Overview

This course introduces students to the primary methods in experimental and theoretical cognitive neuroscience. On the experimental side we concentrate on haemodynamic (fMRI and PET) and electrophysiological (ERP and neural recording) techniques. On the the theoretical side, we review models of neural encoding, learning and representation, and consider how these may be used to explain cognitive/behavioural data. Topic areas covered typically include: face processing, written word processing, prefrontal lobe function, the control of action, episodic and semantic memory, the hippocampus and space/time encoding, Hebbian learning and the modifiable synapse.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -(D) Adequate answer to the question, largely based on lecture material, or textbook level presentation. Provides no additional insight into the material.

-good -(B) Reasonably comprehensive coverage. Well organised and structured. Good insight and understanding of the material, showing some reading of primary literature.

-excellent -(A) Comprehensive and highly accurate coverage of the topic/question; outstanding clarity of argument, expression and organisation. Good depth of insight into theoretical and experimental issues.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to describe and contrast the experimental methods most frequently used by psychologists working in the Cognitive Neurosciences, with particular emphasis on ERPs, fMRI, and neural-level recording.

• Students will be able to describe and exemplify the use of the methods in a variety of specific domains, such as studies of object and face recognition, executive control, motor control, memory systems, attention, task switching, reading and spelling.

• Students will be able to evaluate critically the relative suitability of these methods to tackling particular questions in cognitive psychology.

• Students will have an understanding of the basic principles of neural encoding, representation and learning. They will understand the way in which these principles can be used to produce cognitive theories that can be related to brain function.