Psychology 2135B-001
Cognitive Psychology
If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevail.
1.0 CALENDAR DESCRIPTION
An introduction to empirical, computational, and theoretical approaches to the study of human cognitive processes. The topics surveyed will 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.
Prerequisite: At least 60% in a 1000-level Psychology course.
Note: 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
Antirequisites: Psychology 2010a/b (formerly 130a/b), Psychology 2180e (formerly 227e).
Antirequisites are courses that overlap sufficiently in content that only one can be taken for credit. So 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.
4 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
2.0 COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor: Dr. Graeme Haynes
Office: SSC 7440
Office Hours: Tues. 1:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M., or by appointment
Email: ghaynes@uwo.ca
Teaching Assistant:
Office:
Office Hours:
Email:
Time and Location of Classes: Tues., Thurs. 10:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M., NS 7
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress, there are several resources here at Western to assist you. Please visit: http://www.uwo.ca/uwocom/mentalhealth/ for more information on these resources and on mental health.
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. You may also wish to contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at 519-661-2111 ext 82147 for any specific question regarding an accommodation.
3.0 TEXTBOOK
Reisberg, D. (2018). Cognition: Exploring the science of the mind, 7th ed. New York, NY: Norton
4.0 COURSE OBJECTIVES
An introduction to empirical, computational, and theoretical approaches to the study of human cognitive processes. The topics surveyed will include: perception, attention, memory, concepts, language and problem-solving. The course will show how these diverse psychological processes are related to and influence one another4.1 LECTURES & CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
Lectures are intended to complement the textbook. Thus, I will present some material that is not in the book, and will be tested on the exams. Class attendance will significantly increase how much you get out of this course. I post the lecture slides AFTER we have finished a chapter, so if you miss a class and want the notes right away, it is recommended that you obtain notes from a classmate. I will be happy to answer specific questions about class notes once you have obtained them.
I expect that each of you will respect your classmates and me by arriving to class on time, ready to listen and participate. Please turn off your cell phone ringers when you arrive to class, and be sure to put away all other personal devices (e.g., iPods). Devoting class time to non-academic activities such as watching videos or listening to music is disruptive and creates a negative impression of the students engaging in such activities.
In addition, a growing research literature strongly demonstrates that inappropriate use of technologies during classes negatively impacts students’ ability to learn material. As such, students are kindly requested to turn off their device WiFi during lecture. Give yourself the best chance to do well and to be engaged!
In a class this large, some students will be unaware that their private conversations are distracting to other students. If you feel that students are distracting your attention from the material, then you should ask them to be quiet. If you feel uncomfortable doing this (or if the problem persists), then please see me and I will make an announcement to the class and/or arrange to meet privately with the students.
During class, you are encouraged to ask questions about concepts that are unclear; I’m also happy to answer questions at the end of the lecture. Outside of class, I encourage you to meet with me during office hours (or set an appointment) to discuss any questions or concerns. E-mail is the best way to contact me outside of class.
4.2 STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
- Explain the challenges faced by cognitive scientists in the attempt to understand the human mind (This outcome will be assessed by multiple choice exams.)
- Describe the methods that cognitive scientists use to understand the mind (This outcome will be assessed by multiple choice exams.)
- Demonstrate knowledge of the vocabulary, research, theories, and concepts in cognitive science (This outcome will be assessed by multiple choice exams.)
- Think critically about the theories, methods, and findings in cognitive science (This outcome will be encouraged and developed via class discussion.)
- Identify, and (hopefully) avoid falling prey to, common myths about how the mind works (This outcome will be encouraged and developed via class discussion and demonstrations.)
• Apply findings from cognitive science to better understand themselves and others (This outcome will be encouraged and developed via class discussion.)
5.0 EVALUATION
To ensure fairness, please be aware that final grades in this course are based exclusively on students’ performance on the three exams. Exams may not be rewritten, nor will the exams be reweighted in calculating final grades. Grades will not be adjusted on the basis of need or a subjective evaluation of effort, and students will not be able to improve their marks by completing additional assignments.
Students are responsible for material assigned in the textbook, as well as material covered in lectures. Note: “lecture material” includes films, demos, and anything else presented during class time.
The first midterm exam will take place in class on Thursday, February 7th, and the second midterm will be held in class on Tuesday, March 12th. Each midterm is worth 30% of your final grade. The final examination will take place during the April exam period (April 11-30th), and is worth 40% of your final mark. The format for exams will be multiple choice questions.
