Postgraduate Course: Eye Movements and Visual Cognition (PSYL11068)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting 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 | The aim of this course is to develop students' understanding of the role of eye movements in visual cognition. In lecture 1, the concept of visual attention is introduced; topics to be covered include the distinctions between exogenous versus endogenous attention, space- versus object-based attention, and covert versus overt attention. The remaining lectures build on the idea that, most of the time, attention is active and overt and that visual selection typically involves selection via eye movements. The course thus emphasizes the use of eye tracking to study visual attention and cognition. In lectures 2 to 5, the role of eye movements and attention in complex visual-cognitive tasks such as (1) reading, (2) scene perception, (3) dynamic image perception, and (4) real-world activity are discussed in depth. For each of these tasks, we will introduce and critically evaluate theoretical proposals made to explain the "Where" and "When" of eye fixations and attentional selection. Specifically, we will discuss factors influencing where and for how long we make fixations (fixation locations and durations), what we are able to process during a fixation, and how we determine where and when to fixate next within a sentence or a visual scene.
Teaching is combined with a fourth year undergraduate course. Interested MSc students will be offered practical tutorials in eye-tracking labs on site. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will
(1) understand the core theoretical concepts of visual attention, key experimental paradigms, and main sources of evidence associated with these concepts;
(2) know the basic characteristics of eye movements;
(3) understand the relationship between eye movements and (overt) visual attention;
(4) have a broad understanding of the field of eye-movement research, and in particular
(5) have considerable depth of knowledge in the areas of reading and scene perception;
(6) be able to critically evaluate existing theories and empirical evidence;
(7) be able to apply knowledge about eye movements and visual cognition in both written and oral form. |
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 | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Antje Nuthmann
Tel: (0131 6)50 3459
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Toni Noble
Tel: (0131 6)51 3188
Email: |
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