Cognitive Psychology and Perception, 9 credits

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student has achieved the following:

Perception and Cognitive Psychology, 9 credits
Knowledge and understanding:
The student can:

• account for theories, fundamental methods, and research central to cognitive psychology,
• identify and describe cognitive psychology as a scientific, experimental, and interdisciplinary field,
• describe the cognitive processes involved in attention, memory, language and communication, thinking, and judgements,
• account for the difference between sensation and perception as well as how sensory and perceptual processes shape our experience of reality,
• identify and describe important theories and/or rules which can impact our sensory and perceptual processes,
• describe the sensory and perceptual processes involved in visual perception, auditory perception, olfactory perception, time perception, motion perception, depth perception, and false perception,
• describe theories and aspects central to pattern recognition.

Skills and abilities:
The student can:

• demonstrate skills in assessing cognitive abilities,
• account for how cognitive processes is expressed and applied in everyday life,
• demonstrate skills in assessing perceptual abilities,
• account for how perceptual processes is expressed and applied in everyday life,
• plan, conduct, discuss, and present an experiment in cognitive psychology.

Values and attitudes:
The student can:

• read, understand, and critically review scientific literature within the field,
• understand and utilize the scientific and technical vocabulary as well as synthesize information from different sources,
• present a professional approach and scientific view in group discussions as well as in writing.

Content

This course provides an introduction to perceptual and cognitive psychology, with a focus on attention, memory, language and communication, problem solving, decision making and judgement, and sensory and perceptual processes. The main focus will be on understanding basic psychological processes. Part of the course includes conducting an experiment.

Examinations and grades

Cognitive Psychology 1, 5 credits (Code: A005)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Cognitive Psychology 2, 1 credits (Code: A006)
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Perception 1, 3 credits (Code: A007)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Perception 2 (Code: A008)
Grades used are Participated (DT).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

In accordance with university regulations on grading systems for first and second-cycle courses and study programmes (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades is to be used: fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG). For courses included in an international master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the A to F grading scale is to be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by them, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds for doing so.

The grades used on this course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Comments on grades

To obtain a passing grade for the course as a whole, a minimum of grade E, or G where applicable, is required for all components on the course. To arrive at a course grade, the grades awarded for each examination assignment, grades A-E, are first converted to the numerical values 5-1. An average value is then calculated, also taking into account the number of credits for each module in relation to the total number of credits for the course. The course grade is thus awarded by means of a weighted average of the examination assignments included on the course.

Modes of assessment

Cognitive Psychology 1, 5 credits (Code: A005)
Written exam

Cognitive Psychology 2, 1 credits (Code: A006)
Oral examination and Written assignment

Perception 1, 3 credits (Code: A007)
Written exam

Perception 2,(Code: A008)
Oral examination
Attendance and performance is compulsory. Absence from this examination may be compensated through attendance at a follow-up seminar and/or complementary assignments provided by the course director.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other modes of assessment.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

Specific entry requirements

Psychology, Basic Course, 30 credits

For further information, see the university's admission regulations.

Other provisions

The course is given in English.

A person who has been admitted to and registered on a course has the right to receive teaching and/or supervision during the time specified for the course to which the applicant has been admitted (see the University's admission regulations). After that, the right to teaching and/or supervision ceases.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Transitional provisions

Course / module that has been discontinued or significantly changed in its content or scope can be examined on three occasions within 18 months after the change has been implemented. After that, the exam takes place according to a new syllabus.

Reading list and other learning resources

Required Reading

Ashcraft, Mark H. & Radvansky, Gabriel A., 2014/latest edition
Cognition
Pearson Education Limited

Holt, Nigel, Bremner, Andy, Sutherland, Ed, Vliek, Michael, Passer, Michael & Smith, Ronald, 2019/latest edition
Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behaviour
McGraw-Hill Education

Additional comments to the reading list
Additional reading such as scientific articles might be added.
If a more recent edition of a required book is available, the latest edition is normally recommended. More information about literature and reading instructions may be found in the study guide provided by the instructor.