1. A method for executing a data processing instruction in a data processor having a plurality of processing elements, comprising the steps of: receiving the data processing instruction; accessing a downward shift value in response to the data processing instruction; selectively accessing a first data value from a first portion of the plurality of processing elements, the first portion of the plurality of processing elements being determined in response to the downward shift value; transferring the first data value to each of a second portion of the plurality of processing elements, the second portion of the plurality of processing elements being determined in response to the downward shift value; performing a data processing operation using the first data value in each of the second portion of the plurality of processing elements; and storing a result of the data processing operation in each of the second portion of the plurality of processing elements.