Current Topics in Cognitive Psychology

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Estimated total time commitment of 120 hours.

No prerequisites are required for this subject

No corequisites are required for this subject

An accredited psychology major sequence.

Previous experience in perception and /or human cognition is desirable.

There are no non allowed subjects

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards of Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the 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 found at the Disability Liaison Unit Website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

In this subject key theoretical issues of contemporary interest in cognitive psychology are addressed. Relevant theoretical and empirical articles being discussed and evaluated. Topics will be selected from the following: sensation and perception; cognitive neuroscience, learning memory and decision making.

The subject aims to:

• understand current theories about thought processes and how those theories have been shaped by the use of human behavioural techniques
• develop an understanding of the experiemental techniques and methods of analysis used to investigate cognitive processes
• develop scientific writing skills to communicate the results of behavioural experiments to study cognition

Written work of no more than 2000 words (50%) to be completed during semester. A take-home examination of no more than 1500 words made up of essay questions set by lecturers involved in the subject (50%). Questions are to be handed out in week 11 and answers are to be submitted in the examination period.

There are no prescribed texts

There are no recommended text books.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject,students will have developed

• critical thinking skills
• an ability to evaluate advanced research topics
• oral presentation skills
• research skills including accessing web-based material