Final answer:
Perception filters the complex sensory input we receive, which is then organized, interpreted, and experienced. Our brain produces a summarized sketch of the world influenced by our emotions and memories, with our interpretations shaped by perceptual hypotheses based on personal experiences and expectations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Perception filters the complex and varied input received by our senses. This concept is critical in understanding how our brains process the sensory information obtained from our environment. According to psychological studies, our sensory receptors collect information, which is then organized, interpreted, and consciously experienced as perception. This process can be described with bottom-up processing, where sensory input from the environment influences our perceptions, and top-down processing, where knowledge and expectations shape how we perceive the world.
Our brains do not provide a full or complete picture of the world; rather, they produce a summary that highlights events of consequence based on what is relevant to our survival. Our perception involves a sketch of the world that emphasizes what we need to know to navigate and survive effectively, often adjusted by factors such as emotions and memory filters.
Gestalt theorists explain that our pattern perception and our ability to discriminate among different figures and shapes are based on perceptual hypotheses. These are educated guesses that we make while interpreting sensory information, influenced by our personalities, experiences, and expectations. This leads to a perceptual set that can govern our interpretation of the sensations we encounter.