Psychology 2015B-001 (Online for 2020-21)

Psychology of Perception

If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevail.

1.0    CALENDAR DESCRIPTION

This survey course provides an introduction to perception with an emphasis on perceptual principles in everyday life. The topics may include: assessment of vision and hearing, perceptual principles in art and film, colour vision, illusions and constancies, the perception of pain, perceptual disabilities, and the senses of animals. 

ANTIREQUISITE: Psychology 2115A/B

Antirequisites are courses that overlap sufficiently in content that only one can be taken for credit. So if you take a course that is an antirequisite to a course previously taken, you will lose credit for the earlier course, regardless of the grade achieved in the most recent course.

3 lecture hours, 0.5 course

2.0    COURSE INFORMATION

Instructor: Blake Butler, PhD 

Office Hours: By Appointment 

Email: bbutler9@uwo.ca 

 

Teaching Assistant: Jerrica Mulgrew 

Office Hours: By appointment 

Email: jmulgrew@uwo.ca 

 

Online asynchronous course: Weekly lecture material will be made available every Monday. 

                                                                                   

Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Mental Health@Western

http://www.uwo.ca/uwocom/mentalhealth/ for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.

Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also wish to contact Student Accessibility Services (formerly known as Services for Students with Disabilities) at 519-661-2147.

3.0  TEXTBOOK

Schwartz BL, & Krantz JH. 2019. Sensation & Perception, 2nd Edition.  

4.0    COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course is an introduction to how we make sense of sensory input -- our primary source of information about the world. We will explore how sensation differs from perception; survey the methods that are used to study sensation and perception; develop a basic understanding of the anatomical pathways that comprise sensory systems, and describe how resulting perceptual experiences shape our lives.  

 

We will cover the basic principles involved in seeing, hearing, touch, sensation of the position and movement of one’s body in the world, tasting, and smelling. Many principles are common to more than one sense domain, and commonalities will be emphasized whenever possible.


   4.1    STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES 

 

Learning Outcome 

Assessment 

Describe the structure and function of our sensory systems 

Quizzes and final examination 

Understand how typical and atypical sensory perception informs our view of the world 

Quizzes and final examination 

Demonstrate an ability to articulate the similarities among and differences between sensory systems 

Quizzes and final examination 

Develop capacity to transfer principles of sensation and perception to novel applications 

Final examination 

5.0     EVALUATION

 

5.1 Quizzes (20% each) 

There will be three quizzes throughout the term, each of which will contribute 15% toward your final grade. These will focus on the material presented since the previous test (i.e. Quiz 2 will focus on material presented in weeks 4 through 7), including both lectures and associated readings. These quizzes will be presented via OWL, will be timed, will consist of multiple choice questions, and will be available for a 24 hour period to accommodate students studying in different time zones. 

 

5.2 Final Exam (40%) 

The final exam will be scheduled within the Final Exam period. The exam will be open-book, timed, and presented asynchronously to accommodate students in different time zones. The exam will include material from throughout the course, and will include both lecture material and assigned readings. The exam will focus on applications-based questions (i.e. applying the concepts from the course to novel problems). More details will be provided before the end of term. 

 

NOTE: There will no make-up for missed quizzes. Rather than assigning a mark of 0, the value of any missed quiz will be added to the final exam (i.e. if one quiz is missed, the final will be worth 60%). A single make-up final exam will be scheduled. The date of this exam will be announced once the April exam schedule has been set. 

Final grades in this course will reflect student achievement. Grades near the next grade level (e.g. 79%) will not be rounded up. 

