Examples of top-down processing
Top-down processing usually takes place when the general knowledge we have guides our perceptions in a specific direction. Show
Utilizing top-down processing influences the context of the information we are understanding in the same perception. Basically top-down processing is how we process an idea from a general concept or larger concept to a more detailed information. Top-down processing happens if we keep working on a general concept to make it more detailed and work on defining every single little detail for the concept. In the process of top-down processing, the information gathered through the five senses can be influenced by your abstract impressions. Top-Down Processing Example in Everyday LifeOne top-down processing example from everyday life is the stroop effect, in which when we read a color name written in a different color, we tend to name the wrong thing. Another example of top down processing in everyday life may be when we read something with spelling mistakes but still know what is being said because the subject is familiar. The Concept of Top-Down ProcessingThe concept of top-down processing was introduced by a psychologist named Richard Gregory in 1970. The main claim of his study was that perception conceived by our mind is constructive. According to his study while working when we perceive something or some idea we must rely on our prior knowledge and on the context of the situation to correctly interpret the perception. According to the study given by Gregory, perception can also be said as a process of hypothesis testing. He suggested that the visual information that is perceived by the eye is lost by 90% before it can even reach the brain. So in this scenario, when we see something new or we dont know of, we dont only rely on our senses to identify it but we also rely on our existing knowledge and past experiences to create a hypothesis of what that thing might be. If the hypothesis we came at is correct we can build up on this combination of our senses and knowledge constructively but if our hypothesis is wrong it might lead towards perceptual errors. Why We Use Top-Down ProcessingTop-down processing is one of the most important factors that influence our interaction with the environment around us on a daily basis. Our five senses are taking in information continuously as at any given time we are taking in information through our eyes or experiencing different smells, taste, sounds or feeling through touch. If we start paying attention to each and every bit of this information we will not be able to do anything else, here top-down processing comes into play and helps us understand the perception of the object by streamlining a process that relies on the context of the information and our pre-existing knowledge. If our brain does not implement top-down processing all of our senses will be overwhelmed with the information they need to process. Using Top-Down ProcessingTop-down processing also helps us to understand the things we perceive in our daily routines using our senses. One of the areas where this example has been demonstrated in our daily identification of letters and reading. Number of experiments taken out on different groups of participants have shown that when they were presented by either a word or a brief letter, the participants when asked later on were able to identify the word more accurately. Although word had more visual stimuli then the letter but the context of the word helped participants in remembering it accurately. This is also known as the superiority effect, which is a very useful tool to have in everyday life. Taking into account another example, suppose you receive an important letter related to your job but there are few parts or text of the letter smeared with drops of water. Those words in the letter are now just smudges but you are still able to read the letter fully using top-down processing. As you use the context of the sentences and words and by utilizing your prior knowledge of reading and context you comprehend the meaning of the message written in the letter. Positive and Negatives of Top-Down ProcessingTop-down processing by simplifying the way we understand our sensory perceptions also serves as a positive function. There is much information around us and we are always perceiving multiple things. Top-down processing also enables us to make less work of the cognitive path between what we perceive and their meaning. One of the reasons for this development is that top-down processing helps us in understanding and recognizing these patterns. Patterns are termed as useful because they help us to comprehend and understand how to interact with the world. For example, when we come across a new mobile phone that we have not seen before, we dont panic but try to comprehend it with our prior knowledge of mobile phones and or past experiences. As with most of the mobile phones, the pattern to unlock or open applications and interactions with different workings of a mobile phone are the same so we can utilize our prior knowledge and patterns to comprehend the new mobile device. In the same way patterns can be useful they can also prevent us from perceiving things in some other new way as we get used to the pattern. In the same example as stated above, as we may understand a certain pattern of how to use a mobile phone but what if the manufacturer comes with some new or unique pattern in its new device, in such a scenario we might not be able to figure out the pattern at once. This is one of the scenarios where top-down processing might have some negative results. As our knowledge is not vast and is limited and biased in some aspects, so when we apply our knowledge to things that we perceive it also makes our perceptions limited and biased. So, for example, if a person has been using one phone manufacturer all his life lets suppose iPhone and are presented with a new kind of phone that has the same features or even better to that of an iPhone, the main perception of the person might be that the user experience for phone is inferior to that of iPhone.
The Importance of Top-Down ProcessingWhy is top-down processing important? In our current state we are always surrounded with a hefty amount of information, such that given the normal circumstances we would not be able to comprehend every single detail. Top-down processing helps us to simplify this information and comprehend it with the prior knowledge of our understanding of the world. The first glance, board general view of a scenario then further influence the more finer details that you can focus on later as you take in more information about the environment around you. Just consider how much information you are always surrounded with at any given moment in your life. You are always surrounded by a plethora of sights, smells, sounds,tastes, physical sensations, and textures. If you start focusing on each and every one of these information or sensations you will be overwhelmed by the amount of information you are taking in. Processing information using the top-down processing helps us to make sense of most of the information that has already been sensed by our senses, working from the initial sense or broader picture to the lower level detailed senses of each sensation. How Existing Knowledge Influences PerceptionTop-down processing can also be called conceptually-driven processing since in this concept the perceptions are mostly influenced by existing beliefs, expectations and understanding. In some of the cases where top-down processing takes place, you might be aware of the influences that causes the phenomena but in most cases this process occurs without your awareness. For example, you are on the road and driving through a neighborhood you are not familiar with or have not been to at any given point in your life and you see a sign for a convenience store. The sign had several missing letters but still you are able to read and understand the meaning for the sign. Why ? This is because of top-down processing which helped you in understanding the meaning behind the sign relying on your existing knowledge. Influences On This ProcessTop-down processing can be influenced by a number of ways like motivation and context. The circumstances, situation or context can also influence our perception of what we are expecting from that particular situation. For example, in case you are reading a specific article related to cooking, nutrition or food and you come across a couple of words you are not familiar with you might interpret them to be something related to food automatically. Motivation can also result in the interpretation of any situation or scenario in a particular way. For example, if you are hungry and motivated towards eating, you might interpret a set of ambiguous images as food related. Top-Down Processing In ActionHere we will explore a couple of examples for top-down processing to further simplify the phenomenon in action for understanding.
FAQ about top down processingWhy is top down processing important?Top-down processing helps us understand the information automatically that we have already comprehended previously and save us the trouble for our senses to go through it again. Where does top down processing start?Top-down processing is when we take in the larger or broader idea and work our way towards every little detail present in the idea and understand it fully. Generally speaking it can be stated that top-down processing means to start from general idea of a concept to a specific one. Who invented top down processing?Richard Gregory invented top down processing. Referenceshttps://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-top-down-processing-2795975 https://www.thoughtco.com/top-down-processing-definition-4691802 https://openpsyc.blogspot.com/2014/06/bottom-up-vs-top-down-processing.html Was this post helpful?Let us know if you liked the post. Thats the only way we can improve. Yes No |