PS414-7-AU: COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY I
Year: 2013/14
Department: Psychology
Essex credit: 15
ECTS credit: 7.5
Available to Study Abroad / Exchange Students: No
| Module is taught during the following terms |
| Autumn |  | Spring |  | Summer | |
Module Description
This module aims to provide an introduction to cognitive psychology. It will run throughout the first term. The module covers major areas of cognitive psychology as defined by the British Psychological Society, such as visual and auditory perception, and visual cognition. The module consists of 10 lectures, and will be taught by Dr Deborah Fantini (3 lectures), Dr Paul Hibbard (4 lectures), and Dr Tom Foulsham (3 lectures). At the end of the module, students should be able to answer factual questions about the methods, theory and data underpinning our understanding of the processes involved in visual and auditory perception, and visual cognition.
PS414 is supported by a series of laboratory classes over the second five weeks of term 1, culminating in a laboratory report. PS414 is assessed by the compulsory coursework laboratory report (25%) and a final, end-of-year, MCQ-based summer examination (75%).
Non-Psychology students
Essex students from outside the Department of Psychology have the choice of attending the laboratory classes and submitting a Psychology Laboratory Report as coursework OR writing a coursework essay. You must also take the compulsory MCQ summer examination. Other arrangements can be made for international students who are not visiting for the whole year
A separate list of coursework essays for non-Psychology students will be made available on request.
Learning & Teaching Methods
PS414 runs as a series of weekly, two hour lectures where topics will be reviewed in detail. There are opportunities for discussion and questions, and suggestions for further reading will be distributed.
In addition, a set of smaller group lab classes in the second half of term provide students with hands-on experience learning about experimentation in cognitive psychology. You will perform project work in small groups, either designing your experiments or materials or analysing data, with assistance from lecturers and graduate demonstrators. Data collection may take place in your own time, although laboratory facilities are available. You will also receive assistance in using the statistics you have learned about in the second-year PS212 Research Methods module.
Assessment
25 per cent Coursework Mark, 75 per cent Exam Mark
Coursework:
PS414 is assessed by the compulsory coursework laboratory report (25%) and a final, end-of-year, MCQ-based summer examination (75%). Essex students from outside the Department of Psychology have the choice of attending the laboratory classes and submitting a Psychology Laboratory Report as coursework OR writing a coursework essay. You must also take the compulsory MCQ summer examination.
Exam Duration and Period
2:00 hour exam during Summer Examination period.
Other information
Compulsory for:
Year 2 BA Psychology, Year 2 BSc Psychology
Updated 12/04/13 JVP
Bibliography
- Background Reading:
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Eysenck, M. & Keane, M.T. (2010). Cognitive psychology: A student's handbook (6thed.). Hove, UK: Psychology Press.
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Coren, S., Ward, L.M., & Enns, J.T. (2004). Sensation and perception. (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
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Foley, H.J., & Matlin, M.W. (2009). Sensation and perception (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
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A full set of readings for the module will be distributed during the lectures.
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