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Regular version of the site
Master 2019/2020

Theory and Methodology of Modern Psychology

Area of studies: Psychology
Delivered by: School of Psychology
When: 1 year, 1, 2 module
Mode of studies: distance learning
Instructors: W.Joseph MacInnes, Mario Martinez-Saito, Beatriz Martín-Luengo, Anna Petrova
Master’s programme: Cognitive Sciences and Technologies: From Neuron to Cognition
Language: English
ECTS credits: 4
Contact hours: 56

Course Syllabus

Abstract

Psychology is becoming more of an interdisciplinary topic every year, and this master’s program is embracing that change. This course is intended to provide a knowledge of theoretical topics in psychology. Topics will include a history of the various approaches to psychology, an overview of current topics and an introduction to the study of psychology as a science.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the role of the computers and technology in psychology and neuroscience
  • Practice a number of techniques and tools for designing creating and analyzing experiments
  • Understand the basics of Matlab as outlined in the online course https://www.coursera.org/learn/matlab/
  • Understand the role of the scientific method in psychology and neuroscience
  • Analyse published psychology papers
  • Understand the methodology of cognitive psychology research
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the statistical and theoretical reason for critical timing in experiments
  • Understand the limitations of current computers, processors, memory and graphics
  • Be able to program basic experiments in one of the current available options
  • Understand and be able to implement a proper workflow for data preprocessing
  • Understand timing issues to coordinate multiple devices like eye tracking, response boxes, EEG and TMS
  • Complete matlab course. Understand the basics of Matlab
  • Learn the origins of cognitive psychology and its development
  • Understand the basis of cognitive psychology
  • Understand how psychology research can be applied in everyday life
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Mental chronometry and timing
  • The computer and experiment display
  • Programming experiments: options and examples
  • Data analyses and preprocessing
  • Coordinating multiple experiment technologies
  • Coursera online matlab component
    https://www.coursera.org/learn/matlab/
  • Psychology overview
    Historical approaches, Psychology as a science, psychological methods
  • Basic cognitive processes
    Attention and perception, learning, memory, language, emotion and motivation
  • Applied cognitive psychology
    Enviromental psychology, forensic psychology
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Homework assignments
  • non-blocking Final exam
  • non-blocking Matlab coursera assignments
    Assignments will be graded as pass/fail. Passed assignments will recieve full 20 points on the course grade out of 20
  • non-blocking Homework assignment - critical essay
  • non-blocking Mid-term test
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • Interim assessment (2 module)
    Final grade = 0,5*(0.4*FP1+0.6*FE1) + 0,5*(0.6*FP2+0.2*FE2 +0,2*OC).
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • de Groot, J. I. M., Berg, A. E. van den, & Steg, L. (2012). Environmental Psychology : An Introduction. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=446208
  • Dehaene, S., Sergent, C., & Changeux, J.-P. (2003). A neuronal network model linking subjective reports and objective physiological data during conscious perception. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.9E60F42A
  • Gudjonsson, G. H., & Haward, L. R. C. (2016). Forensic Psychology : A Guide to Practice. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1165368
  • King, D. B., Viney, W., & Woody, W. D. (2016). History of Psychology : Ideas and Context (Vol. Fifth edition). New York: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1028367
  • Nairán Ramírez-Esparza, Samuel D. Gosling, Verónica Benet-Martínez, Jevrey P. Potter, & James W. Pennebaker. (2004). Do bilinguals have two personalities? A special case of cultural frame switching. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.C6F88FA3
  • Neisser, U. (2014). Cognitive Psychology : Classic Edition (Vol. Classic edition). New York: Psychology Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=916875
  • Tod, D. (2014). Sport Psychology : The Basics. Hoboken: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=792366

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Carugno, G. (2018). Is Music a Universal Language? From Semiotics to the Recent Findings of Music Psychology. Interdisciplinary Humanities, 35(3), 26–35. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=asn&AN=139187692