Psychology (PSYC) 355
Cognitive Psychology (Revision 1)

This version of PSYC 355 closed April 29, 2003. To current version.

Delivery mode: Individualized study or grouped study. Online-enhanced.
Credits: 3 - Social Science
Prerequisite: PSYC 289 or PSYC 290.
Precluded course: PSYC 455 (PSYC 355 may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for PSYC 455.)
Centre: Centre for Psychology
Challenge for Credit: PSYC 355 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Learn more online: Course home page

>> Overview | Outline | Evaluation | Course Materials | Course Fees | Course Availability


Overview

PSYC 355 introduces students to research and theory in human cognition. Topics covered include a historical review of developments that led to the emergence of cognitive psychology, the sensory registers, selective attention, working memory, memory improvement techniques, long-term memory, imagery, psycholinguistics, language comprehension, problem solving, reasoning, conceptual thinking, and categorization. Throughout the course, cognitive and behavioural psychology are compared and contrasted.

Outline

  • Unit 1 provides an introduction to cognitive psychology and includes a chapter on perceptual processes.
  • Unit 2 is concerned with memory, with both difference cognitive models of memory and two specific types of memory: sensory memory and short-term memory.
  • Unit 3 concludes the treatment of memory with coverage of long-term memory processes and then turns to the field of imagery or mental images.
  • Unit 4 considers cognitive approaches to general knowledge and the processes involved in listening and reading.
  • Unit 5 consists of a treatment of problem solving and creativity along with the processes involved in reasoning and decision making.

Evaluation

To receive credit for PSYC 355, students must achieve a course composite grade of at least "D" (50 percent) and a grade of at least 50 percent on the examination. If a student receives a grade below 50 percent, the examination grade will be the course grade. Students who do not pass the final examination with a grade of 50 percent may write a supplemental examination. Students must achieve a grade of at least 75 percent on each unit quiz before moving on to the next unit. Students may take a unit quiz twice. The weighting of assignments is as follows:

5 Quizzes Project Final Exam Total
33 1/3% 33 1/3% 33 1/3% 100%

Course Materials

Textbooks

Matlin, M. W. (1994). Cognition 3d ed. Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace.

St. James, J., Schneider, W., & Hinds, K. 1992. MEL Lab: Experiments in Perception, Cognition, Social Psychology and Human Factors. Pittsburg, PA: Psychology Software Tools, Inc. (includes computer disks).

Other Material

The course materials include a student manual, a study guide and quiz package.

Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice.
Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.

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