Psych 206: Cognitive Psychology - Unit Information and Overview

Contact Information and Support

• Dr. Graham Jemison is the unit coordinator for Psych 206 (Cognitive Psychology).
• Email: (Provided in the lecture)
• Phone: (Provided in the lecture)
  • Leave a message with your name, contact number, and reason for calling.
• UNE understands students have various challenges (work, family, health, etc.).
• Dr. Jemison is available to help students succeed; communicate problems promptly to receive assistance.

Unit Overview

• Psych 206 is a 6-credit point unit.
• Workload: Approximately 150 hours over the trimester, averaging 12-15 hours per week.
• Workload varies based on individual student circumstances and prior knowledge.
• Assumes basic knowledge of statistics and research report writing from Psych 101 and Psych 102.
• Lectures and tutorials will be provided to enhance these skills.

Teaching Schedule

• Thirteen weeks, including a two-week mid-trimester break and a revision week before the exam period.
• Topics in bold on the schedule correspond to textbook chapters that will be assessed in the mid-trimester quiz and final exam.
• Lectures dedicated to research report writing (Week 2) and interpreting statistical outputs (Week 5).
• Two lectures released every Monday.
• Students need to watch lectures and read associated textbook chapters weekly to avoid falling behind.

Weekly Tasks and Assessments

• Week 1: Familiarize yourself with assessment requirements.
• Participate in data collection for a research report by completing a questionnaire (not compulsory, but encouraged).
• Group Assignment:
  • Select a group under the "Assessments" section on MyLearn.
  • Find a research paper (preferably online via Google Scholar).
• Week 2: Post to your group the title and URL of the selected paper.
• Provide a critical overview (250-300 words) explaining:
  • What the paper is trying to do.
  • How the research was conducted.
  • The findings and conclusions.
  • Strengths and weaknesses of the approach.
• Week 3:
  • Read critical overviews posted by other group members.
  • Select one paper and write a constructive critical commentary (250-300 words) on it.
  • Focus on helping the person improve their initial assessment.
  • Post your commentary.
• Deadline: All group work must be completed by midnight on July 14th (end of Week 3).
  • This is a mandatory assessment; failure to complete results in a fail (NI) grade for the unit.

Mid-Trimester Quiz

• Covers textbook chapters from the first six weeks.
• Open for one week: August 4th (9 AM) to August 11th (11:59 PM).

Research Report

• Due the week following the mid-trimester break: August 18th (midnight).

Final Exam

• Mix of multiple-choice questions (covering textbook chapters from the latter part of the unit) and short-answer questions.
• Four short-answer questions selected from a pool of 16.
• The pool of 16 short-answer questions will be released in Week 10.
• Short-answer questions cover all textbook readings and lectures.

Important Dates

• Exam Timetable Release: Check for the specific exam date.
• July 7: Post URL, title, and paragraph for group work (mandatory).
• July 14: Post response to another student's critical assessment in group work.
• July 21: Census date - last date to withdraw without incurring a HECS penalty.
• Online Exam Preparation:
  • Complete the “Try It Out” exam to test your system.
  • Document any problems with screenshots and contact UNE through AskUNE.
• Alternative Exam Application: Due July 18th. Approval is rare except in extraordinary circumstances (e.g., study action plan).
• Mid-Trimester Quiz: August 4-11 (mandatory).
• Research Report: August 18 (mandatory).
• August 25: Last day to withdraw without academic penalty (but HECS debt still applies).
• September 22-26: Exam period (mandatory).
• October 10: Results released.

Resources

• UNE Student Services & AskUNE: Enrolment, administration, and course-related issues.
• Unit MyLearn Site and Dr. Jemison: Course content and assessment.
• IT Help Desk:
  • Phone: (Provided in the lecture)
  • Email: (Provided in the lecture)
• Counselling and Psychological Services: Free and confidential support.
  • Phone: (Provided in the lecture)
• Urala (Indigenous Student Support):
  • Website: (Provided in the lecture)
  • Email/Phone: (Provided in the lecture)
• Community Helplines: (e.g., Lifeline) for acute personal emergencies.

Extensions

• Dr. Jemison grants extensions, but applications must be made before the due date.
• Late submissions without an extension incur a penalty of 5% per day up to 10 days, then a grade of zero.
• Contact Dr. Jemison directly for extensions.

