PERCEPTION

( PSYCHOLOGY )
 Half full

Half
Empty
Observation involves two mental activities—
sensation and perception. Perception is the
interpretation of sensory stimuli, which
reach the sense organs and brain.

Interpretation gives meaning to sensation

and we become aware of objects.
“Perception is an individual’s awareness aspect of
behaviour, for it is the way each person processes
the raw data he or she receives from the
environment, into meaningful patterns.”
Perception is the process by which we discriminate among stimuli and
Interpret their meanings and appreciate their significance.
E.g.—When we hear a sound, we are able to identify it as being
produced by an aeroplane or an automobile.

Perception gives meaning to sensation.

Perception → Sensation + Interpretation
Human beings have perceptions corresponding to each sense organs visual
perception, auditory perception, etc.
 Perceptual framework

Object Awareness Recognition Interpretation Response

 Principles of Perception
The sense impressions must be organized into
meaningful units. Otherwise, these sense
impressions have no meaning. So the
organization and grouping take place according
to certain principles they are:
 Proximity or Nearness
Objects or figures, which are close to each other, will form a unit or pattern.

We perceive pair of dots We see three sets of 2 lines each

(4 pairs) And not six separate lines
 Similarity
Objects or figures which are similar in shape or forms, though mixed up
with other things we will have the tendency of perceiving them
together in form of a unit or pattern.
 Symmetry and Closure
Items that form symmetrical units are grouped together.

We see 3 sets of brackets,

We don’t see 6 uncorrected lines
Items are perceived as complete units even though they
may be interrupted by gaps.
 Continuity
Continuous lines or dots irrespective of shape or size or colour will form a unit.
In the figure, the dots will form a vertical plane will form a vertical line and
horizontal plane will form a horizontal line.Together they form horizontal-vertical.

Perpendicular symbol We see a curved line and a straight line and

we do not see a line with small circles above and below it
 Errors or
Abnormalities in
Perception
 Illusion
It is wrong or false perception because of wrong
interpretation of stimuli. For example,

A rope in the dark is perceived as a snake.

 Horizontal-Vertical illusion
The vertical line drawn from mid
point to the horizontal line. Though
the two lines are equal in length,
the vertical line looks longer than
the horizontal line. This is because
of the movement of the eyes along
the vertical line.
 Muller-Lyre illusion
The line X looks longer than line Y. This is because
of the line Y has arrowhead which is enclosed
whereas X is with featherhead which looks more
open.

x y

X and Y are identical in length

 Hallucination
This is an extreme form of inaccurate, abnormal
false perception of stimulus, which does not exist
in the environment. For example,

1. Seeing ghost in the dark

2. Seeing god
  Only those who are mentally sick or
emotionally maladjusted feel hallucination.
 It takes place because of inner fear,
anxiety or conflict.
 It uses images instead of stimulus.
 Hallucination can be visual, auditory,
gustatory, olfactory and cutaneous.
THANK YOU