PSYC3300
10 units
3000 level
Course handbook
Description
Cognitive Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and mental processes from an information-processing perspective. It is a growing field that has many exciting applications to our day-to-day life. Cognitive Psychology asks how people receive information from the environment (perception), store it (memory), and use it to make decisions, solve problems, and communicate. The course covers contemporary theories and models in selected topics of cognitive psychology. It then identifies real-life problems in these areas, and presents applied approaches for testing and solving these problems. In the application phase students will gain hands-on skills in experimental design, data-collection, and data-analysis, all aimed at addressing real-life problems. The course is made of four successive modules: - Information processing, cognitive workload and capacity (theory and applications) - Special topics in the application of cognition across the life span - Applied decision making (e.g., consumer choices, choices among multiple health programs) - Applying mathematical and computational models to cognitive science
Availability2024 Course Timetables
Callaghan
- Semester 2 - 2024
Ourimbah
- Semester 2 - 2024
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. explain theories of cognitive workload, and methods for its assessment;
2. explain theories of cognition across the life span, and methods for testing selected theories;
3. explain theories of and models of decision making and methods for their assessment;
4. explain in general terms (i.e., without a formal notation) selected mathematical and computational models used cognitive science, and methods for model selection and fitting
5. Identify real-life relevant problems, design appropriate methods to examine each problem and communicate these effectively in written form, to non-expert audience
Content
- contemporary theories and models in selected topics of cognitive science
- identifying real-life problems in the four selected cognitive science areas
- presenting applied approaches for testing and solving these problems
- analysing and reporting data to inform hypothetical consumers
Assumed knowledge
Students should have successfully completed PSYC2300 and STAT1070.
Assessment items
Written Assignment: Written assignment 1
Written Assignment: Written assignment 2
Written Assignment: Written assignment 3
Written Assignment: Written assignment 4
Contact hours
Semester 2 - 2024 - Callaghan
Lecture-1
- Face to Face On Campus 3 hour(s) per week(s) for 13 week(s) starting in week 1
Semester 2 - 2024 - Ourimbah
Lecture-1
- Face to Face On Campus 3 hour(s) per week(s) for 13 week(s) starting in week 1
Course outline
- PSYC3300 - Semester 2, 2023 (All) (PDF, 270.3 KB)
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.