Cognitive Psychology and Perception, 9 credits

Learning outcomes

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

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

• defines and describes the concepts of cognition, sensation, and perception,
• names and identifies different aspects of human perception, such as the perception of color, the perception of sound, object recognition, auditory scene analysis, attention, and false perceptions,
• describes basic sensory processes and sensory systems involved in human perception,
• describes basic research methods central to the study of sensation, perception, and attention,
• names and identifies different aspects of memory, language, and higher cognitive processes (for example, reasoning, decision making, and problem-solving),
• describes and compares prominent theories about memory, language, and higher cognitive processes,
• describes basic research methods central to the study of memory, language, and higher cognitive processes,
• discuss intercultural differences in perception and cognition.

Skills and abilities:
The student:

• applies knowledge on sensation, perception, and attention to everyday situations,
• applies knowledge on memory, language, and higher cognitive processes to everyday situations,
• uses behavioral tasks to investigate cognitive processes, discusses and presents the results.

Values and attitudes:
The student:

• evaluates relevant scientific studies in the field of perception and cognitive psychology,
• integrates the selected research articles into the study materials of the course,
• demonstrates a professional and scientific approach in group discussions and in writing.

Content

This course introduces the fields of perception and cognitive psychology. The course is divided into two modules: Perception (3 credits) focuses on different aspects of human sensation, perception, and attention, and Cognition (6 credits) concentrates on memory, language, and higher-order cognition such as reasoning, decision-making, and problem solving. The course includes classic and new insights in the studied fields, as well as examples from experiments and real life. The focus is on understanding basic psychological processes.

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
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.

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.

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.