Module: Cognition

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Cognition
Module Code	PSY1008 (ITS: PSYC103)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The aim of this module is to provide an overview of cognition including attention, mental-representation and imagery, memory and reasoning ability such as creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making. The role of language and emotion in cognition will also be considered. Particular emphasis will be also be placed on an interdisciplinary explanatory framework within an historical and theoretical context, including cognitive science, cognitive neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically consider classical and contemporary approaches to studying cognitive psychology
2. Describe the main theories and research findings covered in the module
3. Evaluate key theories and research findings covered in the module
4. Identify the value of inter-disciplinary research in the study of cognitive processes

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	20	Lectures based on indicative content and learning outcomes
Tutorial	4	Moderator and student-led tutorials
Assignment Completion	26	Independent assessment preparation and completion
Directed learning	75	Lecture review and independent learning
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11464	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	David McGovern	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Formal Examination	Exam consisting of multiple choice questions and essay-based questions where students have to answer two questions that require a broad knowledge of topics covered during the semester	100%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to and history of cognitive psychology

Experimental methods of investigation

Models of attention

Mental representation and imagery

Structure of memory

Reasoning and problem-solving

Rationality, judgement and decision-making

Language and cognition

Emotion and cognition

Theoretical issues in Cognitive Psychology

Intelligence and knowledge

Consciousness

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Michael W. Eysenck, Mark T. Keane: 2020, Cognitive Psychology, 8th, Psychology Press, 9781138482234
Michael Gazzaniga, Richard Ivry: 2013, Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind, 4th,
E. Bruce Goldstein: 2010, Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research and Everyday Experience, 3rd, Cengage Learning, 480, 9780840033550
E. Bruce Goldstein, Johanna von Hooff: 2021, Cognitive Psychology, 2nd, Cengage Learning, 9781473734524
Nick Braisby, Angus Gellatly: 2012, Cognitive Psychology, 2nd, Oxford University Press, London, 9780199236992
Ken Gilhooly, Fiona Lyddy, Frank Pollick: 2014, Cognitive Psychology, McGraw-Hill, Berkshire, UK, 978-0077122669
Daniel Reisberg: 2009, Cognition: Exploring the Science of the Mind, 4th, W. W. Norton, New York, 9780393198515
Robert J. Sternberg,: 2011, Cognitive Psychology, 6th, Wadsworth Publishing, Belmont, CA, 9781111344764

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None