Selective perception

Biological Parallel

Male birds selectively perceive female signals during breeding season—the same plumage display that's invisible in winter becomes salient during mating. Hormonal state gates perception: testosterone and estrogen modulate neural sensitivity to courtship cues. Selective perception isn't bias; it's adaptive filtering. Processing everything equally would be computationally ruinous. Biology demonstrates: what you perceive is what your current goals and physiological state allow you to perceive.