Perception is often a subjective, selective and biased experience shaped by various internal and external factors.

Two people may witness the same event but interpret it very differently. Why does this happen?

The answer lies in the interplay of elements related to the perceiver, the situation, and the target.

🧠 1. Factors in the Perceiver

These are internal psychological influences—how you as the observer interpret what you see or experience.

• Attitudes 🧠❤️
  A person with a positive attitude may see an event as an opportunity, while someone negative might view it as a threat.

• Motives 🎯
  If you’re hungry (motive), you’ll more quickly notice a food stall. Needs and desires direct your focus.

• Interests 🔍
  A person interested in fashion will notice clothing more than someone who isn’t.

• Experiences 📖
  A past experience (good or bad) with a teacher may shape how you perceive that teacher’s actions today.

• Expectations 👁️💭
  If you expect something (like a reward or punishment), you might “see” what confirms that expectation, even if it’s not accurate.

🏙️ 2. Factors in the Situation

These are external contextual elements that shape how we interpret something.

• Time 🕒
  Perceptions differ at different times of the day. A loud noise at midnight is scarier than the same noise at noon.

• Work Setting 💼
  A person’s behavior in a formal meeting will be interpreted differently than in a casual hangout, even if it’s the same action.

• Social Settings 👥
  Group norms or cultural surroundings may impact whether you perceive a behavior as polite or rude.

🎯 3. Factors in the Target (aka Stimulus Factors)

These refer to characteristics of the person or object being observed—what draws attention and how we interpret it.

• Novelty ✨
  Something new or unusual is more likely to stand out.

• Motions ➡️
  We naturally notice things that move in our visual field (like someone waving in a crowd).

• Sounds 🔊
  Loud or distinct sounds catch attention and influence perception.

• Size 📦
  Larger objects draw more focus—e.g., a big poster vs. a small note.

• Background 🖼️
  Perception is influenced by what surrounds the target. A calm person in a chaotic setting may stand out as admirable—or suspicious.

• Proximity 👬
  Things closer to you physically or emotionally are more likely to be noticed and considered relevant.

• Similarity 🧩
  Items that resemble each other are often perceived as part of a group (Gestalt principle).

✅ Summary:

Perception = f(Perceiver, Situation, Target)
Your interpretation of reality is shaped by:

• Who you are (Perceiver)

• Where and when it happens (Situation)

• What or whom you’re observing (Target)