What is the difference between sensation and perception?

The distinction between sensation and perception is fundamental in understanding how we experience and interpret the world around us. Sensation refers to the process of detecting physical stimuli through our sensory organs—such as the eyes, ears, and skin. This involves the initial gathering of raw data from the environment, such as light, sound, and touch.

Perception, on the other hand, is the process by which our brain organizes and interprets these sensory signals. It involves higher-level cognitive processes that transform the raw data acquired through sensation into meaningful experiences and understandings. For instance, while sensation allows us to see light and color, perception helps us recognize and understand what we are looking at—like identifying a flower or a car.

This definition highlights the correct understanding that sensation is about detection, while perception is about interpretation, meaning choice C accurately captures the essential difference between these two concepts. Understanding this distinction is crucial in fields such as psychology and neuroscience, as it lays the groundwork for exploring how we make sense of the world around us.