ELESP Sanata Dharma University Interpreting Class
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the previous experiences. People will reflect the stimuli which they got from the
past and gain some information about that. They will try to compare the previous and the newest information on their own.
Further, Rock said that perception is an active process as cited in Altman, Valenzi Hodgetts, 1985, p. 105. The perceptual process needs an active brain
to create the perception. One of the examples is filling some incomplete sensory information. This action simply called as subjective contours. Subjective contours
are some helping lines or shapes that appear to be a part of a figure but those are actually not physically present. However, building a perception is not easy as it
seems. During the perceptual process, the brain is expected to organize the stimuli to create a good meaning.
Along with Bootzin et al., Altman, Valenzi and Hodgetts 1985 also has the same ground for perception. He states that the stimuli will be selected and
grouped to have a meaningful interpretation. Perception is the way of someone sees reality. As soon as somebody gets stimuli, their selected sense organ will
interpret and give meaning to something.
Figure 2.1 The Perceptual Process
From the figure above, it can be concluded that perception has a role in building someone‟s behavior. Experiences also affect someone in building his or
her perception.
Stimuli Sensors
selection of stimuli
Perception, organization, and
interpretation of stimuli
Behavioral respons
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