Students
PSYH4462 – Computational Modelling in Psychology
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Erik Reichle
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
PSYH490 or PSHY4490 or PSYH495 or PSYH4495
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit will provide an introduction to computational modelling in (cognitive) psychology. The main goals of this unit are to foster both a basic understanding of the different approaches to modelling and an appreciation of the practical and philosophical issues related to modelling. The first part of the unit will focus on the following questions: (1) What are computational models of cognition?; (2) What are the major approaches (e.g., production systems) that are used to model cognitive processes?; (3) How are models developed and used in research?; and (4) How are models compared and evaluated? The second part of the unit will examine these issues in more depth by comparing models that have been developed to account for phenomena in specific areas of cognitive research (e.g., episodic memory). The final part of the unit will consist of student-led discussions of seminal modelling papers from the students' areas of interest. Students will also complete a modelling project or write a critique/review of existing models within their area of interest. |
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:
- ULO1: Define and critically evaluate theories and models of human cognition, identifying the need for formal theories to understand cognitive processes.
- ULO2: Apply real-world examples to explain each of the different levels applicable to formal theories of cognition.
- ULO3: Demonstrate knowledge of the main assumptions, advantages and disadvantages of human cognition modelling.
- ULO4: Identify and critically compare the breadth and scope of formal models of human cognition relative to other models in similar domains.
- ULO5: Accurately summarize the core assumptions of formal models by writing a brief description of a model.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model comparison essay | 50% | No | Week 13 |
| Model description essay | 25% | No | Week 5 |
| Alternative approaches to modelling essay | 25% | No | Week 9 |
Model comparison essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 50%
Students will submit an 1000 word essay comparing and contrasting 3 models of a particular research domain
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Define and critically evaluate theories and models of human cognition, identifying the need for formal theories to understand cognitive processes.
- Identify and critically compare the breadth and scope of formal models of human cognition relative to other models in similar domains.
- Accurately summarize the core assumptions of formal models by writing a brief description of a model.
Model description essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 25%
Students will submit a 500 word essay describing a computational model
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Define and critically evaluate theories and models of human cognition, identifying the need for formal theories to understand cognitive processes.
- Apply real-world examples to explain each of the different levels applicable to formal theories of cognition.
- Accurately summarize the core assumptions of formal models by writing a brief description of a model.
Alternative approaches to modelling essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 9
Weighting: 25%
Students will submit a 500 word essay summarizing the main differences between three alternative approaches to modelling
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Define and critically evaluate theories and models of human cognition, identifying the need for formal theories to understand cognitive processes.
- Apply real-world examples to explain each of the different levels applicable to formal theories of cognition.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the main assumptions, advantages and disadvantages of human cognition modelling.
- Accurately summarize the core assumptions of formal models by writing a brief description of a model.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Assessments will be delivered to the unit instructor (Erik Reichle) via email.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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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
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