PERCEPTION1

Perception is the primary process by which we obtain knowledge about the world we
live in. It involves the taking in of information, through the activity of our sense organs
responding to external stimulation (sensation), followed by the processing of that information to
make sense of what we see, hear, smell taste, and touched. The result is perception-a
discernment of the nature of objects, their position shape, size, distance, scent, taste, texture
and most critically, their meaning. In other words, perception is the integration and meaningful
interpretation of sensation.
Perception is an active process of extracting information from the impingements of
energy on our sense organs. When we perceive, we interpret, organize and often elaborate on
the raw materials of sensation. Psychologists have recently tried to capture the dynamic nature
of perception by describing it as information-processing. Whereas sensation occurs at the
level of sensory receptors, perception is a cognitive activity. It involves complex mechanism in
the brain and is influenced by a variety of higher mental processes such as memories,
motivations, and expectations.
Attention, the processes of focusing one or more information for more detailed inspection while
setting aside other information. Two kinds of attention: selective attention and divided attention.
There are five perceptual systems: visual (looking), auditory (listening), Haptic (touching), savor
(taste) and basic orientational perceptual system.
Major Functions of the Visual Perceptual System
Localization to locate objects, first we have to separate them from one another, and then
organize them into groups. Gestalt psychologist theorized that we perceive figures and forms as
whole patterns that are more than the simple sum of individual sensations. The Law of
Pragnanz is the fundamental principle by which the whole, or the gestalt, is constructed. Koffka
(1930) pronounce the law, thus of several geometrically possible organizations, what will be
perceived is the best, simplest, and most stable shape. Other principles of organization include
figure and ground organization, and perceptual grouping.
Gestalt Principles of Grouping
1. Proximity. Objects near each other tend to be seen as a unit.
2. Similarity. Object similar to each other tend to be seen as part of the same pattern
3. Good continuation. Objects arranged in either a straight line or a smooth curve also
tend to be seen as a unit.
4. Closure. Even when a figure has a gap, we tend to perceive it as a closed, complete
figure. This makes the figure simpler to perceive.
5. Common fate. When objects moved in the same direction, we tend to see them as a
unit.

General Psychology for Filipino College Students edited by Lolita Teh and Ma. Elizabeth Macapaga

(Quezon City: Ateneo De Manila University Press, 2007) pp. 86-106.

Depth perception. Localizing an object requires that we know how far the object is from us, an
ability usually referred to as depth perception
1. Relative size. If an image contains an array of similar objects that differ in size, we
interpret the smaller objects as being far away. This phenomenon works particularly wee
when we know the true sizes of the objects.
2. Superimposition. If one object is positioned so that it obstructs the view of another, we
perceived the overlapping object as nearer.
3. Relative height. Among similar objects, those that appear higher are perceived as being
farther away.
4. Linear perspective. When parallel lines appear to converge, they are perceived as
vanishing in the distance.
5. Motion parallax. This refers to the relative movement of objects are different distances
from the observers. This may be demonstrated in a variety of situations, for example,
while you are looking out the window of a fast moving vehicle. You will see nearby
objects moving quickly in the opposite direction while more distant objects appear to
move more slowly.
Perceptual Constancies. The third major function of the perceptual system is to keep the
appearance of objects approximately the same in spite of the large changes in the stimuli
received by our sense organs.
1. Size constancy. The fact that any objects size remains relatively constant no matter
how far it is from us. The perceived size of an object increases with both the retinal size
of the object the perceived distance of the object in accordance with the size-distance
invariance principle.
2. Lightness constancy. An object appears equally light regardless of how much light it
reflects.
3. Color constancy. An object looks roughly the same color regardless of the light source
illuminating it.
4. Shape constancy. The perceived shape of an object remains constant even though its
retinal image changes, as when the object moves.
5. Location constancy. Despite a series of retinal changing images strikes the retina as
we move, the positions of fixed objects appear to remain constant.
Motion Perception. Real motion happens whenever an image moves across our retina, an is
implemented in the brain by specific cells in the visual system.
Kinds of motion
1. Stroboscopic motion-The illusion of movement produced by a rapid pattern of stimulation
on different parts of the retina.
2. Induced motion in which the movement o a large object induces the apparent movement of
a smaller stationary object.