top-down encoding

noun

UK /ˌtɒp daʊn ɪnˈkəʊdɪŋ/

US /ˌtɑːp daʊn ɪnˈkoʊdɪŋ/

A way of learning or remembering where you start with the big idea and then fill in the small parts.

Using top-down encoding, the class first learned the whole story and then the details.

SYNONYMS

concept-first learning whole-to-part processing global processing idea-first encoding

RELATED WORDS

bottom-up encoding schema comprehension memory

OTHER MEANINGS

2. In computing, a method where a system is planned from the overall design down to the smallest parts.

The team used top-down encoding to design the app before writing any code.

3. In reading, understanding a text by using what you already know about the topic before looking at each word.

Good readers often use top-down encoding to guess the meaning of a story.

4. In psychology, when your brain uses general knowledge to make sense of new information.

Top-down encoding helped her recognize the song even though the recording was fuzzy.