Percepcija

Percepcija is the cognitive process by which the brain interprets sensory input to produce an internal representation of the external world. It involves selecting, organizing, and interpreting signals received through the senses, including vision, hearing, touch, smell, and taste.

Percepcija arises from both bottom-up and top-down processing. Bottom-up processing uses raw sensory data, while top-down processing relies on prior knowledge, expectations, and context. The perceptual process is constructive and can be shaped by attention, motivation, and emotional state. Gestalt principles describe tendencies to organize sensory information into coherent wholes.

Percepcija covers multiple modalities, including visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory perception. Multisensory integration combines information across senses to form a unified experience; when inputs conflict, perceptual illusions or misperceptions can occur.

Percepcija is influenced by culture, experience, and learning, leading to perceptual constancies that maintain stability under changing conditions. Individual differences, biases, and attention can affect perception, and perceptual disorders may result from neurological or developmental factors.

Neurobiologically, perception involves widespread brain networks. Early sensory processing occurs in primary cortices, with higher-level interpretation in temporal and parietal areas. The dorsal pathway supports space and action, while the ventral pathway supports object recognition. Percepcija develops from infancy and becomes more refined with experience.