Stimulusgestuurd

Stimulusgestuurd (Dutch for stimulus-driven) is a term used in psychology, neuroscience and related fields to describe cognitive and behavioral processes that are primarily driven by external stimuli rather than by internal goals, plans or expectations. The concept is often contrasted with top-down or goal-directed processing, where actions are guided by memory, intentions and expectations. Stimulusgestuurd processing emphasizes the role of the environment and salient cues in triggering responses.

In perception and attention, stimulusgestuurd corresponds to bottom-up or exogenous attention. Salient features such as brightness, motion, or sudden onset can capture attention and elicit rapid responses even when they are not aligned with current goals. Neural correlates include early sensory regions and attentional networks that respond to stimulus salience.

In learning and behavior, stimulusgestuurd mechanisms can produce reflexive or automatic responses and influence conditioning and habit formation. For example, a loud noise may elicit a startle response independent of ongoing goals; repeated pairing of a cue with a meaningful outcome can create conditioned associations triggered by the cue alone.

In applied settings, stimulusgestuurd approaches underpin reactive or stimulus-driven control in robotics and human–computer interfaces, where systems react to sensory input rather than executing preplanned sequences. In research, distinguishing stimulusgestuurd from top-down processes helps clarify how information is selected, processed, and acted upon.

Critically, both stimulusgestuurd and internally guided processes interact in real life. Context, task demands, and learning history determine the relative influence of external cues and internal goals.