Misperceive: meaning, definitions and examples
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misperceive
[ ˌmɪs.pərˈsiːv ]
in psychology
To interpret or understand incorrectly; to have a mistaken perception.
Synonyms
misinterpret, mistake, misunderstand.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| misperceive |
Used when someone incorrectly understands or interprets something, typically involving sensory input or perception.
|
| misinterpret |
Applied when misunderstanding results from incorrect interpretation, often involving language, symbols, or actions. Can have a negative connotation if it leads to significant consequences.
|
| misunderstand |
Typically refers to a failure to understand correctly, often in communication or meaning. Can lead to confusion or conflict.
|
| mistake |
Commonly used to describe a simple or everyday error in recognizing something or someone, or in judgment.
|
Examples of usage
- He misperceived her intentions and ended up offending her.
- The patient misperceived the doctor's advice and took the wrong medication.
- The witness misperceived the events of that night due to poor lighting.
- The misperception of reality can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings.
- It's important not to misperceive someone's actions and jump to conclusions.
Translations
Translations of the word "misperceive" in other languages:
🇵🇹 perceber mal
🇮🇳 गलत समझना
🇩🇪 falsch wahrnehmen
🇮🇩 salah menafsirkan
🇺🇦 неправильно сприймати
🇵🇱 błędnie postrzegać
🇯🇵 誤解する
🇫🇷 mal percevoir
🇪🇸 percibir mal
🇹🇷 yanlış algılamak
🇰🇷 잘못 인식하다
🇸🇦 يسيء الإدراك
🇨🇿 špatně vnímat
🇸🇰 nesprávne vnímať
🇨🇳 误解
🇸🇮 napačno zaznati
🇮🇸 misskilja
🇰🇿 қате түсіну
🇬🇪 არასწორად აღქმა
🇦🇿 səhv başa düşmək
🇲🇽 percibir mal
Etymology
The word 'misperceive' is a combination of 'mis-' meaning 'wrongly' and 'perceive' meaning 'to become aware of through the senses'. It first appeared in the late 19th century in the field of psychology to describe the act of incorrectly interpreting or understanding something. The prefix 'mis-' indicates a mistake or error, while 'perceive' comes from the Latin 'percipere' which means 'to take in, receive, or grasp mentally'. Understanding the concept of misperception is crucial in fields such as psychology, communication, and conflict resolution.
See also: perceivable, perceive, perceived, perceiving, perceptibly, perception, perceptions, perceptive, perceptiveness, perceptual, unperceived.