Course Details in 2025/26 Session

Module Title	LH Vision in the Real World
School	School of Psychology
Department	School of Psychology
Module Code	03 36246
Module Lead	Dr Carmel Mevorach
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Seminar-10 hours Guided independent study-170 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	Vision is typically the dominant modality in humans. It has also been extensively studied. However, while research has uncovered a lot of the secrets of vision in laboratory settings, our ultimate goal as psychologists is to understand complex human behaviour in the real world. The main aim for this module is therefore to understand how what we know about vision can explain complex behaviour. The module takes a cognitive neuroscientific perspective on visual processes and translates it to specific real life scenarios. We will therefore cover a range of topics ranging from perceptual process in infants and how they affect their social interaction, to how attention and perception drive learning in school, up to how people respond to visual art (from “fine” art to commercial graphics). Importantly, we will also consider scenarios of atypicalities in visual processes such as in autism, mental health, addiction, and aging and how they may contribute to atypical complex behaviour. Module content will be covered though lectures and seminars. Self-directed study will involve reading articles and other texts as well as visiting virtual or actual art galleries. Throughout the module we will put focus on both critical analysis and creative thinking. This will be supported by dedicated seminars and workshop so that students will be able to develop these skills further and have the confidence to use them effectively.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate a critical awareness of current psychological and neuroscientific theory and methods in visual cognition (including perception, attention, visual memory, motivation, and social and emotional evaluation). Understand different functions and aspects of visual cognition and asses the ways in which they can impact complex real world behaviour Discuss human responses to a wide range of visual art and graphics from a cognitive neuroscientific perspective. Understand how atypical visual cognition features in various populations (e.g., Mental health, neurodevelopmental disorders, Aging) Develop critical thinking skills Develop creative thinking skills
Assessment	36246-01 : Coursework : Coursework (50%) 36246-02 : Exam : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Open Book (50%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 50% coursework (1500 word critical review), 50% exam (1.5 hours)
Other
Reading List