Current Trends in Cognitive Psychology 2-IKV-141

Objectives of this course is to provide insight into current topics in Cognitive Psychology. This include the relation between psychology and ethology, contemporary approaches to Intelligence and decision making, Cognitive illusions and biases and emotionality.

Course schedule

Type Day Time Room Lecturer
Seminar Tuesday 16:30 - 19:00 I-23 Tomáš Gál (tomas.gal at uniba.sk)

Syllabus

Current Trends in Cognitive Psychology, Summer 2023
Thema Presentation Scheduled date Materials
Introduction 14. 2. Validity and Rentability in Quantitative and Qualitative Research
Projects brainstorming Methodology 21. 2. Project managemant
From Ethology to Psychology (1) 28. 3. Are bigger brains better?
From Ethology to Psychology (2) 7. 3. The foundations of the human cultural niche
Perception What is it like to have synesthesia? 14. 3. Why Study Synesthesia?
Thinking Slow & Fast 21. 3. What music makes us feel
Affective and Cognitive Empathy About Arguments 28. 3. Neuroanatomical and Functional Correlates of Cognitive and Affective Empathy in Young Healthy Adults
Memory Tali Sharot, about biases 4. 4. (*) Optimism Bias
Some words about the Concept on Intelligence A new Equation for Intelligence 18. 4. Brain entropy and human intelligence
Cognitive Illusions Infographic, Text 25. 4. (*) Models of Affective Decision Making
Cognitive Biases 2. 5. Making biases to do something useful
Practical enhancements 10. 5. Psychology of Human-Machine-Interface
Project presentations 17. 5.

Supplemental reading and references (used by lecturer for preparation)

  • Goleman, D. (2006), Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ
  • Sacks, O. (2013) Hallucinations, Vintage
  • Steenberger, R. (2018) The Gaslighting Effect: A Revealing Look at Psychological Manipulation and Narcissistic Abuse, Independently Published,
  • Priest, H. (2019) BIASES and HEURISTICS : The Complete Collection of Cognitive Biases and Heuristics That Impair Decisions in Banking, Finance and Everything Else, Independently Published,
  • KAHNEMAN, D. (2011) Thinking, fast and slow. Macmillan,
  • GOLDBERG, E. (2009): The New Executive Brain, Oxford, Oxford University Press,
  • STAINTON, R. J. (2005) Contemporary debates in Cognitive Science. Oxford, Blackwell,
  • STERNBERG, R. J., STERNBERG, K. (2011) Cognitive Psychology. Belmont, Wadsworth (6ed)

Course grading

Semestral evaluation: active participation by sending resumes of provided texts. Resume should be send by email till the Sunday preceding course meeting. See progress here.

Exam: project presentation at coloquium. Projects / Presentations

It is welcome if seminary project corresponds, or is related, to the topic of the yearly project or special project of interest. In this case, the project may focus on theoretical or methodological part and / or a presentable research design. Given the situation with the pandemic, it is understandable if the research cannot be carried out with participants.

Project should be presented in 10-15 minutes. Expected date of presentations is May 17th.