PERCEPTION – A short synopsis by Segun Obadimu

Segun Obadimu

What is Perception?

Perception is a process by which people organize and interpret the sensory information they receive in order to give meaning to their environment. In layman language, it is the way we see or interpret our environment using our senses. As Anais Nin famously said, "We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are."

Why is it Important? A person's behavior is based on his perception of what reality is, not on reality itself. The world that is perceived is the world that is behaviorally important.

Factors Influencing Perception:

• The Perceiver – attitudes, motives, interests, experiences, expectations

• The Target – novelty, motions, sounds, size, background, proximity, similarity

• The Situation – time, work setting, social situation, mental

Other factors:

• Family

• Culture, Tradition & Religion

• Environment

• Career

• Exposure / Experience

• Association

• Status

Before drawing conclusion in our day-to-day dealing with people, let us watch our perception, we might be viewing a clean glass with our dirty spectacle. Remember, no water is bad; if it is not good for drinking the plant will cherish it for irrigation