Final answer:
In the information-processing model, the identification of relevant environmental cues occurs during the perception process, which includes both bottom-up and top-down processing. It begins at the primary sensory cortex, moving through an association area to a multimodal integration area for complex interpretation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the information-processing model, the process of identifying relevant environmental cues is known as perception. This involves bottom-up processing, which starts when sensory stimuli are registered through receptor cells and passed along ascending pathways to the central nervous system (CNS). In the cerebral cortex, sensory processing begins at the primary sensory cortex, progresses to an association area, and ends in a multimodal integration area.
Top-down processing may also contribute, as one's previous experiences and expectations help in recognizing stimuli. This becomes essential when the brain integrates new sensory information with existing knowledge to produce a coherent understanding of the environment. Attention is a crucial cognitive process that enables sensory information to be focused and interpreted effectively against a backdrop of cognitive priorities like hunger, fatigue, and belief.