Although the Psychology Department does not require instructors to adjust their course grades to conform to specific targets, the expectation is that course marks will be distributed around the following averages:

70%     1000-level and 2000-level courses
72%     2190-2990 level courses
75%     3000-level courses
80%     4000-level courses
   
The Psychology Department follows Western's grading guidelines, which are as follows (see http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf):

A+  90-100      One could scarcely expect better from a student at this level
A    80-89        Superior work that is clearly above average
B    70-79        Good work, meeting all requirements, and eminently satisfactory
C    60-69        Competent work, meeting requirements
D    50-59        Fair work, minimally acceptable
F    below 50    Fail


6.0  ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION SCHEDULE

Friday January 29: Quiz 1 

Friday February 26: Quiz 2 

Friday March 19: Quiz 3 

April 14-30: Final exam period (2015B exam timing to be provided toward the end of term) 

 

7.0   CLASS SCHEDULE

DATE 

TOPIC 

READINGS 

ASSESSMENTS 

Week 1 (Jan 11) 

What is perception, and how can we study it? 

Chapters 1 &2 

 

Week 2 (Jan 18) 

Visual system: The eye 

Chapter 3 

 

Week 3 (Jan 25) 

Visual system: The brain 

Chapter 4 

Quiz 1 

Week 4 (Feb 1) 

Object & colour perception 

Chapters 5 & 6 

 

Week 5 (Feb 8) 

Depth, size, and movement 

Chapters 7 & 8 

 

Week 6 (Feb 15) 

Reading Week 

 

 

Week 7 (Feb 22) 

Visual attention 

Chapter 9 

Quiz 2 

Week 8 (Mar 1) 

The auditory system 

Chapter 10 

 

Week 9 (Mar 8) 

The auditory brain  

Chapter 11 

 

Week 10 (Mar 15) 

Sound localization 

Chapter 11 

Quiz 3 

Week 11 (Mar 22) 

Speech & Music perception 

Chapter 12 & 13 

 

Week 12 (Mar 29) 

Touch & pain 

Chapter 14 

 

Week 13 (Apr 5) 

Olfaction & taste 

Chapter 15 

 

8.0  STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC OFFENCES

 

Students are responsible for understanding the nature and avoiding the occurrence of plagiarism and other scholastic offences. Plagiarism and cheating are considered very serious offences because they undermine the integrity of research and education. Actions constituting a scholastic offence are described at the following link: http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf

 

As of Sept. 1, 2009, the Department of Psychology will take the following steps to detect scholastic offences. All multiple-choice tests and exams will be checked for similarities in the pattern of responses using reliable software, and records will be made of student seating locations in all tests and exams. All written assignments will be submitted to TurnItIn, a service designed to detect and deter plagiarism by comparing written material to over 5 billion pages of content located on the Internet or in TurnItIn’s databases. All papers submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system. Use of the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently between Western and Turnitin.com (http://www.turnitin.com).

 

Computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams will be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.

 

In classes that involve the use of a personal response system (PRS), data collected using the PRS will only be used in a manner consistent to that described in this outline. It is the instructor’s responsibility to make every effort to ensure that data remain confidential. However, students should be aware that as with all forms of electronic communication, privacy is not guaranteed. Your PRS login credentials are for your sole use only. Students attempting to use another student’s credentials to submit data through the PRS may be subject to academic misconduct proceedings.

 

Possible penalties for a scholastic offence include failure of the assignment/exam, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.

 

9.0  POLICY ON ACCOMMODATION FOR ILLNESS OR OTHER ABSENCES

 

Western’s policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness can be found at:
http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/PolicyPages.cfm?PolicyCategoryID=1&Command=showCategory&SelectedCalendar=Live&ArchiveID=#Page_12

 

The full policy for consideration for absences can be accessed at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/Academic_Consideration_for_absences.pdf

 

If you experience an extenuating circumstance (e.g., illness, injury) sufficiently significant to temporarily make you unable to meet academic requirements, you may request accommodation through the following routes:

  1. Submitting a Self-Reported Absence form (for circumstances that are expected to resolve within 48 hours);
  2. For medical absences, submitting a Student Medical Certificate (SMC) signed by a licensed medical or mental health practitioner in order to be eligible for Academic Consideration;
  • For non-medical absences, submitting appropriate documentation (e.g., obituary, police report, accident report, court order, etc.) to Academic Counselling in their Faculty of registration in order to be eligible for academic consideration. Students are encouraged to contact their Academic Counselling unit to clarify what documentation is appropriate.

