Language and Memory | PSYC2021 | University of Southampton

Module overview

This module is designed to provide you with an introduction to cognitive psychology, or the study of human cognitive processes, with an emphasis on three of those processes – communication, language and memory. Apart from being intrinsically interesting (who isn’t interested in understanding how their own mind works?), there are many practical reasons for taking this module. For example, cognitive psychology is arguably one of the dominant theoretical perspectives in modern psychology, and has provided many of the principles that are important in related fields such as education, learning, forensic psychology and abnormal psychology. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly to you, this module may also have more direct and personal payoffs by showing you how to study more efficiently, remember better, and appreciate the basis for common deficits such as dyslexia or amnesia.

Linked modules

Pre-requisite: PSYC1016

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Evaluate the evidence for use of language in non-human animals
Explain the major theories of reading
Evaluate the experimental evidence for theories of word processing
Describe the evidence for the association between language and various regions of the brain
Explain the concepts of variability and categorical perception in relation to speech perception
Evaluate the experimental evidence for the different components of human memory
Appreciate how fundamental thinking regarding human memory can be applied to real-world context such as eyewitness testimony

Syllabus

1.Animal Communication

2.Language and the Brain

3.Word Processing

4.Reading

5.Speech Perception

6.Memory screening methods, and implications for memory models

7.Working Memory

8.Long Term Memory

9.Everyday Memory and Effects of Emotion

10.Suggestibility and Amnesia

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

The module will consist of the equivalent of two one-hour lectures per week during the semester. These lectures will include numerous demonstrations to help you understand the basic methods used by cognitive psychologists to study cognition, and to emphasize important findings related to cognitive psychology. You will be provided with a brief summary of each lecture, a guide to corresponding reading(s) in the text, and self-assessment questions for each topic to help you gauge your understanding of the lecture and text materials. All materials will be available via a dedicated Blackboard page. Students who have questions, or are otherwise having difficulty understanding the content, are encouraged to contact the relevant lecturer via e-mail or in person during office hours or immediately after class.

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	126
Teaching	24
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Eysenck, M.W., & Keane, M.T (2015). Cognitive Psychology: A Student’s Handbook. Hove, East Sussex: Taylor & Francis.

Assessment

Assessment strategy

Your knowledge and understanding will be evaluated through:

Short Answer questions midterm 45%
Assessment on Memory 53%
Research Participation (2%)

To do well in this evaluation, it is important to: (1) attend and be actively engaged in the lectures, (2) to think deeply about the theoretical ideas in relation to real world experience, and (3) to read, understand, and remember the assigned texts. Psychology and non-Psychology students will be assessed in the same way.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Psychology Participant Pool Research Participation	2%
Assessment	53%
Short answer questions	45%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Assessment	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External