Pronunciation: [ɐpəsˈɛpʃən] (IPA) 
The word "apperception" (/ˌæpərˈsɛpʃən/) is spelled with two "p"s, two "e"s and one "c". The "a" is pronounced as "æ", while the first "e" is pronounced as "ə" and the second "e" is pronounced as "ɛ". The "c" is pronounced as "s". Apperception is a cognitive process which refers to the process of comprehending or understanding a situation based on previous experiences and knowledge. It is commonly used in the field of psychology.
Apperception is a psychological term that refers to the process of integrating new experiences, information, or perceptions with previously existing knowledge and understanding. It is a cognitive process that involves the conscious awareness and understanding of external stimuli, allowing individuals to make meaning and interpret the world around them.
In the field of psychology, apperception is often associated with the work of German philosopher and psychologist Hermann von Helmholtz. He described it as the "central act of cognition," where individuals actively engage with their experiences to relate them to their existing knowledge. It involves the individual's selective attention and interpretation of the stimuli, organizing them into their existing mental frameworks.
Apperception also implies a deeper level of self-awareness and self-reflection. It involves introspection and conscious reflection on one's own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, leading to a richer understanding of oneself and the world.
This concept is closely related to perception and cognition, but it emphasizes the active and conscious nature of the process. It acknowledges that individuals actively shape and construct their understanding of the world based on their existing knowledge and beliefs.
Overall, apperception is a process that involves the integration and interpretation of new experiences and information with existing knowledge, leading to a deeper understanding and awareness of oneself and the world.
Comprehension, conscious perception.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "apperception" originated from the Latin word "apperceptio", which itself is derived from the Latin verb "apperipere". "Apperipere" is composed of the prefix "ad-" meaning "to" and "peripere", meaning "to seize". In Latin, "apperipere" was used in the sense of "to lay hold of something mentally", or "to understand". This Latin word was later borrowed into French as "aperception", which subsequently influenced the formation of the English term "apperception". The term "apperception" refers to the process of comprehending or understanding new information by connecting it with existing knowledge or experiences.
