Maybe you're both right.

The concept of parallel processing is very unique. I always knew that everyone saw things in life different ways but never knew the concept behind it. I think of parallel processing as the way people perceive objects and it determines the way each individual sees something through there eyes. The breakdown of parallel processing is even more unique. Parallel processing can be either bottom-up or top-down. The difference between the two is a person's mindset going certain situations. Bottom-up processing I believe gives a broader viewpoint on things. Top-down processing is close minded because your mind is already trying to create an image before the situation.
I think this concept is very important especially in psychology. When doing surveys and research, it's a lot easier to predict what people will perceive depending on the parallel processing they choose. Then if the predicted results are completely different then that gives researchers something more to look into. Top-down processing reminds me a lot of the regulations that experiments need to be considered an experiment. One of the big keys is for the subject not to have a perception when being part of research because it will then make them bias. Therefore I feel that bottom-up processing is more popular in research for psychology. Results from studies with bottom-up processing I feel would be more accurate because people are answering questions off of what that perceived as the experiment was going on. I attached photo that can be perceived to ways depending on the process that people use to look at it. I've always wondered who the first person was to create an image that involves parallel processing. I find these type of images fascinating because not all people can the images in different ways.