P2465 Attention & Perception Fall 2008

Instructor: Walter Schneider, 624-7061, office 629 LRDC, Email wws@pitt.edu

All information for the course and notices will be on the web page

Web page http://schneider.lrdc.pitt.edu/p2465/

Readings ReadingAssignments2008.htm

Study Questions http://schneider.lrdc.pitt.edu/P2465/StudyQuestions.htm

Lectures Lectures.htm

Login & Password P2465

Meetings: Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:00-5:15 514 LRDC Class Number 30623

Course Description: This course covers human attention and related perception and methods issues. It covers the topics of reaction time methods, sensitivity analysis (d'), E-Prime computerized experimentation (briefly), selective attention, eye movements, search, object files, onsets/change blindness, dual task processing, inhibition & Stroop, executive control, pathologies of attention, attention in everyday life, neuroscience of attention and models of attention. The learning objectives include: learning the foundation literature of attention through classic and current readings, learning reaction time and detection methods, issues of statistical power, and computerized experimental processes.

Grade Distribution	% Grade	Due Date
Mid Term	35	10/16/2008
Final	35	12/11/2008
Class presentation and readings	10	(as needed)
Homework	10	(as needed)
Attention computerized short write up and experiment	10	12/4/2008

#	Tentative list of homework assignments
1	d' Exercise
2	RT distributional analysis including additive factors on simulated data
3	Statistical power exercise
4	Proposal of attention experiment and program

Note on readings, each student is responsible for reading, summarizing, and taking the lead on about 100 pages of original text. Students may choose their desired readings by September 8 and send in a spread sheet with their rank ordering of their selection of 200 pages with 1 the most wanted, N least wanted. The written materials should be sent to wws@pitt.edu at least once class before they are covered in class (5% if late), 10% noon on day due, 30% if on day. You must contact wws at least by noon on the day of class if can not make it.

Late assignments will be deducted 5% per class day late. They will not be accepted if turned in after 1 days or before the last class. If special problems arise get permissions for extension before the due date.

Study questions will be provided before the exams. The study questions are listed as Potential Questions till after the related lecture is completed. Students are encouraged to exchange information regarding the study questions but the exams will be closed book so each student is responsible to learn the related material.