People's 'self-perceptions' are often very different from the way other people perceive them.
People's 'perceptions of' this town have changed radically.
the public/public's 'perception of' nuclear power
(..) We could place some bets. DOC: I didn't invent the time machine for financial gain! The intent is to gain a clearer perception of humanity. Our past, our future, the pitfalls, the possibilities... ...the perils, and the promise. Perhaps an answer to that universal question, Why? I'm all for that. (..)1989 Back to the Future Part II