Question

mode of perceptual processing for identifying patterns as meaningful wholes rather than as piecemeal constructions
top - down tracing
top - down extraction
top - down processor
top - down processing
top - down retrieval

Explanation:

Top - down processing is a mode of perceptual processing where we use our prior knowledge, expectations, and context to interpret sensory information. It involves identifying patterns as meaningful wholes first rather than building up from individual pieces (which would be more like bottom - up processing). The other terms like "top - down tracing", "top - down extraction", "top - down processor", and "top - down retrieval" are not standard terms in the context of perceptual processing to describe this holistic, whole - to - part approach.

Answer:

top - down processing