This course explores the fundamental processes of sensation and perception, focusing on how the human brain receives, organizes, and interprets sensory information. It begins with an introduction to the distinction between sensation and perception, followed by an explanation of psychophysics and how psychologists measure sensory thresholds. Signal detection theory is covered to demonstrate how perception is influenced by attention, expectations, and decision-making.
The course provides an in-depth look at vision, including the anatomy of the eye, blood vessels, blind spots, photoreceptors, receptive fields, and lateral inhibition. Learners will explore theories of color vision, such as trichromatic and opponent-process theories, as well as the causes and mechanisms of colorblindness. Depth perception and visual constancy are also examined to explain how the brain maintains stable perceptions of the environment.
Other sensory systems are discussed in detail, including hearing and the structure of the ear, the vestibular sense for balance and orientation, touch and haptic perception, pain perception, smell (olfaction), and taste (gustation). Special topics such as synesthesia highlight unique perceptual experiences where senses interact. The course also introduces Gestalt laws and cultural influences on perception, emphasizing how context and experience shape perception. Review questions are included to reinforce understanding, making this course ideal for beginners and psychology students.
