This module will cover major topics within the field of cognitive psychology, and will examine the relationship between brain function and our understanding of cognition and behaviour. The module will introduce key theoretical explanations proposed to account for human cognition and introduce students to some real-life applications of cognitive psychology. The module will also introduce students to the structure and function of the nervous system before examining the contribution of specialised brain structures to cognitive functions such as perception, attention, language, memory and decision making, and behaviours such as motivation, eating, emotion and sleep. Finally the module will examine the effect of hormones, drugs and neurological dysfunction on cognition and behaviour.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Topics covered will include:
There will be 22 one-hour weekly keynote lectures followed by 22 one-hour interactive lectures. The lectures will present the core materials and also allow for student discussion of reading associated with each lecture. In addition there will be six workshops to illustrate core methods in biopsychology. Formative multiple-choice questions will be posted on StudySpace each week for students to check their learning progress and to direct them to key parts of the main topics.
Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching | Keynote and interactive lectures Interactive Workshops | 44 6 |
Guided independent study | Independent study | 250 |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 |
The module will be summatively assessed by a 1,000-word literature review and a two-hour unseen exam. The literature review will allow the students to demonstrate a critical appreciation and understanding of specific aspects of the module. The exam will encourage students to acquire much of the key information required to develop their understanding of the material. They will also assess knowledge of the material and the students' capacity to integrate key information across the module. Formative assessment will include feedback on activities during the interactive lectures.
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
Demonstrate knowledge of cognitive and neuropsychological theory and research | Formatively through lecture activities and summatively through literature review and exam |
Describe theories and evidence from cognitive psychology; | Formatively through lecture activities and summatively through literature review and exam |
Recognise strategies and methods utilised by biological and cognitive psychologists; | Formatively through lecture activities and workshops and summatively through literature review and exam |
Critically evaluate the relationships between brain, behaviour and cognition. | Formatively through lecture activities and workshops and summatively through literature review and exam |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
CWK | Literature Review | 40 |
EXWR | Two hour unseen examination | 60 |
Total (to equal 100%) | 100% |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module
Carlson, N. R. (2012). Physiology of behaviour (11th ed.). Boston; London: Allyn & Bacon.
Matlin, M.W. (2008). Cognitive psychology: International student version (7th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 978-0-470-40947-3
Eysenck M.W. (2006). Fundamentals of Cognition. Hove: Psychology Press.
Kolb, B., & Wishaw, J. Q. (2003). Fundamentals of human neuropsychology (5th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.
Toates, F. (2011). Biological psychology (3rd ed.). Harlow: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Recommended journals:
Behavioral and Brain Sciences; Cognition; Cognitive Psychology; Cognitive Science; Journal of Experiment Psychology: Learning, Memory & Cognition; Biological Psychology; Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews; Trends in Cognitive Sciences; Trends in Neuroscience