Psychology 3120-0
Sensation and Perception
Spring 2013
COURSE:
PSY 3120 – 0
TITLE:
Sensation and Perception
22704
CLASS SCHEDULE: Tuesdays and Thursdays: 12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
CREDIT:
3 hours undergraduate credit
FACULTY:
Michael Biderman
Holt 350J
423-425-4268 / 423-316-9504 (Cell) / 423-267-2289 (Home – 9 AM – 9 PM)
By appointment
Michael-Biderman@utc.edu
mdbiderman@aol.com
www.utc.edu/michael-biderman
ADA STATEMENT:
Attention: If you are a student with a disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision,
hearing, etc.) and think that you might need special assistance or a special accommodation in this class or any other class,
call the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 425-4006 or come by the office, 102 Frist Hall.
If you find that personal problems, career indecision, study and time management difficulties, etc. are adversely
affecting your successful progress at UTC, please contact the Counseling and Career Planning Center at 4254438 or http://www.utc.edu/Administration/CounselingAndCareerPlanning/.
PSY 3120 - Sensation and Perception
(3) Credit Hours
Study of sensory and perceptual processes; examination of the sense organs and related neurophysiological mechanisms,
and the necessary stimulus conditions for particular perceptual phenomena. Laboratory. Spring semester. Prerequisite: PSY
1010, PSY 2010, PSY 2020, and PSY 2040 or department head approval.
THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT COURSE.
Required Text
Goldstein, E. B. (2010). Sensation and Perception, Eighth Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
The text comes with a Disk containing a Virtual Laboratory program. That program is also required. Be sure
it’s with the text you purchase.
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Dates
Topic (I may tell you to skip parts of selected chapters. If I don’t, study every page.)
_____
Chapter 1:
Introduction to Perception. 20 pages.
_____
Chapter 2:
Introduction to the Physiology of Perception . 20 pages.
_____
Chapter 3:
Introduction to Vision. 30 pages.
_____
Chapter 4:
The Visual Cortex and Beyond. 26 pages.
_____
Test 1 -
About 50 points. 40+ MC questions + 1-3 short answer essays.
_____
Chapter 5:
Perceiving Objects and Scenes. 34 pages.
_____
Chapter 8:
Perceiving Motion. 24 pages.
_____
Chapter 9:
Perceiving Color. 28 pages.
_____
Chapter 10: Perceiving Depth and Size. 30 pages.
_____
Test 2 -
_____
Chapter 11: Sound, the Auditory System, and Pitch Perception. 32 pages.
_____
Chapter 12: Sound Localization and the Auditory Scene. 20 pages.
_____
Chapter 13: Speech Perception. 18 pages.
_____
Chapter 16: Perceptual Development. 22 pages.
Final Exam. Date:
Note – two chapters
skipped.
About 50 points. Same format as Test 1.
Note – two chapters
skipped.
_______Tuesday, April 23 11 AM – 1 PM_____________
About 50 points. Final will emphasize last section. 40+ multiple choice questions and 1-3 short answer
essays. There will be a few comprehensive integrative questions.
Important Date: Last day to withdraw with a W:
______ March 10________
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Chapter tests (also referred to as minitests): A 10- question multiple-choice test over the text will be
given on the first day scheduled for coverage of each chapter or topic. Each question will be worth ½ point.
Each will be given at the beginning of the period and should take no more than 5 minutes. One of the chapter
tests will have 0 points required. This means that if you take all the chapter tests you’ll be able to make up to 5
points more than required. If you do earn more than the maximum required, those points will be treated as extra
credit.
You may make up two chapter tests with no questions asked as long as you do it before the corrected tests
are returned. No more than two chapter tests may be made up for any reason. This means you should
make every effort to take the chapter tests on the scheduled day, saving makeups for true emergencies
such as sickness, traffic accidents, car breakdowns, etc. If you know you’ll miss a class but want to take the
chapter test to be given in that class, make arrangements with me to take the test before the class.
The test over Chapter 1 will be given at the beginning of the next class period.
Virtual Lab Exercises. I will assign exercises from the Virtual Lab software that accompanies the text.
Each assignment will be worth 1 pt. There may be up to 8 such assignments.
Summary of opportunities to earn course points
Opportunity
Approximate worth
Minitests
45 (Although you can earn up to 5 more points than this)
1st Midterm
50
2nd Midterm
50
Final exam
50
Virtual Lab Exercises
4
Total
199
Course Grade Criteria.
