Current Topics in Cognition

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/P_BCTCPN

Course Objective

Learn to read and discuss scientific articles on topics of cognition.Recognize and describe core concepts and mechanisms of perception, attention, memory, and decision making.Recognize and explain central theories on these topics, as well as their caveatsExplain, at a conceptual level, the research paradigms, methods, and dependent measures used to study the above topics. Describe examples of real world applications of research on perception, attention, memory, and decision making with regards to healthy or clinical populations in relation to their environment.Apply conceptual and methodological analysis to a scientific or real world problem

Course Content

The course provides a selection of the latest developments in cognition research, with a focus on visual perception, attention, memory, and decision making. How does the brain represent incoming sensory information? How do people’s goals and knowledge filter this information? How does the brain know time and space, and how does it learn? The course provides an overview of important cognitive theories in these core areas, insight in commonly used methods and paradigms to investigate the workings of the mind, as well as caveats and pitfalls. Special attention will be paid to eye movements and the information that can be gathered from them. In addition, we will explore how this knowledge is relevant for everyday life applications, including clinical deficits, effective design of the visual environment, and optimal decision making.

Teaching Methods

- 12 topics, 2 topics per week
- Online discussion of scientific articles (Perusall, compulsory)
- Supporting conceptual and methodological explanation through online instruction video's
- In-class in-depth assignments on scientific questions and applications
- Guest lectures.

Method of Assessment

Engagement on Perusall (score; 15% weight)Interim Canvas quizzes testing & applying knowledge during the course (pass/fail per quiz; you need to pass 10 out of 12 quizzes; 15% weight).Class attendance, 10% weightWritten Exam: (60% weight)Please note that examination components and their weights may be adapted to unforeseen circumstances.

Literature

An online syllabus with scientific articles will be provided in the course (compulsory)

Target Audience

Students at advanced bachelor level with a background in Psychology. Those with a background in Biology, Medicine, or AI may be capable of following the course, but it is strongly advised to have at least introductory knowledge of cognitive psychology or cognitive neuroscience.

Additional Information

We will make use of Perusall (through Canvas)

Recommended background knowledge

At least introductory knowledge of cognitive psychology or cognitive neuroscience, e.g. the BA1 course on Biological and Cognitive Psychology. Please check with the lecturer if you are unsure.

Explanation Canvas

Canvas will be used for online course content and assignments