Cognition and Human Performance
Overview
This unit provides students with an understanding of the workings of the human mind and its relation to behaviour. Students will gain an awareness and knowledge of the main theories of cognition and human performance. Students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of practical exercises where they can apply their theoretical knowledge to practical situations and demonstrations. This unit will help students develop their understanding of key theories and research methods in cognitive psychology, and adapt skills learned in previous studies to the analysis and communication of contemporary problems in the area.
Requisites
PSY70011 Brain and Behaviour
PSY70012 Fundamentals of Psychology
STA70006 Foundations of Statistics
Rules
Pre-requisite
PSY70010 Introduction to Research Methods
AND
PSY70011 Brain and Behaviour
AND
PSY70012 Fundamentals of Psychology
AND
STA70006 Foundations of Statistics
09-February-2025
05-October-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Explain the evolution of contemporary cognitive psychology
- Evaluate the major theoretical and biological underpinnings of human perception, attention, memory, reasoning, language, and learning
- Compare and critique the different methodologies used in contemporary cognitive psychology, including neuroscience and cognitive science approaches
- Apply and evaluate theories and principles of cognitive psychology to situations that arise in everyday life
- Critically evaluate contemporary research articles published by leading cognitive psychologists
- Analyse, synthesise, and present findings from cognitive research in an appropriate manner
Teaching methods
Swinburne Online
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Online Class | 1.00 | 4 weeks | 4 |
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 12.17 | 12 weeks | 146 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1 | Individual | 25% | 4,5,6 |
| Assignment 2 | Individual | 40% | 2,3,5,6 |
| Assignment 3 | Individual | 35% | 1,2,3,5 |
Content
- Theories of cognitive functioning and processes
- Perception
- Attention
- Memory
- Problem-solving
- Decision-making
- Language
- Learning
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.