Evolutionary theory is used as an organizing framework for comparing behavior patterns in humans and other species. Cognitive psychology is the scientific study of how people acquire and use information. The course emphasizes major theories in the field and the experimental investigation of such topics as pattern recognition, attention, personal representation, memory, problem solving, reasoning and language. An experimental-theoretical approach to processing of sensory information and perceptual phenomena. The research questions, methods, and findings from basic sensory processes to complex cognitive processes are discussed.
Major emphasis is on the visual and auditory systems.
Practical applications are considered. The study of motivation is an inquiry into the drives, needs, desires, and numerous other controlling forces operating in goal seeking behavior. Physiological, and behavioristic approaches, activation arousal theory, cognitive, social and self-actualizing theories and research will be examined and compared. This course considers how the variety of social influences impinging upon us daily contributes as one of the many determinants of our behavior in a variety of contexts. An examination of the dimensions, theories, and empirical findings in psychopathology.