PSY3051 - Perception and cognitive psychology - 2017

The first half of this unit covers sensory, the first half of this unit covers sensory processes involved in vision, audition and speech perception. Coding mechanisms common to different modalities are emphasised to help students understand general mechanisms of sensory coding and perceptual processing. The second half encompasses the acquisition, organisation, and retrieval of knowledge and aims to cover cognitive psychology more generally. It includes emphasis on contemporary research techniques, cognitive architecture, attentional processes, models of learning and memory, mental imagery, language and higher-order thinking.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. understand the most important applications of cognitive psychological research and theory
2. demonstrate an understanding of the practical and theoretical skills underlying several major methods for conducting cognitive and perceptual psychological research
3. explain the central problem faced by any perceptual system and be able to use this as a framework to think about the evolution of perceptual principles and current theories of perception
4. summarise the broad principles of perception which apply to all modalities including neurophysiological mechanisms at the levels of receptors, pathways, and brain structures; top-down and bottom up processing, and feature detection, and the constructive nature of perception
5. describe the sensory and perceptual processes specific to vision, audition and speech perception
6. summarise and evaluate the major theoretical and research approaches within cognitive psychology
7. review historical and current theory on basic cognitive processes, such as learning, memory and attention
8. understand topics related to the application and manipulation of cognitive information, such as language, problem solving and decision making.

• 2 x Lab assignments (worth 20% each) (40%)
• 1 x Class presentation (10%)
• Examination (25% Perception; 25% Cognition) (2 hours) (50%)

Attendance at labs, tutorials or weekend schools is required in order to successfully complete in-class activities and related assessment tasks.

See also Unit timetable information

Associate Professor Jeroen van Boxtel

WESch classes are compulsory in order to complete the assessment associated with attendance. Please refer to the specific unit requirements for more detail. It is common practice, where possible, to timetable at least two WESsch options in each core unit. Sessions may be held at Clayton or Caulfield campuses.

Psychology

PSY2031 and PSY2051 or PSY2061.

http://www.med.monash.edu.au/psych/course/ugrad/major-minor.html