BSc Psychology

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Introduction to Cognition

Course unit fact file
Unit code PSYC10421
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 4
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

In this unit, we delve into the secrets of the human mind, and take a look at how it all works (and what happens when it goes wrong).

We begin with an overview of cognitive psychology, with a focus on its methods and approaches to the scientific study of human cognition before moving on to specific aspects of cognition – while integrating cutting-edge research – in the areas of attention, learning, memory and language.

Aims

 

This unit aims to:

Provide students with an introduction to human cognition. This unit introduces students to cognitive psychology and to a number of core components of cognition including attention, learning, memory, and language.

Learning outcomes

Appreciate the importance of understanding cognition, and the crucial role of Cognition in all understanding all aspects of the human mind and behaviour.

Describe, understand, and evaluate several core-elements of Cognition including Learning, Attention, Memory, and Language.

Understand cornerstone theories of Cognition, and how these have emerged and evolved from research findings.

Begin to read and evaluate research literature central to the Cognition and Cognitive Psychology, and effectively assimilate and communicate these findings to others.

Gain insight into current world-leading Cognition research at the University of Manchester.

Teaching and learning methods

This unit adopts a blended learning approach. The precise set-up may vary week-to-week and in response to ongoing student feedback, there will typically be on-demand, self-paced materials (estimated study time: 30-60 mins per week) for students to study in advance of 60 minute in-person large-group session.

On-demand materials will comprise a mix of bespoke pre-recorded video materials from staff, reading, activities, and quizzes to check for understanding. The weekly in-person sessions will build on the self-paced materials -- students delve into these topics in more depth with activities such as live demonstrations of the phenomena being studied, exercises, reading relevant research papers, and discussions -- and include some more “traditional” lecture delivery.

Lecture content, on-demand materials, supplementary reading, optional resources and a monitored discussion board for students to ask questions will be available via the unit Blackboard site. During the course, practice Multiple Choice Questions will be provided to enable students to test their knowledge of course content, helping to reinforce the learning of the material, and giving practice for the end of semester exam.

The assignment information session will take place online, delivered by the unit lead, and will provide a dedicated introduction to the coursework assessment, including discussion of the poster assignment and marking criteria.

Knowledge and understanding

Appreciate the importance of the study of cognition for the understanding of human psychology, and the contribution of Cognition research to many other branches of Psychology.

Intellectual skills

Describe, understand and think critically about models and theories of learning, attention, memory, and language (especially in the light of recent empirical findings).

Practical skills

Apply knowledge and understanding of cognition to explain real-world phenomena. Plan, research and produce an essay on a topic in the area of cognition research and findings.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

Students will develop their skills in synthesising information; summarising theories and evidence; critical thinking; evaluating research; working and discussing topics in small groups; and present a clearly constructed argument to evaluate a topic in a written essay.

Assessment methods

NOTE: Individual students have choice over their preferred method of assessment for this unit. Students can choose to either (1) complete a 3-page coursework essay and a 50-question MCQ examination; or (2) complete a 75 Question MCQ examination with no coursework. Further details will be provided in class.

Option 1

Individual essay 33%

MCQ exam 66%

Option 2

MCQ exam 100%

Feedback methods

Students will receive a grade and written feedback on their final essay*

.Students will receive a grade for their final exam, and feedback will be available on request.There will be ongoing feedback in class, including from formative practice MCQs for students to check their understanding.

Recommended reading

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

N.B. The 6th edition (2010) of this textbook is also appropriate and available as an e-book via the University of Manchester library

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 1
Tutorials 1
Independent study hours
Independent study 98

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Jennifer Mcbride Unit coordinator

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