***Please refer to Section 9.0 for the policy regarding make-up exams.***
Although the Psychology Department does not require instructors to adjust their course grades to conform to specific targets, the expectation is that course marks will be distributed around the following averages:
70% 1000-level and 2000-level courses
72% 2190-2990 level courses
75% 3000-level courses
80% 4000-level courses
The Psychology Department follows Western's grading guidelines, which are as follows (see http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf):
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
6.0 TEST AND EXAMINATION SCHEDULE
|
Date |
Value |
|
|
Midterm #1 |
Feb. 7 (during classtime) |
30% |
|
Midterm #2 |
Mar. 12 (during classtime) |
30% |
|
Final Exam |
Apr. 11-30 |
40% |
7.0 CLASS SCHEDULE
Note: The following is a tentative schedule. Class topics and order are subject to change. However, exam dates will not change, except under unusual circumstances such as class cancellations due to inclement weather.
|
Date |
Topic |
Read |
|
Jan. 8, 10 |
Introduction; Cognitive Neuroscience |
Chapter 1 |
|
Jan. 15, 17 |
Cognitive Neuroscience; Research Methods in Cognitive Psychology |
Chapter 2 |
|
Jan. 22, 24 |
Visual Perception; Object & Word Recognition |
Chapter 3 & 4 |
|
Jan. 29, 31 |
Attention |
Chapter 5 |
|
Feb. 5 |
Attention |
Chapter 5 |
|
Feb. 7 |
Midterm 1 |
Chapter 1-5 |
|
Feb. 12, 14 |
Memory Part I & II |
Chapter 6 & 7 |
|
Feb. 19, 21 |
No class – Reading Week |
|
|
Feb. 26, 28 |
Memory Part III |
Chapter 8 |
|
Mar. 5, 7 |
Concepts |
Chapter 9 |
|
Mar. 12 |
Midterm 2 |
Chapter 6-9 |
|
Mar. 14 |
Language |
Chapter 10 |
|
Mar. 19, 21 |
Language; Judgment & Reasoning |
Chapter 10, 12 |
|
Mar. 26, 28 |
Judgment & Reasoning |
Chapter 12 |
|
Apr. 2, 4 |
Problem Solving & Intelligence |
Chapter 13 |
|
Apr. 9 |
Conscious & Unconscious Thought |
Chapter 14 |
|
April 11-30 |
FINAL EXAM |
Chapter 10, 12-14 |
8.0 STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC OFFENCES
Students are responsible for understanding the nature and avoiding the occurrence of plagiarism and other scholastic offenses. Plagiarism and cheating are considered very serious offenses because they undermine the integrity of research and education. Actions constituting a scholastic offense are described at the following link: http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf
As of Sept. 1, 2009, the Department of Psychology will take the following steps to detect scholastic offenses. All multiple-choice tests and exams will be checked for similarities in the pattern of responses using reliable software, and records will be made of student seating locations in all tests and exams. All written assignments will be submitted to TurnItIn, a service designed to detect and deter plagiarism by comparing written material to over 5 billion pages of content located on the Internet or in TurnItIn’s databases. All papers submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system. Use of the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently between Western and Turnitin.com http://www.turnitin.com
Possible penalties for a scholastic offense include failure of the assignment, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.
9.0 POLICY ON ACCOMMODATION FOR MEDICAL ILLNESS
Western’s policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness can be found at:
http://westerncalendar.uwo.ca/PolicyPages.cfm?Command=showCategory&PolicyCategoryID=1&SelectedCalendar=Live&ArchiveID=#Page_12
Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain accommodation:
http://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/procedures/medical_accommodation.html
10.0 OTHER INFORMATION
Office of the Registrar web site: http://registrar.uwo.ca
Student Development Services web site: http://www.sdc.uwo.ca
Please see the Psychology Undergraduate web site for information on the following:
http://psychology.uwo.ca/undergraduate/student_responsibilities/index.html
- Policy on Cheating and Academic Misconduct
- Procedures for Appealing Academic Evaluations
- Policy on Attendance
- Policy Regarding Makeup Exams and Extensions of Deadlines
- Policy for Assignments
- Short Absences
- Extended Absences
- Documentation
- Academic Concerns
- 2018 Calendar References
No electronic devices, including cell phones and smart watches, will be allowed during exams.
