Adaptive Control of Thought

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites: PY2RM Research Methods and Data Analysis
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7

Summary module description:
Adaptive Control of Thought

Aims:
This module will give students the opportunity to consider the relationship between mind and world, and to provide a theoretical framework for considering how much of intelligent behaviour is dependent upon the mind-world interaction, and how the structure and contents of the cognitive system might reflect the strucure of the environment within which it is embedded.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module students will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate claims that human cognition (especially decision-making, memory and meta-memory) has developed to meet specific environmental problems and is most effective within such domains.
2. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of theoretical frameworks such as distributed cognition which regard cognitive competence as emergent from interactions between the human agent and the external world.
3. Accurately employ human factors principles to critically analyse cognitive artefacts as supports for human cognition/behaviour.
4. Communicate the ideas behind these principles to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Additional outcomes:
Students will gain experience from participating in evaluative discussions of research and theory in large and small groups.

Outline content:
The module comprises seven two-hour seminars.
Traditional psychological theories, especially cognitive theories, place all of the explanation for people's mental abilities in their mind/brain. This module will look at the idea that human abilities are actually based upon the distribution of cognition across people and things (cognitive artefacts) that are used to support cognition and behaviour. We will examine: How human cognition might be adapted to, or take advantage of, particular environmental settings; how cognitive ability might be underestimated when tested inappropriately; how putting knowledge "in the world" increases human abilities.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Seminars involve lectures and interactive critical discussions on research and theory.

Contact hours:
Seminars- 14
Guided independent study- 86
Total hours by term- 100
Total hours for module- 100

Summative Assessment Methods:
Written exam- 75%
Written assignmnet including essay- 25%

Other information on summative assessment:
This module is assessed through coursework (25%) and a final exam (75%).
The 1.5-hour Summer Exam will require students to answer 1 essay question on topics covered in the module.
Coursework will comprise a 2000-word written report.

Formative assessment methods:
Students have the opportunity to provide the module convenor with up to two essay plans for comment and feedback in preparation for the exam.

Length of examination:
1.5 hours

Requirements for a pass:
A mark of at least 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Reassessment is by re-examination in August/September