and understanding. It is the rain that
gives meaning to sensation through perception.
Definition of perception
“There are things known and there are things
unknown,and in between are the doors of
perception.” (Aldous Huxley)
Perception is the mental process through which individuals
interpret and make sense of sensory information received from
the environment. It involves organizing, selecting, and
interpreting sensory inputs such as sight, sound, touch, and
smell to create a meaningful understanding of the world
around us.
“Everything we hear is an opinion not a fact. Everything we
see is a perspective, not the truth.” (Marcus Aurelius)
The process occurs in various stages. Firstly, sensation
occurs when sensory receptors detect stimuli from the
environment and transmit this information to the brain.
“The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to
comprehend.” (Henri Bergson)
Perception then involves the brain’s interpretation and
organization of this sensory information, influenced by past
experiences, expectations, emotions, and cultural factors.
Perception is not simply a passive reception of sensory data
but an active and complex cognitive process. Factors like
attention, motivation, context and individual differences
significantly impact how we perceive stimuli. For instance,
selective attention allows us to focus on specific stimuli while
filtering out irrelevant information.
“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we
are.”
Moreover, perceptual constancy is a crucial aspect of
perception. It refers to the ability to perceive objects as stable
and unchanging despite variations in sensory input, such as
perceiving a car as the same size whether it is near too far.
Illusions also highlight the complexities of perception,
demonstrating how our brains can misinterpret sensory
information, leading to incorrect perceptions of reality.
Overall, perception is a dynamic and multifaceted process
that involves the brain’s interpretation of sensory inputs to
construct our understanding of the world, influencing how we
interact, learn, and make decisions in our daily lives.
“Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to
you is an awareness of me.”
Factors of perception
Our perception is based on many factors, as they are
related to the person who perceives, and the stimulus which is
being perceived. Likewise, the environment and society in
which we live, all these affect our perception. So, factors of
perception can be classified into three major categories.
1: Objective Factors
Objective factors of perception refer to external elements
or stimuli that influence how individuals perceive and interpret
sensory information. These factors include characteristics such
as light, sound, size, shape, color, texture, and other physical
properties of objectives or environments that affect how they
are perceived by our senses. Objective factors play a significant
role in shaping our perceptions and understanding of the world
around us.
  Perceptual organization:
Perceptual organization refers to the way our brains
organize and interpret sensory information from the
environment into meaningful patterns and objects. It involves
the grouping, segregation, and arrangement of visual and
auditory stimuli to form coherent percepts.
The objective factors of perception that contribute to
perceptual organization include principles like proximity,
similarity, closure, continuity, and others, which help us make
sense of the sensory input we receive.
Figure and ground
In the realm of Gestalt
psychology, “figure” and
“ground” represent
fundamental principles of
perceptual organization. The
“figure” refers to the main
object or element that
stands out in perception,
while the “ground” is the
background against which
the figure is perceived. The
concept emphasizes how our
perception separates elements into a focal point (figure) and its
surrounding context (ground), allowing us to distinguish and
make sense of visual information. The distinction helps in
organizing sensory input and making sense of our
surroundings.
Grouping
It is the second principle of perceptual organization. Certain
inherent properties of stimuli lead people to group them
together, more or less automatically.
German psychologists described the principles behind this
grouping of stimuli. They argued that people perceive sights
and sounds as organized wholes. They said, these organized
holes are in different forms, and more than just an assortment
of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. These researchers became
known as Gestalt psychologists, German word “Gestalt”
meaning whole figure.
Laws of perceptual organization
Simplicity
We tend to
organize stimuli
in the simplest
possible way.
We don’t see
the pattern as
complicated
figure. People
tend to group features of a stimulus in a way that provides the
simplest interpretation of the world (Hatfield, Epstein, 1985,
Biederman, 1987).
Proximity
Proximity refers to
the tendency for
humans to perceive
objects that are close
together as belonging
to a group. When
elements are near
each other, our minds
perceive them as
related or forming a
unified whole, even if they are different in shape, size, or color.
This principle influences how we organize visual information,
aiding in the perception of patterns, groups and relationships in
what we see.
Similarity
We tend to group together elements
that appear similar. Similar elements are
perceived to be a part of a group.
Similarity also affects the
perception of sound.
Continuity
The principle of continuity (good
continuation) suggests that we
tend to see things as ending up
consistent with the way they
started off. We tend to perceive a
series of stimuli smooth or
continuous. Sensations that appear to create a continuous form
are perceived as belonging together.

