CQUniversity Unit Profile
PSYC13016 Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
All details in this unit profile for PSYC13016 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit focuses on cognitive psychology, which is the study of how the mind works. At the end of the unit, you will have a broad understanding of how people attend to and perceive items in our world, how we remember short term and long term information, how we use language and how we make decisions. You will be able to communicate your perspective on the key debates and controversies in cognitive psychology based on your examination of historical and cutting-edge research. You will explore some of the key research findings in the area through planning, executing and writing up a research study.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 3
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

96 credit points in CC43, CF59, CL51, CL55, CC13 or CG93.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2024

Adelaide
Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Report
Weighting: 50%
2. Take Home Exam
Weighting: 40%
3. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 10%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from SUTE and email

Feedback

Students liked the short talk format of the lectures.

Recommendation

Retain the short talk format for lectures.

Feedback from SUTE and email

Feedback

The research focus of the assessments was again very popular.

Recommendation

Retain the research focus of the assessments.

Feedback from SUTE and email

Feedback

Some of the audio on the recordings of the short talks was difficult to hear.

Recommendation

Review and update the short talks as necessary.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Express a broad understanding of the fundamental concepts in cognitive psychology
  2. Communicate a clear, coherent and independent exposition of key research findings and theories in cognitive psychology
  3. Apply research methods used to study cognitive psychology.

This unit addresses Foundational Competencies as specified by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and specifically aligns to:

1.1 Comprehend and apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach, including the following topics: (v) learning and memory; (vi) cognition, language and perception; (vii) motivation and emotion; (viii) neuroscience and the biological bases of behaviour; and (xii) research methods and statistics.

1.3 Analyse and critique theory and research in the discipline of psychology and communicate these in written and oral formats.

1.4 Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate values and ethics in psychology.

1.6 Demonstrate self-directed pursuit of scholarly inquiry in psychology.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Report - 50%
2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 10%
3 - Take Home Exam - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Cognitive Psychology

Edition: 8th (2020)
Authors: Eysenck, M.W. & Keane, M.T.
Psychology Press
London London , United Kingdom
ISBN: 978-1-35105-851-3
Binding: Paperback
Supplementary

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

Edition: 7th (2019)
American Psychological Association
ISBN: 978-1-4338-3216-1
Binding: Paperback

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Chris Bearman Unit Coordinator
c.bearman@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 08 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

Foundational Concepts & Methods

Chapter

1

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 15 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

Visual Perception

Chapter

2

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 22 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

Object Recognition

Chapter

3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 29 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

Attention

Chapter

5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 05 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

Short-Term Memory

Chapter

6

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 12 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 19 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

Learning & Long-Tern Memory

Chapter

7

Events and Submissions/Topic

Research Report Due: Week 6 Friday (23 Aug 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 26 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

Everyday Memory

Chapter

8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 02 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

Reading

Chapter

9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 09 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

Language Comprehension

Chapter

10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 16 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

Problem Solving

Chapter

12 & Research Papers

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 23 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

Take Home Test Week

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 30 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

Online Quiz Week

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Quiz Due: Week 12 Friday (4 Oct 2024) 11:59 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 07 Oct 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 14 Oct 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Report

Assessment Title
Research Report

Task Description

The primary aim of this assessment item is to enable you to design, conduct and communicate a research project in psychology. You will be provided with a research activity that describes a basic experiment in cognitive psychology. Your task is to extend this basic study (by including an additional independent variable), collect data from at least 16 friends and family (who are over 18), appropriately analyze the data and write up your findings as an academic journal style report. Please note, if you have previously attempted a research activity you must do a different one this time around. The use of Generative AI is not permitted.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Friday (23 Aug 2024) 11:59 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Reports submitted by the original deadline will be returned by 6th September. Reports submitted up to 1 week late will be returned by 13th September. Reports submitted up to 2 weeks late will be returned by the 20th September..


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50

Assessment Criteria

You will write a journal style report, between 2000 (minimum) and 2500 (maximum) words, excluding references and appendices, but including in-text citations and figure labels, etc. In other words, everything from the beginning of the title to the end of the discussion is included in the word count. Your assignment should be double spaced and should be in the form of an academic journal article. Your report should have the following sections: title page, abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion, and references. Your report should follow all aspects of the APA publication style.

The following illustrates the marking criteria that will be used to assess this assignment…

Title Page: 2 marks

  • The title accurately describes what the study is about
  • The title is concise yet meaningful
  • Author and institution (i.e. Central Queensland University) information is included
  • Three relevant keywords are provided

 

Abstract: 8 marks

  • Around 200 words.
  • Clearly and concisely written with flowing text
  • Accurately summarizes the information in the research report
  • Provides a brief background to the study
  • Succinctly states the problem being investigated
  • Accurately describes the participants
  • Outlines the study method
  • Accurately reports the main findings
  • Reports reasonable implications of the findings

 

