Course overview
This course builds on the course components of the biological bases of behaviour, perception, and cognition studied in Psychology IA and Psychology IB. The aim of this course is to build a solid foundation in both perception and cognition. Students will examine how the brain processes sensory information to create a coherent representation of the environment and to allow individuals to perform daily activities. Students will explore the visual system from the simple detection of light to using visual information to control movements and will examine topics in cognition such as attention, memory, concept learning, judgement and decision making, and language. The focus will be upon understanding basic principles and theories as well as their potential application to real world problems such as eyewitness testimony, autobiographical memory, language development and problem solving. Previous or concurrent enrolment in PSYCHOL 2004 - Doing Research in Psychology is assumed.
Course learning outcomes
- Define and distinguish the methods used by cognitive psychologists and psychophysicists to understand human behaviour
- Explain key mechanisms and define key theories within the sub-fields of perception, memory, decision making and language
- Develop and define testable hypotheses based on theories of cognition and perception
- Assess support for hypotheses using data generated by experimental investigations of cognition and perception.
- Summarise key findings from research in perception and cognition
- Relate everyday experiences and behaviour to explanations based on scientific knowledge generated by the field of perception and cognition.
- Understand and present the results of a literature review, results of an experimental investigation and conclusions based on experimental research.
- Use correct APA format for presentation and referencing (APA 7th Edn.)
- Understand the strengths and limitations of research methodologies used in perception and cognition, including cultural and ethical considerations.
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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.