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Module

PSY3034 : Perception

  • Offered for Year: 2020/21
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Gabriele Jordan
  • Lecturer: Prof. Vicki Bruce, Professor Jenny Read, Dr Quoc Vuong, Professor Anya Hurlbert, Professor Christopher Petkov, Dr Yoav Tadmor
  • Owning School: Psychology
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0

Aims

The module will provide insights into both lower- and higher-level aspects of perceptions across different domains (e.g. visual and auditory). Apart from gaining knowledge of perceptual systems, students will be encouraged to think about possible everyday applications of the various topics (why is it important, who does it benefit) and develop an awareness of the pros and cons of a variety of experimental measures. Ultimately, students should be able to evaluate key readings and get a better foundation for undertaking related projects in their final year if they so wish.

Outline Of Syllabus

Perceptions permit us to obtain knowledge of our environment by processing the sensory input (e.g. light, sounds) and working out the most likely interpretation of the state of the world. Perceptions across any domain (visual, auditory, smell etc) seem to be remarkably effortless and instantaneous, but the underlying steps required to succeed are diverse and complex and require the student to think about aspects of physics (the stimulus), the neural substrates (brain), as well as psychology.
The module will take the student from lower-level, more elementary aspects of perceptions (such as colour, depth, space, or sound) to higher-level perception of objects, faces, scenes, or voices and indeed the perception of beauty or aesthetics.
Students will be made aware of the progression from classical, seminal studies to modern developments taught by researchers who can be considered as at the forefront of their respective fields.

Teaching Methods

Module leaders are revising this content in light of the Covid 19 restrictions.
Revised and approved detail information will be available by 17 August.

Assessment Methods

Module leaders are revising this content in light of the Covid 19 restrictions.
Revised and approved detail information will be available by 17 August.

Reading Lists

Timetable