Psychology 2135B 001 FW25

Cognitive Psychology

Western University

London              Canada

Department of Psychology

Winter 2026

 

 

1    Calendar Description

An introduction to empirical, computational, and theoretical approaches to the study of human cognitive processes. The topics that we survey include perception, attention, memory, concepts, language, and problem-solving. The course will show how these diverse psychological processes are related to and influence one another. 4 lecture hours, 0.5 course

Antirequisites: Psychology 2010A/B, 2180E. Antirequisites are courses that overlap sufficiently in content that only one can be taken for credit. If you take a course that is an antirequisite to a course previously taken, you will lose credit for the earlier course, regardless of the grade achieved in the most recent course.

Prerequisites: A mark of at least 60% in 1.0 credits of Psychology at the 1000 level.

4 lecture hours

Course Weight: 0.5

Unless you have either the requisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enroll in it, you may be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.

 

2    Course Information

Instructor: Ken McRae

Office: see OWL Brightspace

Office Hours: see OWL Brightspace

Email: kenm@uwo.ca

 

Teaching Assistant: TBA

Office: TBA

Office Hours: TBA

Email: psych2135@uwo.ca

 

For all questions, please contact the TA by email at psych2135@uwo.ca. Please include the course number and section in the subject line of your email, along with a brief word or phrase detailing the nature of the email (e.g., 2135B 001: Midterm Exam Questions). All email correspondence must be from your @uwo.ca email. Emails from other addresses will not be responded to. The TA has weekly Zoom office hours. TA office hours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Time & Location of Lectures: In-Person. See Student Centre Timetable.

 

Slides will be available on OWL Brightspace prior to each lecture.

Lectures will be NOT be streamed on Zoom. Lectures will NOT be recorded or posted.

This is a fully in-person course. All lectures and exams will be in person.

Quizzes are completed on OWL Brightspace.

I hold weekly meeting hours Tuesday from 1:00-2:00. We can meet in my office (WIRB 5158) or on Zoom.

These are single person or small group meetings. I will meet with students on a first-come-first-served basis.

 

3    Course Materials

There is one recommended textbook for this course. Cognition: Exploring the Science of the Mind, 8th edition, by Daniel Reisberg is available at the University bookstore, Amazon, and elsewhere. The purchase of this text is not required, but I encourage you to have access to a textbook. You may use other texts or earlier editions of Reisberg’s book for the same purpose. The text is not required.

Cost: free open source .pdf to $172 from publisher.

Notes and slides from each class will be available on the course website. A copy of the slides will be available prior to class for review and note taking. Students may share their own notes with others as they wish. Because your notes are your intellectual property, you can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable.

 

4    Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

An introduction to empirical, computational, and theoretical approaches to the study of human cognitive processes. The topics surveyed include perception, attention, memory, concepts, language, and problem-solving. The course will show how these diverse psychological processes are related, and how they influence one another. The primary mode of instruction is in-person lecture and discussion. Assessment consists of quizzes and multiple-choice exams.

 

Learning Outcome

Learning Activity

Assessment

Depth and Breadth of Knowledge. Understand key concepts, principles, and overarching themes relevant to cognitive psychology.

Encouraged and developed via readings and class participation.

Quizzes and exams

Knowledge of Methodologies. Understand concepts and current states of methods and techniques in both the natural science and social science aspects of cognitive psychology.

Encouraged and developed via readings and class participation.

Quizzes and exams

Application of Knowledge. Apply psychological principles to the understanding of everyday problems and academic / professional success.

Encouraged and developed via readings and class participation.

Quizzes and exams

Communication Skills. Engage in a critical scholarly discussion on a psychological topic using evidence to support claims.

Encouraged and developed via class participation and discussion.

Quizzes and exams

Awareness of Limits of Knowledge. Evaluate the presentation of scientific ideas and research in the popular media.

Encouraged and developed via lecture and class participation.

Quizzes and exams

 

5        Evaluation

The evaluation and testing formats were created to assess the learning objectives as listed in Section 4, and are considered necessary for meeting these learning objectives.

 

5.1  Quizzes

There are 4 online quizzes according to the schedule below. Each quiz will be available on OWL Brightspace from 5:00 pm - 5:00 pm (for 24 hours). The quizzes are timed but not proctored. You can take the quiz any time during the posted period. Once you begin, you will have 20 minutes to complete the quiz.

An optional makeup quiz is available at the end of the term that will include material from the entire course. If you miss a quiz during the term, you can take the makeup quiz without needing to seek any additional permission. You may also take the makeup quiz to replace a lower scoring quiz from the term. No additional makeup quizzes will be scheduled.

