Top-down & bottom-up

Question 1

Bottom-up perception

Answer 1

Perception
^
Analyze specific features and combine to make complete form (general)
^
Detect sensory stimuli

• Used when information is unfamiliar/complex
• Processed in real time

Question 2

Top-down perception

Answer 2

Prior knowledge & expectation such as schema’s (general)
v
Select features from sensory stimuli that align with prior knowledge & expectation
v
Perception

-Previous information/experience
-Perceive in alignment with expectations

Question 3

Example of bottom-up perception?

Answer 3

When learning to read, individuals will see the individual letters ‘C’ ‘A’ ‘T’ and eventually understand that it spells cat
(They perceived specific stimuli -> gave it a meaningful purpose/meaning and made it general)

Question 4

Example of top-down perception?

Answer 4

When reading messy handwriting (you know all about that) your brain uses top-down to fill in gaps, such as ‘I wo_ld l_ve t_ _o’ your brain may interpret it as ‘i would love to go’ because of expectations