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Perception
and Sensory Processing
We
do not experience reality exactly as it exists, but as our experience
and memories cause us to perceive it. Our sensory systems detect
and take in stimuli from the environment in the form of physical
energy. Each sensory receptor type is sensitive to only one form
of energy. These receptors convert or transduce this energy into
electrochemical energy that can be processed by the brain. However,
our perception involves more than the receipt of sensory information.
We must attend to, select, organize, and interpret this information
in order to meaningfully recognize objects and events in our environment.
Our
interpretation of sensory information requires retrieval from long-term
memory. Our prior experience and knowledge, emotional state, and
value system (including prejudices) determine our perceptions.
![](cognition_images/3_stage_sm.gif)
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Adapted
from
Wickens' Human Information Processing Model* |
*adapted
from Wickens, C.D., Engineering Psychology and Human Performance,
Harper Collins, New York, 1992.
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