Explain the factors affecting Perception
The factors that influence perceptions can be categorized into three major types:
1. Factors in the perceiver
The key factors in the perceiver that affects the perception are explained briefly.
Attitude: Attitude of an individual influences what he/s he perceives about other or event. For example, a teacher who has negative attitudes towards students (male) with long hair and earring will perceive them in a negative way.
Motives: What is the urgent needs and desire of an individual? What his motive are often plays an important role in determining what he perceives.
Experience: Experience and knowledge serve as a basis for perception. One's successful experience enhances the perceptive ability of an individual. On the contrary, failure erodes the self- confidence,
Expectation: Individual often sees what they expect to see. In this regard, expectation is another key factor that affects the perception.
2. Factors in the targe
It refers to the factor associated with target to be perceived. They key factors in the target are explained briefly.
Size: The principle of size says that the larger the object, the more is the probability that it is perceived. Size attracts the attention of the individual. A full page spread advertisement attracts more attention than a few lines in a classified section. The reason is not difficult to see. The size establishes dominance and enhances perceptual selection.
Intensity: High intensity increases the changes of selection. If the message is bright, it sentences are underlined. It gets more attention than in normal case. The greater the intensity of stimulus, the more likely, it will be noticed. An intense stimulus has more power to push itself our selection, filters then does the weak stimulus.
Frequency: The repetition principle states that a repeated external stimulus is more attention- getting than single one. It is for this reason that advertises goes for repetitious advertising to gain the customer's attention to their product.
Contrast: As per contrast principle, the external stimuli, which stands out against the background will receive more attention. For example, plant safety signs with black lettering or a yellow background or white lettering on a red background are more attention attracting.
Movement: The movement principle says that people pay more attention to a moving object than the stationery People will be attracted more by a running train than one standing on the platform.
3. Factors in the situation:
The key factors in the situation category that impacts the perception are explained briefly.
Time: Time associated with situation is one critical factor that affects perception. For example, a student that study deeply from the beginning understands (perceive) the subject matter easily and quickly.
Work setting: The work setting affects the perception in a major way. Peaceful work setting enhances the perceptive ability of an individual. On the contrary, noisy and clumsy work setting may erode the perceptive ability.
Social setting: Social setting -also affects the perception. Social surrounding related individuals, occasion, culture, etc., impact the perception. For example, drinking alcohol is perceived a part of life in Newar community. While for many other community, it is perceived as a taboo.
