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Cognition in Clinical Contexts (C8508)

15 credits, Level 4

Autumn teaching

This module will introduce you to the aims, methods, theories and empirical findings associated with a scientific approach to studying the human mind. You will learn how psychologists develop models of cognitive function that are tested against data from behavioural studies of healthy individuals, as well as from individuals with brain damage or psychopathology.

After an introductory lecture covering the historical background to cognitive psychology and the main methodological approaches taken, the module will proceed to cover five core topics: perception, attention, thinking, memory, and language.

Each topic will begin with one or two background lectures that introduce key concepts and experimental approaches. The background lectures are then typically followed by a lecture which addresses the topic from a neuropsychological approach, considering how that aspect of cognition is affected by brain injury; covering material such as agnosia, neglect, and amnesia.

Additional lectures will address the topics from a more psychopathological approach, for example examining the role of attentional biases in anxiety. The module concludes with four lectures considering cognition in the broader context of behaviour and behavioural control.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 28 hours of contact time and about 122 hours of independent study. The Â鶹´«Ã½ may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.