PSY 330-001: Cognitive Psychology

Spring Term, 2017

TR 11:00–12:20

Version

This document last updated 2017-04-03.

Course Information

Time: TR 11:00–12:20
Location: Randell Hall 120

Instructor: Prof. Chris Sims (chris.sims@drexel.edu)

Required Textbook

Goldstein, E. B. (2014). Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research and Everyday

Experience (4th Ed).

<OR>

Goldstein, E. B. (2011). Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research and Everyday

Experience (3rd Ed).

Note: The textbook has an optional CD/online content called “CogLab”; purchase or use of
this additional material is not required for this course, though you may find it useful.

In addition to the assigned material from the textbook, this course may also cover recent
journal articles that provide in-depth coverage of select topics in cognitive psychology. These
additional readings will be provided by the instructor.

Instructor Contact Information

Email: Chris.Sims@drexel.edu
Office: Stratton 324
Office hours: TW 4:30–5:30PM

In addition to scheduled office hours I am also available most days by appointment. I only
reply to emails once or twice per day, so please do not expect an immediate response.

Course Description

What is the mind? How does it work? These are not easy questions! Cognitive psychology is
the scientific discipline that attempts to answer these questions through behavioral,
computational, and biological experimentation and investigation. Cognitive psychology seeks
to uncover the processes and mechanisms that underlie how sensory information, and the
knowledge we gain through learning and experience, are used to guide our actions and
overcome problems and obstacles.
Course Objectives

After completing this course, you will possess a greater understanding of how the most
complex object in the known universe functions. You will learn about important recent
research on human memory, perception, problem solving, and other topics.

In addition, you will be equipped to evaluate and assess the latest scientific findings about the
mind reported in the popular media. You will also gain the ability to apply scientific research
in cognitive psychology to your own life and work (such understanding as the effects of
multitasking on attention, how to study more effectively, improve your memory, etc.). More
importantly, you will gain skills in reading, assessing, and synthesizing scientific literature.
You will also improve your ability to write in a manner that effectively communicates and
supports your ideas. These skills will serve you well regardless of your field of study or
chosen career.

University Policies

Course and syllabus changes: Course policies, content, and/or structure may be changed at
the discretion of the instructor. If such changes are made, they will be communicated in class
and an updated syllabus will be made available.

Course drop policy: http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/course_drop.asp

Academic honesty: Long-term success in any profession depends on personal integrity and
ethics, and the same is true of achieving success in this course and elsewhere at Drexel
University.

All students should read and understand the Drexel University policy on academic
dishonesty, located in the student handbook:
http://drexel.edu/studentaffairs/community_standards/studentHandbook/general_inform
ation/code_of_conduct/

Any questions or concerns about these policies should be discussed with the instructor.

Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities requesting accommodations need to

present a current accommodation verification letter (AVL) before any accommodations can
be made. AVLs are issued by the Office of Disability Services (ODS). The ODS can be
contacted at: http://www.drexel.edu/ods

Class Policies

Laptops and electronic devices in the classroom: Students are permitted to use laptops for the
purpose of taking notes and other class-related activities. However, surfing the web, checking
email, playing games, etc. are not permitted. The use of cell phones/texting is not permitted
during class. If you are easily distracted, your best bet is simply to not bring such devices into
the classroom.
Evaluation

Your final grade will be based on a combination of four factors:

— Participation 10%
— In-class quizzes 20%
— Mid-term exam 35%
— Final exam 35%

Note on quizzes (20% of final grade):

This course will have 6 in-class quizzes, based on material from recent lectures and assigned
readings. As a general rule, dates for quizzes will not be announced in advance. At the end of
the term, your lowest 2 quiz grades will be dropped. (Note: if you miss a class where a quiz is
given, there will be no make-up, and missed quizzes will simply count towards your two
lowest quiz grades.)

