Cognitive psychology is the scientific study of the processes by which we acquire, store, transform, and use information. The main topics in this field are pattern recognition, attention, memory, knowledge, language, problem-solving, and decision making. This course is an introduction to the major phenomena, methods, concepts, principles, and theories that make up the field of cognitive psychology.
PSYC 1101 or PSYC 1101H with a grade of C or higher
Understand well-established theories of cognitive domains including attention, memory, perception, spatial cognition/imagery, concepts/categories, problem-solving, reasoning, and decision-making.
Understand how the study of cognition for special populations (e.g., individuals with amnesia or dementia, normal elderly individuals, developing individuals etc.) can enhance the understanding of normal cognitive processes.
Understand how the study of Neuroscience can enhance the understanding of normal cognitive processes as studied behaviorally.
Understand the scientific methodologies used in cognitive psychology.
Goldstein, E.B. & Hale, R.G. (2026). Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research, and Everyday Experience, 6th edition. Cengage Publishing. ISBN: 9798214143385
Quiroga, R. Q. (2017). The Forgetting Machine: Memory, Perception, and the Jennifer Aniston Neuron. BenBella Books. ISBN: 978-1944648541
Experiences (7% of overall grade)
Throughout the semester there will be a number of experiential learning activities and assignments that take place either in class or will be completed on your own outside of class. Instructions for these will be provided individually when appropriate during the semester. The purpose of these activities is to provide you the opportunity to experience for yourself some of the concepts we will be learning about related to cognitive psychology. There will be approximately seven of these experiences. They cannot be made up--unless it is a written assignment that takes place outside of class; in that case, they fall under the late writing assignment policy (see syllabus policy page).⚠️ AI may be allowed on certain activities or assignments. This will be announced for each activity. If AI use was not expressly allowed in writing, AI use is prohibited.
Chapter Reflections (13% of overall grade)
For each chapter of the textbook, you will complete a reflection assignment to be completed PRIOR to our discussion of that chapter. The first two reflection assignments will be due at the same time as Reflection 3 to give you time to get your textbook, read, and complete the reflections. The purpose of these assignments is to ensure you have read the chapters, determine which topics you understand and/or have difficulty understanding, and reflect personally on the content of the chapters. These assignments are not a quiz and are not necessarily looking for "perfect" understanding. Instead, they are intended to prepare you for class lectures, discussions, and activities. These are an important study tool to promote your success in this course. Therefore these reflections should be taken seriously each week. You cannot use your peers or any other sources (AI) to help with these reflections. You should only use your textbook.🚫 AI use is strictly prohibited.
Exams (45% of overall grade)
There will be three exams, one for each module. Exam content will come from lecture and from the textbook. Use the exam review on D2L to help you study. You will need to bring a green scantron and a pencil for each exam. Exams will be a combination of multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank. You are allowed to use a single 3” x 5” note card with notes per exam. No other resources are allowed during the exam. If you use a note card, you must turn in that note card. Failure to turn in the note card used during the exam will result in a zero on the exam. (If you do not use a note card, you do not have to turn one in.) You must make your own note card; copying a peer’s note card is not allowed. Exams cannot be made up. The final exam will replace a missed exam.
✅ AI is allowed and encouraged to generate study aids, practice questions, and general exam preparation.
Review Paper (20% of overall grade)
Throughout this semester, you will prepare for and write a research review paper on a cognitive psychological topic of your choice. Full instructions for this project are on D2L and should be read carefully. A topic will be selected. You will also have to write an outline. Then the final draft will be turned in.
⚠️ AI is allowed with restrictions. You must follow the instructions carefully as written on D2L. Ask for permission for any AI use. AI should only be used for brainstorming at the beginning of your planning phase and/or to help find sources. It should not be used to outline your paper or aid in your writing process in any way. All approved AI use must be cited.
Final Exam (15% of overall grade)
A cumulative final exam will take place during the week of finals. See UNG final exam schedule. Format will be identical to previous exams--except there will be 100 questions and all will be multiple choice. Students with a 90.0% or higher average for the first three exams are exempt from taking the final exam.*
*See attendance policy.
✅ AI is allowed and encouraged to generate study aids, practice questions, and general exam preparation.
> 90.0% = A
80.0 - 89.9% = B
70.0 - 79.9% = C
60.0 - 69.9% = D
< 60.0 = F
MODULE 1: ENTRY OF INFORMATION
Week 1: Syllabus; History of cognitive psychology (Chap. 1)
Week 2: Cognitive neuroscience (Chap. 2)
Week 3: Sensation & perception (Chap. 3) // Guided Reading Journal 1 due
Week 4: Sensation & perception (continued)
Week 5: Attention (Chap. 4) // Guided Reading Journal 2 due // Exam 1
MODULE 2: STORING INFORMATION
Week 6: Short-term & working memory (Chap. 5) // Paper topic due
Week 7: Long-term memory (Chap. 6) // Guided Reading Journal 3 due
Week 8: Encoding, retrieval, & consolidation (Chap. 7)
Week 9: Everyday memory & memory errors (Chap. 8)
Week 10: Chapters 5-8 (continued) // Exam 2
MODULE 3: USING INFORMATION
Week 11: Conceptual knowledge (Chap. 9) // Paper outline due
Week 12: Visual imagery (Chap. 10)
Week 13: Language (Chap. 11)
Week 14: Problem solving & creativity (Chap. 12)
Week 15: Judgement, decisions, & reasoning (Chap. 13) // Exam 3
FINALS
Final Paper due by Monday of finals week
Final Exam takes place during final exam period