„‚ CONDITIONS THAT HINDER EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Figure 1. “Mr. Rat” 1
Understanding, 1690), most students of perception would agree that our knowledge of
the world comes to us via our sense organs. Consequently, the main thrust of research in
the field of perception has been concentrated not only on explorations of the structure
and function of sense organs, but also on experiences related to sensing and, more
recently, on behavioral responses to perceived stimuli. Today, evidence leads us to
conclude that parts of the process of perception are learned whereas other parts are
inborn.
Insights About the Perceptual Process
The following list is by no means complete, nor is it free of suppositions and
speculation; but it may offer a sufficiently clear, although rudimentary, idea about what
is involved in the perceptual process.
1. Knowledge about the world is obtained only through the sense organs.
2. The senses are capable of detecting certain kinds of energy (stimuli) emanating
from the environment.
3. Each sense organ absorbs a special kind of energy within a given range of
magnitudes; in other words, there are both upper and lower limits (thresholds)
for sensing. For example, sound waves above a certain frequency cannot be
detected by our ears; but a dog can hear them very well and respond to them.
4. Sense organs, using nerves as conduits, transmit the incoming energy to brain
centers in the form of “signals.” These signals are raw information because at
this stage of the process their meanings for the perceiver are not yet clear.
1
From Bugelski and Alampay (1964). Copyright © 1961. Canadian Psychological Association. Reprinted with permission.
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The Pfeiffer Library Volume 6, 2nd Edition. Copyright © 1998 Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer