2024
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
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 unit will be taught using a combination of lectures such as theoretical exposition, discussion, practical classes, self guided learning and laboratory assignments. Students are encouraged to read the bibliography / materials before in order to question fundamental ideas and clarify procedures.
Continuous evaluation
Group work: presentation and oral discussion of a scientific article (10%), experimental participation (10%), experimental work report (20%).
Written test (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.
Continuous evaluation
Group work: presentation and oral discussion of a scientific article (10%), experimental participation (10%), experimental work report (20%).
Written test (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 (2023/2024 )
- Isabel Maria Cabrita de Araújo Leite dos Santos Silva [responsible]
