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)