Final answer:
Selective perception is true; it refers to how we interpret information based on our biases, experiences, and expectations, which can influence and sometimes distort our understanding of reality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Selective perception is true; it is the process through which individuals interpret information in a way that aligns with their existing beliefs, expectations, and experiences. Even when we believe our perception accurately reflects reality, various cognitive biases, emotions, and cultural factors can influence the interpretation of sensory information and lead to inaccuracies. Perception involves both bottom-up and top-down processing, with sensory receptors collecting data from the environment (bottom-up) and our knowledge, experiences, and expectations influencing how we process that information (top-down).
Gestalt theorists suggest that our pattern perception is influenced by these factors, which contributes to our perceptual set. Confirmation bias, a related concept, is our tendency to focus on information that confirms our existing beliefs, impacting how we perceive and interact with the world.
Given this understanding, perception can serve as a source of justification for beliefs, but it should be approached with a critical mindset.