BSc Computer Science (Human Computer Interaction) / Course details

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 thinking, reasoning, decision making, memory, and language, and their multidisciplinary investigation through use of behavioural and neuroimaging tools. Lectures will outline research in this field and consider how the findings apply to our everyday lives.

This unit aims to:

• Introduce you to advanced concepts in cognitive psychology
• Equip you with knowledge of the main theories and empirical studies within cognitive psychology relating to thinking, reasoning, decision making, memory, and language
• Develop your practical research skills
• Enhance your critical reasoning and evaluation

Knowledge and Understanding:

Demonstrate an understanding of topics and debates in cognitive psychology; Appreciate the methods used in cognitive psychology research.

Intellectual Skills:

Interpret and critically evaluate empirical studies and scholarly reviews in cognitive psychology; Analyse and make critical judgements about theories and findings in cognitive psychology (especially related to theories and recent empirical findings about reasoning, decision making, memory, and language).

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.

Week 1:

Thinking, Reasoning & Decision Making 1 - Karen Lander

Week 2:

Thinking, Reasoning & Decision Making 2 - Karen Lander

Week 3:

Thinking, Reasoning & Decision Making 3 - Karen Lander

Week 4:

Memory 1 - Alex Kafkas

Week 5:

Memory 2 - Alex Kafkas

Week 6: - 

Week 7:

Memory 3 - Alex Kafkas

Week 8:  

Language 1 - Evi Argyriou

Week 9:

Language 2 - Evi Argyriou

Week 10:

Language 3 - Evi Argyriou

Week 11:

Language 4 - Evi Argyriou

Week 12:

Revision

Course unit content will be delivered in eleven 90 minute lectures.  Lecture content, supplementary reading and resources and a monitored discussion board will be available via the unit Blackboard site.

Demonstrate an understanding of topics and debates in cognitive psychology; Appreciate the methods used in cognitive psychology research.

Interpret and critically evaluate empirical studies and scholarly reviews in cognitive psychology; Analyse and make critical judgements about theories and findings in cognitive psychology (especially related to theories and recent empirical findings about reasoning, decision making, memory, and language).

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.

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.

Students will have opportunities to ask questions in lectures and via the discussion board. Practice MCQ questions will also be provided. Students will receive a grade and can request a summary of their performance after the exam board. 

Students should be familiar with the textbook from Year 1 but they should also be prepared that 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 their knowledge.

Eysenck, M. W. & Keane, M. T. (2015). Cognitive Psychology: A student’s handbook (7th ed.). East Sussex: Taylor & Francis.

Baddeley, A., Eysenck, Michael W, & Anderson, Michael C. (2015). Memory (Second ed.).

Traxler, M. (2012). Introduction to psycholinguistics: Understanding language science. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

N.B. The recommended textbooks are also available as e-book  versions via the University of Manchester library