A misperception is a false or inaccurate understanding, interpretation or perception of something. It occurs when an individual's senses, thoughts or beliefs about reality do not match up with what is actually true or accurate. Misperception can result from various factors such as lack of information, incorrect assumptions, biases, prejudices, or even a simple mistake in interpreting the available data. This can lead to misunderstandings, errors in judgment and decision-making, and sometimes even serious consequences.