PSYCH 764 : Dual Process Theories of Human Cognition
Science
2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
Human beings exhibit a uniquely developed capacity for flexible thought and action. In order to account for this flexibility of mind, researchers in cognitive, social, and developmental psychology have proposed various dual-process theories that explore how automatic (implicit, parallel) and controlled (explicit, serial) processes interact to support adaptive thought and behaviour in different domains. In this course, we will explore how dual-process theories have been applied to topics such as memory, learning, categorisation, theory of mind, numerical cognition, moral reasoning, social attribution, cognitive control, and decision-making. In so doing, we will discuss key processing frameworks, including connectionism and contemporary versions of reinforcement learning. The skills developed in this course will be particularly useful for those wishing to pursue (a) a MSc or PhD in psychology, (b) a career involving the intersection of psychology and technology (e.g., working on artificial intelligence), or (c) a career in education or public health.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Develop a more comprehensive and integrated view of how the mind functions that extends beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. (Capability 3 and 4)
- Compare, contrast, and critically evaluate different theoretical frameworks and research paradigms in the fields of cognitive, developmental, and social psychology. (Capability 4)
- Lead and participate in engaging discussions that connect the course material to overarching debates in the field, practical issues in society, and your own personal interests and aims. (Capability 5, 6 and 7)
- Develop the motivation and skillset necessary to become a self-directed learner, including the capacity to evaluate one’s current knowledge and abilities critically. (Capability 4 and 8)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | 10% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Written Assignments | 45% | Individual Coursework |
| Presentation | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Final Exam | 25% | Individual Examination |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||||||
| Participation | ||||||||||
| Written Assignments | ||||||||||
| Presentation | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
Tuākana
Tuākana Science is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials,
one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/pacific-in-our-faculty.html
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-in-our-faculty.html
Key Topics
Theories of Cognitive, Social, and Developmental Psychology; Memory; Categorization; Statistical Learning; Cognitive Control; Numerical Cognition; Theory of Mind; Moral Reasoning; Decision Making
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect to spend 2 hours in lecture each week, an average of 5 hours engaging with course materials each week (e.g., completing assigned readings, taking notes, watching online lectures), and an average of 3 hours working on assignments or preparing for assessments.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including seminars to receive credit for components of the course.
Seminars may be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events but online interactions will be available through group discussions.
Attendance on campus is required for the exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
All course materials will be available through Canvas. No outside text is required.
Student Feedback
During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.
At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.
Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.
The weighting of the coursework and exam will be adjusted this year so that each written assignment is worth at least 10% of the final mark.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Copyright
The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.
You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.