An Example of Top-Down Processes in Perception

Instructions: Take out a sheet of paper and number it from 1 – 6. I am going to show you 6 versions of a photograph. The first will be very blurry, and the rest will get progressively clearer. As you look at each photo, write down what you think the photo is of. Even if you are not sure, make your best guess, so that you write down 6 answers. Any Questions???

Now, please number from 1-3, leaving enough space to write 2 answers after each number. I’m going to show you two different versions of three new photos, one at a time. Look at each and write down what you think the photo is of.

Did you do better on the second set than you did on #4 from the first set? Yet, #4 on the first set was blurred to the same extent as the first image in each pair during the second set. So, why the better performance? Why did the early, very blurry images in the first set hurt your recognition of image #4?