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: A mark of at least 60% in a 1.0 credit Psychology course at the 1000 level. 

Unless you have either the prerequisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enrol 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, Psychology 2180E.

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: Rebecca (Becca) Koessler, M.Sc.                      Office: SSC 6323           

Student Hours: Fridays 10:00am-12:00pm                           Email: rkoessle@uwo.ca

 

Teaching Assistant: Trevor Coppins                                       Office: SSC  84__         

Student Hours: TBA                                                                          Email: tcoppins@uwo.ca                       

 

Class: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:30am-12:30pm             Class Location: UCC 56

 

  • OWL Site

The course OWL site can be found at http://owl.uwo.ca. OWL will be used as the main source of communication between the instructor and the students. Announcements, rubrics, lecture slides, assignments, due dates, and resources will be posted to OWL. Students will be expected to check OWL regularly.

Copyright Statement: Lectures and course materials, including power point presentations, outlines, 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 lecture notes, wiki material, and other course materials publicly and/or for commercial purposes without the instructor’s written consent.

  • Email Etiquette

When emailing the instructor or the TA, “2135B” must be in the subject line. Please start your emails with a greeting. Email content should be in full sentences. Emails will be responded to within 48 hours. If 48 hours has passed and you have not received a response, it is appropriate to send a follow up email. Please review the information in the syllabus and on OWL before asking questions about the course structure and policies. Responses to emails sent with questions/concerns about assignment guidelines or exam content within 48 hours of an assignment due date or exam are not guaranteed. Emails sent within 24 hours of an assignment due date or exam with questions/concerns about assignment guidelines or exam content will not be granted a response.

 

  • Class Conduct

Cultivating a comfortable classroom environment conducive to facilitating intellectual growth is a priority. You will be expected to be an active member of the classroom community by attending lecture, participating, and being supportive of your peers.

 

Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Mental Health@Western

http://www.uwo.ca/uwocom/mentalhealth/ 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. You may also wish to contact Student Accessibility Services (formerly known as Services for Students with Disabilities) at 519-661-2147.

3.0  TEXTBOOK

There is no textbook for this course. There will be assigned readings, videos, and/or activities to complete before each class. The assigned materials for each week will be made available on OWL.

4.0    COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course you should be able to:

 

  • Think critically about published research and lecture content
  • Explain foundational theories in cognitive psychology
  • Describe various research designs
  • Understand key concepts, principles, research, and theories of cognitive psychology
  • Reconceptualize and communicate course content in novel, creative ways
Apply psychological principles to better understand yourself and others

   4.1    STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES 

 

5.0     EVALUATION

Marks are earned, not lost. Everyone starts with 0%, not 100%. There are no extra credit opportunities. Keep this information in mind as you complete your assignments and prepare for your exams.

 

Your course mark will be based on the quality and completion of the following components:

Attendance and Participation (10%): Attendance and participation will be recorded each day at the beginning and end of each lecture. You will be allowed to miss 2 classes without penalty.

Reconceptualizing Existing Content (RECs) OR Thought Paper (TPs; 3 x 10% each): You will be required to complete 3 RECs OR TPs (or a mix of the two) throughout the duration of the course. The purpose of these assignments is to utilize your creative and technological abilities to reconceptualize course content in an accessible, understandable, and fun way. For those who prefer a more traditional approach, thought papers can be completed instead. More details on the requirements, instructions, and evaluation of these assignments will be posted to OWL and discussed in class.

Exams (3 x 20% each): There are two midterm exams that will take place during regular class time. Midterm 1 is on Thursday, February 6th. Midterm 2 is on Thursday, March 12. Make-up midterm exams will be scheduled the Monday after the original exam date. The final will take place during the final exam period in April (April 6-26) and will be scheduled by the Registrar.

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  ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION SCHEDULE

Exams may consist of multiple choice and/or short answer questions. Exams will assess content from lectures and assigned supplemental materials (i.e., readings, videos, or activities). For the most part, exams will not be cumulative. For example, specific details from content covered on the first midterm will not be included on subsequent exams. However, some content may reappear or be expanded upon throughout the course. This type of information is fair game across exams. Details of the format of the exams will be provided the week before each exam is scheduled to take place.

