BSc Psychology / Course details

Year of entry: 2023

Course unit details:
Perception and Action

Course unit fact file
Unit code PSYC21012
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Offered by Division of Psychology and Mental Health
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This course unit builds upon the topics introduced in First Year; students will be expected to be familiar with basic ideas and concepts as covered in PSYC11312 Sensation and Perception.

We will detail advanced theories of visual perception and discuss more complex perception, for example the perception of complex motion, 3D perception; object recognition, multisensory perception; perceiving reflections and shadows, ecological perception, perception of art, event perception, time perception, space perception and face perception.  We will also discuss aspects of action including human action, disorders of action and the perception of actions.

Aims

The unit aims to introduce students to more advanced concepts in perception and action, and develop their experience of evaluation and presenting evidence within written essays.

Syllabus

 

Week 1 Theories of Visual Perception 
Week 2 Spatial Vision 
Week 3 Colour and Lightness constancy 
Week 4 Motion perception
Week 5 Depth perception 
Week 6 Object recognition 
Week 7 Face recognition 
Week 8  Multisensory perception 
Week 9  Human action 
Week 10 l Disorders of action 
Week 11 Perception of actions 
Week 12 Revision – Q & A session 

Teaching and learning methods

This unit will be taught via lectures and seminars.

E-learning provision: Supplementary reading, resources and a monitored discussion board will be provided via Blackboard.

Knowledge and understanding

 

· demonstrate an understanding of advanced perception and action research.
· critically evaluate the methods used in perception and action research
· relate empirical findings to our understanding of perception in the real world.

Intellectual skills

 

· critically analyze the empirical basis for perception and action research
· apply knowledge of perception and action to interpret research findings and everyday situations

Practical skills

 

· appraise empirical data
· be able to discuss empirical findings with others within a small group context
· Plan, research and write up an essay on a topic in the area of perception and action.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

 

· Students will have the opportunity to develop their skills in: Synthesising information; summarising theories and
evidence; critical thinking; evaluating research; working in groups; communicating effectively both orally and in
writing; presenting concise and persuasive arguments

Assessment methods

Exam - 90%

MCQ Quiz - 10%

Feedback methods

Students will receive a grade for the exam, with a summary of their performance available by request.

Recommended reading

Ward, J. (2010). The student’s guide to cognitive neuroscience (3rd ed.). Hove: Psychology Press, Taylor & Francis Group.

Study hours

Independent study hours
Independent study 82

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Karen Lander Unit coordinator

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