What make perception a cognitive rather than a simply sensory skill?
Perception depends upon your past experiences. You probably don't find the same foods appetizing as people in other places in the world.
Perception is considered a cognitive skill because it involves more than just the basic sensory processes. While our senses (such as vision, hearing, taste, touch, and smell) provide us with the raw information about the world, perception requires the brain to interpret and make sense of that sensory input.
To understand why perception is a cognitive skill, we can consider the following points:
1. Sensory processing: Sensory information from the environment is received by our sensory organs (e.g., eyes, ears), which transmit signals to the brain. This process is called sensory processing. However, merely receiving sensory input is not enough for perception to occur.
2. Interpretation and organization: Perception involves the interpretation and organization of sensory information. The brain engages in complex processes to make sense of the sensory input, categorize it, and form coherent perceptions of the world. For example, when we see a cluster of lines and shapes, our brain organizes them into meaningful objects, such as a face or a tree.
3. Context and expectations: Perception is influenced by contextual information and our prior knowledge or expectations. Our brain uses contextual cues, such as background information, to interpret sensory input accurately. For example, if we see an object partially obscured by another object, our brain may fill in the missing information based on our knowledge of how objects typically look.
4. Perceptual illusions: Perceptual illusions demonstrate that our brain actively constructs our perception rather than passively reflecting the world as it is. These illusions occur when our brain misinterprets or distorts sensory input, leading to discrepancies between our perception and reality. By studying these illusions, researchers can gain insights into the underlying cognitive processes involved in perception.
In summary, perception involves the complex cognitive processes of interpretation, organization, and integration of sensory information. It goes beyond basic sensory processing and incorporates context, expectations, and prior knowledge. This is why perception is considered a cognitive skill rather than a purely sensory one.