​​​​​​​Eric Lacy Music

Abstract Polarized Processing is a theory of cognition outlining a dual processing system that switches modes according to functional demands. This new model reframes savant syndrome as exceptional cognitive abilities attributable to a shift from bottom-up to top-down processing. The introduction of this theory examines the internal mechanism of a prodigious music composer with rare cognitive traits. Through metacognitive analysis, he provides an introspective account of the dual cognitive system from initial input through the final expression of output. Polarized Processing Theory steers the focus away from external observation and toward internal processing, resulting in a more comprehensive understanding of exceptional cognitive systems and a pathway to a more inclusive classification scheme. Early indicators suggest that Polarized Processing may generalize to all savant types and have significant implications in adjacent disciplines.