What does "selective observation" indicate about human perception?

Selective observation highlights how human perception is influenced by prior expectations and beliefs. This concept suggests that individuals are more likely to notice and remember information that aligns with what they already think or believe, while overlooking evidence that might contradict those preconceptions. By often "seeing what they expect to see," individuals create a biased perspective that reinforces their existing viewpoints. This tendency can lead to a skewed understanding of reality, impacting decision-making and interpretation of information.

In contrast, the other choices suggest inaccuracies about perception: one implies that individuals only seek contradictory evidence, which is contrary to selective observation; another asserts that observations are always accurate and objective, ignoring the subjective nature of human perception; and the last choice posits that expectations do not influence observation at all, which fundamentally misrepresents how people engage with the world around them.