Explain the steps involved in the perceptual process.
Steps Involved in Perceptual Process
Perceptual process consists of input and output variables. The output variables determine how people show their behavior. Inputs are the objectives, events, people, etc. that are received by the perceiver. It begins when environmental stimuli are received through people’s five sensory organs i.e. ear, eye, nose, tongue and skin.
The inputs received are processed through three sub-processes explained as follows:
a. Selection: Human beings five sensory organs are constantly attached with stimuli. When people get noticed, they are screened out. And the process of filtering information received by people’s sense is called selective perception/attention. People are result-oriented; they can‘t perceive all the inputs. People generally select the information either that is most important or most threatening.
b. Organization Perceptual organization is a way of assembling the selected information into a meaningful whole. The key elements of organization are
- Grouping: selected information are grouped on the basis of similarity or proximity.
- Closure: Missing parts are filled to make it complete and derive the proper meaning.
- Simplification: Simplification i.e. people just select important information and reject less important information.c. Interpretation: In order to give meaningful information, people generally interpret on particular event If there is no interpretation perceived, information would be meaningless.
The output of perception can be seen in the form of behavior and emotions. It may be the feeling, action, attitude, positive, negative behavior.
