Psychology 3184F 001 FW24
Research in the Psychology of Language
If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevail.
Western University
London Canada
Department of Psychology
Fall 2024
Psychology 3184F Section 001
Research in the Psychology of Language
1 Calendar Description
This course will introduce students to the variety of research methods used in the psychological study of language. Methods used to study reading processes, speech perception and comprehension, and spoken language production will be covered.
Prerequisite(s): Both Psychology 2801F/G (or one of Health Sciences 2801A/B, Psychology 2840F/G, Psychology 2855F/G) and Psychology 2811A/B (or one of Biology 2244A/B, Economics 2122A/B, Economics 2222A/B, Geography 2210A/B, Health Sciences 3801A/B, MOS 2242A/B, Psychology 2830A/B, Psychology 2850A/B, Sociology 2205A/B, Statistical Sciences 2035, Statistical Sciences 2141A/B, Statistical Sciences 2143A/B, Statistical Sciences 2244A/B, Statistical Sciences 2858A/B, the former Social Work 2207A/B), or both the former Psychology 2800E and the former Psychology 2810, and one of Psychology 2115A/B, Psychology 2134A/B or Psychology 2135A/B, PLUS registration in third or fourth year Honours Specialization in Psychology or Honours Specialization in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience. Third or fourth year Psychology Majors and Psychology Special Students who receive 70% or higher in both Psychology 2801F/G (or 70% or higher in one of Health Sciences 2801A/B, Psychology 2840F/G, Psychology 2855F/G) and Psychology 2811A/B (or 70% or higher in one of Biology 2244A/B, Economics 2122A/B, Economics 2222A/B, Geography 2210A/B, Health Sciences 3801A/B, MOS 2242A/B, Psychology 2830A/B, Psychology 2850A/B, Sociology 2205A/B, Statistical Sciences 2035, Statistical Sciences 2141A/B, Statistical Sciences 2143A/B, Statistical Sciences 2244A/B, Statistical Sciences 2858A/B, the former Social Work 2207A/B), or 70% or higher in the former Psychology 2820E (or 60% or higher in the former Psychology 2800E and the former Psychology 2810), plus 60% or higher in one of Psychology 2115A/B, Psychology 2134A/B or Psychology 2135A/B also may enrol in this course.
2 lecture hours, 2 laboratory hours; Course Weight: 0.5
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.
2 Course Information
Instructor: Dr. Laura Batterink
Phone: 519 661 2111 x85409
Office Hours: see Brightspace for details
Email: lbatter@uwo.ca
Teaching Assistant: TBA
Time and Location of Classes: see Student Timetable
For courses that include an online component, students must have a reliable internet connection and computer that are compatible with online learning system requirements.
3 Course Materials
No textbook is required for this course. Required articles will be posted on OWL.
4 Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes
Include a table of specific learning outcomes for the course (edit the one below as you see fit), including the learning activities that support the outcome and the method(s) by which you will assess that learning outcome. NOTE: learning outcomes should be broadly aligned with the WESTERN DEGREE OUTCOMES (for a helpful alignment chart and more information, visit https://teaching.uwo.ca/curriculum/wdo.html All classes do not need to cover all outcomes – but as classes become more advanced, it is expected that the more advanced outcomes will be covered.
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Learning Outcome |
Learning Activity |
Assessment |
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Knowledge of Methodologies
Access, interpret and critically evaluate appropriate research in psychology. |
Read 7 assigned journal articles and answer accompanying thought questions in class
Participate in 3 in-class experiments and 3 lab visits (eye tracking, virtual baby lab, ERP).
Search for and read relevant literature for group research project.
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Final exam (2 new articles and questions)
Research project report (esp. Introduction) |
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Application of Knowledge.
Evaluate the appropriateness of different methodological approaches to address a specific psychological question |
Group research project |
Research project report |
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Application of Knowledge.
Formulate a research hypothesis to address a psychological question and design a research project to test that hypothesis. |
Group research project |
Research project report |
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Application of Knowledge.
Apply relevant quantitative skills to the analysis and interpretation of psychological phenomena |
Excel & SPSS instruction in class.
Analyze data from 3 in-class experiments.
Analyze data from group project. |
Results sections: 3 in-class experiments and group research project report
Data Analysis test |
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Awareness of Limits of Knowledge
Use evidence to support claims |
Instruction in writing Introduction & Discussion sections |
Research project report |
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Communication Skills.
Communicate in writing accurately, clearly and logically, using the discourse of the discipline of psychology |
Instruction in writing research reports |
Method and Results section for 3 in-class experiments Research project report |
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Communication Skills.
Communicate orally accurately, clearly and logically, using the discourse of the discipline of psychology |
Instruction in oral presentations of an experiment |
Group presentations of proposal and final project |
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Autonomy and Professional Capacity. Apply ethical standards to the practice of their own research |
Ethics instruction in class |
Ethics forms for group project |
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Autonomy and Professional Capacity.
