In psychology, several types of perception are distinguished. Their classification is carried out according to several criteria: modality, activity, object, duration. Let us dwell on each of the species.
Modality division
According to analyzers, it is customary to distinguish:
visual;
tactile;
auditory;
taste;
olfactory.
What is this kind of perception? Classification involves division based on analyzers. The visual option involves the consideration of the whole image of the subject. It allows a person to perceive immediately the complex forms of an object (geometric features and structures). Visual perception takes part in the perception of movement and space.
Auditory perception is associated with an auditory analyzer. Within the framework of the social development of human society, two systems have formed: rhythmic-melodic (musical), phonemic (language system). Both of them organize the sounds that a person perceives into complex systems of sound perception. The classification is conditional, depending on various factors. Auditory perception is an active process that includes certain motor components. In it, the motor components are separated from the auditory system, allocated for singing by voice or speaking aloud.
Tactile perception is associated with skin and motor sensations. Gradually, in the course of tactile perception, information that comes from individual signs turns into a single image. To move from the assessment of specific elements to the analysis of the whole object, it is necessary that the hand be in motion (passive tactile perception should change to the active feeling of the object).
The olfactory variant is associated with the perception of odors on the basis of the olfactory analyzer (nose). Psychologists have proved that with a strong influence on the sensation, a person's psychophysical state changes. In some cases, a perverse perception of odors occurs, namely, the usual substances become unpleasant.
Taste is perceived with the help of language (taste analyzer). In case of difficulty in nasal breathing, taste sensitivity decreases. The reason is the loss of information, since the brain perceives food in the aggregate of all analyzers, and when one of them is lost, the picture is significantly distorted.
Division by nature of activity
Considering the basic classifications of perception, this variant of division cannot be left without due attention. It is assumed that unintentional (involuntary) and deliberate (arbitrary) perceptions are distinguished.
The first species is not associated with any purpose, it acts as a component of another activity.
Arbitrary perception is considered the highest mental function, which is inherent only to man. It involves a clear statement of the goal, task, has a systematic and planned, acts as a cognitive perceptual activity (observation).
Third way
Classification by the method of perception: duration, nature involves the allocation of two types:
The first version of perception is an instantaneous action deployed in space. It is distinguished by its integrity and generalization. For example, at the first lecture, the teacher perceives the audience in total, it is difficult for him to distinguish each student.
Successive perception involves phasing, it is deployed in time. For example, it appears when checking errors in a dictation.
Object of study
What is characteristic of perception? Classification by object is assumed in the following parameters: depth, size, shape of objects.
The estimation of the size of objects is characterized by the magnitude of their images on the retina of the human eye, as well as the distance from the experimenter's eyes. The classification of perception in psychology is associated with the optical capabilities of the organs of vision.
The ability of the eye to clearly see objects removed at different distances is possible due to two mechanisms: convergence, accommodation.
If the object is close, in this case, due to muscle contractions, the degree of tension of the lens decreases, it becomes convex in shape (accommodation). A certain state of accommodation leads to convergence (reduction of visual axes). Such actions constitute a conditioned reflex signal of the size of the object under consideration.
With the perception of volume, depth, the main role is played by binocular vision.
The shape of objects is evaluated thanks to kinesthetic, visual, tactile analyzers.
The main criterion for classifying perception into perception of space is the selectivity of brain nerve cells in response to objects that are saturated, sized (length, width, configuration). In particular, the perception of form involves the allocation of a specific element from the background, that is, the spatial boundaries of the figure having a different texture, color, brightness.
Among the many factors that affect the perception of the shape of objects, the life experience of an individual is of interest. It is acquired through the movement of hands over objects, the movement of a person in space.
Important details
The classification of forms of perception is associated with differences in analyzers that are actively involved in the study of subjects. Depending on which modality (or analyzer) is most involved in the process, there are:
kinesthetic;
auditory;
visual;
olfactory;
tactile;
flavoring.
Of course, in their pure form they are extremely rare. Basically, their combination is carried out, which contributes to the appearance of complex types of perception.
Theories of motion perception
They are usually divided into two groups:
those that derive the perception of movement from the simplest, sequentially occurring visual sensations of individual points through which movement is carried out;
according to the theory, it is stated that the perception of movement has a specific quality that cannot be reduced to elementary visual sensations.
Each of these points of view is of interest in psychology and is used to analyze the patient's psychomotor reactions.
Features of the perception of time
Among the simplest forms of time estimation, perception of duration is called. Their base is the "biological clock" of the human body. Such processes include a change in inhibition and excitation that occur in neurons of the cerebral cortex. Such phenomena guarantee such cyclic phases as the rhythm of breathing, heartbeat, and the appearance of hunger. People perceive the execution time of a task when some kind of nervous processes are carried out that ensure this activity.
Depending on the duration of inhibition and excitement, a person receives a certain idea of time periods.
Also, emotional feelings affect this parameter. If certain events provoke a positive reaction in a person, then the time seems too short. With negative emotions, on the contrary, the time period lengthens. The disease significantly distorts the perception of time. Due to feelings of anxiety, constant tension, for a long time a person cannot relax, he feels a “slowdown in the passage of time”.
To summarize
Among the main properties of perception that are of interest, psychologists distinguish structurality, integrity, activity, meaningfulness, consistency, objectivity. They characterize perception. Classification, properties allow you to create a certain idea of a person, to establish connections between tactile and visual actions. To analyze the condition of a particular patient, it is important for a psychologist to first identify all types of perception, based on individual information to make a complete picture, and only then give any advice.