Cognitive Psychology

PSYC

306

Cognitive Psychology

This course provides an introduction to the field of Cognitive Psychology, scientific study of the structure and function of mental processes. This course will focus on how we acquire and process knowledge/information, from the moment the outside world stimulates our senses to the moment we solve a problem or make a decision and act. We will study memory, language, reading, and writing, thinking (reasoning, problem solving, concept formation), attention, and pattern recognition. Our discussion will touch on specific topics such as false, repressed and recovered memories, the effects of brain damage on cognition, bilingualism, communication with other species, language disorders, decision-making and expertise, gambling, artificial intelligence, and cognitive abilities over the life span. The effects of emotion and motivation in cognition will also be discussed. Students will, from time to time, participate in hands-on and computer-based demonstrations, simulations and experiments illustrating the fundamental phenomena and methods used in the field. Although some prior experience with computers is expected, students will be shown how to use the comput

Fall, Spring

Undergraduate

Yes

019620