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Social Sciences and Psychology

PSY 218 - Sensation and Perception

About this Class

Sensation is the registration of physical stimuli on sensory receptors.  Perception is the process of creating conscious experiences from sensory input.  The study of Sensation and Perception examines the interaction between sense organs and nerves in our bodies and our brains.  The course will review all the human senses and relate these to aspects of human perception such as expectations, personal history, and cultural norms.  Students will engage in sensory simulations and reflect upon the applications of this knowledge to the world around them and the human experience.

  1. Describe the relationship between sensation and perception.
  2. Summarize pertinent academic literature from the field of sensation and perception.
  3. Describe the basic biological structures of the visual, auditory, tactile, taste, and smell sensory systems.
  4. Describe the perceptual processes associated with vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.
  5. Identify sensory systems outside of the commonly known 5 senses.
  6. Apply the understanding of perceptual processes to real-world situations and stimuli.
  7. Design a presentation of a selection of perceptual examples.
  8. Present the perceptual examples through video and oral communication.