Final answer:
Perception involves both bottom-up and top-down processing and is influenced by an individual's needs and expectations, leading to selective attention on relevant stimuli. Gestalt psychology also plays a role in how we pattern and interpret sensory information.
Step-by-step explanation:
Perception is a complex psychological phenomenon that involves both bottom-up and top-down processing. Bottom-up processing starts with sensory input, where we collect information from our environment through our senses. In contrast, top-down processing involves using our pre-existing knowledge, experiences, and expectations to interpret and understand sensory information.
Our perceptual processes focus on elements that are most relevant to our needs, a concept known as selective attention. This enables us to tune out irrelevant stimuli and pay attention to what is crucial for our survival and well-being. For example, at a noisy party, you might focus on a conversation and ignore background noises until someone draws your attention to them.
Gestalt psychology suggests that we organize sensory information into patterns and figures according to certain principles. Our perceptions are not merely passive receptions of sensory input but active constructions of reality influenced by our perceptual set, which includes our biases, motivations, and experiences.