Department of Psychology
 

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION: What is the nature of information about the self, the environment, and about the relationship between the self and the environment for knowing, for understanding, and for action? What perceptual systems pick up information and how is that information utilized in behavior?
 

Gibson's The Senses Considered as Perceptual Systems features an ecological approach to perception that seeks to answer these questions.
 

The Dolezal text features 2 studies that utilized Gibsonian concepts and applied them to practical problems in the real world as a perceptionist. These investigations have also been selected to afford the student a view of the process of looking, experimentally, at a phenomenon from its broad and often dim inception through its typically more pointed and reformulated conclusion.
 

1. An investigation of the effects of restricting the field of view of a human observer.

2. A study of the complex long-term perceptual and performatory adaptations to optical up-down reversal of the field of view.
 

II. REQUIRED TEXTS: Available at Beck's Book Store.

1. Gibson, J.J. The Senses Considered as Perceptual Systems. Boston: Houghton-Miflin, 1966

2. Gilovich, T., How We Know What Isn't So: The Fallibility Of Human Reason In Everyday Life. The Free Press, 1991.
 

III. OPTIONAL TEXT

1. Dolezal, H. Living in a World Transformed: perceptual and performatory adaptation to visual distortions. N.Y.: Academic Press (optional)
 

IV. PLAN FOR THE COURSE:
 

1. Read 1 ½ chapters from each book weekly.

2. Lectures will focus on selected issues. Lectures may or may not correspond to textbook materials.

3. Classroom time may be allotted for group projects.
 

V. COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
 

1. Class Attendance: Required.

2. Tests: They cover the texts, lectures, handouts, and library reading materials.

3. ORAL CHAPTER SUMMARIES: Summarize one chapter in Gibson (text) and Gilovich (critical thinking): Each student is responsible for presenting, before the class, one chapter in each book: 5-10 minute presentation, 5 minutes for questions.

4. DEFINITIONS: each student is responsible for submitting the answers to all the definitions on the list (attached).

Length: ca.1/4 -1/2 page each. Give an example.

Options: solo or preferred study group work.

Criteria for evaluation: 1. Competeness. 2. Quality: correctness; clarity; meaningfulness of information selected and presented. 3. Neatness.

Format: Word- processed or typed; doubled-spaced; ca, 1" margins all around. Submit second draft with coursework folder.

Credit: _______ points (______ points/definition)

Due Date: 1st Draft: Week 5. 2nd draft: Three weeks prior to last class.

VI. LIBRARY RESEARCH: Each student will perform a search for two relevant articles (topic to be announced), using one of the databases, e.g., ERIC; PSYCHLIT; INDEX MEDICUS. Find that article, copy it, read it, and write a 150-word abstract describing the contents. Each student will:
 

1. go through one session of computer search training at the library. This is best done with your study group. Submit verification. Credit: 20 points.

2. submit two articles from a refereed journal with its citation and with your 150-word abstract.

3. submit your computer printout containing citations and abstracts for additional relevant articles on the topic.
 

Options: Solo or, PREFERRED search for article with your study group.

Criteria for Evaluation: same as for definitions.

Credit: up to 50 points for the articles with the abstract that you will write individually.

Due Date: on the next to last day class is held in this course.
 

VII. ESSAY: You will watch 2 films. Johnny Got His Gun and My Left Foot. Compare and contrast the nature of the information available to each main character and how it was utilized in living by each.

Format: as above.

Length: 1 page.

Criteria for Evaluation: as above.

Credit: 100 points.

Due Date: Week _______
 
 
 

VIII. EXPERIENCE PAPER: Write, utilizing what you have learned, a 2-3 page paper, from the vantage point of a perceptionist, about a turning-point experience in your life.

Format: as above. Take-home. Must be solo.

Criterion of Evaluation: is this paper written by a perceptionist?

Credit: 100 points

Due Date: 2 weeks prior to last class day
 

NOTE: ALL ASSIGNMENTS, 3-7, MUST BE SUBMITTED TO PASS THE COURSE.