In cognitive psychology, the statement 'we respond not to reality but to reality as we ______ it' best illustrates the importance of which process?

• A. ignore
• B. remember
• C. create
• D. perceive

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the key concept in the statement: 'we respond not to reality but to reality as we ______ it.' This highlights how our mental processes influence our experience of the world.
2. Understand that the blank should be filled with a term that reflects how we interpret or make sense of reality, rather than reality itself.
3. Recall that in cognitive psychology, perception is the process by which we organize and interpret sensory information to form a meaningful experience of the world.
4. Recognize that the statement emphasizes perception because it shows that our responses depend on how we perceive reality, not on reality itself.
5. Conclude that the process illustrated by the statement is 'perceive,' which underscores the importance of perception in shaping our understanding and reactions.