PSY4300 – Applied Cognitive Psychology
Course description
Course content
Cognitive psychology combines laboratory-based approaches with a wide range of methods adapted to studying everyday issues. This course will first teach students about both types of method and will also underline the fruitful interaction between the study of our cognitive skills in natural settings and rigorous lab work, and how methodological eclecticism has served the study of cognition well. It will go on to use examples from practical settings in order to demonstrate how knowledge of basic limitations and characteristics of human memory combines usefully with knowledge from other disciplines. In this course the perspective of different schools of psychology will be discussed, and in particular different approaches to the phenomenon of unreliability of memory will be presented. It will be shown how a multiple-level approach improves both practice, research and our understanding of psychology and society. For instance, in the area of forensic psychology, cognitive techniques are beginning to make an impression on the procedures used to interview witnesses, and to run identification lineups. By considering particular cases in detail, e.g. child abuse cases and their consequences in the legal system, students will understand phenomena from different perspectives and be confronted with the challenge of transferring knowledge acquired under controlled conditions to real-life situations.
Learning outcome
This course has twin aims of bringing students to the frontline of research in the study of everyday cognition, and to show how that knowledge and those skills can be applied to specific issues in the community.
Admission
This course is only offered to students who have been admitted to the programme as a whole (2-years). ERASMUS students from our exchange partners in Thübingen and Maastricht may apply to enrol in the course.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
The course is offered to students on the Master’s Degree Programme in Psychology. Students from other master’s programmes at the University of Oslo may be admitted into this course by individual application to the department. The application has to include a confirmation from your department that the course can be a part of your degree.
Recommended previous knowledge
No prerequisites
Overlapping courses
There is no overlap with other courses. Consequently, credit is not granted for other courses in cognitive psychology.
Teaching
The teaching will be given through seminars and lectures. 24 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars
The teaching will be given in August and September.
Examination
There will be continuous assessment throughout the course:1 project report, 1 presentation and a written exam (3 hours). The course will be marked pass/fail.
Examination support material
English-English dictionary will be available at the exam.
Language of examination
English. Students are allowed to answer the exam in Norwegian, but the problem set will be given in English only.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
The results from the exam will be ready approximately 3 weeks after the exam. The exact date will be posted on the semester page and/or send out to the student email.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Students who due to illness or other valid reason of absence were unable to sit for their final exams may apply for participation in make-up exams. Make-up exams are arranged either later in the same semester or early in the semester following the exam in question. Documentation of valid reasons for absence from the regular exam must be submitted upon application to participate in make-up exams.
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Deadline 1 September. Detailed information in Norwegian.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.