Perception, Consciousness, and Attention

Create a professional development PowerPoint presentation focused on how theories, principles, and evidence-based best practices related to perception, consciousness, and attention can be applied in the context of a professional specialization.

Cognitive psychology explores functions, such as learning, memory, thinking, and decision-making, whereas affective psychology concentrates on mood and emotion. These have been researched as independent domains of investigation; however, research has revealed that they are interdependent in many important ways.

Two pervasive topics in all the assessments in this course are:

Historical perspective on the origins and evolution of cognitive and affective psychology.

How neuroscience can shed light on these fields.

• For context on these topics, read the following:
• Introduction to Cognitive and Affective Psychology and Related Neuroscience [PDF].

As a professional psychologist, you will need to review theory and research and use it as the basis to develop best practices. For this assessment, you will focus on the following topics:

Perception.

• Consciousness.

Attention.

This first assessment focuses on visual perception, attention, and consciousness. For context on these topics, read the following:

Introduction to Visual Perception [PDF].

• Introduction to Attention and Consciousness [PDF].
• The following resource is required to complete the assessment.
• Presentation Template [PPTX].

Note: Do not submit a paper for this assessment. Papers will not be graded.

You will complete this assessment by replacing all language that is enclosed within brackets [. . .] in the Presentation Template with your own words.

• Imagine you are now a professional psychologist working in the specialization that you aspire to. You are charged with creating professional development for an interdisciplinary team of professionals in your workplace on how theories, principles, and evidence-based best practices of cognitive and affective psychology can be used to help people in your work context.

For this assessment, you will create a PowerPoint presentation focused on the following topics:

• Perception.

Consciousness.

Attention.

As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or broaden your viewpoint. You are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community. Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or submitted as part of your assessment.

• Where do our thoughts come from? How is it that physical processes in the brain cause consciousness?

What determines how perception or information enters into consciousness? Is there a gatekeeper that lets only some information through?

Why do you find it easier to concentrate on some things or in some situations, rather than others?

Can we process information even if we are not aware of doing so?

Is it time to give up the Cartesian dualism for a more integrated understanding of the relationship between the physical brain and the mind based on the research since the time of Descartes?

How do brain physiology and neuroscience help to explain normal and abnormal perception, problems with attention, and issues related to consciousness? Does science point toward interventions that could help persons with issues in these areas? Does it point toward ways to enhance capacities?

Do culturally diverse populations experience perception, attention, and consciousness differently?

How do emotions impact perception and attention

• Number of words: The number of words on each slide should be cut to the bare minimum without losing meaning. Instead of crowding slides with words, it is better to use more slides. Think of the entries on the slide as headings. In an actual presentation, the presenter would deliver details and support information verbally. All details and supporting information should be entered in the notes area below the slides.
• Design: You may wish to enhance the design of the presentation to make it more effective. For guidance on PowerPoint design, you may review the documents PowerPoint Presentation Design Suggestions [PDF] and Guidelines for Effective PowerPoint Presentations.
• If you feel that any aspect of the Presentation Template can be improved, you are encouraged to design your presentation as you see fit, as long as the required information is complete, clear, and well organized.

Language: Remember that your presentation is for an interdisciplinary team, so it will be important to communicate in a manner that can be understood by those not trained in psychology. Be sure to include plain language definitions of psychological terms used in the presentation in the notes section.

References: Remember to cite references just as you would in a written assessment.

• Title Slide
• On the first slide of the PowerPoint presentation, enter the following:
• A descriptive title of approximately 5–15 words. It should stir interest while maintaining professional decorum.
• Professional development for [enter the type of institutional context your presentation is designed for].
• Your name.
• Your specialization.
• Course number and title.
• Capella University.

Faculty name.

• Note: If this presentation was made in an actual professional context, the entries under your name would be replaced by your job title, the name of your organization, and perhaps your contact information.

Topic Introduction Slides

• Present each of the three topics in a separate section that begins with a slide naming the topic and concisely introducing it.

Theoretical Background Slides

Use one or more slides to briefly analyze the origins and evolution of each theory that you will reference in relation to each topic.

Application Slides

Use slides as needed to explain how theories, principles, and evidence-based best practices related to each topic can be used to explain behavior and help people. Remember, these factors should be relevant to the context your presentation is designed for. For each of these:

• Analyze how and to what extent brain physiology and neuroscience can provide an explanation of relevant phenomena.
• Analyze how affect may impact cognitive performance in this area.

Evaluate how cultural diversity should be considered in relation to at least one of the topics in your presentation.

• Conclusion Slide

Conclude your presentation with a succinct statement that sums up the utility of what you have presented.