MATLAB for Psychologists

by Mauro Borgo, Alessandro Soranzo, Massimo Grassi

The matrix laboratory interactive computing environment―MATLAB―has brought creativity to research in diverse disciplines, particularly in designing and programming experiments. More commonly used in mathematics and the sciences, it also lends itself to a variety of applications across the field of psychology. For the novice looking to use it in experimental psychology research, though, becoming familiar with MATLAB can be a daunting task. MATLAB for Psychologists  expertly guides readers through the component steps, skills, and operations of the software, with plentiful graphics and examples to match the reader’s comfort level. Using an extended illustration, this concise volume explains the program’s usefulness at any point in an experiment, without the limits imposed by other types of software. And the authors demonstrate the responsiveness of MATLAB to the individual’s research needs, whether the task is programming experiments, creating sensory stimuli, running simulations, or calculating statistics for data analysis. Key features of the coverage: Guidelines for improved programming, sound, and imaging. MATLAB for Psychologists  serves a wide audience of advanced undergraduate and graduate level psychology students, professors, and researchers as well as lab technicians involved in programming psychology experiments. 

300 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Carolina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I checked this one out while looking for resources to teach MATLAB to psychology students. The book itself is not bad, it's just not what I was expecting I guess. My biggest problem was the fact that there were typos in the code and in the exercises, which someone who is just starting to program might not notice.

I did like the listings/examples, but don't understand why they were pictures instead of text, that is, can't be copied & pasted from the PDF book. If their intention was that the user copy by hand, then at least they could have made the code more legible by following MATLAB style guidelines (lack of white space was the worst).

Chapters 9 and 10 (Psychtoolbox) were the most useful in my opinion.

[Jukka Häkkinen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hyvä johdatus kokeelliseen psykologiaan Matlabilla. Jonkin verran virheitä koodissa ja paikoitellen sekava, mutta kokonaisuutena hyvä.