 

5.2  Exams

There are two in-person exams as shown in Section 6. Each exam will cover the material preceding the exam, and will be multiple choice format. The midterm exam will occur in class on Wednesday, February 25, 2:30 - 4:30 in our classroom. The final exam will be scheduled by the registrar for the April exam period.

If you require or receive accommodation for extra time on course work, please connect with Services for Students with Disabilities as soon as possible, and then let me know so that I can make accommodations. The midterm exam is worth 30% of the final grade. The final exam is worth 40% of the final grade.

 

5.3  Policy on Missing Coursework

The evaluation and testing formats for this course were created to assess the learning objectives as listed in Section 4 and are necessary for meeting these learning objectives.

If you are unable to take an exam as scheduled, you must obtain permission from your academic Dean via your counsellor to make up the exam. See Section 10 for information on seeking academic consideration. Please note the Western Student Information Privacy Policy that instructors are not permitted to receive documentation directly from a student, whether in support of an application for medical grounds, or for other reasons.

All documentation required for absences that are not covered by the absence reporting policy must be submitted to your home Faculty or Affiliate Academic Counselling/Advising Office. The current policy on student absences is available here. Information on accommodation appeals and medical certificates is available here. Following receipt of approved consideration from Academic Counselling, a makeup exam will be rescheduled to take place approximately one week after the original exam date.

Once I receive the verification of your eligibility for a makeup exam, a makeup exam will be scheduled roughly one week after the missed exam. Any exam not taken or not made up will be scored as “0”.

Academic consideration based on self-attestation (an Undocumented Absence) cannot be used for the Midterm exam.

Academic consideration based on self-attestation (an Undocumented Absence) is not relevant for the quizzes because flexibility is provided. That is, there is an optional makeup quiz that can be taken if you miss one of the first four quizzes (or you hope to get a better grade than on one of the first four quizzes).

The expectation is that course grades will be distributed around the following averages:

Grade

Description

70%

1000–level and 2099–level courses

72%

2100–2990 level courses

75%

3000–level courses

80%

4000–level courses

In the event that course grades are significantly higher or lower than these averages, instructors may be required to make adjustments to course grades. Such adjustment might include the normalization of one or more course components and/or the re-weighting of various course components.

The Psychology Department follows Western’s grading guidelines (see the policy here.)

Grade

Range

Description

A+

90-100

One could scarcely expect better from a student at this level

A

80-89

Superior work that is clearly above average

B

70-79

Good work, meeting all requirements, and eminently satisfactory

C

60-69

Competent work, meeting requirements

D

50-59

Fair work, minimally acceptable

F

below 50

Fail

5.4  Policy on Grade Rounding

Please note that although course grades within the Psychology Department are rounded to the nearest whole number, no further grade rounding will be done. No additional assignments will be offered to enhance a final grade, nor will requests to change a grade because it is needed for a future program be considered. To maximize your grade, do your best on each assessment within the course.

 

6    Assessment/Evaluation Schedule

The final grade will be calculated according to the components shown in the breakdown. No grades will be rounded.

Component

Breakdown

Quizzes (4)

30% of final grade

Exam 1

30% of final grade

Exam 2

40% of final grade

Grades will be released on OWL Brightspace. Exams may be reviewed by making an appointment with the TA during their exam review office hours. Neither the GTA nor the instructor will re-grade questions or award points after the grades have been released.

 

Exam/Quiz

Date

Location

Content

Value

Quiz 1

January 21

Online

Classes 1-6

7.5%

Quiz 2

February 2

Online

Classes 7-9

7.5%

Midterm

Feb. 25: 2:30-4:30

TBA

Classes 1-11

30%

Quiz 3

March 11

Online

Classes 12-15

7.5%

Quiz 4

April 1

Online

Classes 16-21

7.5%

Optional Makeup Quiz

April 6

Online

Classes 1-21

7.5% (optional)

Final

TBA

TBA

Classes 12-21

40%

7    Class Schedule

Section 1: The Brain, Memory, and the Mind

The first section of the course covers the history of cognitive psychology, how and why cognitive psychology developed from the earlier study of psychology, and in what direction the study of cognition is headed. We will also learn about the brain, perceptual systems, basic object recognition, and attention.

