Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description

Cognitive Psychology

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
VPUPK_045
Branch of Science
General Psychology; Psychology
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Psychology
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Structure Unit Manager
Structural Unit
Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
Contacts

Riga, 5 J. Asara Street, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587

About Study Course

Objective

To develop understanding of cognitive processes (attention, perception, memory, language, thinking, decision making, intelligence, creativity, etc.), their interaction, influencing factors, and practical implications of recent developments in the field of cognitive psychology.

Preliminary Knowledge

Completed study course "General psychology".

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.• Describes the concept of cognitive psychology and its history. • Analyses and explains theories and concepts of cognitive psychology in line with current developments in psychology. • Compares differences between cognitive psychology and other disciplines in psychology. • Describes recent trends in cognitive psychology. • Defines concepts of attention, perception, memory, knowledge representation, language, thinking, intelligence and creativity. • Describes the factors influencing cognitive processes. • Describes leading theories in cognitive psychology.

Skills

1.• Evaluates the factors influencing cognitive processes and the interaction between cognitive processes. • Uses correct concepts related to cognitive psychology. • Explains cognitive impairment.

Competences

1.• Discusses the concepts of cognitive psychology. • Explains cognitive processes and factors affecting them. • Explains how people perceive, store and process information. • Explains how people solve problems, make decisions and generate new ideas.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work

-
-
The student reinforces the acquired lecture material by reading the indicated literature sources and actively participating in practical classes; independently searches for the latest research in cognitive psychology and makes summaries, presents the main conclusions in practical classes; prepares, together with other participants, a presentation on a specific topic of cognitive psychology; prepares for the written test.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination

