Question

Write a short paper about the Principles of Perception.

Thank you!!!

Answer 1

Perception is an active process in which we select, organize and interpret sensory input to achieve a grasp of our surroundings. In simple terms, interpretation of sensory stimulation (Feel, See, Touch, Smell & Hear).

Perception as an active process, where individual plays an important role in determining objects and reactions around the environment, one would be interested in understanding main processes involved in it? The process of getting a small portion of sensations in one’s environment selected by the individual to be transmitted to the brain for meaning is known as perceptual selectivity.

The first process to this effect is attention in which certain stimuli are selected to be transmitted to the brain and others are suppressed. The individual has the tendency to attend to certain sensations we expect to, while remaining unaware of things we do not expect. This phenomenon is called perceptual set.  

The phenomenon of perceiving valued objects as larger or as more vivid than they actually are, is known as perceptual accentuation.

William James, American Psychologist, we do not see the things as they appear, but we see them as we want [meaningful]. In the complete process of perception, we give attention to some stimuli and if necessary we discrete stimuli in the visual field. Gestault "Principle of Grouping" is set of principles. As per Gestault "whole is more than some of its part". Principle of grouping includes;

1. Law Of Symmetry means how we group things together based on how similar they are to each other. like ++++++ / ++++++++++ / +++++++++

2. Law Of Proximity means nearness. Element/object that are near each other are likely to be perceived as part of the same group. The closer two figures are to each other (proximity) the more they will tend to be grouped together perceptually. a b c d e f. The low lines a, b, c, d, and e, f are perceived together as they are in proximity to each other

3.Law Of Continuity means continuous pattern can be formed by linking individual elements together. Good continuation is a powerful organizational factor. In the military setting, camouflage is achieved by using this law .

4. Law Of Closure, We have the tendency to perceive objects as whole entities, even some parts may be missing or obstructed from view.

5. Law Of Simplicity, tendency to perceive complex patterns in terms of similar shapes.

6. Law Of Common Region is organizing elements around us in an organized manner to get some meaning out of it.

7. Figure-Ground Relationship, organize perception by distinguishing between a figure and a background

All the principles are not compulsion but it helps in understanding how shall we perceive the world around us.