Introductory Sociology CLEP Prep Practice Exam

What best describes perception?

1. The process of interpreting the meanings of what other people say.

2. The process by which human behavior becomes modified in relationship to its environment.

3. The process by which individuals act in response to their environment.

4. The process by which an individual uses their senses to interpret what is in the environment.

The correct answer is: The process by which an individual uses their senses to interpret what is in the environment.

Perception is the process of using our senses - sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell - to interpret and understand our environment. Option A refers to understanding verbal communications, while options B and C refer to the effect of the environment on behavior and actions, respectively. These options do not fully capture the concept of perception, which encompasses the use of our senses to interpret our surroundings. Therefore, option D is the best description of perception.