 

Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain accommodation. The self-reported absence form must be submitted before the exam/coursework deadline in order to be valid. It may NOT be used for absences longer than 48 hours; coursework/tests/exams/etc., worth more than 30% of the final grade; or exams scheduled in the December or April final-exam periods: http://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/procedures/medical_accommodation.html

 

Students seeking academic consideration:

  • are advised to consider carefully the implications of postponing tests or midterm exams or delaying handing in work;  
  • are encouraged to make appropriate decisions based on their specific circumstances, recognizing that minor ailments (upset stomach) or upsets (argument with a friend) are not normally an appropriate basis for a self-reported absence;
  • must communicate with their instructors no later than 24 hoursafter the end of the period covered by either the self-reported absence or SMC, or immediately upon their return following a documented absence

 

10.0      Contingency Plan for Return to Lockdown

 

In the event of a COVID-19 resurgence during the course that necessitates the course delivery moving away from face-to-face interaction, all remaining course content will be delivered entirely online, either synchronously (i.e., at the times indicated in the timetable) or asynchronously (e.g., posted on OWL for students to view at their convenience). The grading scheme will not change. Any remaining assessments will also be conducted online as determined by the course instructor.

 

11.0      STATEMENTS CONCERNING ONLINE ETIQUETTE

 

In courses involving online interactions, the Psychology Department expects students to honour the following rules of etiquette:

  • please “arrive” to class on time
  • please use your computer and/or laptop if possible (as opposed to a cell phone or tablet)
  • please ensure that you are in a private location to protect the confidentiality of discussions in the event that a class discussion deals with sensitive or personal material
  • to minimize background noise, kindly mute your microphone for the entire class until you are invited to speak, unless directed otherwise
  • In classes larger than 30 participants please turn off your video camera for the entire class unless you are invited to speak
  • In classes of 30 students or fewer, where video chat procedures are being used, please be prepared to turn your video camera off at the instructor’s request if the internet connection becomes unstable
  • Unless invited by your instructor, do not share your screen in the meeting

 

The course instructor will act as moderator for the class and will deal with any questions from participants. To participate please consider the following:

  • If you wish to speak, use the “raise hand” function and wait for the instructor to acknowledge you before beginning your comment or question.
  • Please remember to unmute your microphone and turn on your video camera before speaking.
  • Self-identify when speaking.
  • Please remember to mute your mic and turn off your video camera after speaking (unless directed otherwise).

 

General considerations of “netiquette”:

  • Keep in mind the different cultural and linguistic backgrounds of the students in the course.
  • Be courteous toward the instructor, your colleagues, and authors whose work you are discussing.
  • Be respectful of the diversity of viewpoints that you will encounter in the class and in your readings. The exchange of diverse ideas and opinions is part of the scholarly environment. “Flaming” is never appropriate.
  • Be professional and scholarly in all online postings. Use proper grammar and spelling. Cite the ideas of others appropriately.

 

Note that disruptive behaviour of any type during online classes, including inappropriate use of the chat function, is unacceptable. Students found guilty of Zoom-bombing a class or of other serious online offenses may be subject to disciplinary measures under the Code of Student Conduct.

 

12.0      OTHER INFORMATION

 

Office of the Registrar: http://registrar.uwo.ca 

 

Student Development Services: www.sdc.uwo.ca

 

Please see the Psychology Undergraduate web site for information on the following:

http://psychology.uwo.ca/undergraduate/student_responsibilities/index.html

 

- Policy on Cheating and Academic Misconduct

- Procedures for Appealing Academic Evaluations

- Policy on Attendance

- Policy Regarding Makeup Exams and Extensions of Deadlines

- Policy for Assignments

- Short Absences

- Extended Absences

- Documentation

- Academic Concerns

- 2020-2021 Calendar References

 

Copyright Statement: Lectures and course materials, including power point presentations, outlines, videos and similar materials, are protected by copyright. You may take notes and make copies of course materials for your own educational use. You may not record lectures, reproduce (or allow others to reproduce), post or distribute any course materials publicly and/or for commercial purposes without the instructor’s written consent.