Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Psychology School
This course is concerned with how the mind works. Cognitive topics include memory, imagery, language, intelligence and comparative psychology. The course also focuses on learning including the experimental analysis of behaviour as derived from principles of associative learning. Laboratory sessions will focus on training of skills including gathering, analysing and presenting information, and in providing feedback.
The course provides an introduction to two distinct fields within Psychology: learning and cognition. These two fields sometimes appear to be in stark contrast. Students will have an opportunity to appreciate the value of each approach. Both are valid and provide complementary approaches to Psychology. One third of the lectures will be on learning and the rest on topics in cognition.
Learning: This part of the course is concerned with the experimental analysis of behaviour as derived from the principles of associative learning. Definitions, assumptions, and basic phenomena are reviewed and evaluated in terms of their ability to account for a range of (human) behaviour. The course offers an opportunity to acquire
• knowledge of the principles of associative learning,
• the ability to identify associative processes within everyday behaviour, and
• the capacity to apply learning principles to modify behaviour.
Cognition: The aim of this part of the course is to provide students with a general overview of the field of cognitive psychology: the study of mind or thinking. Students are introduced to selected theories and concepts in imagery, attention, memory, language, intelligence and comparative cognition. How questions about cognition can be investigated empirically is being discussed and laboratories provide hands-on experience in experimental research.
Course requirements
Assumed background
The recommended prerequisite for this course is PSYC1020/NEUR1020 and PSYC1040. PSYC1040 can be completed in the same semester as PSYC2050.
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
NEUR1020 or PSYC1020
Companion or co-requisite courses
You'll need to complete the following courses at the same time:
PSYC1040 if not taken in first year
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
Learning: This part of the course is concerned with the experimental analysis of behaviour as derived from the principles of associative learning. Definitions, assumptions, and basic phenomena are reviewed and evaluated in terms of their ability to account for a range of (human) behaviour. The course offers an opportunity to acquire
ﾕ knowledge of the principles of associative learning,
ﾕ the ability to identify associative processes within everyday behaviour, and
ﾕ the capacity to apply learning principles to modify behaviour.
Cognition: The aim of this part of the course is to provide students with a general overview of the field of cognitive psychology: the study of mind or thinking. Students are introduced to selected theories and concepts in imagery, attention, consciousness, memory, language, intelligence and comparative cognition. How questions about cognition can be investigated empirically is being discussed and laboratories provide hands-on experience in experimental research.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Know the basic concepts and theory in associative learning and cognition
LO2.
Have acquired skills in psychological experimentation through practical exercises
LO3.
Write scientifically in psychology
LO4.
Understand the links between basic research and clinical practise
LO5.
Apply different modes of psychological analysis (behaviour based vs cognitive) and to provide a critical assessment of these different approaches
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Quiz
|
15% |
2/04/2025
The quiz will take place in the lecture in week 6 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Self monitoring project
|
45% Submission compulsory to pass course |
29/04/2025 3:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final exam
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Quiz
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
2/04/2025
The quiz will take place in the lecture in week 6
Task description
The quiz will take place in lecture 6 on the 2nd of April, is invigilated and requires the use of a device (e.g., laptop) - given it is online. You have 20 minutes to complete the quiz, comprising 12 multiple choice questions (worth 1% each) and 2 short answers (worth 1.5% each). This is NOT an open book quiz and you cannot use internet resources (e.g., chat gpt). YOU MUST BE IN THE LECTURE TO TAKE THE QUIZ (unless you have special considerations and then it will be in separate room at the same time). THIS IS NOT AN AT HOME QUIZ.
Submission guidelines
online
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Self monitoring project
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 45% Submission compulsory to pass course
- Due date
29/04/2025 3:00 pm
Task description
Conduct and report a self-monitoring project (max 2500 words). You will need to hand it in electronically via “Turnitin” which is available through our blackboard web page.
The self-monitoring project will teach you to perform a behavioural analysis. Behavioural analyses are the basis of any behavioural therapy. They provide the information that is needed to tailor an intervention. You will learn how to define a behaviour operationally, how to select an observational method, and how to collect behavioural data in a controlled manner. These data will then be analysed in term of antecedents and consequences by applying basic concepts derived from research on associative learning. This analysis will allow the formulation of hypotheses about the maintenance of the behaviour, which will lead to the formulation of a behavioural intervention. The essay is marked out of 40%. You can get an additional 5% for submitting a draft operational definition in line with your tutor's instructions.
