top-down processing
information processing in which an overall hypothesis about or general conceptualization of a stimulus is applied to and influences the analysis of incoming stimulus data. For example, in reading, knowledge about letter and word frequencies, syntax, and other regularities in language guides recognition of incoming information. In this type of processing, a person’s higher level knowledge, concepts, or expectations influence the processing of lower level information (see proofreader’s illusion). Typically, perceptual or cognitive mechanisms use top-down processing when information is familiar and not especially complex. Also called conceptually driven processing; top-down analysis. Compare bottom-up processing. See also deep processing; semantic encoding.