Which of the following influences perception?

The influence of past experience on perception is significant because it shapes how individuals interpret and respond to new information or situations. Our previous encounters, whether they are positive, negative, or neutral, create a mental framework that informs our understanding and judgment of current experiences. For instance, if an officer has previously interacted with a community member in a confrontational manner, they may perceive a similar situation differently based on that past experience, impacting their behavior and decision-making.

The nuances of how a person perceives their environment or interactions are heavily influenced by their history, including cultural background, unique encounters, and learned behavior. Each encounter contributes to an evolving lens through which they view new situations, making past experiences a powerful factor in shaping perception.

Although physical appearance, time of day, and weather conditions can certainly affect one's mood or open up certain interpretations of events, they do not carry the same weight in shaping fundamental perceptions as past experiences do.