Perceptual Selection

Reshav Mahajan
Perception
Perception may be defined as the process by which an individual selects, organizes and
interprets stimuli into a meaningful and coherent picture of the environment in
which s/he lives.
Perceptual Process
Objects in the Environment

Observation

Perceptual selection

Perceptual organisation

Interpretation

Response
 What do you see in Which white circle is
this picture? How would you describe these
larger? potato chips?

Perceptual Selectivity
Though people are exposed to several stimuli , they tend to select only a few at a given point of
time, this is perceptual selectivity. Selectivity in Perception which stimuli get selected depends on
two major factors :-

1) Consumers previous experience as it affects their expectations.

2) Their motives at that time for one’s needs, desire & interest etc.
 Factors Influencing Perceptual Selectivity

External Attention Factors Internal Set Factors

 Intensity
 Learning
 Size
 Contrast  Expectations
 Repetition  Motivation
 Motion
 Personality
 Novelty and
 familiarity
 External Attention Factors

Intensity

According to the intensity principle of attention, the intensity of an

external stimulus determines its probability of being perceived.

Example:
Light Colour Bright Colour
 External Attention Factors

Size:
A larger object is more likely to be noticed than a smaller object.

Example:
Which you can read fast?

God is great God is great

Continued….
Contrast: According to the principles of contrast, the stimuli that contradict most with the
background or the expectations of people receive maximum attention.

Example: Which white square is smaller?

Continued….
Motion:
People gives more attention to moving objects than the stationery
objects.

Repetition Novelty and Familiarity:

The more number of New objects in a
familiar situation or
times a stimulus is
familiar objects in a
repeated, the more it is likely
new situation draw the
to be noticed perceiver’s attention.
Internal Set Factors
Learning
Learning by itself plays a major role in developing the
perceptual set.
Example:

Hilly
Terrain
Ahead
Motivation
The primary motives:
Hunger and Thirst
The secondary motives:
The need for power, The need for affiliation and The need for
achievement.

Expectations
People see what they want to see.

Personality
Personality of a person influence perception.
Conclusion
Perceptual selection is the process by which people filter out irrelevant
or less significant information, so that they can deal with the most
important matters.