The module summarises the current understanding in all key research fields of cognitive psychology, including perception, memory, language, reasoning and decision making. Through the information processing approach, students will learn how our conscious experience of the world and thoughts are formed by a combination of biological mechanisms. In this process, students will learn how various behavioural and neuroimaging methods contribute to providing a unique picture of the workings of the human mind.
The module will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. There will be 20 hours of lectures, focussed on research and theory in the field and how this knowledge can be used in the real world. In order to explore the practicalities of conducting research in this area there will be small group research seminars (3 x 2 hours) where students will focus on practical work necessary for the development of skills (how to précise a paper and how to prepare a poster for an academic conference) necessary for assessment under supervision of a member of staff. There will be 4 hours of online unscheduled activities which focus on module-specific research questions and skill development, with a focus on the application of knowledge.
The module will be assessed via a précis of a research paper presented as a poster suitable for presentation at an academic conference (30%) and a position paper focusing on a key topic in cognitive psychology or neuroscience (70%).
Material will be available to students via online platform (e.g., lecture slides, stream captured sessions, online activities, group discussion forum, formative and summative feedback).