Final answer:
The claim that top-down attention is mediated by the parietal cortex is False; it is primarily associated with the prefrontal cortex which manages goal-directed behaviors and executive functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that top-down attention is mediated by the parietal cortex is False. Top-down processes are broadly associated with the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in executive functions and goal-directed behaviors. Top-down attention is characterized by being goal-directed, slow, deliberate, effortful, and under your control. For instance, when you actively search for something based on your knowledge of its features, like finding a yellow key fob by looking in places where it's likely to be, you're utilizing top-down attention. This type of attention is associated more with the frontal lobe, specifically the prefrontal areas, which are responsible for inhibitory control and focus on achieving goals. The sensory processing areas, such as the occipital lobe for vision processing, work in conjunction with the prefrontal areas to filter and manage sensory information in a goal-directed way.