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Perception, Memory and Cognition (PSYC30017)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
A/Prof Daniel R. Little
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Why do we fall for visual illusions? How can we use the speed of our responses to tell us about the construction of the brain and the mind? How do we remember? How does the detection of noisy signals inform our understanding of faulty eyewitness memory? Are fingerprint experts better than novices at matching patterns? Perception, Memory and Cognition will cover a series of robust, valuable, and enduring findings illustrating the accumulation of knowledge through experimentation and theory development. From historical studies of response time and perceptual processes through to modern tests of applied decision making, you will learn how theories are tested, discarded, and revised in light of careful experimental evidence. We will discuss a variety of cognitive processes, from the initial stages of stimulus perception all the way through to decision making. The tutorial stream will provide an opportunity for students to develop an understanding of experimental techniques and scientific writing skills as they apply to forensic psychology.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
Knowledge
- Describe a selection of the key research findings that underpin current knowledge of Perception, Memory and Cognition;
- Discuss some of the key theories in this field and to what extent they can explain current experimental findings;
- Explain how these theories have been shaped by the use of human behavioural research techniques.
Skills
- Critically evaluate and compare conflicting theories and experimental studies in this field;
- Critically review literature in the area of Perception, Memory and Cognition in a way that could lead to clearly motivated research questions;
- Interpret experimental behavioural data accurately on the basis of appropriate analytical methods;
- Evaluate and draw conclusions from experimental research findings;
- Communicate psychological research findings effectively in various written formats.
Application of knowledge and skills
- Articulate how experimental studies can lead to theoretical advances in the field of Perception, Memory and Cognition;
- Discuss to what extent a given experimental finding is consistent with current theories in this field;
- Use a broad understanding of cognitive psychology to understand the place and significance of individual experimental and theoretical studies within the wider scientific context of cognitive psychology.
Generic skills
Students will be given appropriate opportunity and educational support to develop skills to:
- think critically about theoretical and empirical issues in psychology
- evaluate research issues critically on the basis of empirical evidence
- demonstrate a knowledge of classical and current issues in psychology
- demonstrate an understanding of some of the obstacles to an integrated perspective in areas or psychology
- locate and use web-based material effectively (web pages, news groups, list servers, etc.)
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
512335 Advanced Cognition 3
512307 Advanced Studies of Human Cognition
Recommended background knowledge
Prior coursework in two Level 2 psychology subjects. Level 2 psychology subjects are: Biological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Personality & Social Psychology
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Two pieces of written work, each of 1,500 words.
| During the teaching period | 50% |
An examination
| During the examination period | 50% |
| Hurdle requirement: Each piece of assessment must be submitted. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: Attendance of at least 80% of the laboratory classes is a hurdle requirement. In case of failure to meet the hurdle requirement, additional work will be required before a passing grade can be awarded. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Daniel Little Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
A/Prof Daniel R. Little
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment for this subject is 170 hours.
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
No prescribed texts. A reading pack will be made available.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Psychology Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Psychology Major Psychology Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 14 March 2025