PSYC212 lecture1 2025

Welcome to PSYC212 - Perception

Instructor Background

  • Education:

    • B.Sc. in Psychology from Université de Montréal (UdeM)

    • Ph.D. in Neuropsychology (clinical and research) from UdeM

    • Post-doc in brain imaging at Columbia University

  • Professional Experience:

    • Researcher at Concordia’s PERFORM Centre

    • Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, McGill University from 2016 onwards

Focus of Study: Pain Perception

  • Examining the subjective experience of pain

  • Research includes various pain stimuli and responses

  • Importance of measuring pain intensity and its psychological correlates

Data Presentation

Research Findings on Pain Ratings:

  • Pain scale: 0 (no pain) to 100 (extremely painful)

  • Comparison of pain ratings across stimulus intensities

    • Unpleasant silence vs various temperature stimuli (e.g., 45.5°C to 48.5°C)

    • Significant statistical results: F(2, 34) = 6.15, p < 0.001 (Roy et al., Pain, 2008)

Methodology Highlights

  • Pain ratings collected and analyzed over varying intensities

  • Control for factors like endogenous baseline levels

  • Development of a multivariate fMRI signature predictive of pain variations

  • Example of how neural predictions correlate with subjective pain ratings (Woo et al., Nature Communications, 2017)

Semester Schedule Overview

Grading Scheme:

  • 50% for Midterms (best grade out of Midterm #1 and #2)

  • 50% Final Exam

  • 1% Bonus for participation in the participant pool

Lecture Schedule:

Lecture #

Date

Topic

Reading

TA

1

Jan 7

Intro and Syllabus



2

Jan 9

Basic Elements of Neurophysiology 1

Chapter 1

Devyn

3

Jan 14

Basic Elements of Neurophysiology 2

Chapter 2

Devyn

...

...

...

...

...

24

April 10

Cross-modal Plasticity

No reading

Anna

Additional review sessions will be arranged by TAs closer to exam dates.

Study Strategies

  1. Attend classes and read the textbook.

  2. Engage by asking questions during or after class.

  3. Review notes and materials critically.

  4. Utilize TAs for additional assistance.

  5. Engage in question periods in lectures for clarity.

  6. Organize a study schedule leading up to exams.

Communication & Support

  • For course inquiries: Email 212perception@gmail.com

  • For grading concerns: Contact instructor directly.

  • Schedule appointments with TAs for personalized help.

  • Instructor available for quick questions post-lecture.

Rationale for Studying Perception

  • Reference to Condillac’s thought experiment on sensory deprivation

    • Conclusion: mental life is impossible without sensory experiences

  • Significance of sensory perception in shaping our consciousness

  • Historical importance in establishing psychology as a discipline

Required Courses for PSYC212

  1. PSYC 204: Intro to Psychological Stats - 3 Credits

  2. PSYC 211: Intro Behavioral Neuroscience - 3 Credits

  3. PSYC 213: Cognition - 3 Credits

  4. PSYC 215: Social Psychology - 3 Credits

  5. PSYC 305: Statistics for Experimental Design - 3 Credits

Special advising notes for course exemptions based on prior academic qualifications.