PSY 307 - Memory and Cognition

General Information

Text

Galotti, K. M. (1999). Cognitive Psychology In and Out of the Laboratory (2nd Ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Dr. Debra Valencia-Laver, FOB 47-21R, Phone: 756-1603, email: dlvalenc@calpoly.edu

Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays 4:10 - 4:40 pm; Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:30 - noon; or by appointment

This course will introduce principles and theories in the study of memory and cognition as well as key psychological processes. Concepts studied will include: models of perception, attention, and memory; the nature of knowledge representation; characteristics of short term and long term memory; expertise in perception and problem solving; and applications to areas such as eyewitness testimony and expert-novice differences in cognition as well as extensions to cross-cultural research on cognition. There will also be extensive references to the biological bases of cognitive processes.

The main sources for information will be lecture and text. Since lectures will explain and expand on the topics and research from each chapter, regular attendance is strongly encouraged. It is also best to keep up with the reading. Because you will be asked to provide an empirical base for many of your arguments in tests, careful attention to the methodology and results of presented studies is advised.

Learning in this class will be assessed through 2 exams, 2 lab investigations, 1 web assignment, and 6 concept checks (of which 5 will count towards your grade). Exams will contain both essay and multiple choice questions. The final exam will be not be comprehensive; it will be weighted towards material in the final chapters. The lab investigations will allow you to examine and comment on information designed to deepen your understanding of cognitive phenomena. The concept checks, which are graded on an all-or-none basis, will allow periodic assessments of your comprehension of the course material.
 

Grading

Both exams will be worth 60 points each. The web assignment is worth 20 points, the labs are worth 40 points each, and the concept checks are worth 4 points each with 20 points counted towards computing your final grade. Please see the syllabus for exam dates.

Make-up test and late assignment policy: There will be no make ups on concept checks; however you may miss one of these without penalty since only 20 out of the 24 possible points will be counted towards your grade. Late assignments and tests taken after the test date without an adequate, documented excuse (e.g., medical note) will count for 90% of the original point total if completed/turned in by the next class meeting (i.e., I will multiply your test score/assignment grade by .90). Thereafter, the assignment or test will be worth only 75% of the original point total.

Grading Criteria for Lab Investigations: Grades for the lab investigations will be assigned according to the following criteria -

A (36-40 points):  Superior completion of work: Evidence of excellent integration with course material; examples are relevant and interesting; concepts and data are analyzed at a deep, thoughtful level. An excellent understanding of both theory and application are clearly evident. Work is turned in on time, is complete (all sections of the lab are addressed), and is relatively error free. Writing is organized, clear, concise, and shows insight. 

B (32-35 points):  Satisfactory completion of work or superior effort towards completion. Generally fine work, but weak in some aspects as compared to superior completion of work.

C (28-31 points):  ):  Adequate completion of work or effort towards completion. Drawbacks in one’s work which may be evidenced by weaknesses in two or more of the following areas: topic development is at a superficial level; the paper is poorly organized and presented; a sloppy presentation, a late or incomplete assignment; moderate, but consistent grammatical and technical errors in writing.

D (24-27 points):  Minimal completion of work or effort towards completion. Minimally acceptable work with significant errors in writing and showing little understanding of the assignment.

F (below 24 points):  Unsatisfactory completion of work or effort towards completion. Unacceptable work with several major deficiencies.

Final grades will be determined using the following scale:

Syllabus
 

DATE	TOPIC	READING
6/17 - 6/19	Introduction & History	Chapter 1 links       outline
6/24 - 6/26	Perception & Pattern Recognition	Chapter 2 links       outline
7/1 - 7/3	Attention	Chapter 3 links       outline
7/8 - 7/15	Memory: Encoding	Chapter 4 links       outline
7/17	EXAM #1	CHAPTERS 1 - 4
7/22 - 7/24	Memory: Retrieval	Chapter 5 links       outline
7/29 - 8/5	Topics in Memory for General  Knowledge (pp. 220-226; 240-245)  Autobiographical Memory	Chapter 7 links       outline  Chapter 6 links       outline
8/7	Animal Cognition
8/12 - 8/14	Thinking & Problem Solving	Chapter 11 links     outline
8/19 - 8/21	Cross-Cultural Issues	Chapter 16 links     outline
THU 8/28	EXAM #2 (1 pm - 4 pm)	CHAPTERS 5, 6, 7, 11, 16