Cognition and Human Performance
Overview
This unit provides students with an understanding of the contents and workings of the human mind and their 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.
Requisites
STA10003 Foundations of Statistics
PSY10007 Brain and Behaviour
PSY10003 Psychology 100
PSY10008 Fundamentals of Psychology
PSY10004 Psychology 101
Rules
Pre-requisite
PSY10005 Introduction to Research Methods and STA10003 Foundations of Statistics and PSY10007 Brain and Behaviour
OR
PSY10003 Psychology 100 and PSY10008 Fundamentals of Psychology
OR
PSY10004 Psychology 101
OR
STA10003 Foundations of Statistics and PSY10008 Fundamentals of Psychology and PSY10007 Brain and Behaviour
AND
Admission into BA-SSCPSY2S Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) OR BA-SSPSY6 Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) OR BA-BEHP Bachelor of Behavioural Studies (Psychology)
Equivalent
HAY205 - Cognition and Human Performance; HAYG422 - Cognition and Human Performance; LSY200 - Cognition and Human Performance; LSY520 - Cognition and Human Performance; PSS240(C) - Cognition and Human Performance; SLSY200 - Cognition and Human Performance
09-February-2025
05-October-2025
02-November-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 contrast the different methodologies used in contemporary cognitive psychology, including neuroscience and cognitive science approaches
- Apply theories and principles of cognitive psychology to situations that arise in everyday life
- Critically evaluate contemporary research articles published by leading cognitive psychologists
- Analyse and present findings from cognitive research in an appropriate manner
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Online Class | 1.00 | 13 week | 13 |
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 11.42 | 12 weeks | 137 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Swinburne Online
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Class | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Live Online Class | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Specified Activities Various | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 6.50 | 12 weeks | 78 |
| Live Online Class | 1.00 | 4 weeks | 4 |
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 12.17 | 12 weeks | 146 |
| TOTAL | 300 |
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
- Graduate Attribute 1 (Communication 1 - Verbal Communication)
- Graduate Attribute 2 (Communication 2 - Communicating using different media)
- Graduate Attribute 3 (Teamwork 1 - Collaboration and negotiation)
- Graduate Attribute 4 (Teamwork 2 - Teamwork roles and processes)
- Graduate Attribute 5 (Digital Literacies 1 - Information literacy)
- Graduate Attribute 6 (Digital Literacies 2 - Technical literacy)
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.