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Perception, Memory and Cognition (PSYC30017)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Principal Coordinator:
A/Prof Daniel Little
daniel.little@unimelb.edu.au
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, contrast, and critique a selection of the key research findings that underpin current knowledge of Perception, Memory and Cognition;
- Appraise and critique 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;
- Design and propose novel or modified experiments to test key theories
- Analyse experimental behavioral data using appropriate statistical methods;
- Draw inferences from statistical analysis;
- Develop data visualisation to communicate analytical results to an audience;
- 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;
- Appraise the extent to which experimental findings are 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: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Corequisites
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: 11 April 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Short answer quiz
| Mid semester | 15% |
Lab report or essay based on tutorial stream
| From Week 6 to Week 10 | 35% |
Examination
| During the examination period | 50% |
| 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: 11 April 2024
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 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
Principal Coordinator:
A/Prof Daniel Little
daniel.little@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment for this subject is 170 hours.
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
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 Major Psychology Major Psychology Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI - 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 (Production)
- 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.
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: 11 April 2024