Bottom-up processing is a type of information processing based on incoming data from the environment to form a perception. It is a sensory analysis that begins at the entry level, with what our senses can detect. Bottom-up processing occurs as our sensory receptors receive new sensory information and do not require prior knowledge or experiences. It is data-driven and emphasizes the importance of the stimulus itself, the raw data of the direct experience. Bottom-up processing is also known as data-driven processing because information processing begins with environmental stimuli, and perceptions are built from sensory input.
In contrast to bottom-up processing, top-down processing starts with a larger concept or idea and is driven by cognitive processes like memory and expectation. It often involves interpreting information through our existing knowledge and expectations. While bottom-up processing relies on sensory data alone, top-down processing begins with the whole picture and relies on context, previous knowledge, and expectations.
In summary, bottom-up processing is a type of information processing that starts with incoming sensory data from the environment and builds perceptions based on that data alone, without prior knowledge or experiences.
