Recognizing the meaning of a partially known word in context is an example of:

• A. Operant conditioning
• B. Bottom-up processing
• C. Classical conditioning
• D. Top-down processing

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the key terms involved. 'Top-down processing' refers to using prior knowledge, expectations, and context to interpret sensory information, while 'bottom-up processing' relies solely on the sensory input without prior knowledge.
2. Step 2: Analyze the problem scenario: recognizing the meaning of a partially known word in context involves using what you already know (your prior knowledge and expectations) to fill in gaps.
3. Step 3: Compare this with the definitions of operant and classical conditioning, which are learning processes involving reinforcement and association, respectively, and are unrelated to interpreting sensory information.
4. Step 4: Conclude that since the task involves using context and prior knowledge to understand a word, it exemplifies top-down processing rather than bottom-up processing or conditioning.
5. Step 5: Summarize that top-down processing is the cognitive approach where perception is guided by higher-level mental processes, making it the correct answer in this context.