1. Sensation –Thresholds –Vision –Hearing –Other senses Perception –Selective attention –Illusions –Organization –Interpretation –ESP

2. Objectives Contrast the processes of sensation and perception Distinguish between absolute and difference thresholds, and discuss research findings on subliminal stimulation Describe the phenomenon of sensory adaptation and explain its functional value Explain the visual process, including the stimulus input, the structure of the eye, and the transduction of energy Discuss the different levels of visual information processing and the value of parallel processing

3. Explain the Young-Helmholtz and opponent- process theories of color vision and describe the nature of color constancy Explain the auditory process, including the stimulus input and the structure and function of the ear Explain the place and frequency theories of pitch perception and describe how we locate sounds Discuss the nature and causes of hearing loss and describe the effects of noise on hearing and behavior Describe the sense of touch and explain the basis of pain

4. Describe the senses of taste and smell and comment on the nature of sensory interaction Distinguish between kinesthesis and vestibular sense Discuss the effects of sensory restriction Describe how the process of perception is directed and limited by selective attention Explain how illusions help us to understand perception Discuss Gestalt psychology’s contribution to our understanding of perception Explain the figure-ground relationship and identify principles of perpetual grouping in form perception

5. Discuss research on depth perception involving the use of the visual cliff and describe the binocular and monocular clues in depth perception Describe stroboscopic movement and phi phenomenon Describe the perceptual constancies and show how the perceived size-distance relationship operates in visual illusions Describe the debate over the role of nature and nurture in perception and discuss what research findings on sensory deprivation and restored vision have contributed to this debate

6. Explain what the use of distorting goggles indicates regarding the adaptability of perception Discuss the effects of experiences, assumptions, expectations, and context on our perceptions State the claims of ESP and explain why most research psychologists remain skeptical

7. Sensation Psychophysics Absolute thresholds Signal-detection theory Subliminal stimulation Difference thresholds (Weber’s Law) Sensory adaptation Which could you do without? Which not?

8. Energy Senses Vision –Gathering light –Within the eye (draw, label, functions) –Transduction –In the brain –Color –THEORIES (both contribute) Trichromatic Opponent-process http://www.cis.rit.edu/mcsl/faq/faq1.shtml

9. Hearing –Terms: frequency, amplitude, pitch, decibels –Within the ear (draw, label, functions) –THEORIES Place Frequency –Locating sounds Deafness –Hearing loss –Deaf culture

10. Touch –Pressure vs. temperature –Not understood completely –Pain What it is control –Itching –Gate-control theory

11. Chemical Senses Taste –Gustation –Sensory interaction Smell –Olfaction –Change with time

12. Kinesthesis Vestibular Sense Sensory restriction Sensory compensation Sensory deprivation REST Other topics…

13. –Selective Attention –Illusions Ames Room Review images in chapter –Signal Detection Theory –Top-down processing/bottom-up

14. Organization Gestalt Form Perception –Figure-ground –Grouping Proximity Similarity Continuity Connectedness Closure

15. Depth Perception –Visual cliff –Binocular clues –Monocular clues Interposition Relative size Relative clarity Texture gradient Relative height Relative motion Linear perspective Light and shadow

16. Motion perception –Phi phenomenon (holiday lights) Perceptual constancy –Shape and size –Size distance –Depth perception –Illusions –Culture and experience –Lightness

17. Perceptual Interpretation Sensory deprivation and restored vision Perceptual adaptation Perceptual set –Context effects (magic tricks) Schemas Stereotypes Films Human factors

18. ESP??? Claims Telepathy Clairvoyance Precognition Telekinesis Parapsychologists Premonitions or pretensions Testing

19. Check out this slide show online: http://psychweb.syr.edu/psy205/BBessette/Ch3/sld001.htm