Misperception Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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misperception

[ˌmɪs.pəˈsep.ʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in psychology

The incorrect interpretation or understanding of a situation or event.

Synonyms

misconception, misinterpretation, misunderstanding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
misperception	Used when someone has a wrong or incorrect perception of something, often related to sensory perception or general view. There is a misperception that he is unfriendly because he is shy. Her misperception of the events led to a heated argument.
misinterpretation	Applied when someone interprets information, actions, or words incorrectly, leading to a different meaning than intended. The misinterpretation of his comments caused unnecessary tension. Her misinterpretation of the instructions led to a failed experiment.
misunderstanding	Describes a situation where there is a failure to understand correctly, often leading to confusion or conflict. There was a misunderstanding about the meeting time, so she arrived late. Their argument was just a big misunderstanding, and they resolved it quickly.
misconception	Refers to an incorrect understanding or belief about something, often due to misinformation or lack of knowledge. There is a common misconception that cats are aloof and unloving pets. He had a misconception about how the stock market works.

Examples of usage

His misperception of her intentions led to a misunderstanding.
The misperception that all teenagers are lazy is a common stereotype.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in communication

A false belief or opinion that has been formed about someone or something.

Synonyms

delusion, false impression, misbelief.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
misperception	When someone mistakenly understands or interprets something in a particular way. It is often used in casual or formal settings to describe a simple error in perception. Her misperception of the situation led to a lot of confusion. There is a common misperception that eating fat will make you fat.
false impression	Describes when someone forms an incorrect understanding or opinion. This term is often used in everyday conversation and can refer to both minor and significant misunderstandings. His calm demeanor gave the false impression that he wasn't worried. They were under a false impression about the company's success.
misbelief	When someone holds a wrong or incorrect belief. It is often used to discuss common misconceptions or outdated beliefs. Many people have the misbelief that vaccines can cause autism. His misbelief about the financial markets led to poor investment choices.
delusion	Refers to a strongly held belief despite evidence to the contrary. It is often used in more serious contexts, such as mental health discussions or severe misunderstandings. It has a negative connotation. He suffered from the delusion that he was invincible. Her delusion about being watched made her very paranoid.

Examples of usage

The misperception that she was unapproachable was quickly dispelled when people got to know her.
There is a misperception that success is solely based on luck.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'misperception'

The word 'misperception' originated from the combination of 'mis-' meaning 'wrongly' and 'perception' meaning 'the way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted'. The term first appeared in the English language in the mid-20th century and has been used predominantly in psychology and communication studies to describe instances where an individual's understanding or belief about a situation is inaccurate or flawed.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,872 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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31869 condemnatory
31870 adsorbing
31871 arthroscopic
31872 misperception
31873 chipmunk
31874 bandy
31875 undercurrents
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