Incorporate feedback to change performance |
Written feedback given on in-class lab reports |
Method and Results section for in-class experiments Research project report |
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Autonomy and Professional Capacity.
Work collaboratively with others to achieve a project goal |
Group research project |
Research project report |
5 Evaluation
Course performance will be evaluated based on the following sources:
- Methods and results section for three pre-programmed experiments – combined 15%
- Small group research project:
Oral presentation research proposal – 5%
Oral presentation completed project – 5%
Project execution and group participation (incl. ethics forms, programming of the experiment, data collection, self and peer ratings of group contribution) – 5%
Written report – 35%
- Midterm data analysis test – 10%
- Final exam – 20%
- Class participation and low-stakes group assignments – combined 5%
The written report is expected to be at least 2500 words in length. A number of additional “low-stakes” assignments are due throughout the course. These assignments are together worth a total of 5% of the final grade. The final exam will be mixed format (including both MCQ and short-answer format).
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
Policy on Missing Coursework
Late Assignments: Without submitted documentation (academic consideration from Academic Counselling), a late penalty of 10% of the assignment’s value per day (e.g., 2 of the 20-point total value) will be applied to papers submitted after the deadline. If you have received academic consideration for this assignment, the deadline will be adjusted as recommended by Academic Counselling.
Midterm and final exams and oral presentations will be rescheduled only with documented academic consideration.
If you are ill and cannot attend class to complete one of the “low-stakes” group assignments, you may either Zoom in with your group to complete the assignment, or else simply skip the assignment. Because some student absences are expected, the lowest mark for the group assignments will be dropped from the final score.
PLEASE NOTE: Because this is an essay course, as per Senate Regulations, you must pass the essay component to pass the course. That is, the average mark for your written assignments must be at least 50%.
This course is exempt from the Senate requirement that students receive assessment of their work accounting for at least 15% of their final grade at least three full days before the date of the deadline for withdrawal from a course without academic penalty.
The expectation for course grades within the Psychology Department is that they will be distributed around the following averages:
70% 1000-level to 2099-level courses
72% 2100-2999-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
Note that 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.
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.
6 Assessment/Evaluation Schedule
Lab 1 Sept 27
Lab 2 Oct 4
Lab 3 Oct 25
Data Analysis Test Oct 30
Proposal Presentation Nov 13
Complete Project Presentation Dec 4
Written Report Dec 6
Final Exam TBA – scheduled by Office of the Registrar
7 Class Schedule
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9-Sep |
Course Introduction, software logistics |
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11-Sep |
Overview of experimental methods |
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16-Sep |
Excel spreadsheet instruction |
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18-Sep |
Lab 1: Lexical decision task |
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23-Sep |
Lab 1 analysis |
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25-Sep |
Lab 2: Priming |
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30-Sep |
National Truth and Reconciliation Day – No Class |
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02-Oct |
Lab 2 analysis |
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7-Oct |
Group project: initial research, select topic |
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9-Oct |
Lab 3: Self-paced reading |
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14-Oct |
Fall Reading Break (No class) |
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16-Oct |
Fall Reading Break (No class) |
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21-Oct |
Lab 3 Analysis |
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23-Oct |
Speech processing; class experiment on effects of speaker gender on spoken word recognition; gender biases in AI voice recognition |
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28-Oct |
Consultations on projects: research question |
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30-Oct |
Data Analysis Test |
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4-Nov |
Human Ethics |
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6-Nov |
Introductions + Consultations on projects: methodology |
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11-Nov |
Experiment programming tutorial session |
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13-Nov |
Group project proposal presentations |
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18-Nov |
Final experiment programming help session |
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20-Nov |
Mechanisms of language learning: statistical learning and word segmentation |
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25-Nov |
Participant Testing; peer review deadline for Intro & Methods (optional) |
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27-Nov |
Consultations on Projects: data analysis |
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2-Dec |
Event related potentials |
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4-Dec |
Final project presentations |
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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.
Statement on Use of Electronic Devices
Computers will be used in this class. Students can use the laboratory computers or their own laptops. For some sections of tests and exams, computers will not be permitted, as indicated in the instructions
Plagiarism Detection Software
All required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to the commercial plagiarism detection software under license to the University for the detection of plagiarism. 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.
Use of AI
The use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT to produce written work is not permitted unless permission is granted by the instructor for specific circumstances. Any work submitted must be the work of the student in its entirety unless otherwise disclosed. When used, AI tools should be used ethically and responsibly, and students must cite or credit the tools used in line with the expectation to use AI as a tool to learn, not to produce content.
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
Find your academic counsellor here: https://www.registrar.uwo.ca/faculty_academic_counselling.html
Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain academic considerations. Students must communicate with their instructors no later than 24 hours after the end of the period covered 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
- Office of the Registrar: https://registrar.uwo.ca
- Student Development Services: sdc.uwo.ca
- Psychology Undergraduate Program: https://www.psychology.uwo.ca/undergraduate/index.html
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 Acknowledgement
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.
