Master 2020/2021

Theory and Methodology of Modern Psychology

Type: Compulsory course (Cognitive Sciences and Technologies: From Neuron to Cognition)

Area of studies: Psychology

Delivered by: School of Psychology

Where: Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience

When: 1 year, 1, 2 module

Mode of studies: offline

Instructors: Maria Alexeeva, Kirill Efimov, Vladimir Kosonogov, W.Joseph MacInnes, Beatriz Martín-Luengo, Ioannis Ntoumanis

Master’s programme: Cognitive Sciences and Technologies: From Neuron to Cognition

Language: English

ECTS credits: 4

Contact hours: 56

Course Syllabus

Abstract

Psychology is becoming more of an interdisciplinary topic every year, and this master’s program is embracing that change. This course is intended to provide a knowledge of theoretical topics in psychology. Topics will include a history of the various approaches to psychology, an overview of current topics and an introduction to the study of psychology as a science.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the role of the computers and technology in psychology and neuroscience
• Practice a number of techniques and tools for designing creating and analyzing experiments
• Understand the basics of Matlab as outlined in the online course https://www.coursera.org/learn/matlab/
• Understand the role of the scientific method in psychology and neuroscience
• Analyse published psychology papers
• Understand the methodology of cognitive psychology research

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Understand the limitations of current computers, processors, memory and graphics
• Learn the origins of cognitive psychology and its development
• Understand the basis of cognitive psychology
• Understand how psychology research can be applied in everyday life

Course Contents

• Psychology overview
  Historical approaches, Psychology as a science, psychological methods
• Basic cognitive processes
  Attention and perception, learning, memory, language, emotion and motivation
• Applied cognitive psychology
  Enviromental psychology, forensic psychology
• The computer and experiment display
• Introduction to OpenSesame
• Introduction to E-Prime
• Introduction to PsychoPy
• Introduction to Presentation

Assessment Elements

• Homework assignments
• Final exam
• Mid-term test
• Assignments (Tests, 1 module)

Interim Assessment

• Interim assessment (1 module)
  0.6*(tests/assignments during study period)+0.4*(mid-term test)
• Interim assessment (2 module)
  Final grade = 0,5*(0.4*FP1+0.6*FE1) + 0,5*(0.6*FP2+0.4*FE2). For the interim assessment 1, see the criteria for Mid-term test

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• de Groot, J. I. M., Berg, A. E. van den, & Steg, L. (2012). Environmental Psychology : An Introduction. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=446208
• Dehaene, S., Sergent, C., & Changeux, J.-P. (2003). A neuronal network model linking subjective reports and objective physiological data during conscious perception. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.9E60F42A
• Gudjonsson, G. H., & Haward, L. R. C. (2016). Forensic Psychology : A Guide to Practice. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1165368
• King, D. B., Viney, W., & Woody, W. D. (2016). History of Psychology : Ideas and Context (Vol. Fifth edition). New York: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1028367
• Nairán Ramírez-Esparza, Samuel D. Gosling, Verónica Benet-Martínez, Jevrey P. Potter, & James W. Pennebaker. (2004). Do bilinguals have two personalities? A special case of cultural frame switching. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.C6F88FA3
• Neisser, U. (2014). Cognitive Psychology : Classic Edition (Vol. Classic edition). New York: Psychology Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=916875
• Tod, D. (2014). Sport Psychology : The Basics. Hoboken: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=792366

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Carugno, G. (2018). Is Music a Universal Language? From Semiotics to the Recent Findings of Music Psychology. Interdisciplinary Humanities, 35(3), 26–35. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=asn&AN=139187692