Psychology Assignment: Perception Essay

Introduction Sensation and learning ar mental processes that ar sometimes false for each some different. A fine distinction, however, can be drawn between them. Sensation is defined as, the certified experience that follows immediately upon the stimulation of a sense organ or a sensory nerve. The first of all result of a stimulus situation is sensation and an elaboration of beyond this first result is detection (Halonen & Santrock, 1996). A factor influencing mans demeanor and his adjustment is how he looks at blank spaces, persons, object lenss, things, and situations. His interpretation slightly affect greatly his business and everyday life. If, for example, he looks at a store lay-out and says that it is conducive to increase sales volume, then that is how he perceives the stores lay-out. The same is true for an employer who evaluates job applicants. He interviews and gives tests to them. The final examination decision depends upon his assuredness of the different t raits or qualifications expected of the applicants. This is what is termed as perception (Halonen & Santrock, 1996).Discussion The dictionary of precept defines perception in its most limited sense as awareness of external objects, conditions, relationship as a result of sensory stimulation (McKenna, 2000). Beach and Clark (1959) define it as the process which involves the receiving and organizing or interpreting of stimuli, by the individual (McKenna, 2000). From the aforementioned definitions, one thing is common and that is the awareness of a stimulus. This awareness is achieved through our sense organs, muscles and glands, and connectors (McKenna, 2000). Characteristics of the Perception Process Perception as the action by which the mind refers its sensations to external object has certain characteristics. Beach and Clark enumerated and discussed the characteristics of perception as follows (McKenna, 2000 Clement, 1981) It is Selective When one walks down the street, he is no t aware of everything in his environment. Eh pays attention to specific or particular stimuli yet and not to all sounds, sight and other types of stimuli about him. Through our sense organs, in other words, we select only those things we are interested in. in that respect is but a particular thing that may attract, maintain, or distract the attention of the individual (McKenna, 2000 Clement, 1981).. It is Structuring or Patterning Process What a person perceives as common to him is a form or structure. This is what is called configuration or wholeness in Gestalt psychology. A person perceives a real thing when it comes in the correct var. or structure. A complete pattern of an object means that it has all the attributes of the object (1) it must hold shape, (2) it must have a color, (3) it must have a smell (4) it must have a taste (McKenna, 2000 Clement, 1981). It Contains Meaning The particular sensations experienced by a person are interpreted in a way that will give them mea ning in terms of the persons experience. For a person it is difficult to perceive or pick up a thing or stimulus if he does not know it. Before one perceives a thing, he must be familiar with it first. A person attaches meaning to a thing he has knowledge of or is familiar with (McKenna, 2000 Clement, 1981).. It is Adaptive or Subjective When a person perceives a thing, he sees it according to his likes, desires, ambitions or beliefs. In other words, he suits his perception according to his likes, his feelings, his desires, and his beliefs (McKenna, 2000 Clement, 1981).. Factors Affecting or Influencing Perception There are several factors to be considered to understand perception. These are the sense organs, intelligence, the emotions and feelings, culture, training, social factors, interests, attitudes and motives (Landy, 1985 Baron, 1983 Clement, 1981). The Role of the Senses How a person interprets things or situations depends primarily upon his sense organs. almost senses are stronger than others. There are those who have a keen sense of smell there are those with very poor eyesight. This may result in different perceptions of objects (Landy, 1985 Baron, 1983 Clement, 1981). Apparel to a persons sense withdraws perception effective. This is illustrated in advertizing. The more senses advertizing appeals to the more lasting the impression is (Landy, 1985 Baron, 1983 Clement, 1981). agriculture Culture influences our perception both directly and indirectly. Indirectly, because culture influences our personal needs and motives. Directly, because a persons habits of feeling at and interpreting things, objects, persons, and situations depend partly on his culture (Landy, 1985 Baron, 1983 Clement, 1981). Training Another factor of perception is training and conditioning. Training means the education and experience the individual gains in his life. It involves observing others and/or undermentioned instructions. The point is, what will happen in any part icular situation and what will done by the people involved, will depend upon the past conditioning and training of the various individuals involved (Landy, 1985 Baron, 1983 Clement, 1981).Social Factors A persons social experiences exert a strong influence on how he sees or interprets a situation, specially a social situation. In his contact with his family, friend, school or business associates his responses to situations are influenced by experiences with these social groups. In other words, his perception of situation depends upon his social interactions with people and society (Landy, 1985 Baron, 1983 Clement, 1981).Emotions Emotions influence ones perception. A situation which appears very bad during a negative emotional result often turns out to be not bad after all in a calmer moment. Our behavior is not only due to physiological causes but also to psychological causes. These psychological causes are partly due to an individuals emotion (Landy, 1985 Baron, 1983 Clement, 1981 ).Intelligence When a person is intelligent, he does not only see objects as they are but interprets them in terms of beauty, uniqueness, and the efforts made behind the construction, in other words, he sees things in several dimensions (Landy, 1985 Baron, 1983 Clement, 1981).Motives or Drives A persons motives, needs, desires and drives condition our perception. A salesman displays wares in his counter with the bodily or psychological needs or desires of the customers in mind. The customers attention will be attracted because of their personal motives (Landy, 1985 Baron, 1983 Clement, 1981). Interests Different individuals perceive the same object in varying ways influenced by their interests. A high school graduate may perceive a city as a place where he can further his studies. A businessman on the other hand, would see it as a good place for business, while an employee from a rural place would see as the place where he can get better play or salary (Landy, 1985 Baron, 1983 Cleme nt, 1981). Attitudes The attitude of a person is a determining factor of perception. A favorable attitude toward an object or thing will make him see the object as a desirable thing (Landy, 1985 Baron, 1983 Clement, 1981).ReferenceBaron, R. 1983. Behavior in Organizations instinct and Managing the Human Side of Work, Boston Allyn and Bacon.Clement, R.W. 1981. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Management Training. Human Resources Management. Vol. 20, pp.8-13.Halonen, Jane S., and John Santrock. psychology Contexts of behavior. 1996. Brown & Benchmark, USA, p. 280.Landy, F.J. 1985. Psychology of Work behavior. third Ed. Dorsey Press.McKenna, Eugene, 2000. Business Psychology and Organizational Behavior A Students Handbook. 3rd Ed. Psychology press Taylor and Francis Group.