Sage Publications

Building Experiments in PsychoPy

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Sage Publications

Building Experiments in PsychoPy

Sage Instructors

Instructor: Sage Instructors

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Build your first experiment using PsychoPy's Builder interface.

  • Integrate stimuli and run real-time experiments effectively.

  • Implement online study setups and troubleshoot common issues.

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Recently updated!

August 2026

Assessments

22 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 21 modules in this course

This module introduces learners to the PsychoPy software package, covering its features, uses, and the advantages of open-source tools in experimental design. It explores both the graphical Builder and coding Coder interfaces, as well as the integration of PsychoPy with Pavlovia for online studies.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

This module guides learners through the process of building a Stroop experiment using PsychoPy Builder, covering essential skills such as creating routines, configuring stimuli, managing responses, and analyzing data. Learners will gain hands-on experience in designing interactive psychological experiments and understanding the flow of experimental tasks.

What's included

1 video10 readings1 assignment

This module covers the fundamentals of working with images in PsychoPy, including loading images, managing file paths, adjusting image sizes, and using masks for advanced visual manipulation. Learners will gain practical skills in creating consistent and interactive visual stimuli for psychological experiments.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

This module covers the fundamentals of precise timing and stimulus presentation in experimental design, with a focus on optimizing conditions for brief visual tasks. Learners will explore how to set up and analyze the Posner cueing task, including managing cues, stimuli, and response timing. The module emphasizes practical skills in designing experiments using PsychoPy for accurate behavioral research.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

This module covers the process of transitioning experiments from offline to online environments using PsychoPy and Pavlovia. Learners will gain knowledge on adjusting experimental designs for web-based platforms, addressing technical challenges like unit compatibility, and utilizing tools for online recruitment and touch screen optimization.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

This module teaches how to create dynamic visual stimuli using PsychoPy, focusing on time-based changes such as revealing text, rotating images, and creating pulsing effects. Learners will gain practical skills in controlling stimulus properties over time to enhance participant engagement and experiment design. The content emphasizes both conceptual understanding and hands-on implementation.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

This module teaches how to integrate custom Python code into experiments for dynamic feedback, performance tracking, and enhanced functionality. Learners will explore code snippets, color-based feedback mechanisms, and different code types for seamless execution. By the end, they'll be able to implement and refine code components effectively.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

This module covers the process of creating and configuring survey forms using PsychoPy, emphasizing rating systems, response types, and advanced settings for data collection. Learners will gain practical skills in designing structured surveys and optimizing form functionality for psychological research.

What's included

1 video3 readings1 assignment

This module covers the use of sliders in creating interactive experiments, including configuring slider settings, understanding the Müller-Lyer illusion, and adjusting stimuli for data analysis. Learners will gain practical skills in implementing dynamic response mechanisms and interpreting experimental results.

What's included

1 video2 readings1 assignment

This module teaches how to structure and organize trials into blocks, control their order through counterbalancing, and implement these techniques in PsychoPy to improve the reliability and validity of experimental designs. Learners will gain hands-on experience with nested loops, block ordering schemes, and strategies for managing trial sequences in psychological experiments.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

This module teaches how to design and implement a visual search task using mouse input, focusing on spatial response tracking, randomized stimulus positioning, and dynamic control through code and conditions files. Learners will gain hands-on experience in creating interactive experiments that respond to user actions.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

This module covers the implementation of randomization techniques in research designs using PsychoPy. Learners will gain skills in managing participant assignment, stimulus presentation, and condition ordering. The content also explores strategies for selecting and balancing subsets of conditions in experiments.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

This module provides an in-depth exploration of coordinate systems and color representation in PsychoPy, helping learners understand how to effectively design and manipulate visual stimuli for experiments. It covers unit conversions, normalized coordinates, and various color space specifications, offering practical insights for accurate visual programming.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

This module explores how hardware limitations, such as screen refresh rates and keyboard response delays, impact the accuracy of timing in experiments. Learners will gain an understanding of how to test and improve the precision of stimulus presentation and response timing on their computers. It provides practical strategies for ensuring reliable data collection in scientific studies.

What's included

1 video7 readings1 assignment

This module covers the fundamentals of monitor technologies, calibration procedures, and the use of tools like Monitor Center to achieve accurate display output. It explains how to calibrate monitors using both hardware and psychophysical methods, ensuring visual consistency across different devices.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

This module equips learners with essential debugging skills for PsychoPy experiments. It covers common error types, effective troubleshooting techniques, and strategies for communicating issues clearly in online forums. Learners will gain practical knowledge to resolve technical problems and improve their experimental workflow.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

This module covers advanced techniques for optimizing PsychoPy experiments, including managing files, using variables effectively, and adjusting display settings. Learners will gain practical skills to enhance organization, control experiment flow, and improve user interaction.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

This module covers essential techniques in psychophysics, including the use of stimuli like gratings and Gabor masks, procedures such as staircases and QUEST, and the importance of monitor calibration. Learners will gain practical knowledge on designing and implementing psychophysical experiments with precision.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

This module covers essential aspects of designing and implementing fMRI studies, including timing synchronization, trial consistency, and monitor calibration. Learners will gain insights into ensuring accurate data collection and optimizing experimental setups for neuroimaging research.

What's included

1 video3 readings1 assignment

This module covers the essential techniques for synchronizing trigger signals in neuroimaging systems, focusing on parallel port communication, network connections, and screen refresh synchronization. Learners will gain practical knowledge on how to ensure precise timing in EEG experiments, which is critical for accurate data collection and analysis.

What's included

1 video3 readings1 assignment

This module covers the integration of eye tracking with PsychoPy using the ioHub framework. Learners will gain skills in calibrating eye trackers, using gaze data for stimulus control, and storing eye movement data effectively. The content provides hands-on guidance for implementing eye tracking in experimental designs.

What's included

1 video6 readings2 assignments

Instructor

Sage Instructors
Sage Publications
78 Courses2,994 learners

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