In cognitive psychology, selection is ______ in the process of perception.

• A. the final stage where meaning is assigned to stimuli
• B. a process that occurs only after memory retrieval
• C. unrelated to attention mechanisms
• D. an early stage that determines which sensory information receives further processing

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of perception in cognitive psychology, which involves multiple stages including sensation, selection, organization, and interpretation.
2. Recognize that 'selection' refers to the process by which the brain filters and chooses certain sensory information to focus on while ignoring other stimuli.
3. Recall that attention mechanisms are closely linked to selection, as attention helps determine which sensory inputs are prioritized for further processing.
4. Identify that selection occurs early in the perceptual process, before deeper processing such as memory retrieval or meaning assignment takes place.
5. Conclude that selection is an early stage in perception that determines which sensory information receives further processing, making it fundamental to how we perceive our environment.