The principle may account for some of the ways we organize

our perceptions of people. We are shocked when an
outstanding student
at school suddenly
performs poorly at
college. We are
shocked because we
want to perceive
him as a brilliant
student like always.
Common Fate
Sets of objects
that are moving in
the same direction at the same speed perceived together. Thus,
a flock of birds, although separated in space, will be perceived
as a group. Common fate is like continuity but for moving
stimuli.
Closure
Closure is a Gestalt principle of perceptual organization that
describes the human tendency to mentally complete
incomplete figures or shapes by filling in missing information.
When with a fragmented or incomplete image, our brains tend
to perceive it as a whole object by mentally filling in the gaps.
This process helps us perceive objects as complete and
recognizable despite missing parts, allowing us to make sense
of our visual environment.
Figural Goodness
Gestalt showed that the visual organization is more
complex. Organizational processes in shape perception are
sensitive to something the Gestalt called figural goodness, this
concept includes perceived simplicity, symmetry, and
regularity. Experiments have shown that “good” figures are
easily and accurately perceived, remembered and described
than “bad” is ones.

In short, with organizational processes humans can see a

unified world from the successive partial and unorganized
patterns of stimulation. We are able to synthesize the many
bits of sensory information we receive so that we can make
sense of them.
Reference Frames
Higher levels of organization are achieved when the shapes
of figures are perceived relative to reference frames
established by the spatial and temporal context. The perceptual
effects of reference frames are also demonstrated in Figure
below.
 If we see one of the upper
figures by itself it would
look like a diamond,
whereas one of the lower
ones would look like a
square. When we see these
figures as part of diagonal
rows, the shapes reverse,
because the orientation of
each figure is seen in
relation to the reference
frame established by the
whole row. If we cover the
frames of part c, the left
figure looks like a diamond,
the right one like a square,
while uncovering the left one changes into a square and right
into a diamond.
 Perceptual Constancy
Perceptual constancy refers to the brain’s ability to perceive
objects as stable and unchanging despite variations in sensory
input. Without this aspect of perception, the world would be an
“Alice in Wonderland” kind of place, in which objects
continuously change their properties.
This phenomenon allows us to recognize an object’s size,
shape, color and other attributes consistently, even when
viewing it from different angles, distance, or lighting
conditions.
There are various types of perceptual constancy, including
size constancy, shape constancy, color constancy, and
brightness constancy, all contributing to our stable perception
of the world around us.
Size Constancy
 Size constancy
is a type of
perceptual
constancy where
our perception of
an object’s size
remains relatively
constant despite
changes in its
distance from us.
This means that
even if an object appears larger or smaller due to change in its
distance, our brain adjusts our perception to maintain the
belief that the actual size of the object remains constant.
This ability helps us perceive objects accurately despite
variations in their apparent size caused by differences in
distance. Size constancy allows us to negative the world and
understand objects true dimensions regardless of their varying
distances from our viewpoint.
Shape Constancy
The principle behind shape constancy is closely related to
that of size constancy. As with size constancy, much of the
ability to judge shape constancy depends on automatic
computational mechanism in the nervous system, but the
expectations about the shape of objects also play a role. Shape
constancy is the recognition that an object retains the same
shape, even though its orientation to us changes.
Brightness Constancy
It means, no matter how the amount light striking an object
change, the object’s perceived brightness remains relatively
constant. The brightness of an object is perceived in relation to
its background.
Whatever the situation may be, we are able to resolve the
discrepancy between a retinal image of an object and its actual
size, shape and brightness. It is the experience which matters.
Binocular and monocular distance cues also provide
information about an object’s size. Many visual illusions are
influenced by our perception of size constancy.
Characteristics of Stimulus
Stimulus characteristics encompass the triggering nature,
varied types, capacity to induce responses, subjectivity in
perception, and their varying intensities and thresholds.
Movement
Movement is a fundamental characteristic of stimuli that
refers to the change or shift in position or state of an object or
organism in response to an external stimulus. It can manifest in
various forms such as locomotion, growth, rotation, or changes
in posture, all of which can be triggered by different stimuli like
light, temperature, chemicals, or touch. Movement plays a
crucial role in the behavior, survival, and adaptation of living
organisms across different biological systems.
Size
Typically, the bigger the stimulus, the more likely we are to
attend to it. To make it attractive, huge billboards are erected.
