HUMAN PERCEPTION Meaning and
Definition
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Human perception refers to the process through which humans receive, interpret, and make sense of information received through their senses. It is the capacity to become aware of, understand, and interpret the physical world and events happening around individuals. Perception involves the brain's ability to process sensory input such as sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell, organizing this information into a meaningful representation of reality.
Human perception entails an intricate and complex cognitive process that includes both bottom-up processing, where sensory information is transmitted through the sensory organs to the brain, and top-down processing, where previous knowledge, memories, and expectations influence perception. This interplay between sensory input and cognitive processes plays a vital role in determining how individuals perceive and interpret the world.
The accuracy of human perception can vary, as it is influenced by various factors including individual differences, previous experiences, cultural background, attention, and emotional state. Perception can also be subject to biases and perceptual illusions, leading individuals to perceive things differently from objective reality.
Understanding human perception has been a frequent subject of study in fields such as psychology, neuroscience, and cognitive science, as it sheds light on how individuals form mental representations of the world. By investigating perception, researchers aim to discern the mechanisms, factors, and limitations that shape the human experience and our understanding of the external reality.
Etymology of HUMAN PERCEPTION
The term "perception" originated from the Latin word "perceptio", which means "perceiving, understanding, or apprehending". In turn, "perceptio" is derived from the verb "percipere", which combines "per" (through) and "capere" (to take or grasp), giving it the general idea of "taking in through the senses" or "grasping mentally".
The word "human" comes from the Old French word "humain", which in turn comes from the Latin word "humanus". "Humanus" is derived from "homo", meaning "man" or "human being".
Therefore, the etymology of "human perception" can be traced back to Latin, with "perceptio" representing the act of understanding or perceiving and "human" referring to the specific type of perception carried out by human beings.
