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Book Details
Abstract
With a style that is both detailed and accessible, this new text from Johannes Zanker provides students with a solid understanding of how our sensory and perceptual systems operate, and interact with a dynamic world. It not only explains the scientific mechanisms involved, but discusses the costs and benefits of these mechanisms within an evolutionary, functional framework, to encourage important questions such as: What is a given sensory mechanism needed for? What kind of problem can it solve and what are its limitations? How does the environment determine how senses operate? How does action affect and facilitate perception?
This unique, interdisciplinary framework allows students to see perceiving and acting as embedded in particular environments and directs them to think about the functional nature of these systems. The overall effect is an especially readable, authoritative text on Sensation, Perception and Action that really brings this fascinating topic to life.
JOHANNES ZANKER is Professor of Neuroscience at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK, where he is also Head of the Psychology department. He has held positions at the Max-Planck Institute, Germany; the Australian National University; and University College London, UK. His research over the last 20 years has centred on topics at the boundaries of biology, computer science and psychology
"I was excited to see a book that included 'Action' both in the title and content since this aspect of perception is usually missing ... I think this book will help to complete the picture of perception and action." - Richard Wilkie, Lecturer in Perception, Action and Cognition, University of Leeds, UK
"I thought the logical flow of ideas was one of the best aspects of this textbook. Fundamental concepts are introduced which allow the students to feel confident about the grounding of their knowledge ...The book is very readable and keeps one engaged ... and I think it will draw students into this area."
Professor Alan Johnson, UCL division of Psychology and Language Sciences
'I found this to be a broad and interesting book, well worth investing in. As with all good textbooks this edition left me feeling that my knowledge had expanded; more importantly, it raised my appreciation of the subject and my awareness of further unanswered questions. It is a book I know I will enjoy reading again.' - Annabelle Redfern, School of Experimental Psychology, University of Bristol, Perception
Table of Contents
| Section Title | Page | Action | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cover | Cover | ||
| Contents | vii | ||
| List of Figures | viii | ||
| List of Table | x | ||
| List of Colour Plates | xi | ||
| Preface | xii | ||
| Acknowledgements | xiv | ||
| 1 PERCEPTION AS GATEWAY TO THE WORLD | 1 | ||
| 2 THE MACHINERY: UNDERSTANDING THE NEURAL CODE | 14 | ||
| 3 VISION 1: BRIGHTNESS | 30 | ||
| 4 VISION 2: COLOUR | 44 | ||
| 5 VISION 3: FROM IMAGES TO SPACE | 54 | ||
| 6 VISION 4: TIME AND MOTION | 71 | ||
| 7 HEARING 1: SOUND AND NOISE | 85 | ||
| 8 HEARING 2: COMPLEX AUDITORY INFORMATION | 99 | ||
| 9 CHEMICAL SENSES: SMELL AND TASTE | 112 | ||
| 10 BODY SENSES: FROM THE CONTROL OF POSTURE TO TOUCH | 124 | ||
| 11 FOCUS OF INTEREST: ATTENTIONAL MODULATION OF PERCEPTION | 137 | ||
| 12 MANAGING INFORMATION FLOW THROUGH INTEGRATION OF SENSORY AND MOTOR SYSTEMS | 148 | ||
| 13 MAKING SENSE: THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO PERCEPTION | 161 | ||
| References | 171 | ||
| Index | 190 | ||
| A | 190 | ||
| B | 190 | ||
| C | 190 | ||
| D | 191 | ||
| E | 191 | ||
| F | 192 | ||
| G | 192 | ||
| H | 192 | ||
| I | 192 | ||
| K | 193 | ||
| L | 193 | ||
| M | 193 | ||
| N | 193 | ||
| O | 194 | ||
| P | 194 | ||
| R | 194 | ||
| S | 195 | ||
| T | 196 | ||
| U | 196 | ||
| V | 196 | ||
| W | 196 | ||
| Z | 196 | ||
| Colour plates | CP1 |