PY1CG-Cognition and Learning

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: PY1IP3 Introduction to Psychology for Consumer Behaviour and Marketing students
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Ciara McCabe

Email: c.mccabe@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Cognition and Learning

 

Aims:
The aim of the module is that students should learn about basic concepts, theories and data in cognitive psychology and the psychology of learning, and become acquainted with the methods and results of research that provides evidence relevant to this area.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module students will be able to:
1. Explain theories and models of attention, memory and learning.
2. Evaluate appropriate empirical evidence in relation to these.

Additional outcomes:
This module will provide students with an opportunity to discuss the material covered in lectures in smaller tutorial groups, and therefore allows students to exchange ideas and viewpoints with classmates in the second term of their studies.
Students will be expected to draw upon and apply relevant material from this module when introducing and discussing laboratory class experiments in the practical reports required for the module PY1PR.

Outline content:
Cognition: Basic processes in human memory and attention; the study of additional topics such as amnesia, human judgment and decision-making processes. Learning: simple forms of associative and nonassociative learning, cognitive analysis of associative learning, psychobiology of learning.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module is taught via 10 hour-long lectures, each followed by a further hour-long online discussion forum, and supported by recommended reading.

Teaching methods include the following:
(a) Lectures including demonstrations, e.g. of memory phenomena
(b) Online discussion forum following lectures
(c) Recommended reading from texts
(d) Tutorial discussion groups

NB The contact hours in the table below are indicative of the contact hours for students studying this module in the UK, and may vary for students taking this module at branch campuses.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20	1
Tutorials		4
Guided independent study:		40	35
Total hours by term		10
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	75
Written assignment including essay	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:
1.5 hours

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
This module is assessed by an essay on a selection of topics covered in the tutorials (25%), plus an MCQ and a 1.5 hour essay-based exam in the Summer Term (75%).

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Reassessment is by re-examination in August/September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 8 April 2019