Module manager: Richard Cook
Email: R.Cook@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
None
This module is approved as a discovery module
The study of individuals with neurological injury has revealed crucial insights about the organisation of the mind and brain. This module will explore the pivotal contributions made by these remarkable individuals. We will cover famous historical cases (e.g., Phineas Gauge and ‘HM’) as well as examples from the contemporary neuropsychological literature. Throughout, we will consider how cognitive processes can be affected by brain injury and how psychologists have leveraged these changes to understand the mind.
This module aims to:
• Make students aware of theoretical debates and controversies in cognitive neuropsychology.
• Provide students with key historical context within which contemporary cognitive neuropsychology can be better understood.
• Provide students with knowledge of cognitive, perceptual, and neural mechanisms that underpin key human abilities.
• Equip students with knowledge of how cognitive abilities can be decomposed into different stages and processes.
• Develop students’ analytical skills.
• Equip students with knowledge of how cognitive abilities can differ across individuals.
Teaching will be delivered via lectures
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of neurocognitive mechanisms.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the contribution of neuropsychological patients to the cognitive science literature.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant theoretical debates in cognitive and perceptual psychology.
4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of historical sources and relevant ethical issues.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Ability to retrieve information related to neurocognitive mechanisms, the cognitive science literature, theoretical debates, empirical literatures, historical sources, and relevant ethical issues.
6. Ability to work under pressure and manage a strict time allocation
The module will begin by discussing three well-known historical cases: Phineas Gauge (who survived an accident in which a large iron rod was driven completely through his left frontal lobe), Louis Victor Leborgne (who, following damage to his left frontal cortex, was able to say only one word – ‘Tan’), and Henry Molaison (who was left with severe anterograde amnesia following the removal of his medial temporal lobe). Thereafter, the module will consider more contemporary cases, including Patient SM (who was left ‘fearless’ following bilateral amygdala damage), Patient LM (who was left unable to perceive visual motion following damage to area MT), and Patient DF (who has proved instrumental in the formulation of the two streams theory of human vision). In each case, students will learn about the nature of the brain injury, the resulting changes in the patients’ cognitive profile, and what may be inferred about the organisation of the mind and brain. Where appropriate, we will consider the historical significance of the findings for the field of Psychology its related disciplines.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 90 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 10 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Students will have the opportunity to complete a formative quiz over the Easter holiday. The quiz will be administered and scored via Minerva. To facilitate students’ assessment preparation, the nature of the quiz questions and response format will closely mirror that used in the final exam.
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) (S1) | 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: 08/05/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team