512-224 Cognitive Psychology 2

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

512-120 and 512-121 (or equivalent)

Pre/corequisites

512-220 (or equivalent)

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The objective of this subject is to introduce students to cognitive psychology, which involves the study of higher mental processes such as attention, memory, language and thinking. The subject comprises two units.

Attention and memory provides an introduction to the experimental study of attention and memory. It aims to give an understanding of the nature and function of selective attention and its role in human cognition, and to investigate the structure, function and organisation of the human memory system. The approach taken is an information processing one, in which an analysis is made of human performance on simple cognitive tasks. This method is used to gain insight into the processes that underlie everyday cognitive activity and to evaluate competing theoretical accounts of what attention and memory are and how they function.

Language and cognition introduces students to the experimental study of language and cognition. The aim of the language lectures is to give students an understanding of the nature and function of language by exploring such issues as language acquisition, the biology of language and speech, language disorders and issues in reading and writing. The cognition lectures will provide students with an introduction to issues in human cognition such as problem solving and representation, decision-making and the relationship between language and thought.

Assessment

Laboratory reports of no more than 3000 words (40%) and an examination of no more than 2 hours (60%).

Attendance at 80% or more 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.)