Understanding Perception vs. Observation: How Do They Really Differ in Everyday Life?

What is the major difference between perception and observation?

The major difference between perception and observation lies in their definitions and processes. Observation involves gathering information through our senses, such as seeing, hearing, or touching. It is a concrete and factual process that involves the collection of data without interpretation. On the other hand, perception involves the interpretation and understanding of the information gathered through observation. Perception is influenced by our beliefs, experiences, and expectations, which shape how we interpret the world around us. In essence, observation is the act of collecting data, while perception is the process of making sense of that data.

Dear Wyasser,

Perception is more personal and is how you see the issue/thing. You might look at a drawing and see it one way, but someone else might look at the same drawing and see it totally differently.

On the other hand, observation basically means watching something and taking note of anything it does. For instance, you might observe a bird flying by watching it closely.

Observation is the process of filtering sensory information through the thought process. Input is received via hearing, sight, smell, taste, or touch and then analyzed through either rational or irrational thought. For example, if you see a parent beat their child, you observe that such an action is either good or bad. This is observation.

Perception is a belief; you think it is there, but can't find it. If you are afraid to touch a snake because you believe it is slimy, it is your perception. If you touch the snake and feel that it is not slimy, this is observation. Your sense of touch proved to you that it was not slimy—observation.

I hope I am able to differentiate these two terms.

Need your feedback.

Hi Wyasser,

Observation pertains to the physical seeing process by which a living being senses its surroundings, popularly known as the environment. So, in this way, observation is a process of becoming aware of your environment through various sensory organs (visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, tactile, vestibular, and kinesthetic). It's more or less a physical process.

On the other hand, perception is the process of adding meaning to stimuli (events). For example, when you see a girl and you tag her as beautiful, this tagging process is called perception. Someone might tag her as dull, interpreting the situation or event in their way. That's why perceptions are different even though they stem from a single and homogenous stimuli. The difference in perceptions subsequently creates different ideologies.

I hope you understand the basic difference between these two.

Regards,

I really like Satyam's response. Basically, observation is what you see, and perception is what you think you see.

Kenpodoc