Emanuel is reading a letter from his mother. Unfortunately, she has poor handwriting and never closes the tops of her letters. Which perceptual process best explains why Emanuel is easily able to read his mother's letters?
A) Top-down perceptual processing
B) Bottom-up perceptual processing
C) Similarity
D) Size constancy

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Top-down perceptual processing involves using prior knowledge and expectations to interpret sensory information. In this case, Emanuel's prior knowledge of his mother's handwriting and content expectations are likely allowing him to fill in missing parts of the letters and easily read her writing despite the lack of closed tops.

Emanuel Is Reading a Letter from His Mother