Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this course is to provide you with an understanding of the basic theory and empirical research in the areas of learning and cognition.A survey of the concepts, theories, and research in learning and cognition will be provided.A broad range of topics will be covered which encompass the major areas of learning (e.g., conditioning and reinforcement) and cognition (e.g., attention and memory).In addition, you will receive a cursory introduction to the biological aspects of learning and memory.The majority of our class time will be spent covering material relevant to this objective.A secondary objective is to help you to understand the importance of these topics in regards to topics or relevance to clinical psychology (e.g., attentional bias in schizophrenia, executive functioning in aging, implicit memory in depression, cognitive biases in anxiety).To meet that objective, we will review articles throughout the semester that meld basic principles of learning and cognition with their importance in affective components of behavior.In addition, we will read selected chapters in a book focusing on cognitive processes of relevance to Bipolar Disorder.Goldberg and Burdick (2008) note "the presence of prominent affective symptoms has classically been viewed as the hallmark feature of bipolar disorder" yet nonaffective components are associated with this disorder, and in fact, these nonaffective, neurocognitive components are "a fundamental yet frequently ignored or misidentified illness dimension in bipolar disorder" (p.xix-xx).Thus, the review of this area will provide us with a better understanding of the relationship between affective components and neurocognitive components in a particular mental disorder. EVALUATION:Your course grade will be evaluated in the following areas.The guidelines and detailed criteria for these areas follow next or in attachments to the syllabus. 35%Exam 1 35% Exam 2 20% Exam 3 10% Group Presentation GRADE SCALE:A = 92 -100 B = 84 -91 C = 75 -83 EXAMS:The first two exams will assess your understanding of basic theories and research in learning and cognition.These exams will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions.The third exam will be an essay exam based on the group presentations, accompanying readings, relevant material covered for the first two exams, and other assigned readings.I expect your written exam answers to communicate clearly your knowledge of the area; a list of facts is insufficient.Furthermore, you must express your answers in a clear, coherent, and well-written fashion.Operant Conditioning (Ch.8) Mineka, S. & Zinbarg, R. (2006).A contemporary learning theory perspective on the etiology of anxiety disorders: It's not what you thought it was.American Psychologist, 61, 10-26.
Author: Cynthia L. Dulaney
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2585469305