Postgraduate Course: Neuropsychology of Perception and Action (MSc) (PSYL11052)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Psychology |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course will provide an overview of the neural systems supporting our perception of the spatial world, and the movements of our bodies within it. The higher visual system will be used to illustrate the core concept of modularity, by which complex tasks are broken down into independent sub-tasks that can proceed in parallel. Some basic requirements for the control of goal-directed actions, such as reaching-and-grasping, will then be considered. There will be critical discussion of evidence that the neural pathways supporting the visual guidance of action are separate from those giving rise to visual awareness, so that the view of the world available to our mind's eye is not that which guides our actions. A key theme will be that the nervous system selects and combines information that is relevant to the task in hand, and that multiple representations of the world may be created simultaneously in order to meet a variety of goals. This course will draw on evidence from a wide range of research methods, with special emphasis given to the study of brain-damaged individuals with abnormalities of visual perception, attention or action. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Students should have a background in neuropsychology / cognitive psychology. This course is only open to students on the MSc programme in Human Cognitive Neuropsychology, although other students may be permitted to take the course at the discretion of the course organiser. |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | No |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
To understand the core concept of modularity, and to be able to provide examples of modular processing in human vision, with reference to specific brain areas.
To understand the special role of the neuropsychological double dissociation in inferring modularity, and to be able to cite examples from the research literature.
To appreciate the sensory cues available to the nervous system for representing the spatial world, and to understand how these cues are exploited.
To understand the basic properties of feedforward and feedback control systems, and to be able to relate these to the control of human actions.
To develop skills in critical analysis of research papers in experimental psychology and neuropsychology. |
Assessment Information
| One 3000 word essay |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Perception, Space, Action, Human Cognition |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Robert Mcintosh
Tel: (0131 6)50 3444
Email: r.d.mcintosh@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Toni Noble
Tel: (0131 6)51 3188
Email: Toni.noble@ed.ac.uk |
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