Teaching Methodologies
The teaching and learning methodologies of the UC are aligned with a student-centered pedagogical model, focused on the development of practical and critical skills.
In the Theoretical Classes, the fundamental concepts of Cognitive Processes will be presented through expository methods.
The organization of the Theoretical-Practical Classes involves participatory, active, and cooperative methodologies, with a focus on acquiring skills in identifying cognitive changes associated with aging through exercises and practical work with prior content presentation (e.g., practical exercises on analyzing neuropsychological assessment results, interpreting an assessment report, and presenting practical cases).
The final assessment of this course unit will be determined using a numeric scale from 0 to 20 points. The continuous assessment process will include the following evaluation components:
(I) Individual assessment tasks in class, weighted at 50%
(II) Group work, weighted at 50%
Students will pass the continuous assessment if: (i) they achieve a minimum final grade of 9.5 points; and (ii) they have completed all assessment components. Students who do not complete both elements of the continuous assessment may take a final written exam, weighted at 100%.
Learning Results
LO1. Understand the fundamental concepts of cognitive processes and their historical evolution, as well as critically analyze the main theories and explanatory models of these processes.
LO2. Identify and describe the main domains of cognitive processes (attention, perception, memory, language, executive functions, decision making, social cognition, and emotions).
LO3. Analyze the cognitive changes associated with aging, identifying risk and protective factors, and understand cognitive stimulation and rehabilitation strategies.
LO4. Understand methods and instruments of neuropsychological assessment and critically interpret the results.
LO5. Explore the impact of digital technologies on cognitive processes and assess technological advances, such as artificial intelligence, for the development of cognitive assessment and training tools, promoting reflection on the integration of these technologies in clinical practice.
Program
CP1 Introduction to Cognitive Processes (CP)
1.1. Definition and fundamental concepts
1.2. Historical context
1.3. Theories and models of CP (processing models, cognitive modularity, etc)
CP2. Cognitive Processes
2.1. Attention
2.2. Perception
2.3. Memory
2.4. Language
2.5. Executive Functions
2.6. Decision Making
2.7. Social Cognition and Emotions
CP3. Cognitive Aging
3.1. Mild cognitive decline and dementias
3.2. Risk and protective factors for cognitive decline
3.3. Differentiation between normal and pathological aging
3.4. Cognitive stimulation and rehabilitation
CP4. Cognitive Assessment and Intervention
4.1. Methods, instruments for neuropsychological assessment, and interpretation of results
4.2. Ethical considerations in cognitive assessment
4.3. Cognitive stimulation programs
CP5. Technological Development and Cognition
5.1. Impact of digital technologies on CP
5.2. Technological advances in cognitive assessment and training
5.3. Artificial intelligence and human cognition
Internship(s)
NAO
Bibliography
Baddeley, A. (2017). Working Memory, Thought, and Action. Oxford University Press.
Eysenck, M. W., & Keane, M. T. (2015). Cognitive Psychology: A Student’s Handbook (7th Ed.). Psychology Press.
Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
McKay, S. R. (2021). Cognitive Aging: A Primer. Academic Press.
Sternberg, R. J., & Sternberg, K. (2016). Cognitive Psychology (7th Ed.). Cengage Learning.