COGM002 Cognitive Psychology
Annotation:
This course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of topics related to the information-processing mechanisms of the brain, including perception, attention, memory, conceptual knowledge, and emotions. Knowledge of these basic cognitive processes is then applied in understanding higher mental processes such as problem-solving, risk evaluation and decision-making.
Lecturers:
Assoc. Prof. Penka Hristova, PhD
Asst. Prof. Kiril Kostov, PhD
Course Description:
Competencies:
Students who complete this course:
1) will know:
• the organization of basic cognitive functions from an information processing perspective;
• theories of cognition from diverse fields of study, including neuroscience, neuropsychology, evolutionary psychology, and behavioral economics;
• methodologies used in the study of cognition.
2) will be able to:
• describe and discuss important experimental findings and basic processes from central aspects of cognition such as attention perception, memory, language, thinking, reasoning, judgement and decision making;
• apply the use of traditional research designs in cognitive psychology (e.g., reaction time) to understand mental events.
Prerequisites:
None
Types:
Full-time Programmes
Types of Courses:
Lecture
Language of teaching:
English
Topics:
- Basic functional anatomy
- Perception (part 1)
- Perception (part 2)
- Attention
- Language
- Hemispheric asymmetry
- Memory (part 1)
- Memory (part 2)
- Emotions
- Executive functions
- Midterm exam
- Organization of knowledge
- Problem-solving
- Decision-making
- Oral presentations and discussion
Bibliography:
• Goldstein, B. (2018). Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research and Everyday Experience, 5thEdition. Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
• Reisberg, D. (2005). Cognition (3rd ed.). W. W. Norton & Co.
Assessment:
• 3 short tests – 30%
• Midterm exam – 30%
• Written assignment – 20%
• Oral presentation – 20%