Visual Perception and Visual Illusions (Coursera)

Visual Perception and Visual Illusions (Coursera)

Vision is one of the main ways for us to gather information about the world around us and about ourselves. Thus, studying vision naturally leads to new hypotheses on how cognition works. This way, our course on visual perception will also provide you with knowledge on cerebral mechanisms of vision, sensory systems and, in general, on how the mind and consciousness work. This course is aimed at everyone who is interested in perceptual psychology, in particular, psychology of visual perception.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

The course discusses different theoretical approaches to studying vision, introduces the most important concepts and experimental results. The material is selected in such a way that the course is interesting and accessible for both students who study psychology and general audience without special knowledge in this area.
The course includes lectures, presentations and graded tests. Each student will be required to perform a small research project to be submitted by the end of the course.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Module 1. Introduction
In this module you will learn about different theories of perception and classifications of illusions.

WEEK 2
Module 2. Physiology of Visual Perception
In Module 2 you will learn about the physiological and neurological basis of visual perception.

WEEK 3
Module 3. Lightness and contrast
In Module 3 we will discuss physics of light, lightenss (brightness) perception and illusions of lightness.

WEEK 4
Colour Peception
In Module 4 you will learn how colour perception works and see some examples of fascinating colour illusions.

WEEK 5
Module 5. Motion Perception
Module 5 is dedicated to motion pereption and illusory motion.

WEEK 6
Module 6. Perceptual Illusions
Module 6 deals with the relationship between illusions and reality. You will also learn about the relationship between illusions and consciousness.

WEEK 7
Module 7. 3D vision
In Module 7 you will learn how we perceive the 3-dimentional world that we live in.

WEEK 8
Module 8. Perception and Art
Module 7 dicusses the relationship between perception and art.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Pricing Strategy (Coursera) Coursera
IE Business School

Pricing Strategy (Coursera)

Pricing is one of the most important but least understood marketing decisions. Learn and practice concepts, techniques, and get to grips with the latest thinking on assessing and formulating pricing strategies. Analyze how firms attempt to capture value, as well as profits, in the revenues they earn. After this course, you will be able to contribute to the process of formulating pricing strategies for your own products and services, or those of your firm.

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks
Serious Gaming (Coursera) Coursera
Erasmus University Rotterdam

Serious Gaming (Coursera)

Have you ever wondered how playing games can help us to train people, deal with societal challenges or raise awareness of contemporary social issues? In this MOOC you will learn the ins and outs of games that are designed with exactly those purposes in mind: serious games. We will define serious games and discuss the different types that have been developed. We will explain why people like to play them and what impact they may have.

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Reasoning Across the Disciplines (Coursera) Coursera
University of North Carolina

Reasoning Across the Disciplines (Coursera)

Critical reasoning skills are a key success factor for students entering their first year of college. They must be able to think logically and form arguments. This course, designed with incoming college freshmen in mind but open to anyone, provides an essential grounding in critical reasoning skills. Faculty from multiple disciplines at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offer guidance on applying critical thinking skills in the context of specific disciplines. By developing these skills, students will learn more, enjoy their courses more, and experience greater academic success.

Sep 7th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Psychology of Popularity (Coursera) Coursera
University of North Carolina

Psychology of Popularity (Coursera)

The level of popularity you experienced in childhood and adolescence is still affecting you today in ways that you may not even realize. Learn about how psychologists study popularity and how these same concepts can be used in adulthood to be more successful at work, become better parents, and have a happier life.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Soul Beliefs: Causes and Consequences - Unit 3: How Does It All End? (Coursera) Coursera
Rutgers University

Soul Beliefs: Causes and Consequences - Unit 3: How Does It All End? (Coursera)

Throughout history, the vast majority of people around the globe have believed they have, however defined, a “soul.” While the question of whether the soul exists cannot be answered by science, what we can study are the causes and consequences of various beliefs about the soul and its prospects of surviving the death of the body. Why are soul and afterlife beliefs so common in human history? Are there adaptive advantages to assuming souls exist?

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks
De-Mystifying Mindfulness (Coursera) Coursera
Leiden University

De-Mystifying Mindfulness (Coursera)

Interest in meditation, mindfulness, and contemplation has grown exponentially in recent years. Rather than being seen as mystical practices from ancient Buddhism or esoteric philosophy, they are increasingly seen as technologies rooted in evidence from psychology and neuroscience. Mindfulness has become the basis for numerous therapeutic interventions, both as a treatment in healthcare and as a means of enhancing well-being and happiness. For millions around the world, mindfulness has become a life-style choice, enhancing and enriching everyday experience. Mindfulness is big business.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Psicología de la Percepción (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad de Palermo

Psicología de la Percepción (Coursera)

¿Cómo funcionan nuestros sentidos para ayudarnos a dar sentido y responder a nuestro entorno? ¿La percepción es un reflejo “fiel” del ambiente que nos rodea? ¿En qué se diferencia una alucinación de una percepción normal? ¿Cómo se relacionan los avances neurocientíficos con las teorías psicológicas clásicas de la percepción? ¿Cómo influyen la memoria, la atención y las expectativas en lo que percibimos?

Sep 14th 2026
3 Weeks
Schizophrenia (Coursera) Coursera
Wesleyan University

Schizophrenia (Coursera)

The main goal of this class are to gain an introductory exposure to the nature of the psychiatric disorder known as schizophrenia as revealed by the scientific method. We will discuss a broad range of findings from the scientific investigation of biological and psychological factors related to schizophrenia and its treatment.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Gender and Sexuality: Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pittsburgh

Gender and Sexuality: Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace (Coursera)

What is sex? What is gender? What is sexuality? What do we mean by LGBTQIA? How are these concepts related to the workplace? How have our understandings of these terms changed over time, and how have these changes impacted work and culture? To help you answer these important questions, this course will introduce you to the exciting field of gender, sexuality, and women's studies, and to LGBTQIA identities.

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks
Introducción a la Psicología (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad Austral

Introducción a la Psicología (Coursera)

¿Qué es el inconsciente? ¿Qué es la autoestima? ¿Qué es el apego y cómo incide en los vínculos adultos ? ¿Cómo funciona nuestro cerebro y cómo se modifica a lo largo de la vida? En este curso se abordarán estos interrogantes y diversos temas vinculados con la Psicología desde una mirada académica y mediante el estudio de los principales autores que han realizado significativos aportes a esta ciencia.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks