THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014 -
- ARCHIVE as at 1 September 2013 for reference only
THIS PAGE IS OUT OF DATE

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences : Psychology

Undergraduate Course: Neuropsychology of Perception and Action (PSYL10060)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) Credits10
Home subject areaPsychology Other subject areaNone
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThis course will provide an overview of the brain systems supporting perception of the spatial world, and controlling the movements of our bodies in space. The visual system will be used to illustrate the core principle 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 skilled actions such as reaching-and-grasping will then be considered. There will be discussion of evidence that the brain systems 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 movements. 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 (e.g. visual agnosia, visual neglect, optic ataxia).
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Psychology Methodology 1 (PSYL10034) AND Psychology Methodology 2 (PSYL10035)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesDegree major in Psychology and passes in Psychology courses at least to the equivalent of Junior Honours level in Edinburgh. Prior agreement with the 4th Year Honours Course Organiser
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
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.

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.

Assessment Information
100% exam
Visiting Student Variant Assessment
Long essay (3000 words) to be set by the course organiser and due Friday 4pm, Week 13, Semester 1.
Special Arrangements
With permission of the Psychology 4 Course Organiser (Dr Alexa Morcom) and the student's Personal Tutor, this course may be taken by honours-level Linguistic students.
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
KeywordsNeuropsychology; perception; action; movement; brain; vision; modularity
Contacts
Course organiserDr Robert Mcintosh
Tel: (0131 6)50 3444
Email: r.d.mcintosh@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Fiona Graham
Tel: (0131 6)50 3440
Email: F.Graham@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information
 
© Copyright 2013 The University of Edinburgh - 10 October 2013 5:15 am