Difference Wiki

Perception vs. Reception: What's the Difference?

Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 12, 2023
Perception relates to understanding or interpreting something, while Reception concerns receiving or being received.

Key Differences

Perception primarily revolves around the way we interpret and understand things. It's the process by which individuals organize and interpret their sensory impressions to give meaning to their environment. On the other hand, Reception is more about the act of receiving or the state of being received.
Perception often delves into the realm of personal interpretations. It can be shaped by past experiences, personal beliefs, or even cultural backgrounds. Reception, however, doesn’t necessarily imply understanding or interpretation. It's more about acceptance or acknowledgment.
Perception can be both a conscious and subconscious process. It affects how we relate to events, objects, or people around us. Reception, in many contexts, is more of a passive process. For instance, in communication, reception is the process of getting a message, while perception is how that message is understood.
In the realm of senses, perception would describe how we interpret and understand the stimuli we receive. For instance, two people might perceive a piece of art differently. Reception would be the mere act of encountering that stimulus. In a social setting, a reception could be an event where guests are received, while perception might describe guests' interpretations of the event's ambiance and significance.

Comparison Chart

Function

Interpretation and understanding of stimuli.
Act of receiving or being received.
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Nature

Active (involves cognitive processing).
Generally passive (simple acknowledgment or acceptance).

Field of Use

Psychology, sensory biology.
Communication, events, broadcasting.

Related to

Beliefs, experiences, and cultural backgrounds.
Acceptance, acknowledgment.

Example Context

How an artwork is interpreted by an individual.
How a radio signal is received by a device.

Perception and Reception Definitions

Perception

The ability to see, hear, or understand something.
Her perception of the situation was different from mine.
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Reception

The manner in which something is greeted or perceived.
The book had a mixed reception among critics.

Perception

A way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something.
The public's perception of the company has improved.

Reception

The action or process of receiving something.
The reception of satellite signals is clear.

Perception

Immediate or intuitive recognition, as of moral or aesthetic qualities.
The artist's work gives an instant perception of beauty.

Reception

A desk or area in a hotel or office where guests or clients are received.
Please check in at the reception.

Perception

The neurophysiological processes, including memory, by which an organism becomes aware of and interprets external stimuli.
The study delves into the human perception of sounds.

Reception

The act of receiving broadcast signals.
The radio has good reception in this area.

Perception

The process of perceiving something with the senses
The perception of a faint sound.

Reception

The act or process of receiving or of being received.

Perception

An instance of this
Sense perceptions.

Reception

(Football) The act or an instance of catching a forward pass.

Perception

The process or state of being aware of something
The perception of time.

Reception

A welcome, greeting, or acceptance
A friendly reception.

Perception

Insight or knowledge gained by thinking
The perception that inheritance must be coded in DNA.

Reception

A social function, especially one intended to provide a welcome or greeting
A wedding reception.

Perception

The capacity for such insight or knowledge
Theories of how to enhance human perception.

Reception

Mental approval or acceptance
The reception of a new theory.

Perception

An insight or point of knowledge
The article is full of astute perceptions.

Reception

Conversion of transmitted electromagnetic signals into perceptible forms, such as sound or light, by means of antennas and electronic equipment.

Perception

An interpretation or impression; an opinion or belief
Doctors working to change the public perception of certain diseases.

Reception

The condition or quality of the signals so received.

Perception

The organisation, identification and interpretation of sensory information.

Reception

The act of receiving.

Perception

Conscious understanding of something.
Have perception of time

Reception

The act or ability to receive radio or similar signals.
We have poor TV reception in the valley.
The new system provides exceptional quality of the reception signal.

Perception

Vision (ability)

Reception

A social engagement, usually to formally welcome someone.
After the wedding we proceeded to the reception.

Perception

Acuity

Reception

A reaction; the treatment received on first talking to a person, arriving at a place, etc.
The ambassador's jokes met a cold reception.

Perception

(cognition) That which is detected by the five senses; not necessarily understood (imagine looking through fog, trying to understand if you see a small dog or a cat); also that which is detected within consciousness as a thought, intuition, deduction, etc.