Introduction: 20 marks

  • Not more than 1/3 of the word count
  • States the importance of the problem
  • Theories and concepts are clearly explained
  • Clear, flowing and concise writing, building up from general ideas towards specific hypotheses.
  • States what we currently know about the topic and what the study will contribute
  • Information is clearly relevant to the research study
  • Integration of ideas from different studies, not a series of linked ‘abstracts’.
  • References always used to support statements or descriptions of previous studies

 

Hypotheses and rationale: 5 marks

  • A short and concise sentence or couple of sentences embedded in the final paragraph of the introduction (not a separate section)
  • All relevant hypotheses are included
  • Hypotheses emerge logically from the preceding sections of the introduction
  • Hypotheses are clearly, accurately and simply stated

 

Method: 15 marks

  • A well conceived method that can accurately examine the hypotheses
  • Divided into sub-sections. Subsections should include: Participants, Design, Materials, and Procedure.
  • Provides a detailed method that someone else could easily replicate
  • Describes the design of the study and accurately identifies the independent and dependent variables
  • Includes 2 independent variables (with at least 1 independent variable that was not included in the original research activity)
  • Reports all relevant participant characteristics

 

Results: 15 marks

  • Presents an analysis that appropriately tests the hypotheses
  • Descriptive and inferential statistical tests used are appropriate, correctly carried out and thoroughly described
  • Data is presented as evidence for all findings
  • Includes between subjects and within subjects (where appropriate) effects tables

 

Discussion: 30 marks

  • Begins with recap of key results (no numbers necessary).
  • Reports how results relate to hypotheses (supportive or not)
  • Provides an accurate interpretation of the results
  • Considers findings in relation to previous literature on the topic
  • Reports any unexpected findings and suggests explanations
  • Discusses limitations of the study, including any possible confounds and how these might be overcome
  • Makes clear recommendations about further research on the topic
  • Includes appropriate references

Referencing: 5 marks

  • All in-text references are in APA format
  • Includes a reference list in APA format for all references included in the report

 

General

Throughout all these sections, the following criteria will be assessed:

  • Grammar, spelling & punctuation
  • Coherence and justification of arguments
  • Use of literature
  • Critical analysis
  • Use of clear, flowing, and concise writing
  • Structure and length of the report
  • Innovation and creativity

Note:

  • An assignment which fails to adhere to the word count (i.e. exceeds 2500 words), will be subject to a word count penalty of 10% of the total possible grade (i.e. 10 marks)
  • An assignment that is submitted late will attract a 5% penalty per day


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submissions via Moodle

assessmentOutcome
  • Communicate a clear, coherent and independent exposition of key research findings and theories in cognitive psychology
  • Apply research methods used to study cognitive psychology.


assessmentGradAttribute

2 Take Home Exam

Assessment Title
Take Home Test

Task Description

You will be required to write a 1000 word review essay of an article posted on Moodle at the beginning of the Take Home Test.  The take home test will open at 9:00 am AEST on Monday, 23rd September and close at 9:00 am AEST on Monday 30th September. The use of Generative AI is not permitted.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Monday (30 Sept 2024) 9:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Monday (14 Oct 2024)


Weighting
40%

Minimum mark or grade
50

Assessment Criteria

You are required to write a 1000 word review essay of an article provided via Moodle at the beginning of the Take Home Test (excluding references, 10% margin). Your review essay should include an introduction, main body, and conclusion in one piece of writing without headings or sub-titles in the text.

The following illustrates the marking criteria that will be used to assess this assignment:

  • Provides a brief summary of the article and outlines the key points in the main text of the review essay in the introduction
  • Demonstrates a good understanding of the key debate/s addressed by the article
  • Provides a clear, logical and coherent critical analysis of the information, arguments and research evidence presented in the article
  • Identifies missing or incorrect information in the article
  • Points made in the review essay are justified with reference to the research evidence
  • Information in the review essay is always relevant to the topic
  • References are always used to support points made in the review essay
  • Uses clear, flowing, and concise writing
  • Uses appropriate grammar, spelling, punctuation
  • Effectively summaries the main points made in the main text of the review essay in the conclusion
  • Includes full references in APA format for all references included in the review essay

Note:

  • An assignment which fails to adhere to the word count (10% margin) will be subject to a word count penalty of 10% of the total possible grade, i.e. 10 marks.
  • An assignment that is submitted late will attract a 5% penalty per day


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission via Moodle

assessmentOutcome
  • Express a broad understanding of the fundamental concepts in cognitive psychology
  • Communicate a clear, coherent and independent exposition of key research findings and theories in cognitive psychology


assessmentGradAttribute

3 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online Quiz

Task Description

There will be an online quiz that covers information learnt throughout the unit. The quiz will be multiple choice and consist of 15 questions. The quiz will open at 9:00 am AEST on Monday 30th September and close on at 11.59 pm AEST on Friday 4th October.


Number of Quizzes

1


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (4 Oct 2024) 11:59 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Scores will be available at the completion of the quiz


Weighting
10%

Assessment Criteria

Questions will be marked as either right or wrong. 1 mark will be allocated to each question.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

assessmentOutcome
  • Express a broad understanding of the fundamental concepts in cognitive psychology
  • Apply research methods used to study cognitive psychology.


assessmentGradAttribute

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?