Perception and Attention

• Credit value: 15 credits at Level 5
• Convenor: Professor Martin Eimer
• Assessment: a two-hour examination (100%)

In this module we introduce you to sensory and perceptual processes, blending classical and contemporary approaches to basic information processing. You will learn how to identify key theoretical issues and methodological contributions in perception and cognition generally, and about the scope for the application of knowledge of sensory and perceptual processes to other areas of cognitive psychology and neuroscience.

Indicative syllabus

• Basic concepts in cognitive neuroscience
• Functional anatomy of the visual, auditory, and somatosensory systems
• Visual object recognition, face perception and recognition
• Somatosensation and the body image
• Classic models of selective attention
• Visual search and the attentional spotlight
• Attentional capture, neglect and extinction
• Motor control, basic mechanisms of cognitive control
• Conscious awareness and subliminal perception

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

• identify (list) the general theoretical approaches that have been covered in this course
• specify the main theories, models, concepts or methods covered in each of the lecture topics
• critically evaluate each of the theories in relation to any rival theories citing research evidence to support or refute each idea
• discuss the relative importance of diverse approaches to studying perceptual and attentional processes
• provide examples of experimental and modelling techniques used in perception and attention research
• evaluate the strength of research evidence
• review the contributions of perception research to general psychology
• discuss the applicability of research (data, theories, methods, concepts) on perception, attention and action to real-world problems.