 

No electronic devices, including cell phones and smart watches, will be allowed during exams. 

7.0   CLASS SCHEDULE (tentative)

The following schedule is tentative, meaning it may change slightly. Any changes will be made well in advance and announced on OWL and in class.

 

Week 1 – Introduction

 

(T) January 7th: Intro to the Course

(R) January 9th: Methods & Critical Thinking

 

Week 2 – Foundations of Cognitive Psychology

   

**Tuesday, January 14th last day to add a 2nd semester course**

 

(T) January 14th:

    (R) January 16th:

 

Week 3 – Sensation and Perception

   

(T) January 21st:

    (R) January 23rd:

 

Week 4 – Attention

 

    (T) January 28th:

    (R) January 30th:

 

Friday, January 31st REC or TP # 1 DUE

 

Week 5 – Midterm Week

 

    (T) February 4th: Exam Review

    (R) February 6th: Midterm 1 in-class

 

Week 6 – Short-term Memory

 

    (T) February 11th:

    (R) February 13th:

 

Week 7 – Spring Reading Week **NO CLASS**

 

Week 8 – Long-term Memory

 

    (T) February 25th:

    (R) February 27th:

 

Week 9 – Memory Potpourri

 

    (T) March 3rd:

    (R) March 5th:

 

Friday, March 6th REC or TP #2 DUE

 

**Saturday, March 7th last day to drop a 2nd semester course**

 

Week 10 – Midterm Week

 

    (T) March 10th: Exam Review

    (R) March 12th: Midterm 2 in-class

 

Week 11 – Concepts & Categories

 

    (T) March 17th:

    (R) March 19th:

 

Week 12 – Judgement, Reasoning, & Problem Solving

 

    (T) March 24th:

    (R) March 26th:

 

Week 13 – Language

 

 

(T) March 31st:

    (R) April 2nd: Exam Review

 

Friday, April 3rd REC or TP #3 DUE

 

Final Exam TBA (Exam Period runs April 6th – April 26th)

 

 

  • Indigenous Land Acknowledgment

 

I acknowledge that Western University is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron peoples, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum.

 

With this, I respect the longstanding relationships that Indigenous Nations have to this land, as they are the original caretakers. I acknowledge historical and ongoing injustices that Indigenous Peoples (e.g. First Nations, Métis and Inuit) endure in Canada, and I accept responsibility as a public university instructor to contribute toward revealing and correcting miseducation as well as fostering respectful relationships with Indigenous communities through my teaching and mentorship of undergraduate students.

 

The Indigenous Student Centre (ISC) provides a variety of services, programs, and resources for Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students (First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Status, Non-Status, and Self-Identifying). For more information please visit their website at http://indigenous.uwo.ca/

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

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


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://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/PolicyPages.cfm?PolicyCategoryID=1&Command=showCategory&SelectedCalendar=Live&ArchiveID=#Page_12

 

The full policy for consideration for absences can be accessed at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/Academic_Consideration_for_absences.pdf


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

 

If you experience an extenuating circumstance (e.g., illness, injury) sufficiently significant to temporarily make you unable to meet academic requirements, you may request accommodation through the following routes:

  1. Submitting a Self-Reported Absence form (for circumstances that are expected to resolve within 48 hours);
  2. For medical absences, submitting a Student Medical Certificate (SMC) signed by a licensed medical or mental health practitioner in order to be eligible for Academic Consideration;

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

Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain accommodation. The self-reported absence form may NOT be used for absences longer than 48 hours; coursework/tests/exams/etc., worth more than 30% of the final grade; or exams scheduled in the December or April final-exam periods: http://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/procedures/medical_accommodation.html

Students seeking academic consideration:

  • are advised to consider carefully the implications of postponing tests or midterm exams or delaying handing in work;  
  • are encouraged to make appropriate decisions based on their specific circumstances, recognizing that minor ailments (upset stomach) or upsets (argument with a friend) are not normally an appropriate basis for a self-reported absence;

must communicate with their instructors no later than 24 hours after the end of the period covered by either the self-reported absence or SMC, or immediately upon their return following a documented absence

  • Statements on Accommodations

 

  • Accommodation for Documented Disability

 

Academic accommodation consists of arrangements that allow a student with a disability a fair opportunity to engage in academic activities and fulfill essential course and program requirements.

