Which of the following is a characteristic of perception?

Perception is fundamentally the process by which individuals interpret and make sense of sensory information. A key characteristic of perception is its reliance on both environmental stimuli and individual personal knowledge. This means that what we perceive is influenced not only by the sensory input we receive from our surroundings but also by our previous experiences, beliefs, expectations, and cultural context. This interplay allows for a more nuanced understanding of the world around us.

For instance, two people may see the same object but interpret it differently based on their previous experiences or cultural background. This aligns with option C, as it highlights the integration of both environmental factors and individual cognitive processes in shaping what we perceive.

The other options do not accurately represent characteristics of perception. Reliance solely on instinct suggests a more primal or automatic response that lacks the complexity involved in perception. The absence of external stimuli would preclude any perceptual experience, as perception inherently requires stimuli to interpret. Lastly, uniform interpretation across individuals fails to consider the subjective nature of perception, which varies widely based on individual differences.