WV-PSY-208

WV-PSY-208 Computational Modeling of Visual Experience

Sample Course Description. This page is an example of how courses might be advertised by individual professors of Wikiversity. All information on this page is fictitious, for example only.

Professor Steven Lehar

Course Description

This course introduces the principles of computational modeling of visual experience. Topics include the dimensions of conscious experience, analogical v.s. analytical representation and computation, modal and amodal perception, differential equations, numerical simulations, emergence, relaxation, bottom-up and top-down feedback processing, the principle of reciprocal action, collinear boundary completion, vertex completion, directional harmonic theory.

and mental imagery.

Prerequisites

WV-PSY-104 Gestalt psychology from Wikiversity, or equivalent from an accredited academic institution.

Protocol

This is a remote electronic correspondence course. All communication between student and professor take place electronically. The course does not have fixed start and end times, but can be done on a schedule at the student's convenience, as long as it is completed within one year of initial registration. The course is divided into four sections, each of which has required readings, a short paper and computer simulation, and a short quiz. A final longer paper, and computer simulation, and a final exam, will be scheduled at the end of the last section. Extra consideration will be given to students who not only meet the requirements and submit the work, but who also exhibit a thorough understanding of the significance of Gestalt theory, and/or express creative concepts and observations that advance Gestalt theory. Students with publications on Gestalt topics in peer reviewed journals, or with impressive computer simulations, will also be given additional consideration.

Tuition

Total cost $1000 divided into 5 payments of $200. The first payment is due to register for the course, and subsequent payments are due with submission of the papers, computer simulations, and exams, at the end of each of the four sections of the course. Final grades and official transcript information will be released within 3 weeks of submission of the final requirements, and posted on the professor's Wikiversity web site.

Grading

• A Student meets the course requirements, and additionally demonstrates a thorough understanding of the principles and significance of Gestalt theory, with original contributions to the advancement of Gestalt psychology.

• B Student meets the course requirements, and demonstrates a thorough understanding of the principles of Gestalt theory.

• C Student meets the course requirements, and demonstrates an adequate understanding of the principles of Gestalt theory.

• D Student meets course requirements, and demonstrates some understanding of the principles of Gestalt theory.

• F Student does not meet course requirement, and/or cannot demonstrate understanding of the principles of Gestalt theory.

Readings

• Lehar S. (1999) Computational Implications of Gestalt Theory I: A Multi-Level Reciprocal Feedback (MLRF) to Model Emergence and Reification in Visual Processing. Rejected: Perception & Psychophysics.

• Lehar S. (1999) Computational Implications of Gestalt Theory II: A Directed Diffusion to Model Collinear Illusory Contour Formation. Rejected: Perception & Psychophysics.

• Lehar S. (2003) Directional Harmonic Theory: A computational Gestalt model to account for illusory contour and vertex formation. Perception 32(4), 423-448.

• Lehar S. (2004) Gestalt Isomorphism and the Primacy of Subjective Conscious Experience: A Gestalt Bubble Model. Behavioral & Brain Sciences 26(4), 375-444.