Psychology “the science of mind and behaviour” “the way a person or group thinks” - Webster’s Dictionary “The scientific study of behaviour and mental processes, and the factors that influence these processes.” - Wayne Sproule, Our Social World

Structuralism WILLIAM WUNDT (1832-1920) Set up the first psychological laboratory in 1879 in Germany Inner workings of the mind Sensation Perception Attention Introspection Scientific methods to research First time Psychology is considered a scientific discipline G. Stanley Hall – 1st research lab, Johns Hopkins; 1st psychological journal; American Psychological Association

Sensation and Perception

Psychology is about looking at human mental processes There are two steps in these processes: Step 1: Sensation: the process that activates our sense receptors (sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch) and enables them to transmit signals to the brain Step 2: Perception: the process that allows us to select, organize and interpret sensory signals in the brain

Sensation Sensations can activate many different senses in our body: Visual system Light waves and colour Auditory system Sound waves Chemical senses Taste Smell Tactile system Pressure, temperature, pain Kinesthetic system Monitor positions of the body Vestibular system Location in space

Perception 3 Steps in the Process of Perception Selecting: picking out specific stimuli to which you will pay attention Ex. If you are listening to radio, driving, looking around you and see a flash of red in your peripheral vision Organizing: shaping data into something you understand Ex. Perceiving that the red flash is another car that is coming into your lane Interpreting: what does that mean? Ex. Coming to the conclusion that you are in danger and acting appropriately by moving over to avoid collision Perception is influenced by: Background or Surroundings Experiences/Feelings of the perceiver

Case Study: Helen Keller http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32lC30Jlv20 What were the sensory stimuli? What did Helen perceive? What were the processes that led her to perception that it was water? Select Organize Interpret What were the factors influencing perception? Background or Surroundings Experiences or Feelings of the perciever

Optical Illusions Why do they work? Sometimes perception is based on inappropriate assumptions People form perceptual hypotheses on contextual factors (ex. Depth cues) which shape their perceptual hypothesis

Optical Illusions

Optical Illusions

Subliminal Perceptions Registration of sensory input without conscious awareness of it

Sensations, Perceptions and Learning Raw materials that the mind works with Perception Selection of data that the mind wants to work with Use data to acquire knowledge Retain in memory Called cognition

Sources Sproule, Wayne. Our Social World: An Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology. Toronto: Prentice Hall, 2001. Weiten, Wayne and Doug McCann. Psychology: Themes and Variations. Toronto: Thomas Canada Limited, 2007.

Reflection Write at least 2 ways in which sensory and perception influence your personal learning in the classroom Hand it in on the shelf by the door as you leave the room