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
Experiences (20% 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. Experiences 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). Therefore it is imperative that you are in attendance.⚠️ 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.
Exams (60% 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. It cannot be used to create your notecard.
Final Exam (20% of overall grade)
A cumulative final exam will take place during the week of finals. See UNG final exam schedule. The format will be essay questions. The study guide on D2L shows all possible questions on the final. During the final exam, you will receive a test booklet containing seven of those questions. You will then pick five to answer. You are allowed ONE sheet of paper (8.5" x 11") with notes (double sided). This is optional. However, notes MUST be handwritten, and you must create your own notes. You cannot use another student's notes. 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. It cannot be used to create your exam note sheet.
> 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)
Week 4: Sensation & perception (continued)
Week 5: Attention (Chap. 4) // Exam 1
MODULE 2: STORING INFORMATION
Week 6: Short-term & working memory (Chap. 5)
Week 7: Long-term memory (Chap. 6)
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)
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 Exam takes place during final exam period