Final answer:
True, the concept of perceiving includes selecting, organizing, and interpreting sensations. Perception goes beyond mere sensory detection; it involves higher-level brain processes influenced by various psychological factors. Attention is also pivotal in dictating what sensations are focused on and perceived.
Step-by-step explanation:
TRUE. At the most basic level, the concept of perceiving refers to the processes of selecting, organizing, and interpreting the sensations provided by the senses, which aligns with the definition of perception. Perception happens not just at the level of sensory reception but at the higher levels in the brain where sensory stimuli are organized, interpreted, and turned into conscious experience. Perception comprises both bottom-up processing, which is driven by external stimuli, and top-down processing, driven by prior knowledge and expectations.
Sensation refers to the initial detection of stimulus energy by the sensory receptors. The interpretation and conscious understanding of that sensory information is the realm of perception. This psychological process is influenced by an individual's beliefs, values, prejudices, culture, and life experiences, which can significantly alter what is perceived from the sensations available.
Attention also plays a critical role in perception. It can filter out unnecessary sensory information to focus on what is considered important based on priorities or motivations. For example, one might not notice a background noise during an engaging conversation due to selective attention.