 

To request accommodation, see the Student Accessibility Services website here: http://sdc.uwo.ca/ssd/academic_accommodation/index.html

 

  • Accommodation for Religious Holidays

 

When scheduling unavoidable conflicts with religious holidays, no student will be penalized for absence because of religious reasons, and alternative means will be sought for satisfying the academic requirements involved. For more information, please refer to: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/accommodation_religious.pdf

 

  • Accommodation for Illness or Other Absences

 

If you experience an extenuating circumstance (e.g., illness, injury) sufficiently significant to temporarily make you unable to meet academic requirements, you may request accommodation through the following routes:

 

  1. Submitting a Self-Reported Absence form through Student Center (for circumstances that are expected to resolve within 48 hours);

 

  1. For medical absences, submitting a Student Medical Certificate (SMC) signed by a licensed medical or mental health practitioner in order to be eligible for Academic Consideration;

 

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

 

Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain accommodation. The self-reported absence form may NOT be used for absences longer than 48 hours; coursework/tests/exams/etc., worth more than 30% of the final grade; or exams scheduled in the December or April final-exam periods.

 

Students seeking academic consideration:

  • are advised to consider carefully the implications of postponing tests or midterm exams or delaying handing in work;
  • are encouraged to make appropriate decisions based on their specific circumstances, recognizing that minor ailments (upset stomach) or upsets (argument with a friend) are not normally an appropriate basis for a self-reported absence;
  • must communicate with their instructors no later than 24 hoursafter the end of the period covered by either the self-reported absence or SMC, or immediately upon their return following a documented absence.

 

The comprehensive policies for consideration of absences can be accessed at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/Academic_Consideration_for_absences.pdf

 

  • Resources

 

  • Mental Health and Wellness

 

  If you or someone you know is experiencing distress, various resources and supports are available on campus, off campus, and online to assist you:

 

Psychological Services provides professional and confidential services, free of charge, to students needing assistance to meet their personal, social and academic goals. Book an appointment in-person by visiting UCC Rm 11, or by phone at 519-661-3030. If you are in need of immediate support during weekday business hours, walk-in at the Student Services Building, 4th floor, Rm 4100. For more information visit: https://www.uwo.ca/health/psych/

 

Reach Out is a confidential 24/7 information, support and crisis service for people living with mental health or addictions concerns in Elgin, Oxford, Middlesex and London. Contact Reach Out by phone at 519-433-2023 or toll free at 1-866-933-2023, or visit their website for more information: https://reachout247.ca/

 

If you or someone you know are in need of assistance for any wellness-related need but do not know where to start, visit the Wellness Education Centre in UCC Rm 76: https://www.uwo.ca/health/wec/      

 

  • Academic Skills

 

If you are interested in accessing services to improve your writing, learning and/or study skills there are a variety of resources available on campus to assist you:

 

Learning Development & Success (formerly Learning Skills Services) offers confidential 1:1 counseling appointments to help students cope with their course loads, identify strengths and help develop new skills and strategies for success. Appointments can help address stress, anxiety, and demotivation. This service is appropriate for students who are struggling and for students who wish to maintain their current skills. For more information visit WSSB 4100 or https://www.uwo.ca/sdc/learning/

 

The Writing Support Centre offers a variety of services to help improve writing skills. One-on-one appointments, drop-in services, workshops, and online writing help and resources are available for all students. Explore http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/writing/ for more information

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
- 2019-2020 Calendar References

No electronic devices, including cell phones and smart watches, will be allowed during exams.

Copyright Statement: Lectures and course materials, including power point presentations, outlines, 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 lecture notes, wiki material, and other course materials publicly and/or for commercial purposes without the instructor’s written consent.