Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Artificial Intelligence and Human Psychology
Course Code
VPUPK_401
Branch of Science
Other Sub-Branches of Psychology; Psychology
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Psychology
LQF
All Levels
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Laima Dance
Structure Unit Manager
Kristīne Mārtinsone
Structural Unit
Department of Psychology
Contacts
Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587
About Study Course
Objective
After completing the course, students will be familiar with the principles of human cognitive processes and artificial intelligence (AI) and will be able to recognize and describe the ethical aspects and risks of AI applications. As a result of the study course, students will be able to apply and critically evaluate the results provided by AI tools, and will be able to justify and independently evaluate their own AI use practices.
Preliminary Knowledge
High school education, computer skills.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Name and describe the cognitive processes of a human being and their functions
Individual work and tests
Knowledge tests
2.Name and describe the basic principles of AI and machine learning.
Individual work and tests
Knowledge tests
3.Recognise and describe the ethical principles and regulatory framework of AI, including the criteria for high-risk systems under the EU AI Act
Individual work and tests
Knowledge tests
Skills
1.Apply knowledge of cognitive processes and AI principles to solve practical problems
Individual work and tests
Seminar Worksheet
2.Analyze and critically evaluate the responses provided by the AI tool, identifying inaccuracies, biases, and factors affecting trust in AI
Individual work and tests
Seminar Worksheet • Case study, MI chatbot conversation • Oral examination
3.Use the EU AI Act and the ethical criteria to assess the compliance of a specific AI use case with the principles of critical and responsible use
Individual work and tests
Oral examination • Case study, MI chatbot conversation
4.Metacognitively reflect on their thinking and decision-making process during the use of an AI tool, analyzing and justifying their personal AI use practice in a structured manner
Individual work and tests
Case study, MI chatbot conversation • Oral examination
Competences
1.Awareness of their agency in an AI-supported environment and independently justifying judgments, recognizing and avoiding situations of uncritical use of AI
Individual work and tests
Oral examination • Case study, MI chatbot conversation
2.Defend their experience of using AI orally and convincingly, justifying the principles of critical thinking and ethics used with the knowledge acquired in lectures and exercises
Individual work and tests
Oral examination
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Case study, MI chatbot conversation |
35.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Students choose a specific task from the context of their studies or professional work and carry out its execution with an AI chatbot of their choice, developing an in-depth conversation that reflects a critical experience of using AI and the student's approach to working with an AI chatbot. |
||
|
2.
Seminar Worksheet |
10.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
During the class, the student records the work done and progress on the worksheet, reflects on their experience and insights gained. Worksheets are to be submitted in e-studies at the end of the class according to the lecturer's instructions. |
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Knowledge tests |
15.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Digital test in e-studies on basic definitions and functions of cognitive processes, concepts used |
||
|
2.
Oral examination |
40.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Oral examination on the independent work "Case analysis, conversation with an AI chatbot". During the examination, the student argues and reflects on his/her conversation with an AI chatbot, justifying the elements of the conversation and critically evaluating his/her interaction with the AI and the responses generated by the AI. |
||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Human intelligence and cognitive processes
Description
Intelligence, basic definitions and functions of cognitive processes |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Course introduction, technology-human interaction
Description
Course objectives, topics, tasks, deadlines and evaluation criteria. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Principles for the operation of artificial Intelligence
Description
Basic definitions and operating principles of AI |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Ethical aspects and risks of using technology and AI tools
Description
Regulatory legislation, ethical considerations and ethical decision-making for AI technologies |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Technology and AI in everyday life, ethical aspects of AI
Description
Seminar on student technology and AI use in everyday life, ethical aspects |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Human intelligence and cognitive processes
Description
Intelligence, basic definitions and functions of cognitive processes |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Critical thinking and its role in AI usage
Description
Linking cognitive processes to AI tool usage |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Human cognitive adaptation in AI environment
Description
Cognitive adaptation, promting as a way of thinking |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Impact of technology on mental health
Description
Impact of technology and AI tools on mental health |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Future perspectives for human-technological interaction
Description
Potential development directions of digital transformation and their psychological impact |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
MI tools and their use
Description
Seminar on top AI tools and their applications |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Ethical aspects and risks of using technology and AI tools
Description
Regulatory legislation, ethical considerations and ethical decision-making for AI technologies |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Critical thinking and its role in AI usage
Description
Linking cognitive processes to AI tool usage |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Future perspectives for human-technological interaction
Description
Potential development directions of digital transformation and their psychological impact |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Oral examination
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Oral examination
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
PART-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Course introduction, technology-human interaction
Description
Course objectives, topics, tasks, deadlines and evaluation criteria. |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Human intelligence and cognitive processes
Description
Intelligence, basic definitions and functions of cognitive processes |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Principles for the operation of artificial Intelligence
Description
Basic definitions and operating principles of AI |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Ethical aspects and risks of using technology and AI tools
Description
Regulatory legislation, ethical considerations and ethical decision-making for AI technologies |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Human intelligence and cognitive processes
Description
Intelligence, basic definitions and functions of cognitive processes |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Technology and AI in everyday life, ethical aspects of AI
Description
Seminar on student technology and AI use in everyday life, ethical aspects |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Critical thinking and its role in AI usage
Description
Linking cognitive processes to AI tool usage |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Human cognitive adaptation in AI environment
Description
Cognitive adaptation, promting as a way of thinking |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Impact of technology on mental health
Description
Impact of technology and AI tools on mental health |
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Future perspectives for human-technological interaction
Description
Potential development directions of digital transformation and their psychological impact |
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Oral examination
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Oral examination
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
24 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Mākslīgais intelekts augstākajā izglītībā. (2024). RSUSuitable for English stream
2.
Dignum, V. (2026). The AI paradox: How to make sense of a complex future. Princeton University Press.Suitable for English stream
3.
Yan, Z., & Zhang, R. (2026). The Psychological Science of Artificial Intelligence: A Rapidly Emerging Field of Psychology. ArXiv, abs/2601.19338.Suitable for English stream
4.
Zhao, J., Wu, M., Zhou, L., Wang, X., & Jia, J. (2022). Cognitive psychology-based artificial intelligence review. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 16, Article 1024316.Suitable for English stream
5.
Korteling, J. E., van de Boer-Visschedijk, G. C., Blankendaal, R. A. M., Boonekamp, R. C., & Eikelboom, A. R. (2021). Human- versus artificial intelligence. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, 4, Article 622364.Suitable for English stream
Additional Reading
1.
Kahneman, D. (2012). Domā ātri, domā lēnām (K. Blaua, N. Pukjans un S. Skujeniece, Tulk.). Jumava. (Oriģinālizdevums publicēts 2011. gadā)
2.
Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing TaskSuitable for English stream
3.
Jiang, H., Wang, P., Yi, X., Xie, X., & Xiao, Z. (2025). The Incomplete Bridge: How AI Research (Mis)Engages with Psychology. ArXiv, abs/2507.22847.