Zhuanghua Shi Dragan Rangelov Psychophysics

Course lecturers and tutors

4 Reality ≠ Perception  = f(  )

Psychophysics  = f(  )   behavior: RT, accuracy   stimulus inputs Behavior = f(stimulus inputs)

Why a course on psychophysical methods

Experience Introspection Observation Cognitive architecture RT/errors Thresholds … Neural mechanisms fMRI EEG TMS …

Why a course on psychophysical methods Complexity of neuro-cognitive phenomena requires their analysis on different levels Levels are characterized by different methodological and research approaches Analysis of behavioral measures helps interpretation of neuroimaging results

Describing and opening the black box Psychophysics Describing what functions the cognitive system performs Cognitive neuroscience Describing how and where are these functions implemented f(S, O) Stimulus Behavior Stimulus Behavior Imaging

Tilt illusion Erroneous perception of the tilt of the inner grating as a function of contextual stimulation

Psychophysics of the tilt illusion Schwartz et al., 2007, NatRevNeur

Neuroscience of the tilt illusion Electrophysiological measure responses of populations of neurons to local orientation stimuli Repulsive tuning shifts in primary visual cortex neurons for space and time, for context target differences of 15°

Bringing together behavior and neurons From recordings of neurons (left) behavior can reliably be predicted (right-hand side)

Aims of the course Overview of “classical” psychophysical methods with reference to their applications in current neuro-cognitive psychology research. Demonstrate purely “psychological” tools for investigating internal states and processes Hands-on experience.

Schedule Strongway, Dragan Efsun, Leo Markus Lecture, Mon, 14 – 16:00, Leo 1208 Tutorial G1, Tue, 14 – 16:00, Leo 1202 Tutorial G2, Wed, 14 – 16:00, Leo Intro + SDT I Article distribution Article distribution Adpative Methods Introduction/Tutor presentations/Student assignments TUE: Seminar with Efsun/Leo (Tutor Presentations) Adaptative Methods Student Presentations Introduction RT I Experiment instruction Week / Lab tour (2 groups) Experiment Design RT II Designing the experiment Methods & Lab Tour RT III Data collection/office hours Data Collection RT IV Data collection/office hours Data Collection Data Analysis (SPSS + R) Analysis I EXAM Data interpretation + Discussion Analysis II & Discussion No regular class: Slot reserved for preparation of conference presentation Final Discussion, Presentation practice, & Report writing NCP conference + Tijuana (all)

Practical work Teaser papers available tomorrow Two groups: 1.Looking Visual search and memory learning 2.Touching Tactile contextual learning Main goal – practical application of the methods covered in the lectures

Structure of the course Requirements for course credit points (5 CP) Active participation in lectures and tutorials Presentation of the projects’ results Exam Written report

Criteria for the evaluation of the students’ presentation Theoretical importance of the research Research question Paradigm and data collection Appropriateness of data analyses Well illustrated by examples and figures Timing of the talk: 20 minutes good allocation of time for different parts

Criteria for written report 6 – words long Structure Abstract Introduction Methods/Results Discussion References – consistently formatted (APA) Written report will be graded by several reviewers

Course materials Lecture slides /teaching Research projects related materials provided by the tutors

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