14 sensory message. The message is sent to the brain. Thus, the brain will process the
message into feeling. Finally, the brain continues to interpret feeling into perception. In conclusion, perception deals with cognitive process which produces
unique pictures of world, pictures which may be different from reality. In this research, the researcher deals with the perception of ELESP
lecturers’ on the implementation of self-fulfilling prophecy toward ELESP students. The discussion or the perception will cover their opinions, feelings, and
thoughts related to the implementation of self-fulfilling prophecy.
b. The Concept Creating Perception
The way individual sees things depends on how the available information is organized. Altman et al., 1985 state that the way an individual interprets or
perceives information depends on an individual’s clarity and familiarity of several aspects. They are stimuli, physical characteristics, needs and values, knowledge,
feelings and past experience. This theory explains that perception involves organizing and interpreting information and data coming from the environment so
that the information and the data can be meaningfully interpreted. The concept can be seen in figure 2.1.
Figure 2.1 The Perceptual Process Altman et al., 1985, p.86
Stimuli Sensors
selection of stimuli
Perception, organization
and interpretation
of stimuli Behavioral
response
15
c. Factors Influencing Perception
As described by Altman et al. 1985, there are four important factors influencing an individual’s perception. They are: 1 selection of stimuli, 2
organization of stimuli, 3 the situation, and 4 the person’s self-concept.
1 Selection of Stimuli
A person focuses only on a small number of all stimuli which he or she is surrounded. This process is known as selection. Each individual specific cues and
filters, or screens, out the others Altman et al., 1985. The same situation or stimuli may produce very different reactions or behaviors because each individual
has his or her own unique filter. That is why an individual can perceive their life differently.
The way people select the stimuli are influenced by various external and internal factors. The external factors come from outside environmental influences
such as intensity, size, contrast, repetition, motion, novelty and familiarity. Whereas,
the internal factors come from individual’s complex psychology makeup. People will select the stimuli or situations from environment with their
learning, motivation, and personality.
2 Organization of Stimuli
A second factor which is influencing perceptions is organization. After the information has been selected, it must be arranged in order to become
meaningful. This second factor of influencing perception focuses on what takes place in the perceptual process when the information from the situation is