Academic Misconduct

• Includes cheating and plagiarism.
• Claiming someone else's work as your own is unacceptable.
• Acknowledge sources even when paraphrasing.
• Working with other students is okay for understanding material, but do not copy their written work.
• Use of AI:
  • Allowed for research and preparation but must be acknowledged.
  • AI cannot write assignments for you.
  • Verify AI-generated content.
  • Using Grammarly (or similar) to tidy up the language is acceptable.

Inherent Requirements

• Related to professionalism, interpersonal skills, etc.
• Familiarize yourself with these requirements.

Exit Degree

• Available if continuing in the Bachelor's degree is too difficult.
• Provides a degree recognizing psychology studies but does not lead to fourth-year entry.
• Requires specific units (Psych 101, 102, 200, 202, 206, 213, and any 2300-level units).
• Coordinator: Dr. Methuen Morgan (Dr. Meth).
  • Email: (Provided in the lecture)

Grading Expectations

• Pass, Credit, Distinction, High Distinction.
• Criteria divide work into satisfactory, good, very good, and excellent.
• Most students are expected to receive a Credit.

Assessment Breakdown

• Group Work Assignment (10%):
  • Posting URL/title and overview (5%) - Due July 7.
  • Responding to another's overview (5%) - Due July 14.
• Mid-Trimester Quiz (20%):
  • 30 multiple-choice questions, 30 minutes.
  • Open August 4 (9 AM) to August 11 (11:59 PM).
• Research Report (30%):
  • Approximately 2,000 words (+/- 10%).
  • Due August 18 (midnight).
• Online Exam (40%): Multiple choice and Short Answer Questions.

Feedback

• Feedback provided to help improve future assignments.
• Limited feedback for late submissions (without extension).

Online Exam Details

• Test equipment and connection with the “Try It Out” exam.
• Alternative Exam:
  • Apply through AskUNE by July 18.
  • Requires supporting documentation.
  • Consists of eight short-answer questions (SAQs).
  • Four SAQs are the same as in the online exam; four are from the latter half of the trimester.
  • No MCQs.
• Both online and alternative exams are 2 hours and 15 minutes.
• Short answer question length: Approximately 300 words.

Delivery Modes

• Internal and external enrolments.
• Lectures presented online only (two pre-recorded lectures each Monday).
• Internal Students:
  • Face-to-face tutorial each Tuesday (12 PM - 1 PM) in Psychology Building (SO6), Seminar Room 1.
  • Recordings will be made available.
• Live Zoom session each Thursday (9 AM - 10 AM); link posted on MyLearn.
• All students are welcome to attend any session (internal, external, zoom).
• Post questions on MyLearn discussion forums in advance.

Textbooks

• Cognition by Daniel Reisberg (International Student Edition, 8th edition). Earlier editions are acceptable but may have different chapter orders or content.
• Writing for Psychology by O'Shea and Mackenzie (essential for psychology studies).

Additional Resources

• Statistics of Doom (YouTube channel): Excellent for statistics help.
• Straight and Crooked Thinking by Robert H. Thouless: It can be found in the Goodreads forum.

Self-Care

• Maintain physical and mental health.
• Healthy diet, relaxation, socialization, exercise, water intake.
• Balance coffee, chocolate, and TV.
• Avoid procrastination, conflicts, smoking, drinking, and late nights.

Connecting with Other Students

• Find study groups or buddies.
• Connect online or face-to-face (if possible) through study centers.
• School of Psychology Community MyLearn page for broader discussions.

Online Behavior

• UNE has a strict code of conduct for electronic communication.
• No bullying, intimidation, harassment, or discrimination.
• Be respectful and reasonable.
• External social media sites are unmonitored; verify information with Dr. Jemison.

Student Action Plans (SAPs)

• For students with disabilities, chronic conditions, carer responsibilities, or from the Australian Defense Forces.
• Obtain a SAP through the Accessibility and Wellbeing Office (SAWO).
• Send SAP to Dr. Jemison as soon as possible.

Alternative Pathways

• Most undergraduates (80%) will not get into fourth year.
• Consider alternative helping professions: counseling, social work, community services.
• Faculty of Medicine and Health provides degrees in these areas.
• Research options: Master of Philosophy, Master of Science, or PhD programs.