The Behavioral and Neural Basis of Attention
PSYC 311
Fall 2009
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
NS&B 311 |
Attention is a topic of growing research interest that still provides many opportunities for further investigation. This course will provide an introduction to the field as students gain insight about both the behavioral and neural basis of attention. Topics that will be covered include, but are not limited to, discussion of the research methods specific to the field, the interaction between memory and attention, auditory and crossmodal attention, the role of attention on task performance (multitasking), inhibition of attention, and attentional disorders like the various forms of visual neglect and ADHD. In addition, there will be a module specifically dedicated to the cognitive neuroscience of attention. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Information Literacy, Writing
Writing: This course provides various writing opportunities throughout the semester ranging from short response essays to the final paper. These assignments are intended not only to allow the student to make deeper investigations into the subject material, but also to gain experience writing within the conventions of the discipline.
Information Literacy: This coures carries a significant emphasis on information literacy. A primary goal of this course is to provide a background of the subject material that students can use as a starting point for interpretation and critique of research literature. Students will learn effective reading skills, critical interpretation of research conclusions, as well as effective implementation of information into an organized review paper. Additional emphasis will be placed on issues such as proper citation, plagiarism, and conducting a reliable literature search.
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS PSYC |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (NS&B)(PSYC) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
This course will require a text:
Johnson & Proctor, ATTENTION: THEORY AND PRACTICE (2004) Sage Publications.
Additional readings will be made available on the electronic blackboard. The following are representative readings:
McDonald, J.J., Tedar-Salejarvi, W.A., Heraldez, D., & Hillyard, S.A. (2001). "Electrophysiological Evidence for the 'Missing Link' in Crossmodal Attention." Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, 55(2), 141-149.
Cave, K.R., & Zimmerman, J.M. (1997). "Flexibility in Spatial Attention Before and After Practice." Psychological Science, 8(5), 399-403.
Danziger, S., Kingstone, A., & Rafal, R.D. (1998). "Orienting to Extinguished Signals in Hemispatial Neglect." Psychological Science, 9(2), 119-123.
Fecteau, J.H. & Munoz, D.P. (2006). "Salience, Relevance, and Firing: A Priority Map for Target Selection." Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 10(8), 382-390.
Colzato, L.S. & Hommel, B. (2009). "Recreational Use of Cocaine Eliminates Inhibition of Return." Neuropsychology, 23(1), 125-129.
Peru, A. & Chelazzi, L (2008). "Local(focussed) and global(distributed) visual processing in hemispatial neglect." Experimental Brain Research, 187(3), 447-457.
Tombu, M. & Seiffert, A.E. (2008). "Attentional costs in multiple object tracking." Cognition, 108(1), 1-25.
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Examinations and Assignments:
There will be a group presentation for each module, a short quiz weekly, take home thought assignments, and a final paper. |
| Instructor(s): Chambers,Destinee L. Times: ...W.F. 11:00AM-12:20PM; Location: JUDDB6; |
Permission of Instructor Required
Enrollment capacity: 20 | Permission of instructor approval will be granted by the instructor during pre-registration through the Electronic Portfolio. Click "Add to My Courses" and "To request a POI electronically, click here" to submit your request. |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 3 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 1 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 2 |
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