Time Schedule:
Stephen J Ross
TPSYCH 355
Tacoma Campus
Current theory and research in perception, attention, memory and learning, attitudes, thinking and decision making, and language. For the student who wishes a survey or who intends additional work in any of the above content areas. Prerequisite: either TMATH 110, T HTLH 305, or TSOCWF 351; one additional 200 level or greater TPSYCH course.
Class description
This course is designed to be a survey of the main topics of cognitive psychology. In general, cognitive psychology evaluates the mental processes corresponding to the acquisition, storage, transformation, and use of knowledge. As an introduction to this sub-discipline of psychology, this course will provide an overview of 1.) how information enters our cognitive system (e.g., perception, attention); 2.) how this information becomes incorporated into our cognitive structures (e.g., learning, memory); and 3.) how this information is processed to allow us to complete complex tasks (e.g., language, problem solving, decision-making). In addition, the course will focus on limitations within our cognitive system and the application of this knowledge to other fields (e.g., education, criminal justice).
Student learning goals
Understand the definition of cognitive psychology, and identify how cognitive psychology relates to other fields of psychology and other social & natural sciences.
Understand the scientific method and basic principles of conducting cognitive research and able to critically evaluate such research.
Understand the structures of our memory systems and how these structures are related to the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.
Understand the processes related to language comprehension and production.
Understand the processes related to problem solving and decision making.
Understand how basic issues in cognitive psychology can be applied to other areas including education and criminal justice fields.
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
