Main Difference – Perception vs Perspective
Perception and perspective are two words that deal with the way we perceive, understand and interpret things. Although these two words sound and look similar, they should not be used interchangeably. Perception basically refers to the way we think about or understand someone or something. Perspective is the way we regard something or our point of view. This is the main difference between perception and perspective. The same scene can be interpreted differently by different individuals with different perspectives and perceptions. In other words, perception and perspective might differ according to different individuals.
This article examines,
1. What is Perception? – Definition, Meaning and Characteristics
2. What is Perspective? – Definition, Meaning and Characteristics
3. Difference Between Perception and Perspective 
What is Perception
Perception is the way you think about or understand someone or something. It is also what you understand or interpret from your five senses – touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste. However, perception is colored by our past experiences, feelings and thoughts. The same scene can be understood in two different ways by two different individuals. Look at the following image. Two individuals looking at the same picture would interpret it in two ways. One can say that the glass is half empty whereas another would say that it is half full. Thus, it is clear that different individuals can understand and interpret the same information in different ways.
What is Perspective
The perspective is the angle or direction in which a person looks at an object. In simple words, it is our point of view. Different people have different perspectives. Putting oneself in other’s perspective always changes the perception of life. We might see the same scene or object in different ways when we use different perspectives.
The term perspective has several meanings in different contexts. In philosophy, perspective refers to the context of opinions, beliefs, and experiences. In graphics, perspective refers to representing the effects of visual perspective in graphic arts. In literature, perspective refers to the point of view.
Difference Between Perception and Perspective
Meaning
Perception: Perception is the way you think about or understand someone or something.
Perspective: Perspective is the way of regarding something.
Influence
Perception: Perception can be influenced by past experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
Perspective: Perspective is affected by attitude.
Interdependence
Perception: Perspective influences your perception.
Perspective: Looking at things in a new perspective can change your perception.
Image Courtesy:
“Glass Half Full bw 1 cropped and smaller” By S nova – (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
“Boy-with-binoculars” By No machine-readable author provided. Jrod2~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). – No machine-readable source provided. (based on copyright claims).(CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
