Having prior knowledge about a situation can influence how we construe ambiguous situations.This is a result of a heavy reliance on
A) bottom-up processing.
B) top-down processing.
C) pluralistic ignorance.
D) the recency effect.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Top-down processing refers to how our pre-existing knowledge and beliefs can influence how we interpret new information or situations. This can lead to biases and assumptions that shape our perception and understanding, even in ambiguous situations where objective cues may be limited or unclear. Bottom-up processing, in contrast, refers to a more sensory-driven approach where stimuli are processed purely based on their physical properties rather than higher-level cognitive factors. Pluralistic ignorance and the recency effect are not directly related to this concept of prior knowledge and perception biases.

Having Prior Knowledge About a Situation Can Influence How We