A person performs a huge number of actions in his life, his whole life is continuous actions. From birth to death, he is like a perpetual motion machine, constantly doing something. In this cycle of actions, there are special actions called perceptual. I wonder what distinguishes them from ordinary actions, why in psychology is they given special attention?
Perceptual actions: what is it?
Perception, or perception, is a person’s ability to reflect surrounding objects and situations. On the basis of the data obtained in the process of perception, knowledge of the surrounding reality is realized and its individual (subjective) understanding is formed.
Each person is unique, so human culture and art are so diverse. However, despite the differences in perception, each person goes through certain stages in his development, which are accompanied by the implementation of specific actions. These actions have been studied and called perceptual.
Perceptual actions are included in the structure of the process of perception and the structure of human activity. Perception is an active process, therefore, it is inextricably linked with activity. From a very early age, a person performs actions aimed at cognition and learning. Indeed, in order to live in this world, he needs to know this world and be able to interact with it.
Stages of formation and development
The formation of perceptual actions of perception occurs in the learning process. Their development is divided into three stages.
At the first stage, the formation of perceptual action takes place, which begins with the child performing practical actions with unfamiliar objects. As a result, the formation of perceptual tasks takes place — the formation of an adequate image of an object, which subsequently becomes a sensory standard.
At the second stage, there is a restructuring of sensory processes (occurring in the sensory organs), which become perceptual actions under the influence of practical activity. Actions are carried out with the help of receptor devices (tactile and visual), children get acquainted with the spatial properties of objects.
At the third stage, there is a process of reduction and minimization of external actions. They become hidden, proceeding at the level of consciousness and subconsciousness. The external process of perception becomes an act of instant appreciation.
By this time, the child has formed a system of sensory standards (socially developed systems of sensory qualities, for example, a system of geometric shapes, etc.). Thanks to them, sensory-perceptual actions change. They are transformed from the process of building an image into a process of identification.
Levels
In perceptual action, four levels can be distinguished:
- detection (characterized by stimulus detection);
- distinction (at this level, perception occurs, followed by the formation of a perceptual image);
- comparison or identification (at this level, the perceived object is identified with the image that is stored in the memory; or several objects are compared);
- identification (the corresponding standard is extracted from the memory and the object is categorized).
Game and development
Perceptual actions in preschoolers are a fruitful connection between orientation and research actions and performance actions. And the unity of visual and manual actions ensures the accuracy of perceptual analysis.
Children carry out cognition of the surrounding world during the game. When playing, they actively process and absorb new information. Thus, they adopt social norms and rules for successful adaptation in society.
In preschool children, the following types of perceptual actions are distinguished:
- identification actions (object identification);
- actions in relation to the standard (comparing the properties of the object with the standard);
- modeling actions of perception (mastering productive activity, the child learns to create new objects: modeling, drawing, inventing).
Perceptual systems
In the process of activity, a person constantly needs to solve some problems that require the perception of the most adequate reflection of the situation. To solve these problems, perceptual systems of man are provided. These include:
- visual system;
- auditory;
- musculocutaneous;
- olfactory-gustatory;
- vestibular.
All of them provide the brain with the necessary information that is used for the normal functioning and development of man, both physically and mentally.
Human sensory-perceptual system
Sensory processes are sensations. A person constantly feels the effects of the external world on his body: he sees, hears, he smells and tastes, he feels tactile and temperature effects on his body. And also feels the processes taking place inside the body: hunger, pain, agitation or weakness, etc.
The sensory-perceptual system is constantly evolving and improving in the process of human life. This is necessary for the successful adaptation of man in the world. The ability and capabilities of a person depend on the quality of the perception system.
This is especially noticeable when compared with people with impaired perceptual development. The life of a person with disabilities (blindness, deafness, dumbness and others) is different from the life of an absolutely healthy person. Perceptual actions play a significant role here: the smaller the perceptual defect, the easier it is to correct and possibly correct it. Specialists - defectologists are engaged in this.
The importance of the perception system for humans
For many years, scientists have been studying the higher mental functions of man (thinking, memory, arbitrariness of actions). The relationship of the system of perception and activity with the development of human thinking was proved. In turn, thinking has a significant impact on a person’s condition, on his abilities and capabilities. Perception refers to the higher mental functions of a person.
In order to live, a person must constantly reflect the surrounding reality and show a response to perceived information. Perception just provides an individual and at the same time adequate reflection of reality. This is especially important for solving perceptual problems. Perceptual actions in the process of perception play an important role, they ensure the full development of the human psyche.
Simply put, in order to be healthy and happy, a person needs to be involved in some kind of activity. The brain is designed so that it constantly needs to process and assimilate new information, otherwise it begins to be "lazy." And the “lazy brain" is the first step towards the development of dementia.
The influence of cultural and historical experience on a person
Modern man is so used to freely receiving any information that he does not even think that this is the result of the activity of a huge number of people. Their contribution to the development of modern society is enormous. All that a person knows and knows is not only his merit, but also the property of society as a whole.
Perception is a system of perceptual actions, the mastery of which occurs in the process of special training and practice. A child can master sensory standards only with the help of an adult, who supervises them and helps to identify the most significant signs of objects and situations. This is very important for analyzing reality and systematizing the child’s personal sensory experience.
There are cases when children were deprived of communication with their own kind. These are the so-called "children of Mowgli", raised by animals. Even returning them to human society, it was rarely possible to adapt them in human society.
Is there perceptual activity in an adult?
Since perceptual actions are actions of learning and cognition, it may seem that they are inherent only in childhood. However, this is not so: every time an adult learns something new (a hobby, a new profession, foreign languages, etc.), a system of perceptual actions is activated, which helps to master new knowledge and skills faster.
Man is a unique being, his possibilities are endless, and all this is due to consciousness and psyche. It is they who distinguish man from all life on the planet. Only a person is able to arbitrarily regulate his activities in accordance with his desires. Human activity is not chaotic and unsystematic, but is included in the structure of consciousness and thinking. Until now, scientists around the world are studying the human psyche, making new discoveries - and still it remains a mystery.