PY7186 - Cognitive and Developmental Psychology (2017/18)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2017/18 | ||||||||||||||||
| Module status | DELETED (This module is no longer running) | ||||||||||||||||
| Module title | Cognitive and Developmental Psychology | ||||||||||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 30 | ||||||||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences | ||||||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 300 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2017/18(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module is comprised of two areas: cognitive psychology and developmental psychology. Cognitive psychology focuses on the internal representations and processes underlying perception, attention, memory, language, decision making and problem solving. In developmental psychology students learn how both cognition and social behaviours change throughout the lifespan, including examples of atypical development and applied aspects of developmental psychology. Students are exposed to classic and modern theories, and to research that relates to these theories.
Prior learning requirements
None
Module aims
The first aim of this module is to develop students’ systematic understanding of theories in cognitive psychology, and theories of cognitive and social development throughout the lifespan. The second aim is to facilitate students’ ability to think critically about these theories, especially in the context of empirical evidence. A third aim is to develop students’ skills in locating primary sources, and to read, understand, critically evaluate and accurately communicate the relevant information.
Syllabus
Topics will be drawn from: attention, judgement, decision making, perception, semantic memory, working memory, language comprehension, language production, speech perception, and the development of language, development of theory of mind, development of memory, understanding the fantasy-reality distinction, education and development, risk and resilience, attachment and parenting, identity, self and gender development.
Learning and teaching
Students will gain core knowledge and understanding of the topics through lectures, but deeper understanding, evaluation and skill development will be promoted through directed study of recommended reading material, seminars, and online resources.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will:
1) possess systematic in-depth knowledge and critical awareness of a range of core topic areas and related research in developmental and cognitive psychology;
2) have comprehensive knowledge and critical awareness of a range of different research methods used in cognitive and developmental psychology;
3) be able to summarise and evaluate critically theoretical developments in cognitive and developmental psychology in the light of empirical evidence.
Assessment strategy
The two areas (cognitive psychology and developmental psychology) are separately and equally assessed. Each is assessed through a piece of coursework and one long-essay question in an unseen examination. Both pieces of assessment address all learning outcomes.
Bibliography
Baddeley, A, Eysenck, M. and Anderson, M. (2009). Memory. Hove: Psychology Press.
Goldstein, E. B. (2008). Cognitive Psychology. Belmont, Ca, USA: Thomson Wadsworth.
Hardman, D. (2009). Judgment and decision making. Oxford: Blackwell.
Harley, T. (2008). The psychology of language (3rd ed.). Hove: Psychology Press.
Quinlan, P. & Dyson, B. (2008). Cognitive Psychology. Harlow, Essex, UK: Pearson.
Croker, S. (2012). The Development of Cognition. Hampshire: Cengage Learning.
Gillibrand, R., Lam, V., & O’Donnell, V. (2011). Developmental Psychology. Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Harris, P. (2003) The Work of the Imagination. Oxford: Blackwell,
Smith, P.K., Cowie, H., & Blades, M. (2003) Understanding Children’s Development (5th Edition). Blackwell.