PSYC H 2153 Mind, Language, and Consciousness

Abstract

In this course we are going to look at how cognitive processes such as the perception of size, motion, 3 dimensional depth, selective attention, memory, language, and decision processing are derived through computational processes that bridge the gap between conscious and the non-conscious behavior. ___The goal of this course is to explore: • the nature of conscious and non-conscious behavior as seen through the lens of perception, attention, memory, and language processing • how conscious/non-conscious processing mediates between the world of reality and illusion Learning objectives: By the end of this course students will be able to • Explain the relationship between perceptual, cognitive and language processes and brain functioning. • Describe the methodologies that have been used to investigate the mind, language, consciousness triad. • Describe and analyze the commonalities and the differences between conscious and non-conscious cognitive processing ___Topics we will cover may include: 1. The perception of size and distance 2. Motion perception 3. 3-D depth (stereopsis) 4. Selective Attention and subliminal perception 5. Implicit and explicit memory processing 6. Language comprehension and production 7. The state of the un/non-conscious in sleep, and in selected neuro-clinical syndromes (e.g. the locked-in syndrome, split-brain, blindsight, sensory neglect). 8. Where is the seat of conscious and non-conscious functioning in the brain