Approximate reading time: 4 minutes

As we’ve examined the domain of sensation and perception, a central theme emerges: our external and internal experiences are deeply interconnected, and profoundly affected by our beliefs. Vision, driven by light waves and receptors, can sometimes be misled by visual illusions, not because of the imperfections of our eyes, but because of the preconceived notions we carry. Similar to this, our ability to hear is more than just the processing of sound waves; it also has a strong influence on our expectations and beliefs, which can shape what we perceive even before we are consciously aware of hearing it. Olfaction does more than just detect scents—it interacts with our cognitions, leading to enriched experiences or misinterpretations.

Similarly, Gestalt theory explains a fundamental aspect of human cognition: our brain’s desire for wholeness and understanding. We actively seek to fill in gaps, not just because of innate perceptual mechanisms but also because of the stories and contexts we hold in our minds. The closure we experience as we read comics — panel by panel — is just one manifestation of our ability to create wholeness out of pieces.

Finally, the complex interactions of skin sensations, receptors, and our understanding of pain highlight the profound effect our beliefs and experiences have on perception. How we accommodate and care for people who experience chronic pain may change as a result of our growing understanding of the disability it causes. Interoception is not only a pathway to understanding our internal, physiological states, it also plays a pivotal role in the feedback loop that informs our mental well-being.

Let’s recall the effects of immersed gaming on perception mentioned at the opening of this chapter. We have a surprising capacity for our beliefs, shaped by immersive experiences, to alter our sensory interpretation of the real world. Game transfer phenomena, in which gamers perceive elements of the real world through the lens of their gaming experiences, is a demonstration of the relationship between belief and perception. Game transfer phenomena teach us that virtual stories we immerse ourselves in directly affect our sensory experiences in the real world.

In essence, while our sensations provide raw data from the world, it’s our perceptions — deeply informed and modified by our beliefs, experiences, and narratives — that shape and make sense of that data. In understanding the world around us, we must recognise that the stories we tell ourselves play as much or more of a role as the stimuli we encounter.

Still a Mystery

In our examination of sensation and perception, we’ve discovered how what we feel and see intertwines with the stories we tell ourselves. Now, as you pause and reflect, consider this: Is there a story you’ve been telling yourself, one that you recognise may not align with objective reality, yet it continues to shape your perceptions? This is the mysterious power of narrative, its ability to sculpt and twist our perceptions even when confronted with opposing evidence. As we step into the world each day, we are presented with an invitation — an invitation to challenge these narratives, to unearth them, and consciously choose which stories we allow to define our understanding. What’s one deeply-held narrative you’re willing to examine and potentially rewrite to shift your perception of something you deeply care about?