2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Nov 23, 2024

2024-2025 Academic Catalog

PSYC 120 - Introduction to Cognition

Perhaps the greatest intellectual quest of our time is to understand the human mind. How do we see, think, understand, learn, and remember? To address these questions is to study cognition. In this course, we will see how the field of cognition arose, basics of the scientific theories of cognition, the different elements of cognition, and the biological mechanisms that underlie them.

Importantly, the concepts of cognitive psychology will be used as a frame for understanding learning and behavior in the current historical context. There will be three broad themes to this application. First, how do we learn? In what ways is our intuition leading us to repeat behaviors that take our time without furthering our learning? Second, what is the science behind our racial bias and how do we fight against them? Third, why do we believe the things we do and how do conspiracy theories take hold? Why is it that emotional anecdotes have more sway over scientific evidence? Through examination of these themes, we will strengthen critical thinking and critical evaluation skills.

Must register for discussion.

Prerequisites for this course require a grade of C- or better

This course fulfills the Basic Processes requirement of the Psychology major

Prerequisites: PSYC 101

Anticipated Terms Offered: Offered periodically