2007 Handbooks

Perception is the process that enables organisms to make sense of, and to act appropriately in relation to, objects and events in the world. This unit concentrates on mechanisms of visual perception (although auditory perception is dealt with also) especially the perception of space (depth, size, orientation, motion, etc); on their neurophysiological bases; on the development of these mechanisms in young organisms; and on the consequences of selective visual deprivation during a 'critical period' early in development.

The study of cognition includes the processes of pattern recognition, mechanisms of attention, psycholinguistics and short- and long-term memory. The cognition part of the unit will examine empirical findings and theories in these areas. The main topics discussed in psycholinguistics are visual word recognition and skilled reading. Although the focus of the unit is on normal cognition, disorders of cognitive processes will also be considered.

Subsequent units are PSY315 and PSY303, for which PSY237 is a prerequisite.