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Cognition & Perception

What is Cognition?

Cognition means the ability of humans to recognize andprocess information. It implies the existence of mentalprocesses such as comprehension, inference, decisionmaking, planning, and learning.

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Perception

Perception is the process of:

Acquiring

Interpreting

Selecting and

Organizing

Sensory Information from internal &external sources

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Difference between Sensation &

Perception

Sensation is the response of a physical

sensory organ to some stimuli.

Sensation, in a way, is a mechanical

response

Perception is a thought response

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Perceptual Process

Inputs Throughputs Output

[Stimuli] Selection & InterpretationOrganization & Action

Let us discuss briefly each one of them

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Elements of Perceptual Process

1. Receiving Stimuli from sensory sources

2. Selection of Stimuli: Many stimuli at atime from the environment.

This implies Selectivity from among stimuli.

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Selective Perception

Selectivity- Two Psychological Principles

i. Figure Ground Principle: meaningful bitsof info is figure/ waste is ground

ii. Relevancy: Relevant to the needs and

desires of the person in question

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Perceptual Process

3. Organization of Perception:

Integrating the bits of information into a meaningfulwhole is organization

Methods of Organization

i. Groupingsimilar pieces together

ii. Closure Tendency to form a complete message withincomplete data

iii. SimplificationLeaving the less important to moreimportant

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Perceptual Process

4. Interpretation

Assigning Meaning to data is Interpretation

Influencing Factors while interpreting:

Halo effect, Attribution, Stereotyping,Personality, Situation, Perceiver

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Perceptual Process

5. Action: This is the resultant behavior

emerging out of perceptual process. May

be negative/ positive

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Factors Affecting Perception

Internal & External to the Perceiver

Internal: Needs & Desires

Personality

Experience: Successful / Failure

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Factors Affecting Perception 2

External Factors

Factors relate to what is to be perceived

Situation

Size: Establishes dominance & enhancesperceptual selection

Intensity: Loud and soft Frequency/ Repetition

Contrast

Status

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Improving Perception

Methods to improve Perception

Perceiving oneself accurately: Moreawareness about oneself with opencommunication

Improving ones self concept

Be empathetic

Having Positive Attitude

Avoiding Perceptual Distortions

Communicating Openly

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Perception- Its Applications

1. Employment Interviews

2. Performance Appraisal

3. Performance Expectation4. Employee Effort & Loyalty