42568 - Psychology of Perception (1)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course the student: learns the main theories on human perception, especially those concerning objects, distance, colours and movement perception; knows and understands experimental aesthetics and psychological studies on portrait and caricature; obtains a basic knowledge concerning the most recent researches of psychology of perception and their applicative value in the fields of ergonomy, design and artistic fruition.

Course contents

This course is going to teach basic theories and main experimental researches on sensation and perception, body and brain basis of perception, the perception of movement and colours as well as perceptual illusions. This course is also dealing with the relationship between perceptual and emotional processes in the interpretation and definition of social and physical human environment, the relationship between memory and perception, the concept of perceptual schemata.

Facial expression theories are eventually discussed with reference to portrait studies, art therapy projects and emotional regulation researches.

Readings/Bibliography

1) Maffei, L. e Fiorentini, A., Arte e cervello, Bologna: Zanichelli, 1995.

2) Rookes, P.; Willson, J., La percezione, Bologna: il Mulino, 2002

3) Gombrich, E.H., Hochberg, J. e Black, M., Arte, percezione e realtà. Torino: Einaudi, 1978.

 

Suggested optional readings: 1)Bressan, P., Il colore della luna. Come vediamo e perché, Laterza: Bari, 2007. 2)Caterina, R., Che cosa sono le artiterapie, Carocci: Bologna, 2005; 3) Legrenzi, P e Jacomuzzi, A. Fondamenti di psicologia generale. Nuova ediz.,Il Mulino, Bologna, 2021 (capitoli 2 e 3); 4) Bruno, N. Introduzione alla psicologia della percezione visiva. Come facciamo a vedere, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2021; 5) Pinna, B. La percezione visiva, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2021.

Rook and Willson essay will be in the section concerning the didactic material.

 

Teaching methods

Traditional lectures. Ppt presentation and Group discussions. 

Assessment methods

In standard examinations students will be asked to write short essays on 3 open questions (75 minutes will be given, no possibility to use books or reports during the task) concerning the books which have been mentioned as suggested readings. Achieving an organic vision of the issues dealt with, the possession of expressive mastery and a specific language, the originality of reflection as well as the familiarity with the tools of analysis of psychology of perception will be evaluated with excellent marks. Mostly mechanical or mnemonic knowledge of the subject, unmanaged synthesis and analysis skills, or a correct but not always appropriate language, as well as a scholastic domain of psychology of perception not going further from what has already been discussed during the lessons, will lead to good or fair evaluations. Lack of training or inappropriate language, as well as a lack of knowledge of the tools of psychology of perception will lead to an evaluation that will stand on the threshold of sufficiency. Lack of training, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the bibliography and inability to analyse the psychology of perception can only be evaluated negatively. Final evaluation will refer to the mean of the single answer evaluations. Special criteria will be adopted in case of missing answers.

Students are requested to apply for test using "almaesami" on line system.

Students who regularly attend the class may have the regular 3 open questions as described above based on what has been discussed during class. As alternative students who regurarly attend the class may ask, accordind to the possibilities, for an oral examination based on what has been discussed during class.

 

Teaching tools

Powerpoint presentations, PC animations and slides

Office hours

See the website of Roberto Caterina