University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 10

ECTS credits : 5

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Available to General Degree students with permission of the Psychology Honours Adviser

Planned timetable: Lectures: Thursdays 9- 11; Workshops: Thursdays one of 2-3, 3-4, 4-5 (Module runs in Weeks 7 - 11 only)

The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of human cognitive processes. Topic areas covered include, for example, attention, memory, reasoning, and decision making. Emphasis will be placed on the development of the skill of critical evaluation of evidence and theory. Lectures will be accompanied by seminars in which the link between experimental paradigms, empirical data, and theory will be critically discussed.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass PS2002

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 x 2-hour lecture per week (weeks 7 - 11) and 3 x 1-hour seminar spread over weeks 7 - 11.

Scheduled learning hours: 13

Guided independent study hours: 87

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 1.5-hour Written Examination = 100%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 100%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 0%

Re-assessment: Written Examination = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr T Otto
Module teaching staff: Dr T Otto

Intended learning outcomes

• develop an overview of human cognitive processes including attention, reasoning, and decision-making
• demonstrate knowledge of experimental paradigms that test cognition with behavioural experiments
• demonstrate understanding of how computational models can be used to investigate cognition
• make a valid scientific argument using conditional reasoning