COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY (ONLINE) - 2024/5

Module Overview

This module will provide an introduction to the major topics and issues within cognitive psychology. This will be done through a series of asynchronous and synchronous sessions, which will provide you as a students with an opportunity to integrate your developing knowledge of cognitive psychology with academic skills relating to cognitive research methods. Specifically, we will discuss and evaluate key issues in the areas of language, memory, attention and thinking, all in relation to humans as processors of information.

Module provider

SOL - Psychology

Module Leader

JAYES Lewis (Psychology)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

We will discuss theories and findings related to key cognitive topic areas, beginning with an historical and conceptual overview. We will focus on attention and selection, short- and long-term memory, concepts and categories, thinking and problem solving, and language. During synchronous sessions, you will have an an opportunity to discuss practical applications and contemporary issues.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate each of the learning outcomes.

The summative assessments for this module consist of:

Online MCQ Examination (30%)

You will complete an online MCQ approximately halfway through the semester

Coursework Essay (2000 words, 70%)

You will be asked to write a critical evaluation of a contemporary issue within cognitive psychology, taking into account multiple domains of cognition. This will require you to read and critically evaluate research.

The MCQ exam assesses the extent to which you have met learning outcomes 1, 2 and 4, by asking you about key aspects of prominent theories, key issues with different techniques and theories and to identify to similarities and differences between different domains of psychology.

The coursework assesses the extent to which you have met module outcomes 1-4 by asking to consider the nature of a contemporary issue in cognitive psychology and how this differs between different domains of cognition. This will also require you to discuss the implications of research articles and synthesise them together.

Formative assessment and feedback

You will participate in regular interactive discussions within lecture sessions that involve group-level or individual formative feedback (e.g., on your understanding of a topic or your ability to critically evaluate a theory).

Formative Feedback will also be provided through weekly online quizzes and guided learning activities, designed to monitor develop learning from the lectures and tutorials.

Module aims

• Introduce you to the most important topics and issues within cognitive psychology
• Integrate this knowledge with an understanding of key experimental techniques used within cognitive psychology
• Develop the necessary skills to evaluate research in cognitive psychology by employing evidence-based reasoning

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Give you familiarity with the theories of key figures in cognitive psychology.


• Provide you with foundational knowledge required to describe key theories.


• Give you the digital literacy skills to evaluate different perspective and the empirical evidence that tests them.


• Provide you with the resourcefulness to critically discuss the implications of key findings relating to cognitive psychology.

• Recorded lectures delivering core content, to develop your understanding of key theories and evidence,


• Synchronous online seminars that includes interactive discussions about theories/issues introduced in lectures and reading and provide support and feedback on the coursework assessment.


• Guided learning activities each week to develop your skills in reading and critically analysing journal articles, identifying research questions, evaluating different cognitive research techniques and argument development,


• Formative quizzes each week to support and guide your learning and understanding of topics,


• Independent study, comprised of: reading is provided each week, typically including a textbook chapter or core paper each week, consolidate learning and prepare for assessments,


• Edex Canvas will be a key resource for supplementary materials and discussions. Using this platform will further develop your digital capabilities,

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: PSYM167

Other information

Surrey’s Curriculum Framework is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills and capabilities in the following areas:

Digital Capabilities

You as a student will be provided with opportunities to develop your digital literacy, including evaluating different psychological theories, articles, their validity and practical use. This should also lead to the development of research skills, as you apply heir knowledge about human cognition.

Resourcefulness and resilience

You are encouraged to engage in discussions during tutorials and group exercises. This active engagement allows you the opportunity to develop confidence discussing academic research within cognitive psychology.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2024/5 academic year.