What is the first step taken in the process of perception?

The first step in the process of perception is sensing, which involves detecting physical stimuli from the environment through our sensory organs. This process is critical because it lays the groundwork for perceiving and interpreting the world around us. Sensation refers to the physiological process of receiving stimuli, such as light, sound, and touch. These sensory inputs are then sent to the brain for further processing.

Attending, while an important aspect of perception, occurs after the initial sensing stage. It involves focusing on specific stimuli among many possible sensory inputs, which helps to organize and interpret the sensory information that has been received. Thus, while attending is essential for effective perception, it is not the first step taken; rather, it follows the sensory detection process.