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Article Content:

Robert Haynes, (2021, October 14). What’s the Difference Between Top-Down and Bottom-Up Processing. Psychreg on Cognitive Psychology. https://www.psychreg.org/whats-difference-between-top-down-bottom-up-processing/

As we know, even though our sensory receptors constantly gather information from our surroundings. Ultimately, it is how we interpret that collected information which determines how we interact with it. In terms of perception, it describes our ability to organise, interpret, and consciously experience sensory information. Perception involves bottom-up processing and top-down processing.

But how can you understand the process of perception? The process of perception can be understood with these two approaches: bottom-up processing and top-down processing. Is there a difference between the two? Yes.

Top-down processing

It is classified as top-down processing when pattern recognition is developed through contextual information. As a result of this approach, one’s perception starts with the most general and gradually progresses to the most specific.

Our perceptions are largely influenced by the expectations we have and prior knowledge. In simple words, based on the knowledge we have, our brain fills in the blanks and anticipates what will come next. 

As an example, you are presented with a paragraph that is written in a illegible handwriting style. You will have an easier time understanding what the author  wants to say if you read the whole paragraph instead of reading the words separately. The brain may be able to comprehend the gist of a paragraph by using the context provided by the surrounding words.

Gregory’s Theory

According to renowned psychologist Richard Gregory,the perception process is a constructive one that relies on the top-down processing. 

Gregory explained that using prior experience and knowledge of a stimulus helps us draw inferences. For him, one’s perception is determined by their best guess or hypothesis regarding the world around them.

When it comes to visual perception, he argues that 90% of the visual information is lost before it reaches the brain. The stimulus is created based on memory and experience that is related to it. Consequently, a perceptual hypothesis is created about it as a result of this event.  

In Gregory’s view, incorrect hypotheses can be formed by the brain when faced with a visual illusion, such as the Necker tube, which may result in an inaccurate perception.

Bottom-up processing

As opposed to the top-down approach, in the bottom-up processing approach, the perception starts at the sensory input, the stimulus. Therefore, the word ‘data-driven’ can be used when describing perception.  

Suppose a football stands in the centre of a person’s field. The visuals of the football and all other information about the stimulus is transmitted to the visual cortex in the brain from the retina. There is only one direction in which the signal travels.

Gibson’s Theory

Gregory’s explanation was criticised by psychologist E.J. Gibson. It was regarding visual illusions. In his opinion, they serve simply as examples and are not images seen in a person’s normal visual surroundings.

Gibson, a strong supporter of the bottom-up approach to perception, argued that perception is not subject to hypotheses; rather, perception is a direct phenomenon. ( ‘What you see is what you get.’)

In his theory, he explained that the environment can provide sufficiently detailed information (e.g. shape, size, distance, etc.),about the stimulus. Thus, prior knowledge or past experiences may not affect the perception of the stimulus. 

This argument is supported by motion parallax. Whenever we are travelling on a fast-moving train, objects closer to us seem to pass by more quickly, while objects further away pass us comparatively slowly. Therefore, we can determine the distance between us and something passing us by observing the speed with which it moves.

Bottom-up

• The process of gathering inputs from our environment to build perceptions by using the sensory information that we have received.
• Data-driven
• Sensory information is relied upon

Bottom-up processing does not require any prior learning, so perception is solely determined by stimuli received from one’s environment. The driving force behind perception in bottom-up processing is the stimulus one is currently experiencing in one’s external environment.

Top-down

• The process of interpreting incoming information according to one’s prior knowledge, experiences, and expectations. (Gregory, 1970)
• Schema driven.
• Depends on experience and knowledge.

As clear by know that during top-down processing, experience, prior knowledge, and expectations are all crucial factors in creating the perception of new stimuli. Thus, previous knowledge, experience, and expectations are the driving forces behind top-down perception.

Robert Haynes did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is interested in mental health and well-being.

Psychreg is mainly for information purposes only; materials on this website are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Don’t disregard professional advice or delay in seeking  treatment because of what you have read on this website. Read our full disclaimer. 

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