Module manager: Dr Ed Sutherland
Email: e.j.sutherland@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
BSc Psychology or MPsyc, BSc Advanced Psychology or BA Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Thought, or BSs Psychology with Education programme entry requirements.
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module will provide introduction to cognitive psychology and basic cognitive processes. We will aim to provide students with some history and development of cognitive psychology, and associated research methodologies, in order to place the topic in the context of psychology more generally. In addition to this we will cover core areas of cognitive psychology in order to provide a solid grounding in the area and to prepare students for further advanced study at Level 2. Key topics that we will cover in this module are: attention and divided attention; short and long term memory systems as well as semantic memory and the representation of concepts; high level mental activities such as thinking, reasoning and problem solving; the impact of emotion on cognition, and its attendant difficulties as a research area and finally the notion of consciousness - what does it mean and how, if at all, can we study such a nebulous concept?
- This module aims to provide an overview of key concepts in cognitive psychology.
- The module will be taught by a team of experts in the subject.
- Students will be introduced to a range of information within this discipline with particular emphasis on the research expertise of the module team.
- The module will introduce students to presentation skills.
This module will introduce students to the basic theory, research findings and methods of investigation in cognitive psychology.
On completion, students should be able to describe the important theories and research findings in cognitive psychology and
discuss the theories and key findings covered in the course.
- Students will be introduced to the issues associated with integrating theory and empirical data.
- Students will be able to apply theory and research to real world issues at a basic level.
1. Introduction to Module and History of Cognitive Psychology. Definition of Cognition, Practical applications, History, Pioneers, The development of psychology, the scientific method, Approaches to cognitive Psychology
2. Presentation Skills
3. Attention: Focused attention, selective attention, sustained and divided attention.
4. Psychology of multitasking
5. Memory: Introduction to short term and long term memory.
6. Semantic Memory and Concepts: This lecture discusses the forms in which knowledge may be represented and used in memory and thinking.
7. Thinking and reasoning: Inductive and deductive reasoning, Conditional reasoning, Human performance on reasoning, Abstract Rule theory
8. Problem solving
9. Emotion and Cognition: Introduction to the cognitive approach of emotions, emotion-memory interactions and emotion-attention interactions
10. Consciousness
11. Review: Presentation of the main concepts, Practice Multiple Choice Questions for each lecture.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| In Course Assessment | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Tutorial | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Private study hours | 87.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 12.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
10 x 5 hours preparation for and revision after each lecture
1 x 3 hours preparation for group oral presentation
1 x 7 hours practice MCQs
1 x 27.5 hours exam revision
Students will be expected to undertake an Internet based learning exercise, which will include practice MCQs.
In week 11, a review lecture, including practice MCQ questions, will provide students with an opportunity to begin preparation for their exam.
During the tutorial students will deliver an oral presentation to demonstrate their understanding of a selected topic.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | . | 0 |
| In-course MCQ | . | 0 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 0 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team