Introductory Cognitive and Biological Psychology

This course provides a foundation for understanding the cognitive and biological bases of human behaviour, including the role of the brain and neural processes in behaviour, perception (how the senses allow you to see, hear, taste, touch and smell the world around you), conditioning and learning (how humans and other animals learn about their environment), cognition and memory (how people think, solve problems and remember). Drawing on various research traditions in experimental psychology, this course demonstrates how cognitive and biological psychology contributes to our knowledge of human well-being and performance. Students apply this knowledge through a series of practical in-class exercises.

The focus of this course, Introductory Cognitive and Biological Psychology (1001PSY) as one of the key introductory psychology courses, is on providing an opportunity for students to develop an understanding of psychology as a science, and of the important foundational knowledge and skills required for the study of psychology. The content of the course comes from studies of basic mental processes such as perception, learning, memory, and of the physiological processes that underpin them. In particular, it aims to provide (1) a basic grounding in topics in Cognitive and Biological Psychology, (2) first-hand experience in applying the methods of scientific observation of human behaviour. The first objective is the focus of the lecture program, and the second objective is the focus of the tutorial/laboratory program.

The focus of this course, Introductory Cognitive and Biological Psychology (1001PSY) as one of the key introductory psychology courses, is on providing an opportunity for students to develop an understanding of psychology as a science, and of the important foundational knowledge and skills required for the study of psychology. The content of the course comes from studies of basic mental processes such as perception, learning, memory, and of the physiological processes that underpin them. In particular, it aims to provide (1) a basic grounding in topics in Cognitive and Biological Psychology, (2) first-hand experience in applying the method of scientific observation of human behaviour. The first objective is the main focus of the lecture program, and the second objective is the main focus of the tutorial program.

Note: 1001PSY is a first-level core course in psychology programs. It prepares students for the second level core courses such as Cognition, Memory and Learning and Biological Psychology, and for advanced study in specialized courses such as Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Cognitive Neuroscience.

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

1 demonstrate information literacy skills (i.e., written communication, literature search and review skills) required to examine and communicate psychological research.

2 critically evaluate the evidence upon which the theories of cognitive and biological psychology are based;

3 understand the key themes, theory and research in cognitive and biological psychology;

4 understand how psychological knowledge can be applied to the understanding and scientific investigation of human behaviour;