Sensation and Perception (4th Edition) [Hardcover]

Margaret W. Matlin (Author), Hugh J. Foley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0205263828 | ISBN-13: 978-0205263820 | Edition: 4

This book sets the standard in bringing technical scientific information on the subject of sensation and perception to a wide audience with outstanding readability and thorough coverage. Retaining its traditionally clear and accessible writing style, this new edition boasts a thoroughly revised art program and over 1,300 new references. The motion chapter now focuses solely on visual motion perception, so it appears earlier in the book. In addition, the book includes thirteen In-Depth sections, each of which explore a current “hot” research topic to provide a sense of how researchers ask questions with subjects varying from the role of face recognition in eyewitness testimony to phantom limb perception.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This book sets the standard in bringing technical scientific information on the subject of sensation and perception to a wide audience with outstanding readability and thorough coverage. Retaining its traditionally clear and accessible writing style, this new edition boasts a thoroughly revised art program and over 1,300 new references. The motion chapter now focuses solely on visual motion perception, so it appears earlier in the book. In addition, the book includes thirteen In-Depth sections, each of which explore a current “hot” research topic to provide a sense of how researchers ask questions with subjects varying from the role of face recognition in eyewitness testimony to phantom limb perception.

About the Author

Hugh J. Foley received his B.A. from St. John Fisher College and his Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He has taught at small liberal arts institutions throughout his academic career. He is currently a full professor at Skidmore College, where he has directed the Neuroscience Program and served as Mellon Fellow for First-Year Students. Hugh has taught the perception course throughout his career, as well as statistics and methodology courses. He has published articles in methodology, cognition, and perception–typically with his research collaborator, Mary Ann Foley. They have also received several grants from the National Science Foundation. Hugh has worked with Margaret Matlin on the previous two editions of Sensation and Perception.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 554 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 4 edition (November 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205263828
• ISBN-13: 978-0205263820
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,255,862 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Find something else!, October 21, 2006

By 

Sam (Angle Vale, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sensation and Perception (4th Edition) (Hardcover)

I have a cut-down version of this text for a uni class on human information processing. I really hate this book!!

It is really hard to read, over technical and just drones on with key words.

The companion website is the singularly worst student/instructor companion website I have ever had the displeasure to use.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Appearance of a Good Textbook, March 16, 2011

By 

John M. Ford "johnDC" (near DC, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sensation and Perception (5th Edition) (Hardcover)

Hugh Foley and Margaret Matlin have written a solid undergraduate Sensation and Perception text. It covers the expected material and the 5th edition has been updated with the latest research. A reasonable subset of it, anyway.

An introductory chapter outlines the primary schools of thought in psychology and their approach to sensation and perception. The second chapter on research methods presents psychophysics, signal detection theory and methods of recording brain activity. The following six chapters explore the visual system in depth, dividing the content into chapters introducing the visual system and its basic functions, followed by visual pattern perception, distance and size perception, color and motion. The next three chapters cover the auditory system, its basic functions, and auditory pattern perception. There is single-chapter coverage of the skin senses and the chemical senses (taste and smell), followed by a closing chapter on perceptual development. The greater emphasis of vision and hearing is consistent with both the quantity of available research and their greater importance to human perception.

The book has the customary set of instructional features, including bolded keywords and a glossary. It is well-referenced with current research, including an extensive reference section and a helpful author index. The content is well-written for the undergraduate level. Learning is supported by end-of-chapter summaries and end-of-chapter review questions. The text is peppered with links to an above average supporting web site. The online demonstrations are engaging--students enjoy sharing many of them with family and friends.

The instructor web site is carefully guarded by the publisher who, after much checking of an instructor's university affiliation, will serve up a password. The contents are disappointing, excepting a downloadable .pdf file of test questions. It is uncertain whether the publisher's security admonitions keep all instructors from releasing it to their students.

CAUTION: The publisher is willing to create "custom editions" using subsets of the chapters for different universities. This results in a cheaper paperback text that looks like a study guide for the hardback. This can be confusing to students, who sometimes buy the wrong book.

It's a good textbook. Instructors, consider adopting it; students, have confidence in it--and be sure to get the right edition.

2.0 out of 5 stars Not as Great as You Think, November 15, 2009

By 

Mich "Mich" (Corona, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sensation and Perception (5th Edition) (Hardcover)

This book is not stuctured very well. Recieved the book damaged and I bought it brand new.