Note on in-class participation (10% of final grade):

Decades of research have shown that (most) people learn very little from simply reading
textbooks or listening to lectures. In order to actually learn something, it is necessary to use
knowledge in some way. This course will feature a number of in-class exercises designed to
accomplish that goal. Exercises may range from short writing exercises, in-class laboratory
experiments, or discussions. Some of these will be graded formally, on others you will be
informally evaluated. I will not take strict attendance for this course, but if you miss a
significant number of classes your participation grade will necessarily be lower.

Grade Scale

Your final grade in the class will be determined by calculating your weighted percent score
across your participation, quizzes, and exams. Your letter grade will be assigned as follows:

A+ 97–100%
A 94–96%
A– 90–93%
B+ 87–89%
B 84–86%
B– 80–83%
C+ 77–79%
C 74–76%
C– 70–73%
D+ 67–69%
D 60–66%
F 0–59%

Extra Credit

You can earn extra credit for participating in Psychology Department research studies. Sona
Systems is a website on which you can find information about studies currently being
conducted in which researchers grant extra credit points for your participation. In order to
read about these studies, participate in them, and earn extra credit, you will need to follow
instructions carefully on how to use Sona Systems and set up an account.

This information is available at:

http://www.drexel.edu/psychology/research/participation/.
You will receive 1 extra credit for every 30 minutes of participation in studies that are
offering extra credit. You can earn up to a maximum of 4 extra credit points (2 hours of
participation) per participating course.

PLEASE NOTE: Not all studies on Sona Systems will provide extra credit for your
participation. Please click any study to read the description carefully. If a study is offering
credit, it will be clearly stated. You can always contact the researcher of a particular study if
you are not sure.

NOTE: The last day you can earn extra credit will be FRIDAY 06/12/2017 at 5pm.

If you choose not to participate in any of the research studies or if you are ineligible for
studies, you have the option of earning an equivalent amount of extra credit points by
participating in Alternative Extra Credit Assignments only during Weeks 6-8. You must
obtain a passing score on the assignments in order to earn the extra credit. To complete the
alternative assignment, you must set up a Sona Systems account. Instructions on how to do
so are available at:
http://www.drexel.edu/psychology/research/participation/.

After logging into your account, you can search under “Studies” for a title called “Alternative
Assignment.” Click on the study and follow instructions to earn extra credit.

Be sure to check Sona Systems weekly as new studies may be added throughout the term.
 PSY 330-040: Cognitive Psychology

Spring Term, 2017

TR 2:00–3:20

Course Schedule & Assignments

(Updated 2017-04-03)

• Week 1

04/04 — Intro & overview

Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 1

04/06 — Intro & overview (cont.)

Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 1

• Week 2

04/11 — Cognitive Neuroscience

Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 2

04/13 — Cognitive Neuroscience (cont.)

Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 2

• Week 3

04/18 — Perception
Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 3

04/20 — Perception (cont.)

Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 3

• Week 4

04/25 — Attention
Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 4

04/27 — Attention (cont.)

Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 4

• Week 5

05/02 — Short-term & Working memory

Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 5

05/04 — Short-term & Working memory (cont.)

Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 5
 • Week 6

05/09 — Mid-term exam (Covering Chapters 1–5)

Reading: None
05/11 — In class movie screening: “In Search of Memory”
Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 6

• Week 7

05/16 — Long term memory: Structure

Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 6

05/18 — Long term memory: Encoding & Retrieval

Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 7

• Week 8

05/23 — Long term memory: Encoding & Retrieval (cont.)

Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 7

05/25 — Knowledge
Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 9

• Week 9

05/30 — Knowledge (cont.)

Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 9

06/01 — Problem solving

Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 12

• Week 10

06/06 — Problem solving (cont.)

Reading: Goldstein, Ch. 12

06/08 — In-class review

Reading: (None)

• Final exam (cumulative, but skewed towards material covered after the mid-term):
Date to be scheduled