In cognitive psychology, which of the following best defines top-down processing?

• A. The tendency to focus on a single stimulus while ignoring others in the environment.
• B. The use of prior knowledge, expectations, and experiences to interpret and organize sensory information.
• C. The process by which sensory receptors convert physical energy into neural signals.
• D. The analysis of sensory input starting with the smallest details and building up to a complete perception.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that top-down processing in cognitive psychology refers to how our brain uses existing knowledge, expectations, and experiences to interpret sensory information.
2. Step 2: Recognize that this contrasts with bottom-up processing, which starts with raw sensory data and builds up to perception without prior knowledge influencing it.
3. Step 3: Identify that the key feature of top-down processing is the influence of higher-level cognitive functions on perception, meaning our brain actively interprets sensory input based on what it already knows.
4. Step 4: Review the provided options and match the definition that emphasizes the use of prior knowledge, expectations, and experiences to organize sensory information.
5. Step 5: Confirm that the correct choice is the one describing top-down processing as the use of prior knowledge, expectations, and experiences to interpret and organize sensory information.