Perception Case

Perception is a way of knowing, and it's the basis of our understanding. Perception is defined as how the brain filters and interprets the empirical knowledge. Being able to understand, analyze, and interpret data received through our sensors starts a process called perceptual process. People tend to see things not the way things are, but the way people themselves are. The way we view things reflects on our personality, and on our perception; it changes the way we communicate with people, how we look at others and the world around us. The way our brain filters the information from our senses may interfere with our perception.

All knowledge is based on experience, especially the experience of the senses. Through "Allegory of the cave", the Greek philosopher Plato cleared out how experience changed perception. While in the cave, prisoners couldn't see but a distorted image of reality, shadows of their fellows thrown by fire is all what they could see assuming the shadows were true. When one prisoner was pulled out of the cave into the light, the sudden freedom opened his mind and senses, particularly the eyes, to see the world around him. This experience made the prisoner able to see the real world and draw conclusions from it which gradually increased the process of knowledge and awareness. He would congratulate himself carrying out this experience contrary to his fellows. Eventually, going through several experiences gives a background that helps anticipating things or what to expect.

Most people communicate more with people of similar cultures. Our norms, traditions, religion, and assumptions often lead us to misinterpret things. Also, the pattern of thinking can affect the person's perception of others. Being familiar, for example, with a person makes you better judge and understands his expectations, intentions, and actions.

People usually respond to questions addressed to them the way they are expected to answer, and not necessarily what they believe should be the answer. In the same way, "people only see what they are prepared to see", taking into consideration the different factors that may affect their perception.