Question

What is perception? How does it differ from person to person? How many types of perceptual errors are encountered by us, while we engage ourselves into the perceptual process? Also explain the concept of selective perception?

Answer 1

Q1) Perception is a thought process,interpretation or opinion of an individual about another individual or a process or a situation depending on a combination of facts and deductions.

Q2) Perceptions differ from person to person based on multiple factors which include -

1. Factual iInformation available to the person.

2. Situation the person is in

3. Way of interpretation of the facts

4. Thoughts of people surrounding the person

5. Any biases

Q3) Below are the various types of perceptual errors encountered -

1. Self-serving bias - Attribute success to internal factors and failures to external factors

2. Self-fulfilling Prophecy - Pre-conceived expectations determine behavior of individual

3. Stereotyping - Generalization of a group based on inaccurate assumptions or beliefs

4. Horn Effect - Considering single negative trait to judge the individual

5. Halo Effect - Considering single trait to judge the other traits or dimensions, can be positive or negative.

6. Recency Effect -Considering recent information as more accurate to make judgement

7.Primary Effect - Considering first/initial information as more accurate to make judgement

Q4) Selective perception is a kind of bias where the individual filters or tend to see or hear what they feel like is good for them and suits their needs.

If a huge amount of information is accessed, only the information pertaining to the individual's need will be noticed and recorded in mind.

Example is - Perceiving eating junk food is fine as long as the we are doing regular exercise.