Perception is defined as “the process of selecting, organizing, subjectively interpreting, and responding to sensory data in a way that enables us to make sense of our world” (Gamble & Gamble 44).
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/6/1/40612903/1413422992.png?250)
Perception is seen through a series of stages. The first stage is the selecting stage, the second stage is the organizing stage, the third stage is the interpreting and evaluating stage, the fourth stage is the retrieving stage, and the fifth and final stage is the responding stage.
We perceive things by using selective perception, which includes selective exposure, selective attention, and selective retention. Perception comes from the nervous system and is sent to the brain. So, in essence, we never come into direct contact with reality (Gamble & Gamble 46). Memory also influences perception and past experiences affect how we interpret current and future experiences and perceptions. Just like perception, our memories too are fallible and not always accurate (Gamble & Gamble 47).
We perceive things by using selective perception, which includes selective exposure, selective attention, and selective retention. Perception comes from the nervous system and is sent to the brain. So, in essence, we never come into direct contact with reality (Gamble & Gamble 46). Memory also influences perception and past experiences affect how we interpret current and future experiences and perceptions. Just like perception, our memories too are fallible and not always accurate (Gamble & Gamble 47).
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/6/1/40612903/950476279.jpg?1413423178)
To organize our perceptions, we use the Figure-Ground Principle, perceptual schemata, and closure. The Figure-Ground Principle is how we take in all of the stimuli that we choose to take in. “What we focus on becomes figure and what we experience becomes ground” (Gamble & Gamble 47). We can only process and perceive one stimuli at a time, which is why we can only either see a vase or two faces in Figure 1, and not both a vase and two faces.
Another way we organize our perceptions is through perceptual schemata. Perceptual schemata consists of physical constructs, role constructs, interaction constructs, and psychological constructs. We use these constructs regularly when communicating online.
Another way we organize our perceptions is through perceptual schemata. Perceptual schemata consists of physical constructs, role constructs, interaction constructs, and psychological constructs. We use these constructs regularly when communicating online.
- Gamble, T. & Gamble, M. (2013). Communication Works (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.