This paper is an exploration of the sensory systems and perception. How does the brain construct reality? Sight, sound, touch, smell, taste - these are the processes that allow us to interact with the world and with each other, ultimately enabling us to build our own individualised versions of reality. In this paper we explore the amazing capabilities of our brains in constructing perceptions from sensory experiences. Examples of misperceptions in which our brains are fooled, such as in perceptual illusions, as well as everyday sensory-perceptual experiences that make up our realities will be covered. Lecture topics range from sensory-perceptions associated with vision, audition, haptic sensation, space, and cross modality effects such as synaesthesia.
About this paper
| Paper title | Sensation and Perception |
|---|---|
| Subject | Psychology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,318.20 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- PSYC 210 and PSYC 211 and PSYC 212
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Science
- Notes
- (i) For Neuroscience students the prerequisite is PSYC 211. (ii) With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least a B in each of PSYC 210 and 212 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-331 concurrently with PSYC 211. (iii) With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least a B in PSYC 211 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-331 concurrently with PSYC 210 and 212.
- Eligibility
With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least B+ in each of PSYC 210 and 212 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-331 concurrently with PSYC 211.
With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least B+ in PSYC 211 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-331 concurrently with PSYC 210 and 212.- Contact
- More information link
- View more information on the Department of Psychology's website
- Teaching staff
Lecturer: Professor Liz Franz
- Paper Structure
This paper presents a survey of the following topics:
- Psychophysics
- Cognitive neuroscience methods to study sensation and perception
- Olfaction and taste and altered perceptions
- Haptic/space sensations and perceptions
- Somatosensory sensations and perceptual illusions
- Clinical Case Studies on a variety of conditions
- Consciousness and attention
- Body schema and motor perceptions
- Synaesthesia
- Music and the brain
- Visual illusions
Each week's topic will be presented in lecture, and then, a short supplementary reading will be assigned. One week's reading may consist of a few newspaper articles, while another week's reading may be a chapter from a popular science book; all readings will be accessible via Blackboard.
- Textbooks
There are no textbook requirements for this paper.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will develop:
• A foundational understanding of the sensory-perceptual systems
• An appreciation of the roles of nature and nurture in perceptual development
• Recognition of the ever-increasing interplay between technology and sensation/perception
Timetable
This paper explores how the brain transforms sensory input into perception, shaping the way we experience the world. How does the brain construct reality from sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste? Drawing on research from psychology and neuroscience, we examine how sensory signals are encoded, integrated, and interpreted to guide behaviour and decision-making.
We investigate why perception is not always a direct reflection of reality, from striking perceptual illusions to everyday experiences such as flavour, music, and body awareness. The paper also considers how attention, expectation, and individual differences influence what we perceive.
Topics include vision, audition, touch, smell and taste, multisensory perception, and phenomena such as synaesthesia and perceptual illusions, providing insight into both typical and atypical perceptual experiences.
About this paper
| Paper title | Sensation and Perception |
|---|---|
| Subject | Psychology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- PSYC 210 and PSYC 211 and PSYC 212
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Science
- Notes
- (i) For Neuroscience students the prerequisite is PSYC 211. (ii) With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least a B in each of PSYC 210 and 212 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-331 concurrently with PSYC 211. (iii) With departmental approval, a student who has achieved a grade of at least a B in PSYC 211 may take no more than one of PSYC 313-331 concurrently with PSYC 210 and 212.
- Contact
- More information link
- View more information on the Department of Psychology's website
- Teaching staff
Lecturer: Associate Professor Mei Peng
Lecturer: Professor Liz Franz- Paper Structure
This paper presents a survey of the following topics:
- Psychophysics and perceptual decision-making
- Cognitive neuroscience methods to study sensation and perception
- Vision and visual illusions
- Audition and auditory perception
- Olfaction and taste, and altered chemosensory experiences
- Somatosensory and haptic perception
- Multisensory integration and crossmodal perception
- Attention and perceptual awareness
- Mental imagery and perceptual experience
- Music and the brain
- Clinical case studies in sensory and perceptual disorders
Each week's topic will be presented in lecture, and then, a short supplementary reading will be assigned. One week's reading may consist of a few newspaper articles, while another week's reading may be a chapter from a popular science book; all readings will be accessible via Blackboard.
- Textbooks
There are no textbook requirements for this paper.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will develop:
• A foundational understanding of the sensory-perceptual systems
• An appreciation of the roles of nature and nurture in perceptual development
• Recognition of the ever-increasing interplay between technology and sensation/perception