Perception is the process by which individuals select, organize and interpret information from environment through five senses. Five senses are eyesight, hearing, taste, touch and smell. It is a process by which individuals organize and interpret their sensory impressions in order to give meaning to their environment. Process of Perception Inputs: Input refers to Stimuli available in the environment. It includes, information, objects, events and people etc. Throughputs: it is the stages of transformation. Perceptual inputs are proceeds to obtain output. Throughputs includes: Selection: selecting information on the basis of interests, experience, background etc. Organization: grouping stimuli into meaningful & identifiable patterns. Interpretation: assigning meaning to the selected & organized information. Outputs: At this stage result of perceptual process can be seen. Transformed inputs. Results in attitude, opinions, feelings, values & behavior. Factors influencing perception Internal Factor: These are factors related to the characteristics of perceiver. Needs & motives: People with different needs generally experience different stimuli. A hungry man catches attestation of food related objects. Self concept: How the people see him self. Generally people select only those aspects which they find match with their characteristics. Past experience: A person also perceives on the basis of his past experiences. Beliefs: A person also perceives on the basis of what he believes irrespective of what really is, Expectations: Expectation refers to the anticipation of particular behavior from a person which also affects the perceptions. Current psychological states: The current state of mind also affects the selection of stimulus. External Factors: These are the environmental factors and are the characteristics of the perceived (Stimuli). Size: Big size catches attestation Intensity: Loud sound and bright color catches attestation more. Contrast: Stimuli which stand against the background catches attention more. Repetition: Repetitive stimuli catches attention more. BY.........RAGHAV KR. Movement: Moving objects draw more attention than rest. Perceptual Error in Organizations: Stereotyping : Judging people on the basis of group to which they belong is called stereotyping. Impression / first impressions : Making an opinion about a person on the basis of first meeting itself. Projection Attributing (looking) one's own characteristics (qualities) to someone else. looking one's own qualities in other people. E.g., if a person is honest, he will consider other people as honest. Attribution How people explain the cause of other’s or their own behaviour. Selective perception People perceive as per their need, motives or interests. Inference Judging others on the basis of incomplete information. Perceptual set Interpreting others behaviour according to our own mental set.