A: 90-100%
B: 80-90%
C: 65-80%
D: 50-65%
F: 0-50%
Class Attendance. You will earn ¼ point extra credit for each class you attend. This extra credit is
separate from that described below. With about 28 class meetings, this means you can earn up to 7 points extra
credit through class attendance. Roll will be taken near the end of each class period. Only attendance for the
whole period counts.
Other Extra Credit: Ways to earn extra credit are listed below. No more than 10 other extra credit
points may be applied toward your grade.
.
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Other Stuff.
1) Anonymity. All test essay questions are graded anonymously. To prevent my knowing whose test I’m
grading from the color of the ink, you must write all essay questions using a black or regular blue pen.
2) Handwriting. If I can’t read your written responses to questions, points will be deducted from the score
assigned to the response.
3) Missed midterm tests. If you miss a midterm test, it is possible that you will be allowed to make it up, but
you must contact me as soon as possible to explain why the test was missed and why you should be allowed to
make it up. Make-up tests may not be identical to the test given during the regular time period.
4) Electronic Equipment in class. The use of cell phones or other electronic devices, including
headphones/earbuds is prohibited during class and during tests. Please turn your cell phone off or to
“vibrate” mode at the beginning of class. Remind me to do the same with mine. Computers may be used only
for note-taking.
5) Food. Eating food or drink is prohibited during class and tests. Having said that, I won’t keep you from
surreptitiously snacking for a short time at the beginning or near the end of class as long as it doesn’t disrupt me
or the class.
6) Reporting grades. I do not use Blackboard, aka UTC Online, for my classes. For that reason, I use personal
identification numbers (PINs) in this class. You’ll be given a sheet on which you can put a PIN. During the
course, if you need for me to give you your grade, send me your PIN, and I will respond with the grade
associated with that PIN. Please keep all graded tests in case there is a problem.
7) Phone calls. I don’t mind phone calls from students. If you call, please give your full name and a specific
statement of what you want. If you get my voice mail, leave your full name, number and time at which you
can be reached, and a specific statement of what you want.
8) Emails. The best way to get me is through email. My UTC email address is Michael-Biderman@utc.edu
Because I use AOL, I have all my emails forwarded to my AOL account. My response will be from my AOL
account, mdbiderman@aol.com Since I spend most of my time at my computer, the best way to communicate
with me is via email.
Please give your name in the body of your email. I don’t necessarily respond to unsigned emails.
9) Lecture Recordings. I will attempt to record all my lectures and put the recordings on my web site,
www.utc.edu/Michael-Biderman The recordings will be in WMV format. They’re supposed to be playable by
Windows Media Player, which I believe is installed on all Windows Machines. Some Macintosh computers
will play them. Because there is not enough server space on the UTC web site to store a whole semester’s worth
of lectures, I try to leave each lecture up for about a week. You can view them online or download them to your
computer for viewing at a later time.
10) Lecture Notes. My lecture notes for each topic are also on my web site. I encourage you to print them off
and bring them to class with you or download them to your computer. That will be much easier than trying to
copy down everything I say. I will not read my lecture notes. Instead, I will use them as talking points. But I
believe that the jist of what I will say is in the notes.
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Extra Credit Projects
10 points maximum. None accepted after the last regular class period.
Participate in a Perception related experiment
2 pt/hour 4 pt. maximum.
During the course of the semester, opportunity to participate in experiments and other learning opportunities
may arise. If so, you may earn credit for participating in such projects. Prior approval required. You must
submit a written (1-2 page) report of your participation and how it relates to this course.
Record a chapter of the text.
1 pt / Chapter 3 pt. max.
Make an audio tape of a chapter from the text. Such a tape could be used by visually handicapped
students, students taking long trips, etc. (The reading might help you better understand the material.) Check
with me before proceeding.
Describe 2 practical applications of S & P.
2 pt. max.
Describe two practical applications of the information presented in Psychology 312. Submit a oneparagraph typewritten summary of each application. Example: Write a paper describing how the design of
stereo equipment uses information on the limits of human audibility, the relationship of loudness to frequency,
and the binocular cues for auditory localization.
Report on an internet site related to S & P
1 pt. / report; 2 pt. max.
Find a web page devoted to Sensation and Perception. Write a 1-2 page report on the site, including its
address and printouts of what is displayed on the site, a critical appraisal of its quality and usefulness for the
course.
Other Extra Credit.
Other opportunities for extra credit may present themselves during the semester. See me before
committing to one.
All extra credit must be submitted by the last day of class.
The semester ends at the end of the final exam period.
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