- UCAS course code
- C800
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Cognition
| Unit code | PSYC21081 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 2 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Offered by | Division of Psychology and Mental Health |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This course unit builds upon the topics introduced in Year 1; students will be expected to be familiar with basic ideas and concepts as covered in PSYC10421 Introduction to Cognition. It also provides good preparation for the PSYC21022 Cognitive Neuroscience unit, covered in Year 2 Semester 2.
Cognitive psychology is the study of mental processes using interdisciplinary experimental methods. You will learn about advanced topics in memory, thinking, reasoning, and decision making and their multidisciplinary investigation through use of behavioural and neuroimaging tools. Online lecture modules will outline research in this field and consider how the findings apply to our everyday lives, while empirical work classes will provide students with hands-on experience of research.
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Cognition | PSYC10421 | Pre-Requisite | Recommended |
Aims
General Aim:
How do we learn, remember and forget? How do we think, problem-solve and make decisions? As part of these topics we will explore implications for research and everyday life.
Specific Aims:
- introduce you to advanced concepts in cognitive psychology
- equip you with knowledge of the main theories and empirical studies within cognitive psychology relating to memory, thinking, reasoning and decision making
- develop your practical research skills
- enhance your critical reasoning and evaluation
Teaching and learning methods
This unit will be taught via lectures and empirical work lab classes.
Supplementary reading, resources and monitored discussion boards will be available via the unit’s Blackboard site.
Knowledge and understanding
Intellectual skills
Practical skills
With guidance, conduct research on a topic in cognitive psychology; Use a range of sources (library, internet, electronic databases) to gather information; Plan and construct a written argument based around appropriate theoretical and empirical evidence; Structure research results in a clear and coherent report format; Communicate research findings in accordance with APA guidelines.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Independently gather and select the most relevant information from a body of literature through online and library sources; Present concise and persuasive arguments; Produce a written summary of research for an academic audience; Generate and develop ideas through small group discussions; Develop skills in critical thinking.
Assessment methods
Lab Report worth 80% and Exam worth 20%
Feedback methods
Recommended reading
Core:
Baddeley, A., Eysenck, M., & Anderson, M. (2015). Memory (2nd ed.). London¿: Psychology Press, Taylor & Francis Group.
Eysenck, M. W. & Keane, M. T. (2015). Cognitive Psychology: A student’s handbook (7th ed.). East Sussex: Taylor & Francis.
Textbooks will be available as e-books on Reading Lists Online (accessed via Blackboard)
Additional readings (e.g., journal research articles; review papers; chapters from more specialised textbooks) will be given in each lecture to consolidate, complement and expand knowledge.
Study hours
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 76 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Alexandros Kafkas | Unit coordinator |