Cognitive Psychology

Aim and Content

The course teaches basic and higher cognitive processes in the information processing tradition. Some prior knowledge of cognitive psychology (e.g. introductions to cognitive psychology at 1st year university level or equivalent) will be assumed.

We focus first on basic cognitive processes such as perception and categorization of information, attention and memory, and we address relationships between normal and abnormal cognitive functioning. We then present the contribution of cognitive psychology to understanding higher mental processes, for example: the extent to which our thinking is rational, problem solving, risk evaluation and decision making. We discuss the interaction between cognition and affect, cognitive processes in communication, and the advantages and disadvantages of cognitive biases in people's adaptation to their environment.

Learning Outcomes

The course will enable students to reflect on the value of empirical evidence for theories within various areas of cognitive research, reflect on how the cognitive perspective contributes to our understanding of people's behavior and experience, and to evaluate the design, methods and conclusions from research papers in cognitive psychology.

Students who complete the course should be able to present and discuss the following themes:

• the historical development of cognitive psychology
• the working of basic cognitive functions from an information processing perspective
• central experimental findings from central aspects of cognition such as attention perception, memory, language, thinking, reasoning, judgement and decision making
• the relevance of higher cognitive processes for understanding people's behavior in a couple of chosen areas such as risk assessment, environmental behavior, clinical dysfunction or therapeutic intervention
• the advantages and disadvantages of cognitive shortcuts (heuristic processing) in decision making
• the extent to which human thinking processes are rational

Course offered (semester)

Autumn and spring

Language of Instruction

English

Pre-requirements

Due to the limited number of spaces available and special entry requirements, admission to the course is limited. Students should have already taken introductory university level courses in cognitive psychology as some prior knowledge will be assumed. Students should have the language skills and study experience to write exam essays in English.

Teaching Methods

Teaching will consist of lectures integrated with video clips, demonstrations of important experimental paradigms, student activities and critical discussion of research papers. Some online resources will be used. The course will provide students with opportunities to take part in cognitive tests in areas such as decision-making style, mental imagery, working memory skills etc.

Compulsory Requirements

None

Assessment methods

Students are required to submit 2 written essay papers at the end of lecture modules on selected teaching themes. The essays will be based on taught themes, recommended literature, and discussion of experimental design and evaluation.

Students will write individually in class, but with access to their notes and literature.

Essays will be delivered electronically on My Space immediately after each timetabled writing session of 2.5 hours. The word limit on each essay is 1100 words.

A grade will be assigned on each essay which contributes in equal weight to an overall grade.

Grading Scale

A-F

Reading List

Recommended reading will be listed and will include texts books and scientific journal articles

Contact Information

Information Centre: tel.(+47) 55 58 27 10, e-mail: studieveileder.psyfa@uib.no