Reception

The desk of a hotel or office where guests are received.

Perception

The act of perceiving; cognizance by the senses or intellect; apperhension by the bodily organs, or by the mind, of what is presented to them; discernment; apperhension; cognition.

Reception

The school year, or part thereof, between preschool and Year 1, when children are introduced to formal education.

Perception

The faculty of perceiving; the faculty, or peculiar part, of man's constitution by which he has knowledge through the medium or instrumentality of the bodily organs; the act of apperhending material objects or qualities through the senses; - distinguished from conception.
Matter hath no life nor perception, and is not conscious of its own existence.

Reception

(law) The conscious adoption or transplantation of legal phenomena from a different culture.

Perception

The quality, state, or capability, of being affected by something external; sensation; sensibility.
This experiment discovereth perception in plants.

Reception

(American football) The act of catching a pass.

Perception

An idea; a notion.

Reception

(linguistics) Reading viewed as the active process of receiving a text in any medium (written, spoken, signed, multimodal, nonverbal), consisting of several steps, such as ideation, comprehension, reconstruction, interpretation.

Perception

The representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept

Reception

The act of receiving; receipt; admission; as, the reception of food into the stomach; the reception of a letter; the reception of sensation or ideas; reception of evidence.

Perception

A way of conceiving something;
Luther had a new perception of the Bible

Reception

The state of being received.

Perception

The process of perceiving

Reception

The act or manner of receiving, especially of receiving visitors; entertainment; hence, an occasion or ceremony of receiving guests; as, a hearty reception; an elaborate reception.
What reception a poem may find.

Perception

Knowledge gained by perceiving;
A man admired for the depth of his perception

Reception

Acceptance, as of an opinion or doctrine.
Philosophers who have quitted the popular doctrines of their countries have fallen into as extravagant opinions as even common reception countenanced.

Perception

Becoming aware of something via the senses

Reception

A retaking; a recovery.

Perception

Intuitive understanding and insight.
He has a keen perception of the business world.

Reception

The manner in which something is greeted;
She did not expect the cold reception she received from her superiors

Reception

A formal party of people; as after a wedding

Reception

Quality or fidelity of a received broadcast

Reception

The act of receiving

Reception

(American football) the act of catching a pass in football;
The tight end made a great reception on the 20 yard line

Reception

A formal social occasion held to welcome someone or celebrate an event.
They held a grand reception for the newlyweds.

FAQs

Is reception always about welcoming something?

No, reception can simply mean receiving, without positive or negative connotations.

Can reception be an event?

Yes, reception can refer to a social event where guests are received.

Can two people have the same perception?

While perceptions can align, they are often individual and based on personal experiences.

Does perception influence decision-making?

Yes, perception can greatly influence an individual's decisions.

Can the reception of a book refer to its reviews?

Yes, a book's reception can refer to how it's greeted or reviewed by readers and critics.

Does perception always involve understanding?

Perception involves interpretation, which can lead to understanding.

How does culture impact perception?

Cultural background can shape how individuals perceive and interpret events, objects, or actions.

Is poor reception always about technology?

Mostly in context, but it can also mean an unfavorable response to something presented.

Can reception refer to a signal's quality?

Yes, reception can describe how well a device receives a signal.

Is perception subjective?

Yes, perception is subjective and can vary among individuals.

Can animals have perceptions?

Yes, animals can have perceptions, though the complexity may vary.

What’s a common phrase with reception?

"Warm reception" means a positive or welcoming acknowledgment.

Can perceptions be changed?

Yes, perceptions can evolve based on new experiences or information.

Does perception always involve the senses?

Often, but perception also encompasses understanding or interpretation beyond sensory input.

What's a reception in terms of broadcasting?

In broadcasting, reception refers to how well signals are received by devices.

Is reception desk specific to hotels?

No, many establishments, like offices or hospitals, can have a reception desk.
About Author
Written by
Janet White
Janet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon Moss
Harlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.

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