Overview

This module provides an overview of how the mind and the brain process language. There are three goals for this course. The first goal is to introduce students to key issues, theories and debates in the psychology of language. The second goal is to provide students with the tools to critically examine the existing literature. The third goal is to equip the students with the ability to select appropriate experimental techniques for psycholinguistic studies and to be applied for their own research. The lectures will provide students with the “big picture”, i.e. central topics are summarised, important studies discussed and open questions outlined. In the tutorials, students discuss key studies in detail and reflect on methodologies, results and implications.

The following topics will be covered: 1: Introduction to Language Science and what is Psycholinguistics? 2: Speech Production and Comprehension 3: Word Processing 4: Sentence Processing 5: Discourse Processing 6: Reference and Non-Literal Language Processing 7: Language Acquisition, Development and Disorders 8: Reading 9: Bilingualism 10: Sign Language 11: Aphasia

Assessment Strategy

-Threshold -“D” : The answer must address the question. The answer must show a basic knowledge and understanding of the relevant key areas and principles of Psycholinguistics as described the above sections. The student must show evidence of being able to apply the principles to the analysis of language and linguistic examples and/or data. The answer must show evidence of some background study.

-Good -“B” : The answer must be focused and structured. The answer must show a better-than-average standard of knowledge and understanding of the relevant areas of Psycholinguistics. The linguistic examples used in the answer may be based upon examples from the literature but must also include original examples. The answer must show evidence of background study with at least some from primary sources.

-Excellent -“A” : The answer must be highly focused and well-structured. The answer must show comprehensive knowledge and detailed understanding. The answer must show some original interpretation, new links between topics and/or a new approach to a problem. The answer must show evidence of extensive background study using primary sources.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically evaluate empirical studies and experimental designs in psycholinguistics.

• Differentiate and apply the principles underlying the scientific method in general and scientific experimentation in particular.

• Evaluate, select, and apply research methods (behavioural, computational, neuroscientific) commonly used in psycholinguistics.

• Interpret and respond to the central questions addressed by the current literature in psycholinguistic research.

• Present and discuss key facts, concepts, ideas and approaches relating to the study of psycholinguistics.