Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Cognitive Psychology
Module Code	PSY4
School	Oscail
Online Module Resources
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15
Pre-requisite	PSY1
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

This module covers attention, perception and memory, language, intelligence and problem solving, representations of knowledge, and neuropsychology.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain how knowledge of the structure and function of the brain and the nervous system contributes to our understanding of cognitive processes
2. Analyse the psychological theories and models that explain how we attend to, perceive, learn and process information with which we work everyday
3. Evaluate the theoretical approaches associated with mental imagery and knowledge representation
4. Assess the research on language processing and its fundamental importance to human cognition
5. Examine how the study of amnesia and dyslexia can contribute to our understanding of normal, intact cognitive processes
6. Analyse the effect of knowledge on reasoning and problem-solving performance
7. Evaluate, and appropriately utilise, methods and approaches used in psychological research, including analysis of nominal data and correlations

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Tutorial	15	No Description
On-line learning	15	No Description
Independent learning	345	No Description
Total Workload: 375

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

PART 1: Cognitive Psychology.
Unit 1: Introduction to Cognitive Psychology.

Unit 2: Cognitive Neuropsychology.
Unit 3: Attention.

Unit 4: Perception.
Unit 5: Memory: Structure and Processes.

Unit 6: Memory: Theories.
Unit 7: Mental Representations.

Unit 8: Mental Imagery.
Unit 9: Language 1: Structure and Abstractions.

Unit 10: Language 2: Words and Reading.
Unit 11: Logic and Decision Making.

Unit 12: Problem Solving and Creativity.
:.

Unit 13: Statistical Inference and Hypothesis Testing.
Unit 14: Analysis of Nominal Data: Chi Square Test.

Unit 15: Correlations.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	50%	Examination Weight	50%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assignment	Assessment takes a variety of forms, including essays, reports, learning journals, presentations and group assignments.	50%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 3

Indicative Reading List

Solso, MacLin and MacLin: 2008, Cognitive Psychology, Eighth, Pearson,
Foster, J and Parker, I: 1995, Carrying Out Investigations in Psychology, John Wiley & Sons,

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

Diploma/BA in Humanities

BASM

BA Single Module

Timetable this semester: Timetable for PSY4

Date of Last Revision

08-DEC-10

Archives: