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Unit outline_

PSYC3012: Cognitive Psychology

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

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, 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

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

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Irina Harris, irina.harris@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam hurdle task Final take home exam
3 hour short release take-home assessment
50% Formal exam period 3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO10 LO1 LO2 LO4
Assignment Critique
Written critique on a topic
15% Week 06
Due date: 12 Apr 2021 at 23:59

Closing date: 10 May 2021
750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO10
Assignment Research report
Report of research project - scientific format
35% Week 10
Due date: 10 May 2021 at 23:59

Closing date: 07 Jun 2021
2000 words (+ 150 word abstract)
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO8 LO9 LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO10
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Critique. You will be required to write a 750-word critique on a topic.
  • Research Report.  This is a 2000 word APA-style report on the experiment run in Week 3 of semester. If you do not submit your report by the closing date you will receive a mark of 0, unless you have applied for and been granted special consideration. If you have been granted special consideration, you will be required to complete an alternative assignment on a different topic to satisfy this course requirement.
  • Final Exam. A 3-hour take home exam consisting of short-answer questions. Students who are not able to complete the exam due to illness or misadventure may apply for Special Consideration and be offered a replacement exam.

 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Language and thought Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Developmental language disorders Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Week 02 Reading development Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Skilled reading Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
1. Bilingualism. 2. Instructions for the critique Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8
Week 03 Theories of reading Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Reading instruction Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
1. PRAC EXPERIMENT. 2. Developmental Disorders Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO10
Week 04 Memory and Forgetting 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Memory and Forgetting 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Teaching reading Tutorial (2 hr) LO5 LO10
Week 05 Memory and Forgetting 3 Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Object recognition Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Implicit Learning Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Objects vs faces Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Face recognition Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
1. RESEARCH REPORT INSTRUCTIONS. 2. Face and Object Recognition Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO7 LO9
Week 07 Similarity and Knowledge Representation 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Similarity & Knowledge Representation 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Cognitive control Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO10
Week 08 Categories and Concepts 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Categories and Concepts 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Categorisation Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Applications to education and industry 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Applications to education and industry 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Week 10 Machine Learning Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Reasoning and logic Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Week 11 Theories of reasoning Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Probabilistic approaches Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Reasoning 1 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 12 Basic concepts in skilled behaviour Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
How do experts differ from novices Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Reasoning 2 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 13 Determining the limits of expertise Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Integrating reasoning and skill Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO10
Skill acquisition Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Textbook:

Cognitive Processes: Eysenck, M.W. & Keane, M.T. (2020). Cognitive Psychology: A student handbook (8th edition). New York: Psychological Press.

(Free shipping & 20% off at www.routledge.com from 1st Feb to 29th March 2021)  

 

Note that the 2015 edition (7th ed) is also acceptable if you have that one from a previous course. Both editions will also be available in electronic format via the library.

Addtional recommended readings will be listed on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

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.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Some revisions will be made to lecture topics to reduce the amount of content covered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.