Students

PSYC737 – Advanced Issues in Thinking and Reasoning

2016 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Colin Wastell
colin.wastell@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
PSYC737
Unit description Unit description
The focus of this unit will be on complex human cognition, reasoning, thinking and information processing. The unit will explore topics including dual process theories of human cognition, the adaptive heuristics vs biases debate, the role of the fourth heuristic (emotion) in information retrieval and manipulation and other topics in the area of human judgement and decision making.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • As a result of participating in this unit students will be able to: A Describe and outline the major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding.
  • B List and critique the central assumptions of the major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding,
  • C Describe and critique the Dual (Multi) Processes models of human thinking, reasoning and deciding,
  • D Outline and critique the application of major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding to a specific domain of human endeavour. In 2016 this will be Cognitive and Cultural foundations of Religion.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Major Assignment 55% 25/5/15
Short Answer Exam 40% June 6
Multiple Choice tests 5% Various

Major Assignment

Due: 25/5/15
Weighting: 55%

Topic 1

            Are human beings irrational? Discuss this question with respect to the work of Gigerenzer and Kahneman?

Topic 2

            Human beings must make decisions in situations where they are uncertain about many aspects of those situations. Describe and discuss the work of people such as Philip Tetlock in particular with regard to how effective they are in such situations and what cognitive characteristics are found to be most useful in making better predictions?

 

Topic 3

            This is an open topic, that is the student is free to determine the question and provide her/his answer to it. Students who undertake this topic must be aware that they will be marked according to the expected standards of an essay at 4th year. PROPOSED TOPICS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR WASTELL IN WRITING BEFORE THE SEMESTER BREAK ON APRIL 4th FOR APPROVAL.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • As a result of participating in this unit students will be able to: A Describe and outline the major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding.
  • D Outline and critique the application of major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding to a specific domain of human endeavour. In 2016 this will be Cognitive and Cultural foundations of Religion.

Short Answer Exam

Due: June 6
Weighting: 40%

The examination paper will consist of four questions.  Students must complete two of the four in 1 hour (60 minutes).  The questions will not be provided to students before the exam.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • As a result of participating in this unit students will be able to: A Describe and outline the major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding.
  • B List and critique the central assumptions of the major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding,
  • C Describe and critique the Dual (Multi) Processes models of human thinking, reasoning and deciding,

Multiple Choice tests

Due: Various
Weighting: 5%

Each weeks recorded lectures will have a short multiple choice test. To gain the marks for this component students will need to complete 4 of the 6 tests. The average score out of 10 will be the assessed mark for this component
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • B List and critique the central assumptions of the major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding,
  • C Describe and critique the Dual (Multi) Processes models of human thinking, reasoning and deciding,
  • D Outline and critique the application of major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding to a specific domain of human endeavour. In 2016 this will be Cognitive and Cultural foundations of Religion.

Delivery and Resources

The Unit seminars will be conducted on Monday afternoons 3-5pm W5C 220. The unit will consist of presentations by staff as well as by students. Students will be required to take a question or unresolved issue in the field and to examine it from within a theory or approach. The emphasis is on the empirical resolution of the question not merely a rehearsing of the facts and features of the question.

 

Students are required to attend SEVEN seminar sessions. A roll will be marked in each of the sessions. Pre-recorded lectures and slides sets will be available on the Unit web page for each of the 10-12 topics covered in the Unit. Students are required to listen to the pre-recorded lectures prior to coming to the seminars.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/

Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • As a result of participating in this unit students will be able to: A Describe and outline the major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding.
  • C Describe and critique the Dual (Multi) Processes models of human thinking, reasoning and deciding,
  • D Outline and critique the application of major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding to a specific domain of human endeavour. In 2016 this will be Cognitive and Cultural foundations of Religion.

Assessment tasks

  • Short Answer Exam
  • Multiple Choice tests

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • As a result of participating in this unit students will be able to: A Describe and outline the major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding.
  • C Describe and critique the Dual (Multi) Processes models of human thinking, reasoning and deciding,

Assessment task

  • Multiple Choice tests

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • As a result of participating in this unit students will be able to: A Describe and outline the major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding.
  • B List and critique the central assumptions of the major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding,

Assessment task

  • Major Assignment

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • B List and critique the central assumptions of the major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding,

Assessment task

  • Major Assignment

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • B List and critique the central assumptions of the major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding,
  • D Outline and critique the application of major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding to a specific domain of human endeavour. In 2016 this will be Cognitive and Cultural foundations of Religion.

Assessment tasks

  • Major Assignment
  • Short Answer Exam

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • C Describe and critique the Dual (Multi) Processes models of human thinking, reasoning and deciding,
  • D Outline and critique the application of major approaches to the study of human thinking, reasoning and deciding to a specific domain of human endeavour. In 2016 this will be Cognitive and Cultural foundations of Religion.

Assessment task

  • Short Answer Exam