Apprehension vs Comprehension
The terms apprehension and comprehension are distinct from each other and can have various meanings. Apprehension can refer to a nervous fear about something known or unknown, an idea formed through observation, the taking of a suspect into custody in criminal procedures, or the ability to understand. On the other hand, comprehension refers to the complete understanding of something, which can lead to confusion between the two terms.
For instance, in the sentence “he had the apprehension about its purpose,” it means that he had the ability to understand its purpose. Comprehension, however, refers to the mental capacity to grasp the full significance of something. Both apprehension and comprehension stem from one’s understanding, which is a complex concept involving a person’s knowledge, its type, and how interconnected it is in their mind.
Key Takeaways
- Apprehension and comprehension are two different mental processes of grasping or taking hold of experience.
- Apprehension involves understanding something through tangible or concrete experiences, while comprehension relies on conceptual interpretation and symbolic representation.
- Comprehension is free of doubt and characterized by thorough understanding, while apprehension may result from doubt and can involve hesitation.
