Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychology is the scientific study of the processes by which we acquire, store, transform, and use information. The main topics in this field are pattern recognition, attention, memory, knowledge, language, problem-solving, and decision making. This course is an introduction to the major phenomena, methods, concepts, principles, and theories that make up the field of cognitive psychology.

PSYC 1101 or PSYC 1101H with a grade of C or higher 

1. Understand well-established theories of cognitive domains including attention, memory, perception, spatial cognition/imagery, concepts/categories, problem-solving, reasoning, and decision-making.

2. Understand how the study of cognition for special populations (e.g., individuals with amnesia or dementia, normal elderly individuals, developing individuals etc.) can enhance the understanding of normal cognitive processes.

3. Understand how the study of Neuroscience can enhance the understanding of normal cognitive processes as studied behaviorally.

4. Understand the scientific methodologies used in cognitive psychology.

1. Goldstein, E.B. & Hale, R.G. (2026). Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research, and Everyday Experience, 6th edition. Cengage Publishing.  ISBN: 9798214143385 

2. Quiroga, R. Q. (2017). The Forgetting Machine: Memory, Perception, and the Jennifer Aniston Neuron. BenBella Books. ISBN: 978-1944648541

Activities (10% of overall grade)

Throughout the semester, we will complete in-class and at-home activities and assignments designed to improve understanding and application of concepts. You will get credit for completing these activities. In-class activities cannot be made up; therefore, your consistent attendance is important. At-home activities will be turned in on D2L unless told otherwise. See D2L for these due dates.

Guided Reading Journal (10% of overall grade)

On D2L you will find a set of Guided Reading Journal questions for each of our required text for this class. Each set of questions will be due by a specific date. You should complete the questions for the assigned portion prior to the due date and turn them in on D2L. It is recommended that these questions be completed while reading these sections as a way to guide your reading. We will discuss these topics during class, and it will help you during class if you have notes or a highlighted copy of the text with you. There may be multiple ways to answer some of these questions. They will be graded based on effort, professionalism, and accuracy. A copy (physical or electronic) of your responses should be brought with you to class to aid in discussion and activities. You cannot work on these journals with your peers; they must be completed on your own. The audio versions of these texts may make completing the readings and these journals easier.

Exams (45% of overall grade)

There will be three exams, one for each module. Exams will be proctored using Respondus LockDown Browser on D2L + a webcam. Click here to download the latest version of LockDown Browser. To begin the exam, go to Quizzes on D2L. Click on the quiz; then click Launch LockDown Browser. The startup sequence will take a couple minutes. You will need to do a webcam check, read some instructions, take a photo of yourself, take a photo of your UNG student ID, complete an environment check, complete a facial detection check, and then take the exam. The purpose of this startup sequence is explained in the following instructions: “During this exam, you shouldn't access other resources (a phone, tablet, notes, books, etc.) or communicate with other people. Please stay in your seat and focus on the computer screen until the exam is complete. If an interruption occurs, briefly explain what happened by speaking directly to your webcam. And, finally, remember that you cannot exit the exam until all questions are completed and submitted it for grading.” 

You have two attempts per exam, and the exams are timed. Each exam consists of 40 questions, and you will have 60-minute to complete it. The second attempt includes only the questions missed from the first attempt. Exams cannot be made up. The final exam will replace your lowest exam, as long as it is higher than a previous exam. 

Final Exam (15% of overall grade)

A cumulative final exam will also take place on D2L. This exam will be due by the end of the day on our scheduled final exam day. Format will be identical to previous exams--except there will be 100 questions and 120 minutes to complete it. You will still have two attempts, with only the missed items present on the second attempt. Students with a 90.0% or higher average for the first four exams are exempt from taking the final exam. 

Review Paper (15% of overall grade)

Throughout this semester, you will prepare for and write a research review paper on a cognitive psychological topic of your choice. Full instructions for this project are on D2L and should be read carefully. 

Review Paper Presentation (5% of overall grade)

During the scheduled final exam period, you will present your review paper topic and findings. Your presentation should summarize the main points of your review paper. You must prepare a single PowerPoint slide (or similar, e.g., PDF). You CANNOT have more than one slide. The slide CANNOT have animations. Instead, think of it as a virtual poster. You will have three minutes for your presentation.  Your grade will be based on quality of your visual aid, preparedness and professionalism, time management, and content. 

> 90.0% = A

80.0 - 89.9% = B

70.0 - 79.9% = C

60.0 - 69.9% = D

< 60.0 = F

MODULE 1: ENTRY OF INFORMATION

Week 1:  Syllabus; History of cognitive psychology (Chap. 1)

Week 2: Cognitive neuroscience (Chap. 2)

Week 3: Sensation & perception (Chap. 3) // Guided Reading Journal 1 due

Week 4: Sensation & perception (continued)

Week 5: Attention (Chap. 4) // Guided Reading Journal 2 due // Exam 1

MODULE 2: STORING INFORMATION

Week 6: Short-term & working memory (Chap. 5)

Week 7: Long-term memory (Chap. 6) // Guided Reading Journal 3 due

Week 8: Encoding, retrieval, & consolidation (Chap. 7)

Week 9: Everyday memory & memory errors (Chap. 8)

Week 10: Chapters 5-8 (continued) // Exam 2

MODULE 3: USING INFORMATION

Week 11: Conceptual knowledge (Chap. 9) // Paper outline due (optional)

Week 12: Visual imagery (Chap. 10)

Week 13: Language (Chap. 11)

Week 14: Problem solving & creativity (Chap. 12)

Week 15: Judgement, decisions, & reasoning (Chap. 13) // Exam 3

FINALS

Final Paper due by Monday of finals week

Final Exam due by end of day on our final exam date (unless exempt)

Presentations take place during final exam period