Psychology 444 Sensation and Perception 1 Sensation and Perception (0)

Psyc 444 – Sensation and Perception 2 Week 0-1 Topics Introduction Class Syllabus and Course Organization Where in science are we?

Psyc 444 – Sensation and Perception 3 Lesson 0-1: Introduction Dr. Brian P. Dyre Associate Professor of Experimental Psychology/Neuroscience Research: Visual perception of motion, visual navigation, computational modeling of human vision, virtual displays, physiological measures of mental workload, augmented cognition Teaching: Sensation & Perception, Engineering Psychology, Human Factors, Physiological Psychology Educational Background B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Clarkson University (1986) M.A., Experimental Psychology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (1989) Ph.D., Experimental Psychology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (1993) Post-doctoral Research Appointments: Beckman Institute, UIUC, Air Force Research Laboratory

Psyc 444 – Sensation and Perception 4 Class Syllabus and Course Organization What’s the class about? Required materials Class requirements and Grades Class policies

Psyc 444 – Sensation and Perception 5 Where in Science are We? The goal of science is to understand the world around us The core of science is logic and reason, whose western roots can be traced to the ancient Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle Mathematics is simply a language for expressing logical relationships, hence it is the language of science Logic and Math All Science

Psyc 444 – Sensation and Perception 6 Where in Science are We? Science can be envisioned as a collection of topics that surround this core much like the layers of an onion Each layer connects the layers lying within it to the layers lying outside it, and the layers proceed from the microscopic to macroscopic to cosmic levels of scale Logic and Math Nuclear Physics Chemistry Biology Geology Psychology Medicine SociologyEconomics

Psyc 444 – Sensation and Perception 7 Where in Science are We? Science is defined by method, not by topic – all science uses the scientific method Non-science uses other methods to establish knowledge (e.g., authority, faith) Scientific method is based on logical reasoning and systematic observation (empiricism) Logic and Math Nuclear Physics Chemistry Biology Geology Psychology Medicine SociologyEconomics

Psyc 444 – Sensation and Perception 8 Science and Proof The scientific method cannot logically prove anything, it can only disprove Scientific method operates on the logical principle of disproof or disconfirmation Multiple theories can be proposed to explain any phenomenon The predictions of these theories are compared to empirical data Theories must therefore make specific predictions that can be tested Theories that make predictions counter to the data are disconfirmed Disconfirmed theories are reformulated or abandoned Proof

Psyc 444 – Sensation and Perception 9 Class Syllabus and Course Organization What’s the class about? Required materials Class requirements and Grades Class policies Syllabus Class Web Page