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Unit of study_

PSYC3012: Cognitive Psychology

2025 unit information

This unit extends the theories and methods of investigating memory and attentional processes discussed in PSYC2013/PSYC2016 to consider a number of domains of higher cognitive processing including memory, language, object and face recognition, categorisation, and reasoning. An integrating theme of the course will be how such cognitive capacities contribute to skilled behaviour and expertise across a range of domains of human behaviour, and how they are implemented in artificial intelligence systems. The practical program will expose students to a variety of the research methods used to investigate higher cognitive processes, develop their understanding of how these methods can be used to investigate hypotheses about mental processes and consider applications of cognitive research to real-world problems and issues.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Science

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Psychology Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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PSYC2012 and (PSYC2013 or PSYC2016)
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
? 
None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Display basic knowledge and understanding of major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in cognitive psychology
  • LO2. Demonstrate ability to describe, explain and evaluate research studies examining cognitive processes involved in language, visual recognition, memory, reasoning and skilled behaviour.
  • LO3. Develop the ability to locate, collect, analyse, manage, integrate and convey information using appropriate resources, tools, methods and strategies.
  • LO4. Understand the issues involved in designing and conducting research to investigate cognitive psychological questions
  • LO5. Develop and apply critical and creative thinking, sceptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to solve problems related to cognitive psychology.
  • LO6. Use reasoning and evidence to recognise, develop, defend, and criticise arguments and persuasive appeals
  • LO7. Communicate effectively in a variety of formats in a manner that is appropriate to the audience and the context.
  • LO8. Work productively, collaboratively and openly across diverse groups, demonstrating understanding of the complexity of sociocultural, linguistic and international diversity.
  • LO9. Use information in an ethical manner and learn to recognise and promote ethical practice in research
  • LO10. Understand and apply psychological principles in interdisciplinary contexts; integrate and synthesise multiple viewpoints to work effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Remote

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.