Cognitive Psychology

Subject PSYC20007 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Lectures and Pracitical/Tutorial

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: one x 2 hour lecture per week and six x 2 hour practical/tutorial during semester
Total Time Commitment: 36 hours contact time with an estimated total time commitment of 120 hours
Prerequisites: No prerequisites are required for this subject
Corequisites: No corequisites are required for this subject
Recommended Background Knowledge: Prior coursework in the two Level 1 psychology subjects, Mind Brain and Behaviour 1 and Mind Brain and Behaviour 2 is recommended.

Non Allowed Subjects: 512224 Cognitive Psychology 2
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards of Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiences Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in teh Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be cound at the Disability Liaison Unit Websites: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disbaility/

Coordinator

Dr Meredith Mckague

Contact

Psychology

12th floor Redmond Barry Building (Building 115 MAP)

Telephone: + 61 3 8344 6377

Email: enquiries@psych.unimelb.edu.au

Web: http://www.psych.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Mental processes such as attention, memory, language, and problem solving form the basis of our creative human cognitive abilities. An understanding of these cognitive abilities and the methods used by cognitive psychologists to study them provides an essential foundation for ongoing study in psychology. Classic and current research findings will be discussed to reveal what is known about the workings of the human mind.

Specific topics may include: Perceptual processes and their role in cognition; the nature and function of selective attention; categorisation and the mental representation of knowledge; the structure, function and organisation of the human memory system; human linguistic ability, including language acquisition, language disorders, and models of spoken and written language processes; higher order cognitive processes such as problem solving, decision making, and musical ability.

A quantitative methods component will be integrated into the lecture, tutorial and assessment structure of this subject. The aim is to provide an understanding of, and practical experience with, the appropriate experimental design and statistical analysis techniques used to evaluate theories in Cognitive Psychology.

Objectives:

On completion of this subjects, students should be able to:

  • give a critical account of the main theories in one or more areas of cognitive psychology
  • derive testable empirical predictions from a theory that is expressed in abstract, information processing terms
  • assess the adequacy of a cognitve theory in relation to a given set of experimental findings, and
  • summarise and analyse data in a way that is appropriate to the empirical test of a cognitive theory.
Assessment:

Written laboratory report of 2,000 words (40%) (due beginning of non-teaching period)

Completion of progressive on-line short-answer written self-tests (maximum of 3; 10%) (due end of week 6 and end of week 11)

An multiple choice examination of no more than two hours (50%) to be completed at the end of semester during the specified University examination period

Attendance of at least 80% of the laboratory classes is a hurdle requirement. In case of failure to meet the hurdle requirement, additional work will be required before a passing grade can be awarded.

Prescribed Texts:

A supplementary reading pack will be compiled by the lecturers

Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students will be given appropriate opportunity and educational support to develop skills to:

  • conceptualise theoretical problems
  • form hypotheses and arguments and communicate them through written work and tutorial discussion
  • participate in team work through small group discussions
  • develop skills related to the ability to research an area and analyze the information critically
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Science
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Psychology
Psychology Major

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