Module 05: Sensation & Perception

Description: How do we create meaningful experiences from raw sensory input? This module examines the processes that transform physical stimuli into mental representations. We explore how the brain organizes and interprets sensory information, considering both bottom-up and top-down processing in perception.

 Why This Module is Important: Understanding sensation and perception is vital for counseling practice. Therapists use this knowledge to help clients who experience perceptual issues related to anxiety, depression, or trauma. Understanding how perception can be influenced by expectations and past experiences helps counselors address cognitive biases and misinterpretations. Beyond therapy, these principles guide user interface designers creating accessible products, help medical professionals understand sensory disorders, and inform AI developers working on computer vision systems. This knowledge helps you understand how people construct their reality from sensory information.

Module Learning Objectives: By the end of this module students will be able to…

• MLO1: Analyze whether mental processes follow mathematical laws. (CLO2, CLO4, ULO5, APA2, APA4)
• MLO2: Evaluate the possibility of top-down processing in AI systems. (CLO2, ULO5, APA2)
• MLO3: Explain why different people can perceive the same sensations differently. (CLO2, CLO5, ULO5, APA2, APA5)