Sample Solution

The process of perception involves a series of steps beginning with environmental stimulus, and culminating in the behavioral responses of perceiving, recognizing, and acting. The first step is to sense the environment with the five senses (vision, hearing, touch, taste, smell). For example when we see an object our eyes perceive its shape or color while listening to sound our ears pick up on pitch or loudness (Adkins & Jensen 2020). Once these stimuli have been received by our sensory receptors they are then sent through pathways in the central nervous system which processes this information into meaningful patterns.

At this stage two types of information processing occur: bottom-up and top-down processing. Bottom-up processing starts from basic sensory input and works up to more complex information as it is combined with prior knowledge stored within memory networks. In contrast top-down processing utilizes already existing concepts from memory networks to interpret incoming data (Adkins & Jensen 2020). This can be seen when trying to recognize familiar faces even though subtle changes may have occurred since you last saw them.

After assessing incoming data for both new and familiar elements we begin the process of recognition. This occurs due to cognitive structures such as schemas that contain systematically organized knowledge about common aspects of objects or events (Hanson et al., 2007). Through comparing sensory data against schemas held in memory a recognition decision is made which allows us to accurately identify what we are perceiving.

Finally once an object has been perceived correctly it must be acted upon accordingly; either through selecting a proper response or initiating appropriate behavior based off learned experience (Loftus et al., 2008). Perception thus serves as not just an awareness but also connection between external stimuli and internal interpretation allowing us take necessary action in order to survive within our environment.