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PSY10040

Academic Year 2024/2025

Introduction to the Psychology of Perception and Cognition (PSY10040)

Subject:
Psychology
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Psychology
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Klaus Kessler
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This course presents an introduction to the fields of Perception and Cognitive Psychology. The study of "perception" is concerned with how we acquire knowledge about the external world through our senses. It examines such questions as: How do we come to experience colours and sounds, tastes and smells, and objects and faces? "Cognitive psychology" explores how our minds work in seeking, storing and using our knowledge of the world, ourselves and other people. It addresses such questions as: How does our memory system work and what goes on in our heads when we imagine something? The objective of the module is to introduce you to the main principles, methods and findings of contemporary psychology as applied to the fields of perception and cognition. To enhance student learning, lecture content is supplemented by video/computer illustrations and class exercises. Copies of all lecture notes are available to registered students on the Blackboard system.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:1. Describe and understand how we acquire, store and use information about the world around us;2. Describe and understand the different research methods used by psychologists to study perception and cognition;3. Identify and think critically about areas of research in perception and cognition which can be applied to everyday problems and issues.

Indicative Module Content:

Key topics include an introduction to the senses in Perception and to key topics in Cognition including attention, memory, problem solving. In both Perception and Cognition students are introduced to the methods used by psychologists to study perception and cognition

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

105
Lectures

20
Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lecture, in-class discussions, self-directed learning of additional reading, links to online materials relevant to lectures

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): In Week 6 you will be required to provide short answers on the content of the first 5 lectures on perception, guided by a set of questions. It will help you reflect on the module content as exam prep. Week 6 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
15
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): In Week 12 you will be required to provide short answers on the content of the lectures on cognition, guided by a set of questions. It will help you reflect on the module content as exam prep Week 12 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
15
 No
Exam (In-person): This will be an and-of-term, in-person exam at the exam centre. It will consist of 60 multiple choice questions (MCQs) that cover the whole module content (perception and cognition). End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
70
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The reflective assignments in weeks 6 and 12, respectively, will be assessed as pass/fail. As part of these assignments students will be encouraged to reflect on their own learning in preparation for the exam. The end-of-term exam will use automated feedback for MCQs.

Name Role
Dr Méadhbh Brosnan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Ciara Greene Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Klaus Kessler Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Mon 12:00 - 13:50
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