Top-Down Visual Processing

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPCCJUm6165rO6jG17LK1uTEurI-10XC3yxhpFMjcZiPdfL5qSaV3MlQcuIH5qoZSTKXmE31MB-PpeKF6t77BAhZfEte_jCNo4NzZGg4SbQGorNdtAsrPkH2NXpvczkf7m5lg66ErR1k/s400/visual+communications.jpg

I believe this image captures the essence of a top-down process because it is focusing its attention at a given task at hand, which in this case is writing the word design. According to Visual Queries, "Top-down processes are driven by the need to accomplish some goal. This might be an action [...] It might be a cognitive goal, such as understanding an idea expressed in a diagram. (Ware)" This image can also be looked at as "an idea expressed in a diagram," in which the viewer understands that the idea of the image is about design not because of the actual action going on in writing the word design but because of the specific design diagram that's in the background, such as coding and various design software. Top-down visual processing also deals with fixation, which applies to this image as well because when writing (action goal) and/or understanding the idea of the word design (cognitive goal), ones attention span tends to prolong in certain areas. For example, when writing the word design one might tend to look more extensively on the letters that are being written. Likewise, when it comes to understanding the idea of the word design, one might tend to look more extensively on how the various design features are diagrammed in the background. Finally, top-down visual processing involves specific eye movements, which also applies to this image because when writing (action goal) and/or understanding the idea of the word design (cognitive goal), ones eyes move in a certain degree. For example, when writing the word design one might tend to glance at how much space is left in order to determine whether the word is going to fit on the paper before continuing to write the rest of the letters. Likewise, when it comes to understanding the idea of the word design, one might tend to glance in a certain matter at how the different design features are diagrammed and follow them in a specific path. It's this "constant re-linking between actions and cognition (looping), (Wk2_LECTURE_VisQueries-1.pdf)" that make this image a good candidate for top-down visual processing!