Here it is size which determines our attention. That is why
important terms are written in boldface type in different books,
so we can notice them easily and attend to them as important.
Intensity
Intensity has also a great effect. The brighter or louder the
stimulus, the more likely we are to pay attention to it.
Context
Context, in which a stimulus occurs, makes a difference.
While facing bright lights, a dim light can be more attractive.
Repetition
There is another stimulus characteristic that can determine
attention, which is repetition. The more often a stimulus is
presented, the more likely it will be attended to everything else
being equal.
 The people who schedule T.V. commercials want us to
attend to their messages, they rely on the technique of
repetition.
2: Subjective Factors
The subjective factor of perception refers to the individual’s
personal experiences, beliefs, emotions, and expectations that
influence how they interpret and understand sensory
information from the external world. It shapes how a person
perceives and comprehends their environment, often resulting
in varied interpretations or understandings of the same stimuli
among different individuals.
Motivation
Motivation, as a subjective factor of perception, refers to
the internal desires, needs or drives that influence how
individuals interpret and perceive sensory information from
their environment. It shapes the way people select, organize,
and give meaning to stimuli based on their personal goals,
interests, and emotional states.
Motivation can significantly impact an individual's
attention, interpretation, and understanding of incoming
sensory data, influencing their perception of the world around
them.
Perceptual Set
Perceptual set refers to a person’s predisposition or
readiness to perceive stimuli in a particular way based on their
expectation, experiences, emotions, motivations, and cultural
background. It influences how individuals interpret and
organize sensory information, shaping their perception of the
world around them.
Expectations
The refers to the preconceived belief, attitudes, and
anticipations an individual holds, which influence how they
interpret and understand sensory information from their
environment. These expectations shape how someone
perceives and comprehends stimuli, impacting their subjective
experience of reality.
Past Experiences
When we are paying attention due to motivation and
expectation, we claim that our perception is being influenced
by our past experience. Much of our motivation comes from
past experiences.
Expectations also develop from past experiences. We expect
to perceive what we have perceived in the past in similar
circumstances. Our past experiences guide where to look and
what to look for.
Attention
When we have to choose between different stimuli, we pick
some cues and filter them out. Filtering process is attention.
Interests
Interests play a significant role in this factor, as they impact
what we pay attention to and how we perceive things. Our
interests guide our focus, preferences, and biases, influencing
the way we interpret and understand the information
presented to us. These inclinations can shape our perceptions,
attitudes, and behaviors, impacting how we interact with and
comprehend the world.
Attitude
All of us have a different set of positive or negative attitudes
and we behave accordingly. Likewise, we perceive the world
according to our attitudes. Prejudice is the best example, that a
prejudiced person perceives the world as he wants to.
Personal Attributes
Like attitude or interest, an individual has some personal
qualities which determine or even affect his perception. The
perception of a person who is optimist, jolly, helpful, brave and
friendly will be different as compared to that who is pessimist,
sad, depressed and timid.
Emotional State
 If the observer is in an emotional state whether anger, fear
or rage, he will perceive only the relative factors. When an
individual is deeply absorbed in his emotional state, he
becomes unaware of his surroundings.
Personal Values
Personal values refer to a set of principles, beliefs or ideas
that an individual considers important or desirable in life. They
guide behavior, decisions, and attitudes, shaping how someone
perceives and interacts with the world.
3: Social Factors
Perception cannot take place in empty space. Society where
we live, and the people whom we deal with, have equally
important role models in our perception.
Being social animals, we need social approval, social shelter.
That’s why social factors affect our perception. Cultural factors
are the common heritage, which no one can deny.
Social Values
Every society has its own norms for good-bad, reward-
punishment etc. Individual also obeys them and likewise his
perception is influenced.
Social Beliefs
Individual follows social beliefs of her s society. They put
remarkable impression on individual’s perception.
Customs and Rituals
Some rituals are related to religion. Every individual worship
according to his own faith. They cannot ignore or avoid the
totem and taboos of their culture. So, customs and rituals are
taken for granted and people accept them.
Social Norms/Mores
Some social norms have flexibility, sometimes, they are not
followed strictly or even an individual is not punished. Even
then individuals follow three types of norms to be socially
approved.
National Laws
 Individuals are punished when they violate the national law.
So, to avoid punishment, individuals follow them. So is his
perception, which is according to their rules and regulations.