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Perception vs. Reception — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 27, 2023
Perception relates to understanding and interpreting, while reception concerns receiving or welcoming. Perception is cognitive; reception is the act of obtaining.
Perception vs. Reception — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Perception and Reception

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Key Differences

Perception and Reception are two distinct concepts, with the former delving into the realm of cognition and understanding, while the latter focuses on the act of receiving or welcoming. Perception can be viewed as how one interprets and makes sense of stimuli, experiences, or information. In contrast, reception indicates the mere act of obtaining or accepting something.
In everyday scenarios, Perception and Reception function at different stages of an experience. When one encounters new information, it's first received (reception). Following this, one's mind processes and interprets it, leading to a personal understanding (perception).
Taking art as an example, Perception and Reception play vital roles. At an art gallery, reception happens when viewers first see a piece of artwork. Their perception, however, determines how they interpret and feel about it, shaped by their background, experiences, and emotions.
Considering communication, Perception and Reception come into play sequentially. Reception occurs when someone hears or reads a message. Perception, on the other hand, involves understanding the message's intent, nuances, and implications.
Lastly, in human interactions, both Perception and Reception are pivotal. Reception denotes how one accepts or acknowledges another's actions or words. Perception, however, dives deeper into how one interprets and reacts to those actions or words, influenced by personal biases, experiences, and beliefs.
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Comparison Chart

Nature

Cognitive, interpretative
Act of obtaining or welcoming

Process Stage

Follows after reception
Precedes perception

In Communication

How a message is understood
How a message is received

Dependency

Relies on personal experiences, biases, and beliefs
Can be passive, not necessarily influenced by beliefs

In Interactions

How one's actions or words are interpreted
How one's actions or words are received or acknowledged

Compare with Definitions

Perception

The process of understanding or interpreting sensory information.
His perception of the situation differed from hers.

Reception

The action or process of receiving something sent, given, or inflicted
Sensation is not the passive reception of stimuli

Perception

A mental impression or intuition.
His perception is that the project will be a success.

Reception

The act of receiving or obtaining something.
The reception of the news was mixed.

Perception

Awareness or consciousness.
Her perception of danger was immediate.

Reception

The way in which something is greeted or perceived.
The book had a warm reception from critics.

Perception

The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.
The sense of touch is vital for our perception of the world.

Reception

The quality of radio or television signal reception.
The radio has poor reception in this room.

Perception

Perception (from the Latin perceptio, meaning gathering or receiving) is the organization, identification, and interpretation of sensory information in order to represent and understand the presented information or environment.All perception involves signals that go through the nervous system, which in turn result from physical or chemical stimulation of the sensory system. For example, vision involves light striking the retina of the eye; smell is mediated by odor molecules; and hearing involves pressure waves.

Reception

A formal occasion where guests are received.
The award ceremony was followed by a grand reception.

Perception

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

Reception

A formal social occasion held to welcome someone or to celebrate an event
A wedding reception

Perception

An instance of this
Sense perceptions.

Reception

The process of receiving broadcast signals
A microchip that will allow parents to block reception of violent programmes

Perception

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

Reception

The area in a hotel or organization where guests and visitors are greeted and dealt with
Wait for me downstairs in reception
The reception desk

Perception

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

Reception

The first class in an infant or primary school
My son is in reception
The reception class

Perception

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

Reception

An act of catching a pass
His 49 receptions included six touchdowns

Perception

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

Reception

The act or process of receiving or of being received.

Perception

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

Reception

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

Perception

The organisation, identification and interpretation of sensory information.

Reception

A welcome, greeting, or acceptance
A friendly reception.

Perception

Conscious understanding of something.
Have perception of time

Reception

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

Perception

Vision (ability)

Reception

Mental approval or acceptance
The reception of a new theory.

Perception

Acuity

Reception

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

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 condition or quality of the signals so 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 act of receiving.

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

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

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

Reception

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

Perception

An idea; a notion.

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

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

Reception

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

Perception

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

Reception

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

Perception

The process of perceiving

Reception

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

Perception

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

Reception

(American football) The act of catching a pass.

Perception

Becoming aware of something via the senses

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

A way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something.
She has a unique perception of art.

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.

Reception

The state of being received.

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.

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.

Reception

A retaking; a recovery.

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 social gathering to welcome someone or celebrate an event.
They held a reception for the newlyweds.

Common Curiosities

Does reception always lead to perception?

Not always; one can receive information without fully perceiving or understanding it.

What might affect the quality of reception in broadcasting?

Physical barriers, interference, and equipment quality can affect reception.

How can perception influence decision-making?

Perception shapes how one understands a situation, influencing decisions based on that understanding.

How does background knowledge influence perception?

Background knowledge can shape perception by providing context or influencing biases.

How can perception be improved?

Through education, open-mindedness, and exposure to diverse viewpoints, perception can be broadened.

How is reception different from perception in communication?

Reception is about receiving a message, while perception is about understanding it.

Can perception vary among individuals?

Yes, perception can vary based on individual experiences, beliefs, and biases.

How do emotions impact perception?

Emotions can color perception, making individuals see situations in a more positive or negative light.

Can two people have the exact same perception of an event?

While similar, perceptions are often unique due to individual experiences and viewpoints.

What does perception primarily deal with?

Perception primarily deals with understanding and interpreting information or stimuli.

In what contexts is the term "reception" commonly used?

"Reception" can refer to social gatherings, signal quality, or how something is greeted.

Can reception be passive?

Yes, reception can be passive, like hearing a sound without actively listening.

Is a wedding reception related to the concept of receiving?

Yes, a wedding reception is an event to receive and welcome guests in celebration.

Does the reception of art always lead to a clear perception of its meaning?

No, art can be subjective, and its reception doesn't guarantee a clear or unified perception.

In what scenarios is the quality of reception most crucial?

In broadcasting and communications, clear reception is vital to ensure messages are accurately received.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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