University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code: USPJDD-20-2 Title: COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY Version: 4

Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 20 ECTS credit rating: 10

Module type: STANDARD

Owning Faculty: Applied Sciences Field: Psychology

Valid from: September 2007 Discontinued from:

Pre-requisites:

      USPJCL-20-1 Research Design and Methods 1

      USPJCN-20-1 Brain, Mind and Behaviour - An Introduction

Co-requisites: NONE

Excluded combinations: NONE

Learning outcomes:

      • Critically discuss the developments that led to modern cognitive psychology. Understand the perceptual mechanisms through which the human cognitive system receives and processes information.

      • Describe in detail, methods for measuring higher cogntive processes such as memory, attention, language, and thinking.

      • Understand the theories that seek to explain success and failure in human performance and higher cognitive processes.

      • Design experiments for testing cognitive processes; conduct experiments and report them to a high standard. Understand key concepts in cognitive development.

      • Discuss developments in specialist fields in cognitive psychology and their application to real world problems.

      • Demonstrate and understanding of the link between behaviour and behavioural measurements and cognitive processes.

      • Critically analyse the role of published experimental reports and case studies to the development of current theory. Discuss the link between theory and practical application.

Syllabus outline:

Cognitive psychology in perspective

The development of the experimental tradition for measuring cognitive phenomenon; Introduction

to Cognitive Psychology (historical background & traditions). Hierarchy of Perceptual Processes (sensory, basic, higher level).

Human perception

Sensory processes, particularly visual and auditory, for receiving information. Visual illusion & Constancy (depth, size, shape, colour); Perceptual Learning & Pattern recognition (low level, high level).

Human attention

Focused and divided attention, and its role in human information processing. Attention - focused & divided. Automatic processing (human errors, slips of action).

Human memory

Fundamentals of human memory retention, storage, and retrieval. Memory - historical tradition (Ebbinghaus & Bartlett). Memory and forgetting (theories of forgetting). Dual Process & Working Memory. Long-Term Memory & organisation.

Higher Cognitive Functions

Speech and language processing. Reading and word recognition (top-down versus bottom-up theory, and the effects of context). Problem solving and thinking. Knowledge, representation and cognitive maps.

Trends/Developments in Cognitive Psychology

Computer simulation & Artificial Intelligence. Human Factors. Cognitive Neuropsychology.

Cognitive Psychology Practicals

(1) Studies in human memory and learning. (2) studies in perception, recognition and performance.

Teaching and learning methods:

Lectures introducing the syllabus, basic principles, and theories; practical and video demonstrations of classical experiments with seminar discussion of issues; semi-independent practical work in small teams; Independent learning with support using printed and computer-based open learning materials and self-marking exercises.

Indicative sources:

Textbooks:

Ashcroft M H (1994) Human Memory & Cognition (2nd Edition) New York: Harper

Collins College Publishers

Best J B (1995) Cognitive Psychology (4th Edition) St. Paul: West Publishing Company

Eysenck M W & Keane M (1997) Cognitive Psychology (3rd Edition) London: LEA.

Hampson P J & Morris P E (1996) Understanding Cognition Oxford: Blackwells

Martindale C (1991) Cognitive Psychology: A Neural-Network Approach Pacific Grove: Brookes/Cole

Sternberg R J (1997) Cognitive Psychology Orlando: Harcourt Brace College Publishers

Historical Texts:

Neisser U (1967) Cognitive Psychology Appleton Century Crofts

Neisser U (1976) Cognition and Reality: Principles and Implications of Cognitive Psychology San Fransisco: W H Freeman & Company

Hebb D O (1949) Organisation of Behaviour New York: Wiley

Specialist Topics

Aitkenhead A M & Slack J M (1985) Issues in Cognitive Modelling London: Laurance Erlbaum Associates

Baddeley A (1990) Human Memory: Theory and Practice London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates

Card S K, Moran T P & Newell A (1983) The Psychology of Human-Computer Interaction Hillsdale, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates

Ellis A W & Young A W (1988) Human Cognitive Neuropsychology London: Laurance Erlbaum Associates.

Goswami U (1998) Cognition in Children Hove: Psychology Press

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 50% B: 50 %

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A Element weighting

EX2

Examination (2 Hours)

1

     
     
 

 

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

PR1

Practical Proforma 1

1

PR2

Practical Proforma 2

1

PR3

Practical Proforma 3

1

PR4

Full Practical Write up

5

CW1

Literature Search

2

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes) No

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

EX2

Examination (2 Hours)

1

     
     
 

 

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

CW1

Literature search

1

PR1

Full Practical Write up

2

     
 

 

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes. Yes

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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