REQUIRED TEXTS:  

Johnson, A., & Proctor, R.W. (2004). Attention: Theory and Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. 

There may be other assigned readings (journal articles) depending on the project we decide to do.

Optional Text:

APA Manual. 5th ed.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Attention is one of the fastest growing areas in cognitive psychology, with good reason -- attentional processes are fundamental to all higher level cognition (memory, language, reasoning, etc.). This course will explore how attention is measured by psychologists, as well as the different facets and theories of attention. The format for this course will be part seminar & part practicum -- we will design our own experiment, collect data and analyze the results. The objective of the course is to give you a full understanding of how attention functions in everyday cognition as well as in psychological disorders.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

You will be required to check your email on a regular basis for schedule updates and assignments.

1. Exams: Do we need them?

2. Research Paper: Each student will create their own research proposal on some topic related to attention. The paper's focus can be either experimental (examining attention in normal individuals) or applied (those with attentional impairments. The introduction should be approx. 6 typed pages in APA format -- you'll also need Method and Predicted Results (with graph of predicted means) sections. Be sure to read these TIPS before writing your paper. Make sure you are aware of the proper way to cite sources and know what plagiarism is.

3. Class Participation: This is a very small class and so active participation from everyone in the class is essential. I expect that you will have read the assigned material before class and that you come to class with QUESTIONS (see below) about the material.

Though the text we're reading is easier to read than the original journal articles it is based on, the material can be very technical, and you may have to reread sections of it 2 or 3 times before you understand it. Science is much more complicated now than it was twenty years ago -- I sometimes still reread sections of atricles 3 times before I get it. We will spend class time going over the parts you find interesting or don't understand.

Discussion Questions: Each day that a new chapter is started, students will be required to submit two thoughtful questions/comments for each article being discussed at the start of class (no late questions will be accepted).

4. Class Project: As a class we will decide on a project to conduct during the term. We will design the study, collect and analyze the data. At the end of the term, you (as a group) will present the results to a cognition class. Your project grade will be based on your individual contribution to the project and presentation.

Grading: Your grade will reflect your performance on the above requirements. The breakdown is as follows
 

OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF