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What Factors Affect Human Perception?

Gregory Hanson
Gregory Hanson

Human perception requires sensory organs, the nervous system, and the brain to work together smoothly. Any breakdown in this system can prevent or change human perception of the world at large. The human brain is also limited in its ability to process information and takes certain shortcuts when processing the information that is received from the senses, especially during visual perception. Cultural conditioning and training also influence perception to some degree, as men and women are conditioned to regard certain stimuli as more important than others.

The human body's five senses collect an enormous amount of detail about the world. Each sensory system receives data from the world, whether in the form of light that strikes the rods and cones at the back of the eye or as vibrations in the air that are detected as sound by the ear. Once information has been received by a sense organ, it is passed along via nerves in the form of raw data. Damage to the nervous system can prevent information from ever reaching the brain for processing. The brain constructs a model of reality based on information received from the senses.

The human brain tends to follow certain patterns when sorting through data.
The human brain tends to follow certain patterns when sorting through data.

Each human being's sense organs have different strengths and weaknesses. The ability to collect raw data from the world imposes key limits on human perception. For example, as men and women age, most lose the ability to detect very high pitches. Many conditions can limit the ability of the senses to collect information from the world, and thus limit the brain's ability to perceive its surroundings.

The skin helps shape human perception by feeding the brain environmental clues.
The skin helps shape human perception by feeding the brain environmental clues.

Another factor that shapes human perception stems from the sheer volume of information that the senses are able to collect. The senses can potentially transmit far more raw information to the brain than the brain can actually process in a meaningful fashion. Parts of the brain work on a subconscious level to carry out raw processing and filtering in order to limit the conscious brain's attention to those pieces of information that are most relevant.

The brain is likely to notice a change if there is a sudden sensation of an insect crawling on the skin.
The brain is likely to notice a change if there is a sudden sensation of an insect crawling on the skin.

Typically, human brains follow certain patterns in sorting data. The brain is especially likely to notice changes. Motion in the field of vision, a rapid change in temperature, or the sudden sensation of an insect crawling on the skin are all likely to be passed on to the conscious brain. Certain men and women are naturally better at these perception tasks than are others, although conscious focus and training can improve anyone's abilities. Learned values also play a role in shaping perception, as cultural systems teach the conscious brain which pieces of information are significant, and memory and human perception can become interconnected.

Discussion Comments

SteamLouis

@ddljohn-- You're not the only one who experiences that sort of thing. We all experience it actually and it's not because we can't use our senses, but it's because our brain can only process so much information at once.

So when we look at a room, or a park, we can't possibly take notice of everything that's there. We have to concentrate on something and then move on to the next. Our brain tends to prioritize information. Before we even realize, it decides what's important and what should be processed first. That's why we are drawn towards a moving object rather than something that's standing still. It's a part of our evolution actually, to protect us from danger.

Similarly, if three people are speaking to us at the same time, we can't possible process all three conversations at once. So the brain prioritizes and focuses in on one conversation.

I don't doubt that our perception skills can be developed but I also think that there is a limit to it, there's only so much we can do.

ddljohn

I would like to improve my use of my senses for perception. I don't think I'm very good at it right now. I've actually noticed that a lot of the time, I don't even pay attention to my surroundings. I only focus on one thing and can't process anything else. I think that's a disadvantage. That's probably why I hardly remember my neighbors because I never pay attention to them.

I'm assuming that there are certain exercises I could do to work on this. I just want to be more in touch with my senses and really observe what's happening around me.

fify

Some psychiatric or psychological disorders cause hallucinations. I guess this is because of a breakdown in the brain right?

Technically, we rely on sensory information for perception. But hallucinations don't rely on sensory information. It's actually very strange how this can happen.

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      By: Alexandr Mitiuc
      The human brain tends to follow certain patterns when sorting through data.
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