Pattern recognition (psychology)

In <a href="/facts/Psychology/duoqW7Sz">psychology</a> and <a href="/facts/Cognitive_neuroscience/VWcV08yY">cognitive neuroscience</a>, pattern recognition is a <a href="/facts/Cognitive/ga0tSBul">cognitive</a> process that matches information from a <a href="/facts/Stimulus_(psychology)/el6C43FY">stimulus</a> with information <a href="/facts/Recall_(memory)/flxSh2qP">retrieved</a> from <a href="/facts/Memory/zucwQIEX">memory</a>. 
Pattern recognition occurs when information from the environment is received and entered into <a href="/facts/Short-term_memory/xaFod2bp">short-term memory</a>, causing automatic activation of a specific content of <a href="/facts/Long-term_memory/NvxgXP2y">long-term memory</a>. An example of this is learning the alphabet in order. When a carer repeats "A, B, C" multiple times to a child, the child, using pattern recognition, says "C" after hearing "A, B" in order. Recognizing patterns allows anticipation of what is to come. Making the connection between memories and information perceived is a step in pattern recognition called identification. Pattern recognition requires repetition of experience. <a href="/facts/Semantic_memory/NwlHHjHG">Semantic memory</a>, which is used implicitly and subconsciously, is the main type of memory involved in recognition.
Pattern recognition is crucial not only to humans, but also to other animals. Even <a href="/facts/Koala/1R4P7mxh">koalas</a>, which possess less-developed thinking abilities, use pattern recognition to find and consume eucalyptus leaves. The human brain has developed more, but holds similarities to the brains of birds and lower mammals. The development of <a href="/facts/Neural_network_(biology)/FUsCYvF7">neural networks</a> in the outer layer of the brain in humans has allowed for better processing of visual and auditory patterns. Spatial positioning in the environment, remembering findings, and detecting hazards and resources to increase chances of survival are examples of the application of pattern recognition for humans and animals.
There are six main theories of pattern recognition: template matching, <a href="/facts/Prototype-matching/B7zvvexI">prototype-matching</a>, feature analysis, <a href="/facts/Recognition-by-components_theory/E5yIDz4z">recognition-by-components theory</a>, bottom-up and top-down processing, and <a href="/facts/Fourier_analysis/sUA8JP6q">Fourier analysis</a>. The application of these theories in everyday life is not mutually exclusive. Pattern recognition allows us to read words, understand <a href="/facts/Language/IRcTok2q">language</a>, recognize friends, and even appreciate <a href="/facts/Music/hDVP0xsQ">music</a>. Each of the theories applies to various activities and domains where pattern recognition is observed. Facial, music and language recognition, and seriation are a few of such domains. Facial recognition and seriation occur through encoding visual patterns, while music and language recognition use the encoding of auditory patterns.

Pattern recognition (psychology) open-in-new

Pattern recognition (psychology)