This course examines how the human brain receives and processes information from our environment. It explores the functioning of human sensory systems and how physical stimuli are transformed into signals that can be understood by the nervous system. Topics covered in the course include vision, audition, taste, smell, touch, proprioception, and basic psychophysics.
Outline
Unit 1: Introduction to Perception
Unit 2: Basic Principles of Sensory Physiology
Unit 3: The Eye and Retina
Unit 4: The Visual Cortex and Beyond
Unit 5: Perceiving Objects and Scenes
Unit 6: Visual Attention
Unit 7: Taking Action
Unit 8: Perceiving Motion
Unit 9: Perceiving Colour
Unit 10: Perceiving Depth and Size
Unit 11: Hearing
Unit 12: Hearing in the Environment
Unit 13: Perceiving Music
Unit 14: Perceiving Speech
Unit 15: The Cutaneous Senses
Unit 16: The Chemical Senses
Learning outcomes
When you have completed the required units of Psychology 333: Sensation and Perception, you should be able to
describe the perceptual process and how perception is studied;
describe the basic principles of sensory physiology;
discuss the stimulus for vision and the photoreceptor processes;
identify the pathway from retina to visual cortex and higher-level visual processing;
discuss the perceptual organization of objects and scenes;
describe what attention is and the physiology of attention;
discuss the information people use to find their way through the environment;
describe the functions and characteristics of motion perception;
describe the perception of colour and the theories of colour vision;
discuss how we perceive depth and size;
describe the stimulus for sound and the structure and function of the auditory system;
discuss the characteristics of sound localization;
discuss how we perceive music and how emotion and music are linked;
identify the speech stimulus and the dimensions of speech perception;
describe the cutaneous senses and how we perceive pain; and
identify the properties of the chemical senses and discuss the olfactory system.
Evaluation
To receive credit for Psychology 333: Sensation and Perception you must complete five (5) quizzes, a term paper, and a final exam, and you must receive a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the final exam and a composite course grade of at least D (50 percent).
Activity
Weight
5 Quizzes (5% each)
25%
Term Paper
35%
Final Exam
40%
Total
100%
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Goldstein, E. B., & Cacciamani, L. (2022). Sensation and perception (11th ed.). Cengage. (eText)
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the PSYC 333 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.