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Cognitive Processes I
Undergraduate
MAQ-PSYX2246 2023Previously MAQ-PSYX246
Course information for 2023 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Understand how the human brain works when taking in visuals, sounds, memory and language. Discover the cognitive processes of selecting and sorting. Investigate how brain processes vary in dyslexia and memory impairment.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 18 weeks
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Cognitive Processes I
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, you will be able to:
- Explain and apply the major concepts, theoretical perspectives and empirical findings in cognitive psychology.
- Critically evaluate theories and empirical research in studies of various cognitive processes (e.g. attention, memory, language, decision making).
- Identify what factors impact on human performance in cognitive tasks (e.g. physiological, neural, linguistic, cultural)
- 1. Introduction and research methods in cognition
- 2. Attention
- 3. Working memory
- 4. Visual attention
- 5. Episodic memory
- 6. Semantic memory
- 7. Concepts and categorise
- 9. Word recognition and reading
- 10. Language production
- 11. Thinking and reasoning
- 12. Cognitive neuropsychology
This subject introduces introduces major topics of cognition including mechanisms of visual and auditory attention, varieties of short and long term memory, language processes such as reading and written word recognition, and storage and retrieval of knowledge of concepts and reasoning. We cannot attend to everything that impinges on the senses so we select and attend only to part of the available input. Selected information must be encoded, used, stored and retrieved. Although the main focus of the unit is on normal adult cognition, we will also examine disorders of cognition including acquired dyslexias and various forms of memory impairments. You will learn to approach research findings critically, and in the practical classes you will gain hands-on experience of classic cognitive phenomena.
- Qualitative analysis task (15%)
- Mid-session test (M/C question online test) (20%)
- Research participation (throughout the semester) (5%)
- Invigilated examination (60%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
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- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 11
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 10
Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- MAQ-PSY-DEG-2023 - Bachelor of Psychology
Prior study
You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:
one of
- MAQ-STAX1103-Introduction to Psychological Design and Statistics
MAQ-PSYX1105 (Not currently available)
and one of
MAQ-PSYX104 (Not currently available)
MAQ-PSYX1104 (Not currently available)
- MAQ-PSYX1101-Introduction to Psychology I
and one of
MAQ-PSYX105 (Not currently available)
MAQ-PSYX1105 (Not currently available)
- MAQ-PSYX1102-Introduction to Psychology II
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
MAQ-PSYX246 (Not currently available)
Others
NCCW (pre-2020 units) PSYX246, PSY246, PSY237
Pre-requisite (PSYX104 and PSYX105) or (PSYC104 and PSYC105) or (PSYU1104 and PSYU1105) or (PSYX1101 and PSYX1102 and STAX1102)
Additional requirements
- Other requirements -
Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Undergraduate
MAQ-PSY-DEG