Final answer:
Top-down processing utilizes previous knowledge and expectancies to recognize visual stimuli, involving the 'what pathway' for object recognition and the 'where/how pathway' for spatial orientation. The cerebral cortex processes this visual information, starting from basic shape recognition to complex shape assembly and depth perception through binocular cues.
Step-by-step explanation:
In using top-down processing for visual object recognition, we rely on existing knowledge and expectancies to interpret and recognize stimuli. This process contrasts with bottom-up processing, which starts with sensory input and builds up to a perceptual experience. Instead, top-down processing uses current context and stored information to quickly identify what we see.
During visual perception, information received by our eyes is sent to the brain, where it takes specific pathways, including the 'what' and 'where/how' pathways. The 'what pathway', implicated in object recognition, allows us to identify and recognize different objects, like the ball rolling down the street. Conversely, the 'where/how pathway' helps us to discern the object's spatial location and how we might interact with it.
Our brain, particularly the cerebral cortex, plays a critical role in processing visual information. Initial steps start in the primary visual cortex where basic shapes and edges are identified. Moving into the association area and multimodal integration areas, these basic components are built into more complex shapes, and depth information is assessed through binocular depth cues afforded by the slightly different views from each eye.
Finally, perception is influenced by a multitude of factors including our personality, past experiences, and expectations, forming our perceptual set that guides our interpretation of sensory input. This top-down approach allows us to recognize and navigate the three-dimensional world effectively.