PSY 320: Cognitive Psychology

Course Description

This course will focus on an overview of classic and current theory concerning the processing of information by the human mind. Emphasis is placed on the study of higher mental processes such as perception, learning, problem solving, categorization, decision-making, and language. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

  • ENG 101: English Composition 1
  • ENG 102: English Composition 2
  • PSY 101: Psychology (Recommended)

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Analyze how historical ideas evolved into modern cognitive theory.
  2. Apply current theories of cognitive processes to specific scenarios, addressing memory, perception, knowledge representation, decision-making, reasoning, problem solving, and language.
  3. Evaluate cognitive theories, using empirical research studies to identify their strengths and weaknesses.
  4. Identify the limitations of our knowledge of cognitive processes and be familiar with the major issues being debated by researchers in the field.
  5. Research and compile information into a single cohesive document, in accordance with standards established by the American Psychological Association (APA).
  6. Interpret research findings, citing strengths, weaknesses, and possible solutions.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

35%

Mid term Paper (Week 4)

30%

Final Paper (Week 7)

35%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • McBride, Dawn. (2023). Cognitive Psychology. 3rd ed. Sage Publications, Inc. ISBN-10: 1-5443-9834-4 or ISBN-13: 978-1-5443-9834-1

Additional Resources

 

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1

Introduction to Cognitive Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 1 & 2
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit topic for mid term paper

2

2,5

Perception and Attention
  • Readings:
    • Chapters 3 & 4
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit names of article for mid term paper

3

2,6

Memory Structures and Processes
  • Readings:
    • Chapter 5
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit topic for final paper

4

2-6

Long-Term Memory: Influences on Retrieval and Memory Errors

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 6 & 7
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit names of articles for final paper
  • Submit Midterm Paper

5

2

Imagery and Language
  • Readings:
    • Chapters 8 & 9
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions

6

2

Concepts and Knowledge
  • Reading:
    • Chapter 10
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions

7

2-6

Problem Solving
  • Readings:
    • Chapter 11
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Final Paper

8

2

Reasoning and Decision Making
  • Readings:
    • Chapter 15
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Participate in the Discussions

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.