Most OB authors describe perception as a sequence of stages from input to response. A simple version is:
1. Sensory Reception
The person’s senses receive stimuli (e.g., words in a meeting, the manager’s facial expression).
2. Selection / Attention
Out of many stimuli, some are noticed and others ignored, based on intensity, novelty, and personal relevance.
3. Organisation
Selected information is grouped and structured using principles like similarity, proximity, and continuity to form patterns.
4. Interpretation
Meaning is assigned using experience, beliefs, stereotypes, and expectations. This is where most perceptual errors occur.
5. Response
The person forms attitudes and behaves (e.g., trust, anger, motivation) based on the interpretation.