Class

Date

Topic

Readings

1

Jan. 5

The Study of Cognition

Reisberg Ch 1

2

Jan. 7

Cognitive Neuroscience 1

Reisberg Ch 2

3

Jan. 12

Cognitive Neuroscience 2

Reisberg Ch 2

4

Jan. 14

Visual Perception

Reisberg Ch. 3

5

Jan. 19

Object Recognition

Reisberg Ch. 4

6

Jan. 21

Attention

Reisberg Ch. 5

Quiz 1

Jan. 21

Online Quiz 1, Classes 1-6

Reisberg Ch. 1-5

7

Jan. 26

Memory Encoding

Reisberg Ch. 6

8

Jan. 28

Memory Systems

Reisberg Ch. 7

9

Feb. 2

Memory for Situations & Events

Reisberg Ch. 8

Quiz 2

Feb. 2

Online Quiz 2, Classes 7-9

Reisberg Ch. 6-8

10

Feb. 4

Concepts and Categories

Reisberg Ch. 9

11

Feb. 9

Concepts 2

Reisberg Ch. 9

 

Feb. 11

Flex Class

 

 

Feb. 16

Reading Week – No Class

 

 

Feb. 18

Reading Week – No Class

 

Review

Feb. 23

Midterm Review

Reisberg Ch. 1-9

Midterm

Feb. 25

Midterm, Classes 1-11

Reisberg Ch. 1-9

 

Section 2: Higher Order Cognition

The second unit covers complex cognitive processes, such as language use and reasoning and other forms of higher order thinking. We’ll rely on some of the ideas from earlier classes, such as memory and attention. The exam for this section will be scheduled during final period.

Class

Date

Topic

Readings

12

March 2

Language 1

Reisberg Ch. 10

13

March 4

Language 2

Reisberg Ch. 10

14

March 9

Language 3

 

15

March 11

Imagery

Reisberg Ch. 11

Quiz 3

March 11

Online Quiz 3, Classes 12-15

Reisberg Ch. 10-11

16

March 16

Probability

Reisberg Ch. 12

17

March 18

Decision Making

Reisberg Ch. 12

18

March 23

Thinking and Reasoning

Reisberg Ch. 12

19

March 25

Problem Solving & Creativity

Reisberg Ch. 13

20

March 30

Intelligence & Expertise

Reisberg Ch. 14

21

April 1

Consciousness

Reisberg Ch. 15

Quiz 4

April 1

Online Quiz 4, Classes 16-21

Reisberg Ch. 12-15

22

April 6

Final Exam Review

 

Optional Quiz

April 6

Optional Makeup Quiz, Classes 1-21

 

 

TBA

Final Exam: Classes 12-21

Reisberg Ch. 10-15

8      Academic Integrity

Scholastic offences are taken seriously, and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at the following Web site: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf.

Possible penalties for a scholastic offence include failure of the assignment/exam, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.

8.1 Statement on Use of Electronic Devices

No electronic devices on any kind may be used during an exam. Laptops, smartphones, and tablet devices may be used during class, and can be used for interactive activities during lecture.

8.2 Multiple Choice Exams

Computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams will be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.

 

 

9    Academic Accommodations and Accessible Education

View Western’s policy on academic accommodations for student with disabilities at this link. Accessible Education provides supports and services to students with disabilities at Western.

If you think you may qualify for ongoing accommodation that will be recognized in all your courses, visit Accessible Education for more information. Email: aew@uwo.ca  Phone: 519 661-2147

10  Absence & Academic Consideration

View Western’s policy on academic consideration for medical illnesses this link

Academic Considerations: https://registrar.uwo.ca/academics/academic_considerations/index.html

Find your academic counsellor here: https://www.registrar.uwo.ca/faculty_academic_counselling.html 

Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit required documentation in order to be approved for certain academic considerations. Students must communicate with their instructors no later than 48 hours after the end of the period covered Student Medical Certificate (SMC), or immediately upon their return following a documented absence.

Medical Absences

Submit a Student Medical Certificate (SMC) signed by a licensed medical or mental health practitioner to Academic Counselling in your Faculty of registration to be eligible for Academic Consideration.

Nonmedical Absences

Submit appropriate documentation (e.g., obituary, police report, accident report, court order, etc.) to Academic Counselling in your Faculty of registration to be eligible for academic consideration. Students are encouraged to contact their Academic Counselling unit to clarify what documentation is appropriate.

Religious Consideration

Students seeking accommodation for religious purposes are advised to contact Academic Counselling at least three weeks prior to the religious event and as soon as possible after the start of the term.

11  Other Information

Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Health and Wellness@Western https://www.uwo.ca/health/ for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.

Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you.

If you wish to appeal a grade, please read the policy documentation at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/appealsundergrad.pdf. Please first contact the course instructor. If your issue is not resolved, you may make your appeal in writing to the Undergraduate Chair in Psychology (psyugrd@uwo.ca).

Copyright Statement

Lectures and course materials, including power point presentations, outlines, videos and similar materials, are protected by copyright. You may take notes and make copies of course materials for your own educational use. You may not record lectures, reproduce (or allow others to reproduce), post or distribute any course materials publicly and/or for commercial purposes without the instructor’s written consent.

12  Land Acknowledgment

We acknowledge that Western University is located on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Chonnonton. Nations, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. This land continues to be home to diverse Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and vital contributors of our society.