Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) Practice Exam

What percentage of our impressions are made by sight?

1. 10%

2. 20%

3. 50%

4. 75%

The correct answer is: 20%

The idea that sight is a dominant sense for human perception is supported by various studies suggesting that a significant portion of our impressions—often quoted as being around 75-90%—is based on visual information. The answer highlighting 20% significantly underrepresents the critical role that visual stimuli play in how we interpret our environment and form opinions about it. In contexts such as design, marketing, and horticulture, visual elements such as color, shape, and texture are paramount; they can influence our choices and perceptions more than sensory inputs from other modalities. Therefore, a figure like 20% does not align with the prevailing understanding of the importance of visual stimuli in human perceptions. In summary, the correct answer needs to reflect a higher percentage that aligns with research showing that the vast majority of our initial impressions are predominantly shaped by what we see.