Course Title: Cognitive Psychology

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Cognitive Psychology

Credit Points: 12.00

Important Information:

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.


Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BESC1175

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015

BESC1176

City Campus

Postgraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015

BESC1177

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015

BESC1178

City Campus

Undergraduate

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2016

BESC1178

City Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 2 2022

BESC1542

RMIT University Vietnam

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Viet3 2022

Course Coordinator: Marcel Takac

Course Coordinator Phone: +6139925

Course Coordinator Email: marcel.takac@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Bundoora West

Course Coordinator Availability: appointment request via email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

System Enforced Pre-requisites (Enforced by SAMS)

 


Course Description

This course will introduce you to the theory, research and methods underlying modern cognitive psychology. The emphasis throughout is on the potential application of cognitive psychological research. The course is topic-based and canvasses underlying cognitive processes (e.g., memory, attention, perception) as well as more complex, high-level procedures, such as problem solving, intelligence and decision making. You will consider the following  four areas during this course:

  1. essential background material on the historical traditions of modern cognitive psychology and a top down view of modern cognitive theory;
  2. review of research and theory on basic cognitive processes, such as memory, attention, and perception;
  3. information on a number of topics related to the manipulation and application of cognitive information, such as language, problem solving, decision making, and intelligence; and
  4. consideration of several "real world" applications of cognitive psychology.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the development of the following Program Learning Outcomes for BP 154 Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology):

  • PLO 1:  Understand appropriate and relevant fundamental and applied evidence based knowledge and undertake lifelong learning to improve personal and professional practice 
  • PLO 2: Demonstrate a capacity to employ a variety of approaches and procedures to research to permit judgements and decisions to be supported by appropriate evidence that places practice within a global and local context.
  • PLO 3:  Applies knowledge to diagnose and solve problems in a wide range of diverse situations, with an ability to work independently or with others and incorporate the analysis of evidence based scientific literature to solve psychological problems.
  • PLO 4: Engage in dialogue with a diverse range of people and communicate in a broad range of forms (written, electronic, graphic, oral) to meet the circumstances of the situation and the capabilities of the audience.
  • PLO 5: Maintains tolerance and respect for individuals and  groups from diverse backgrounds, holding diverse values, adhering to professional expectations and demonstrating ethical behaviour.


On successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Discuss the importance of cognitive psychology within the broader context of scientific psychology and other associated areas of study.
  2. Review the key theories and research underlying the basic content areas of cognitive psychology.
  3. Describe and critically evaluate the most important applications of cognitive psychological research and theory.
  4. Identify and elaborate key findings from neuroscience in cases where important contributions to cognitive psychology have been made.
  5. Explain the practical and theoretical skills underlying several major methods for conducting cognitive psychological research, both in and out of the laboratory.


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities include a combination of lectures, tutorials, and practical sessions held either on-campus and/or online to accommodate to a blended learning environment. Lectures allow you to acquire a framework of relevant knowledge and an understanding of underlying theoretical/conceptual material. Your tutorial exercises will engage you in a critical analysis of relevant knowledge and underlying theoretical/conceptual material. You are expected to develop responsibility for a synthesis of knowledge and problem-solving skills as either an individual or within a group.

Assessments are designed to foster a critical understanding of the core learning outcomes in the course.


Overview of Learning Resources

Additional learning resources are located via the Part B course guide and Canvas course pages. These include supplemental learning activities, online resources, practical tasks and case scenarios, as well as other useful resources.


Overview of Assessment

Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Audio Podcast
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 4 & 5.

Assessment Task 2: Individual Assessment Task - Critical Essay
Weighting 45%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5.

Assessment Task 3: Group Assessment Task - Group Poster
Weighting 25%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 3, 4 & 5.