The Perception Process

Start with the steps

Begin with Steps in the Perception Process for an outline of selection, organization and interpretation. The map also introduces influences on perception, including selective perception and selective retention. Use the headings to see how the resource groups its ideas before looking at each step in more detail.

Next, try The Perception Process. It connects selection with attention, experiences, needs and preferences. It then describes organization as grouping information and interpretation as giving it meaning in relation to experiences and expectations.

Explore terms and influences

Perceptions is a useful companion for vocabulary. It describes perception as selecting, organizing and interpreting information, and introduces schemata as stored, related information used to interpret new experiences. Compare that description with the steps in the first maps.

Why Do Differences in Perception Occur? brings together influences such as physiological factors, past experiences and roles. Another map looks at proximity and similarity in organization, while the note on perception in communication includes senses, motivation, expectations and experience. These resources offer different ways to follow the concepts introduced in the opening maps.

Use maps and questions together

There are no quizzes listed on this page. A free account lets you make your own quiz and save your scores. You could base a question on how a map describes selection, then return to that map to check your response. Repeat the process for organization and interpretation, using the maps to compare the terms.

Place the topic in the unit

The Perception Process is one section of Listening and Perception in Communication and journalism. Use the maps and note here to build a view of how the section presents perception, then return to the unit with those terms in mind. Explore a map and make a quiz of your own.