PERCEPTION The process by which individuals interpret sensory information to represent and understand the environment. Perception is essential in understanding how individuals make sense of the world around them. FACTORS INFLUENCING PERCEPTION: • Personality: A person's personality affects how they process information and choose their perceptions. For example, meticulous people might pay more attention to details and external cues. • Motivation: People are more likely to respond to stimuli that have positively affected them in the past, or to satisfy an immediate need. For example, someone who is hungry might perceive an object of desire as more acute and noticeable. • Experiences: Prior experiences play a major role in how a person interprets stimuli. For example, someone who has experienced abuse might flinch when someone raises their hand.