-
-
• Written feedback on the topic (15%). • Literature research reports (15%). • Presentation of the latest research in cognitive psychology at the seminar (20%). • Written exam (50%). • Active participation in seminars and discussions. Requirements: The student actively participates in all seminars, productively engages in discussions on the particular issue, problem, is able to defend his or her opinion, uses appropriate terminology in discussions, and refers to the literature. • Test. Requirements: The student successfully completes the written test. • Presentation. Requirements: The student prepares a presentation on the chosen cognitive process, its influencing factors, its interaction with other cognitive processes and related disorders. • Presentation of recent research in cognitive psychology. Requirements: The student independently reads about the latest scientific research carried out in cognitive psychology, presents the main conclusions in practical classes.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Concept of cognitive psychology, psychobiological foundations, history of development, research questions, current issues and challenges of the field.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Concept of cognitive psychology, psychobiological foundations, history of development, research questions, current issues and challenges of the field.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Concept and functions of perception. Perception process, types and types. Elements and degrees of perception. Factors affecting perception. Laws of perception and illusions. Conative theories of perception.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Memory concept, functions, processes and types. Traditional and alternative models of memory. Semantic organization and models of memory. Factors affecting memory and research. Factors affecting memory.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Memory concept, functions, processes and types. Traditional and alternative models of memory. Semantic organization and models of memory. Factors affecting memory and research. Factors affecting memory.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Language concept, functions, types, development, aspects, factors, components and elements. Cognitive theories of language. The relation of language to thinking functions.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Concept and functions of attention, determining factors and function theories of attention, types and degrees of attention, vigilance and factors affecting attention, factors characterizing attention, theories of attention filters.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Cognitive mechanisms and biological bases of learning and knowledge. Ways of learning and cognitive learning theories. Types of knowledge and representations. Social cognition and empathy, the interaction of emotions and cognitive processes
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Cognitive and neurobiological basis and definition of intelligence and intelligence. Functions, processes, types and elements of intelligence. Theories of intelligence, classification of theories, modern research approaches. Human and artificial intelligence, concept and definition of artificial intelligence. Human-Artificial Intelligence Interaction.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Cognitive processes, functions, types and elements of thinking. Critical thinking. Interaction of thinking and emotions. Processes, functions, types and elements of problem solving and decision making. Biological basis of thinking and decision-making. Imagination process, functions, types and elements. Interaction of imagination with other cognitive processes.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Cognitive processes, functions, types and elements of thinking. Critical thinking. Interaction of thinking and emotions. Processes, functions, types and elements of problem solving and decision making. Biological basis of thinking and decision-making. Imagination process, functions, types and elements. Interaction of imagination with other cognitive processes.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Defining Consciousness and Definitions. Types, states and levels of consciousness. Biological basis of consciousness and research challenges. Theories of consciousness. Consciousness and creativity. Concept, process, types and elements of creativity. Cognitive processes of creativity. Theories of creativity.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Defining Consciousness and Definitions. Types, states and levels of consciousness. Biological basis of consciousness and research challenges. Theories of consciousness. Consciousness and creativity. Concept, process, types and elements of creativity. Cognitive processes of creativity. Theories of creativity.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Participation in the RSU conference "Health and personality development: an interdisciplinary approach" in cognitive psychology sections. Providing feedback.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Analysis and presentation of the latest research in the field of cognitive psychology.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Analysis and presentation of the latest research in the field of cognitive psychology.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
PART-TIME
Part 1
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Concept of cognitive psychology, psychobiological foundations, history of development, research questions, current issues and challenges of the field.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Concept of cognitive psychology, psychobiological foundations, history of development, research questions, current issues and challenges of the field.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Concept and functions of perception. Perception process, types and types. Elements and degrees of perception. Factors affecting perception. Laws of perception and illusions. Conative theories of perception.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Memory concept, functions, processes and types. Traditional and alternative models of memory. Semantic organization and models of memory. Factors affecting memory and research. Factors affecting memory.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Language concept, functions, types, development, aspects, factors, components and elements. Cognitive theories of language. The relation of language to thinking functions.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Concept and functions of attention, determining factors and function theories of attention, types and degrees of attention, vigilance and factors affecting attention, factors characterizing attention, theories of attention filters.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Cognitive mechanisms and biological bases of learning and knowledge. Ways of learning and cognitive learning theories. Types of knowledge and representations. Social cognition and empathy, the interaction of emotions and cognitive processes
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Cognitive and neurobiological basis and definition of intelligence and intelligence. Functions, processes, types and elements of intelligence. Theories of intelligence, classification of theories, modern research approaches. Human and artificial intelligence, concept and definition of artificial intelligence. Human-Artificial Intelligence Interaction.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Cognitive processes, functions, types and elements of thinking. Critical thinking. Interaction of thinking and emotions. Processes, functions, types and elements of problem solving and decision making. Biological basis of thinking and decision-making. Imagination process, functions, types and elements. Interaction of imagination with other cognitive processes.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Defining Consciousness and Definitions. Types, states and levels of consciousness. Biological basis of consciousness and research challenges. Theories of consciousness. Consciousness and creativity. Concept, process, types and elements of creativity. Cognitive processes of creativity. Theories of creativity.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Analysis and presentation of the latest research in the field of cognitive psychology.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
2

Topics

Analysis and presentation of the latest research in the field of cognitive psychology.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
24 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Čukurs, E., Hofmane, A. (2015). Psihiskie procesi. No: Mārtinsone, K., Miltuze, A. (red.), Psiholoģija. 1. grāmata (127. -167. lpp). Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC.

2.

Čukurs, E. (2015). Intelekts. No: Mārtinsone, K., Miltuze, A. (red.), Psiholoģija. 1. grāmata (216. -233. lpp). Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC.

3.

Čukurs, E. (2015). Kreativitāte. No: Mārtinsone, K., Miltuze, A. (red.), Psiholoģija. 1. grāmata (237. -254. lpp). Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC.

Additional Reading

1.

Sternberg, R. J. (1999). Cognitive psychology. Forth Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publishers.

2.

Ochsner, K. N. & Kosslyn, S. M. (2014). The Oxford handbook of cognitive neuroscience. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press.

3.

Friedenberg, J., & Silverman, G. (2006). Cognitive science: an introduction to the study of mind. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

4.

Eysenck, M. W., & Keane, M. T. (2000). Cognitive Psyhology. Hove, East Sussex: Psychology Press.

5.

Galotti, K. M. (1999). Cognitive psychology in and out of the laboratory. Toronto: Nelson Educations.

6.

Best, J. B. (1999). Cognitive psychology. St. Paul: West Publishing Company.

Other Information Sources

1.

Journal of Cognitive Psychology

2.

Advances in Cognitive Psychology

3.

Cognitive Development

4.

Applied Cognitive Psychology