Overview

This unit provides students with an understanding of the workings of the human mind and its relation to behaviour. Students will gain an awareness and knowledge of the main theories of cognition and human performance. Students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of practical exercises where they can apply their theoretical knowledge to practical situations and demonstrations. This unit will help students develop their understanding of key theories and research methods in cognitive psychology, and adapt skills learned in previous studies to the analysis and communication of contemporary problems in the area.

Requisites

Prerequisites
PSY70010 Introduction to Research Methods
PSY70011 Brain and Behaviour
PSY70012 Fundamentals of Psychology
STA70006 Foundations of Statistics

Rules

Pre-requisite
PSY70010 Introduction to Research Methods
AND
PSY70011 Brain and Behaviour
AND
PSY70012 Fundamentals of Psychology
AND
STA70006 Foundations of Statistics

Teaching Periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Teaching Period 1
Location
Online
Start and end dates
11-March-2024
09-June-2024
Last self-enrolment date
24-March-2024
Census date
05-April-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
26-April-2024
Results released date
02-July-2024
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Start and end dates
04-November-2024
09-February-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-November-2024
Census date
29-November-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
27-December-2024
Results released date
04-March-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Explain the evolution of contemporary cognitive psychology
  • Evaluate the major theoretical and biological underpinnings of human perception, attention, memory, reasoning, language, and learning
  • Compare and critique the different methodologies used in contemporary cognitive psychology, including neuroscience and cognitive science approaches
  • Apply and evaluate theories and principles of cognitive psychology to situations that arise in everyday life
  • Critically evaluate contemporary research articles published by leading cognitive psychologists
  • Analyse, synthesise, and present findings from cognitive research in an appropriate manner

Teaching methods

Swinburne Online

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Live Online
Class
1.00 4 weeks 4
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning
12.17 12 weeks 146
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Assignment 1Individual 25% 4,5,6 
Assignment 2Individual 40% 2,3,5,6 
Assignment 3Individual 35% 1,2,3,5 

Content

  • Theories of cognitive functioning and processes
  • Perception
  • Attention
  • Memory
  • Problem-solving
  • Decision-making
  • Language
  • Learning

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.