Nature of Logic and Perception

Nature of Logic and Perception Perception is often defined as the use of sensory data in order to experience the world (Socyberty). Sensory data are selected, organized and interpreted by means of the thought process. In this, perception and thought are closely integrated in their functioning. This integration of perception and thought also leads to behavior, which explains the importance of perception in psychology studies. People behave according to their perception of the world. Specifically, the process starts with the element of stimuli from the environment.

Multiple stimuli are presented to the senses. It is not possible to respond to all these, and therefore the individual responds only to meaningful stimuli while ignoring those with lesser importance. This in turn is influenced by factors such as the individual perceiving the environment, as well as the item being perceived and the setting within which this occurs. Furthermore, the mental, physical and emotional state of the individual also plays a role in the perception process.

After sensory stimuli are received and selected, they are organized into meaningful patters via classification, figure-ground differentiation, and closure. People are for example classified according their age, gender, race, education, and so on. The problem with such classification systems is often that it can lead to stereotyping and an inability to accurately perceive a person and the abilities that such a person may have. Cognitive classification is also what creates barriers to creative or critical thinking. Closure occurs when the mind fills in missing information received from the sensory organs.

Interpretation is a further step in the perception process, and involves thinking that relate to beliefs, assumptions, values, attitudes, and learning experiences in the past. These elements combined into an individual frame of reference, according to which a judgment is made in terms of meaning and intention, which in turn influences behavior. Although the frame of reference greatly facilitates the perception process by allowing the individual to make faster judgments and assessments, these are also what can cause perceptual blocks to creative and critical thinking.

Specifically, these blocks may include elements such as habit, rules and traditions, and culture. Habit, according to Gary a Davis, is an established pattern of behavior. Habit involves no thought, as the individual has performed the action involved so many times that it no longer requires conscious thought. Habitual thinking undermines logical reasoning, as it strives towards classifying new information according to existing thinking habits. It therefore does not allow for new information.

Creative and critical thinking are also undermined by habit, as the thinker assumes that previous thought patterns remain applicable to new situations. When the habit is applied, there is no questioning of the validity of the new thinking pattern. Rules and traditions are also perceptual blocks. Like habits, they form patterns of thinking that preclude change. The problem is that rules are necessary to maintain order within social and professional groups from families to international corporations. Rules are required to ensure success in goal achievement for these groups and entities.

These rules can also however restrict the critical and creative aspect that is necessary for growth. This is so because they restrict any new information that may lead to what is perceived as chaos. Traditions play the same role. They are established in order to maintain a certain status quo for the purpose of organizational unity. However, an excess of such unity can also mean that no new thought is available or stimulated to create new growth for the future.

Cultural blocks is an important perceptual block that can often lead to prejudice or ostracization from a group. A cultural block requires conformity to the accepted ways of thinking and acting within a cultural group. Daring to differ from these established traditions often result in a sense of discomfort for the individual. Cultural blocks often lead to prejudice against those that do not look, act, or think according to the established status quo, and can lead to actions such as mild or extreme prejudice against certain groups of people.

Emotions can also act as a block to accurate or creative perception practices. According to Davis, anger, fear, anxiety, hatred, and in some cases love can have a detrimental effect upon creative and critical thinking. These emotions lead to irrational thinking and action, which blocks creativity and prohibits critical thinking. Memory plays a role in all of the above thinking practices and perceptual blocks. According to Patricia M. Jones (2009), it scientists do not yet fully understand the functions of memory. However, its manifestation in the above-mentioned blocks is clear.

Experiences are remembered and observed phenomena are classified accordingly. According to Jones, the latest thinking describes memory as a set of "stores" and a.