Hurdle requirements
This assessment must be submitted to pass the course.Submission guidelines
To be submitted electronically via the Course Blackboard site - Turnitin
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
28 Multiple choice questions (worth 1% each) and 8 Short Answer questions (worth 1.5% each)
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 25 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 26 - 47 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 48 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Percentage marks will be rounded to the nearest whole number ie. 84.4% will round down to 84%ﾠand 84.5% will round up to 85%. This will apply to all grade cutoffs apart from a grade of 4. The minimum pass mark is 50% and a pass cannot be achieved with 49.5%.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
More detail about the self monitoring project and the quizzes will be provided in the course handbook and the tutorials.ﾠ
The following basic rules apply in PSYC2050:
1) To achieve a minimum pass grade in the course you must submit the major assignment.
2) Required work for the lab has to be handed in via turnitin ﾠ(or as specified in the course handbook). Your tutor provides details about what needs to be submitted.ﾠ
3) The self-monitoring project assignment has to meet the requirements for written work in psychology. These requirements, mainly with regard to format, may differ from the requirements that apply in other disciplines. The assignment has to have a cover sheet bearing your student number, the name of your tutor, and the number of words you have written.
4) The self-monitoring project assignment is to be submitted electronically via the PSYC2050 Blackboard page. Further information about assignment submission will be provided in the lecture/tutorials.
5) Assignments which exceed the specified limit of words will lose marks. The amount deducted will depend on how badly the word limit has been exceeded.
6) If you think that the mark for your assignment is not appropriate, see your tutor for an explanation. Assignments can be remarked if this consultation does not yield a satisfactory outcome. A remark has to be requested within the specified timeframes on the remark form. The outcome of a remark could be that a mark stays the same (as happened in most of the previous cases), or could be increased or decreased. It is not possible to resubmit an assignment.
7) Unless explicitly indicated, all assessment items are to be individually written or produced for this course only, and sources should be fully acknowledged. Plagiarism and collusion (working closely on an assignment with someone else) are serious academic offences, and will be discussed in tutorials related to assessment. If in doubt, consult your tutor. Keep in mind that while offenders are no longer put on public display, people are still caught.ﾠNOTE: YOU CANNOT SUBMIT A PROJECT (OR PART OF ONE) FROM A PREVIOUS SEMESTER IF YOU ARE RETAKING THE COURSE.
8) In general: If you have questions, are not sure about something, or have a complaint - contact your tutor, the lead tutor, the course administratorﾠor the course co-ordinator (First hand information is always more reliable than hearsay).
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
The course web site will be available via blackboard. A detailed handbook is available on blackboard. PSYC2050 is a dynamic course that is under constant development. Thus, slides for the lectures may be posted or updated during the semester. The site also offers information about the tutorial component of the course.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Introduction |
Not Timetabled |
Levels of Science Complete web based tutorial exercise in your own time. NO tutorial class on campus this week. |
|
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Lecture |
Learning 1: Pavlovian conditioning basic principles |
Tutorial |
Blocking and superconditioning Participate in experiment |
|
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Lecture |
Learning 2: Pavlovian conditioning theory and application |
Tutorial |
Self-monitoring I Introduction to self-monitoring assignment |
|
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Lecture |
Learning 3: Operant conditioning basic principles |
Tutorial |
Self-monitoring II |
|
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Lecture |
Learning 4: Operant conditioning theory and application |
Tutorial |
Operant conditioning Feedback and SORCK |
|
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Lecture |
Cognition 1: Attention |
Tutorial |
Self monitoring III Final touches on main assignment & operant conditioning review |
|
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Tutorial |
Visual search Participate in experiment - collate and analyse data |
Lecture |
Cognition 2: Attentional control & working memory |
|
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Lecture |
Cognition 3: Long-term memory |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
no tutorial this week (Easter) |
|
Mid-sem break (21 Apr - 27 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-semester Break |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Tutorial |
Attentional blink Participate in experiment |
Lecture |
Cognition 4: Memory encoding & retrieval |
|
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Lecture |
Cognition 5: Imagery & Foresight |
Tutorial |
Working memory Participate in experiment |
|
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Tutorial |
Mental rotation Participate in experiment - collate & analyse data |
Lecture |
Cognition 6: Intelligence |
|
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Lecture |
Cognition 7: Comparative & evolutionary cognition |
Tutorial |
Comparative Cognition Discussion |
|
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Lecture |
Cognition 8: Language |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: