Current Topics in Cognition

COURSE OBJECTIVE
- Recognize and describe core concepts and mechanisms of perception, attention, memory, and decision making.
- Recognize and explain central theories on these topics, as well as their caveats
- Describe examples of real world applications of research on perception, attention, memory, and decision making with regards to healthy or clinical populations in relation to their environment.
- Explain, at a conceptual level, the research paradigms, methods, anddependent measures used to study the above topics, as well as their caveats. Special emphasis will be put on we can learn from eye movements.
- Apply conceptual and methodological analysis to a real world problem
- Learn to read and discuss scientific articles on topics of cognition.

COURSE CONTENT
The course provides a selection of the latest developments in cognition research, with a focus on visual perception, attention, memory, and
decision making. How does the brain represent incoming sensory information? How do people’s goals and knowledge filter this information? How does the brain know time and space, and how does it learn? The course provides an overview of important cognitive theories in these core areas, insight in commonly used methods and paradigms to investigate the workings of the mind, as well as caveats and pitfalls. Special attention will be paid to eye movements and the information that can be gathered from them. In addition, we will explore how this knowledge is relevant for everyday life applications, including clinical deficits, reading, effective design of the visual environment, and optimal decision making.

TEACHING METHODS
- 12 topics, 2 topics per week
- Online discussion of scientific articles (Perusall, compulsory)
- Supporting conceptual and methodological explanation through online instruction video's
- In-class, in-depth discussion of issues, questions and applications (online if necessary)
- Guest lectures (online if necessary; compulsory)

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
- Engagement on Perusall (score; 30% weight)
- Interim Canvas assignments testing & applying knowledge during the course (pass/fail; you need to pass 10 out of 12).
- Written Exam: (70% weight)

RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE
At least introductory knowledge of cognitive psychology or cognitive neuroscience, e.g. the BA1 course on Biological and Cognitive Psychology.