Module Code: H8PTHNK
Long Title Psychology of Thinking
Title Advanced Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience
Module Level: LEVEL 8
EQF Level: 6
EHEA Level: First Cycle
Credits: 5
Module Coordinator: Philip Hyland
Module Author: Rebecca Maguire
Departments:  
Specifications of the qualifications and experience required of staff  
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Outline and appraise a number of diverse research methodologies employed in the study of human thought and cognition
LO2 Critically evaluate research within specialised aspects of cognition such as consciousness, knowledge representation, and creativity.
LO3 Demonstrate how research in neuroscience and neuropsychology can enhance understanding of human thought within a multidisciplinary framework
LO4 Critically evaluate how research in cognition can be applied in a range of situational contexts
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is required before enrolment on this module. While the prior learning is expressed as named NCI module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Entry requirements  
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Understanding cognition
• Definitions and conceptions of thinking • Multidisciplinary research in cognition – cognitive psychology vs. cognitive science • Philosophical roots to studying cognition • Research techniques in the study of cognition • Eye-tracking technology and its applications
Knowledge representation
• The nature and importance of representations in cognitive science • Classical view – the symbolic approach to cognition • Cognitive modelling: the use of artificial intelligence • Connectionist, embodied and dynamic approaches
Reasoning and decision making
• Are people rational? Considering theories in reasoning and decision making • Research findings in reasoning and decision making • Applications: behavioural economics and behaviour change interventions
Consciousness
• Philosophical perspectives of consciousness • Theories of consciousness • Varying states of consciousness • Neuroscience of consciousness
Creativity
• Types of creativity • Cognitive basis of creativity - the role of knowledge • Nonscientific basis of creativity
Cognition and emotion
• Relationship between emotion and cognition • Influence of anxiety, stress and mood on cognition • The context of cognition: social influences
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Coursework
Assessment Type: Continuous Assessment % of total: 100
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 1,2,3,4
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
This will typically involve three components: • Class participation: students will be posed questions on an ongoing basis relating to course content using clicker technology (20%) • Poster presentation: students are required to design and present a poster examining a specialist aspect of cognition (40%) • In-class essay: students prepare an answer for a choice of known essay titles and complete this in class (40%)
No End of Module Assessment
No Workplace Assessment
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat the module
The assessment of this module is inextricably linked to the delivery. The student must reattend the module in its entirety in order to be reassessed.

NCIRL reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Module Target Workload Hours 0 Hours
Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture No Description 24 Every Week 24.00
Independent Learning No Description 101 Once per semester 8.42
Total Weekly Contact Hours 24.00
 

Module Resources

Recommended Book Resources
  • Jay Daniels Friedenberg, Dr. Gordon Silverman. (2013), Cognitive Science, Sage Publications, Inc, p.544, [ISBN: 9781412977616].
  • Michael S. Gazzaniga, editor-in-chief; section editors, Emilio Bizzi... [et al.]. (2011), The cognitive neurosciences, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass., [ISBN: 9780262013413].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Gazzaniga, M., Ivry, R.B. & Mangun, G.R.. (2013), Cognitive Neuroscience: The biology of the mind., 4th. Horton, New York, [ISBN: 978-0-393-912].
  • Christian Jarrett. (2013), Great Myths of the Brain, Wiley, [ISBN: 9781118312].
  • Bradley R. Postle. (2015), Essentials of Cognitive Neuroscience, Wiley, [ISBN: 9781118468].
  • V.S. Ramachandran, Sandra Blakeslee, Oliver Sacks (Foreword). Phantoms in the Brain, Fourth Estate, p.384, [ISBN: 1857028953].
  • Oliver W. Sacks. Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, Picador USA, p.256, [ISBN: 0330523627].
  • Anderson. (2015), Cognitive Psychology and Its Implications, 8th. MacMillian, [ISBN: 1-4641-4891-0].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
Discussion Note: