In the biased‑competition framework, stimuli don’t simply appear in our awareness — they compete for representation. Each stimulus triggers neural activity, and these neural groups inhibit one another until one becomes strong enough to dominate. The outcome depends on bottom‑up features like contrast or motion, as well as top‑down goals and expectations. A detailed explanation can be found here.
This mechanism explains why we focus on some details while completely missing others. Attention isn’t passive; it’s a priority system where the brain boosts certain inputs and suppresses competing ones. That’s why context, goals, and relevance dramatically shape what we perceive — and why perception is never a neutral snapshot of reality. Atlas of Cognitive Systems
