OVERVIEW

The course, compulsory for all curricula, provides a coherent, up-to-date introduction to the basic facts and theories concerning (human) sensory perception. The physical and physiological aspects of each sensory modality are considered before its perceptual characteristics. Emphasis is placed on how perceptual experience relates to the physical properties of the world and to physiological constraints in the brain.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to introduce (i) the physical and physiological foundations of perception and (ii) the structural and functional characteristics of the main neurosensorial systems (vision, audition, touch). Therefore, aspects of perceptual phenomenology, cognition and behavior are presented, as well as techniques and tools for experimental investigation and modeling of perceptual systems.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to:

•      Provide elements on the physical and physiological basis of perception (with particular attention to the visual, auditory and somatosensory system). Sensory processes to support the control of action and behavior will be privileged.
•      Provide the student with some theoretical and practical tools to experiment with the study of perceptual processes.
•      Provide elements for the design of algorithms, techniques and systems to measure or influence human perception and behavior.

At the end of the course, the student will have achieved some understanding of the physical stimuli relevant to the considered sensory modalities, and a basic grasp of the underlying sensory physiology. He will also be able to design a simple psychophysical experiment and to model the receptive fields of the primary sensory areas.

PREREQUISITES

Linear algebra and analytical geometry in space.

Elements of signal processing.

TEACHING METHODS

Traditional lectures and guided practical classes on pyshophysics (48h). An 8h supplementary course on "Mechanisms of multisensory integration in health and disability" is also foreseen.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Part I – Neurophysiological basis of perception

• Transduction principles, perception-action cycles.
• Functional characterization of the main perceptual systems (visual system, auditory system, somesthetic systems).

Part II – Techniques for the analysis and interpretation of data

• Foundations of psychophysical techniques.
• Qualification of perceptual features.
• Representation and analysis of multidimensional signals.

Part III – Interactive and enactive paradigms

• Introduction to ecological perception (Gibson’s direct perception & sensorimotor theory).
• Linking images to 3D scene properties (image formation, projective geometry, pinhole camera, homogeneous coordinates).
• Scene reconstruction (stereoscopic geometry, parallel and vergent optical axes, geometry of the motion field).

Supplementary course (dr. Monica Gori, 8h): Mechanisms of multisensory integration in health and disability.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Slides and other distributed material (available through Aulaweb).

Recommended textbook:  G. Mather.  “Foundations of sensation and perception” (2nd edition) Psychology Press  2009

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SILVIO PAOLO SABATINI (President)

MANUELA CHESSA

MONICA GORI

FABIO SOLARI

LESSONS

Class schedule

PERCEPTUAL SYSTEMS AND INTERACTION

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written examination with 6 open questions or exercises, followed by oral discussion. Access to the oral discussion is conditioned on passing the written exam with a grade above or equal to 18/30. The oral discussion can be sustained both in the same session in which the student has taken the written exam or in subsequent sessions. Examples of written assignments are available on Aulaweb. Each answer is evaluated in thirtieth and its score (if > = 18/30) contributes to the determination of the overall score, calculated as the arithmetic average of the scores of the answers to the individual questions. Any missing or insufficient answer (score <18) will not be considered for the purposes of the calculation of the average, which will be calculated for the sufficient answers, only. Two points for each missing or insufficient answer is subtracted by the obtained score. An assignment with more than 2 missing or insufficient answers is considered not passed. Following the oral discussion, the final grade will confirm, increase or decrease the score of the written exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The student should eventually demonstrate:

• Basic knowledge of biology, anatomy and physiology of neurosensorial systems.
• Capacity of distinguishing and analysing the correlations among perceptual sensations, characteristics of the sensory signals, and biological structure.
• Mastery of methods, techniques and instruments to experimentally characterize perceptual phemomenology.
• Experience of possible application domains.

The written exam is aimed at (1) verifying the acquisition of the concepts presented in the course, and (2) evaluating the ability of analysis and modeling on specific problems.
The oral discussion is aimed at (1) confirming the level of knowledge established with the written exam, and (2) verifying the ability to frame and critically analyze the covered topics.
In general, in addition to the correctness and completeness of the answer, the evaluation criteria comprise: the relevance to the question, the clarity of the answer, and the ability to synthesise.

Exam schedule