T602--Psychophysiological Responses to Media

First Semester, 2006-2007
Section 23244

Professor       

Dr. Robert Potter

Email                

Phone               

856-2546

Meeting Time/Place

9:30am – 10:45am MW
RTV 169 and
Institute for Communication Research, 640 Eigenmann Hall

Office Hours (RTV 305)

Mondays 3-4
Tuesdays 2:30-3:30
And by appointment

Description

This course is designed to introduce students to the field of psychophysiology. This field includes elements of psychology, physiology, and the intersection between the two. It also requires a certain amount of knowledge of electricity and electrical signals. Finally, to be conversant in psychophysiology, one must understand statistical analysis and how differences in analysis provide different types of information.

This course will focus primarily on to theory of psychophysiology and the various theories behind it. However, it will include a practical component. We will learn the specifics of data recording for some of the measures that we study. In addition, we will do lab exercises in data collection and data analysis.

Required Readings

There will be one required book that all students must purchase:

Stern, R. M., Ray, W. J., & Quigley, K. S. (2001). Psychophysiological recording. Second edition. Oxford University press.

Some other readings will be either put on E-Reserve or uploaded to the Oncourse site for the class.
Finally, other readings will come from the following book:

Cacioppo, J., Tassinary, L., & Bernston, G (2000). Handbook of Psychophysiology. Second edition. Cambridge University press.

Readings from this source will NOT be put on reserve. You may either purchase your own copy of the handbook, or read the assignment from one of the copies kept in the ICR.

Course Requirements

Students enrolled in T602 will be expected to:

• Complete all assigned readings and respond the them via email prior to each course meeting
• Lead at least one lab exercise/practicum on a specific psychophysiological technique covered in class
• Participate in all lab exercises/practica
• Complete a written midterm and final examination

Topics to be Covered

The following topics will be covered and applied to measurement of human responses to mediated messages:

• Physiology & Neuroscience
• Electricity and Physiological Recording Equipment
• Basic Psychophysiological Principles & Lab Safety
• The Caridovascular System
• The relation of heart rate and cognition
• Facial EMG
• Startle Response
• Eye movements & Respiration
• Skin Conductance
• EEG/ERP
• fMRI

Registration is by instructor permission. Those interested should contact Dr. Potter by email.