Sensation, Perception and Attention

Presentation

Curricular unit with the objective of studying the theoretical and practical bases of the functions related to sensation, perception and attention.

Part of this Programme

Psychology

Level of Qualification|Semesters|ECTS

| Semestral | 5

Year | Type of course unit | Language

1 |Mandatory |Português

Code

ULHT35-15393

Recommended complementary curricular units

N/A

Prerequisites and co-requisites

n/a

Professional Internship

Não

Syllabus

• Sensation: Conceptual foundations
  • Sensory modalities: main features and functioning
  • Classical theories and main conceptual paradigms: Psychophysics and Signal Detection Theory
• Perception: Conceptual foundations
  • Sensation and perception: concepts and interaction
  • Perceptual modalities: main features and functioning
  • Conceptual models: Gestalt, information processing approaches and constructivist theory
• Attention: Conceptual foundations
  • Definitions and taxonomies
  • Main theoretical models: filter theories, automatic and controlled processing and capacity models. Interactions with sensation, perception and influence of emotion
• Research methods in Sensation, Perception and Attention
  • Behavioural models
  • Laboratory models: experimental paradigms, psychophysiological and neuroimaging techniques
• Applications of the study of Sensation, Perception and Attention
  • Individual differences
  • Behaviour and learning

Objectives

The objectives focus on the promotion of knowledge about the conceptual foundations of sensation, perception and attention in a perspective of interaction and complementarity among each of these topics, as well as providing students with skills that allow describing the main theoretical models related to the functions of sensation, perception and attention. It is also intended to provide knowledge and skills at the level of practical and laboratory training with software for stimulus presentation (e.g. Superlab) that promote practice in research methodologies as in main experimental paradigms, but also the development of knowledge of research applications in sensation, perception and attention in the study and understanding of individual differences. The intent is also to promote students' knowledge and involvement in the different phases of a research project, in this case integrated in the R&DU HEI-Lab through participation in the HEI-Lab Studio project.

Teaching methodologies and assessment

The theoretical component will follow the expository method. The practical component will be focused on laboratory work and article searches on classic experimental paradigms of psychology, being framed on HEI-Lab Studio - Experimental Museum of Psychology, from R&DU HEI-Lab and which will be developed by different CUs of the 1st Cycle of Psychology. It is relevant that this work can contribute to the conceptual definition of this HEI-Lab Studio project. The continuous assessment consists of a written test (60%) on the theoretical component, group work on HEI-Lab Studio (35%, resulting in 20% of written document and 15% of oral presentation), as well as a reflection on practical activities (5%). Class attendance is mandatory. The final exam consists of a written exam (100%), which will focus on the entire syllabus. The final average must be equal to or higher than 10 points.

References

• Goldstein, E. B. (2010). Sensation and Perception (8^th Ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. London: Sage Publications.
• Harris, J. (2014). Sensation and Perception. London: Sage Publications.
• Schiffman, H.R. (2005). Sensação e Perceção (Edição Brasileira). Rio de Janeiro: Livros Técnicos e Científicos Editora, S.A.

Office Hours