2025
Psychology of Perception and Attention
Name: Psychology of Perception and Attention
Code: PSI11093L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Psychology
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
Psychology of Perception and Attention introduces the main concepts and research methodologies used in the field of Cognitive Pychology.Thismodule discusses the structures and processes through which our primary senses (in particular vision) gain, interpret and select information about the world.
Learning outcomes:
1. Have an understanding of the relevance of an analytical approach in the study of cognitive processes
2. Describe the theoretical approaches and models of visual perception and attention
3. Identify research topics and discuss the main empirical findings
4. Give an account of the variety of methods that have been used in the study of perception and attention
Learning outcomes:
1. Have an understanding of the relevance of an analytical approach in the study of cognitive processes
2. Describe the theoretical approaches and models of visual perception and attention
3. Identify research topics and discuss the main empirical findings
4. Give an account of the variety of methods that have been used in the study of perception and attention
Contents
1. Cognitive Psychology
1. Key assumptions: the information porocessing approach and the concept of internal representation
2. Approaches to human cognition
2. Perception
1. General principles of sensation and perception
2. The physics and physiology of vision
3. Theories of visual perception
4. Processes of perceptual organization, depth perception and colour perception
5. Object recognition between- and within- categories of visual objects
3. Attention
1. Processing limitations and the selection of information
2. Theories, models and methodological approaches to selective attention
3. Theories, models and methodological approaches to divided attention
4. Automatic vs. controlled processing
1. Key assumptions: the information porocessing approach and the concept of internal representation
2. Approaches to human cognition
2. Perception
1. General principles of sensation and perception
2. The physics and physiology of vision
3. Theories of visual perception
4. Processes of perceptual organization, depth perception and colour perception
5. Object recognition between- and within- categories of visual objects
3. Attention
1. Processing limitations and the selection of information
2. Theories, models and methodological approaches to selective attention
3. Theories, models and methodological approaches to divided attention
4. Automatic vs. controlled processing
Teaching Methods
The lectures introduce the concepts and theoretical models. Essentially expository in nature, they are punctuated by moments of debate and questioning aimed at stimulating scientific reasoning and oral argumentation. The analysis of experimental results is taught and encouraged, along with reflection on their significance and scientific relevance. Moodle is the primary tool for enhancing learning and managing communication with students. Through the digital resources provided on Moodle, autonomous work and the development of research skills are promoted.
The practical classes include activities for presenting and discussing scientific articles related to the theoretical content, participation in experimental situations, and discussion of the results obtained. Reading the bibliography/materials before classes is encouraged to question ideas and clarify procedures.
The practical classes include activities for presenting and discussing scientific articles related to the theoretical content, participation in experimental situations, and discussion of the results obtained. Reading the bibliography/materials before classes is encouraged to question ideas and clarify procedures.
Assessment
Continuous evaluation
Group work: presentation and oral discussion of a scientific article (10%), experimental participation (10%), experimental work report (20%).
Written tests (60%)
Final evaluation
Final exam (with a component related to theoretical knowledge - 60% - and another one related to methodology, research techniques and results - 40%).
In this module attendance is compulsory in 75% of classes.
Group work: presentation and oral discussion of a scientific article (10%), experimental participation (10%), experimental work report (20%).
Written tests (60%)
Final evaluation
Final exam (with a component related to theoretical knowledge - 60% - and another one related to methodology, research techniques and results - 40%).
In this module attendance is compulsory in 75% of classes.
Teaching Staff
- Isabel Maria Cabrita de Araújo Leite dos Santos Silva [responsible]
Certificações
