Universidad de Jaén

PSYCHOLOGY OF THINKING

Lesson 1. Concept of thought . 1.1. Definition of thought. 1.2. Definition of problem. 1.3. Gestalt and problem solving. 1.4. The controversy Behaviorism-Cognitivism in the consideration of the phenomena of thought: A example of concepts formation. 1.5.A sample of problems from the point of view of information processing.

Lesson 2. Deductive reasoning. I: Linear reasoning . 2.1. Introduction. 2.2. Reasoning about relationships: 2.2.1. The Operational Model (Hunter, 1957). 2.2.2. The Image model (De Soto, London and Handel, 1965). 2.2.3. The Linguistic-Propositional model (Clark, 1969). 2.3.The  hypothesis of the levels of representation. 2.4. Mental model  theory .

Lesson 3: Deductive reasoning. II: Syllogistic reasoning. 3.1. Introduction to syllogistic reasoning. 3.2.Theories about the effect of types in reasoning: the atmosphere effect theory and the premise’s  failure interpretation theory. 3.3. The influence of content in syllogistic reasoning. 3.4 Johnson-Laird’s Mental Model Theory.

Lesson 4: Deductive reasoning III: Propositional reasoning. 4.1. Introduction to propositional reasoning. 4.2. Disjunctive reasoning. 4.3.Conditional reasoning. 4.3. Mental models of propositional reasoning.

Lesson 5: Inductive reasoning . 5.1. Classical and instrumental conditioning as examples of basic inductive reasoning.  5.2 Heuristics in probability and causal judgments.

Lesson 6: Analysis of arguments. 6.1. Use of arguments. 6.2. The language of argument. 6.3. How to analyze arguments. 6.4. Fallacies.

PSYCHOLOGY OF LANGUAGE (OR PSYCHOLINGUISTICS)

Lesson 1. General characterization of Psycholinguistics. 1.1. Introduction. 1.2. Historical development of the Psychology of Language. 1.3. System components of language processing. 1.4. Research methods. 1.5. Recurrent topics in Psycholinguistics. Annex: Animal language and human language.

Lesson 2. Speech perception . 2.1. Characteristics of sound waves. 2.2. Characteristics of the speaking´s sounds. 2.3. General features of speech perception. 2.4. Vowels perception. 2.5. Consonants perception. 2.6. Theories of speech perception. 2.7. Context effects in speech perception.

Lesson 3. Word recognition . 3.1. Introduction. 3.2. Structure and organization of the mental lexicon. 3.3. Research methods. 4.2. Variables influencing word recognition. 3.5. Models of written and spoken words processing. 3.6. Semantic processing.

Lesson 4. Language production . 4.1. Introduction. 4.2. Speaking mechanisms. 4.3. Data sources. 4.4. Processing levels in language production. 4.5. Models of oral production.

PRACTICAL CONTENTS: The main target of the practices consists of the training in analysis and construction of critical arguments: evaluation and elaboration of arguments, detection of fallacies, etc. According to the number of pupils, the analysis of experimental phenomena studied along the course could also be programmed. The teacher will provide or recommend the necessary material according to the concrete activity that is currently carried out.

These contents (theoretical and practical) could suffer some modification in the teacher considers it necessary to the appropriate development of the course.

The contents and skills (07GT, 13ET, 14ET, 4TR and 9GT) of the subject will be modulated along the theoretical and practical sessions. Along the theoretical sessions the fundamentals that define and articulate to psychology as a scientific discipline, different theoretical models and the basic principles of the higher psychological processes (7GT, 13ET and 14 ET) will be provided to students. Respect for the values of freedom, justice, equality and pluralism, and the critical analysis and synthesis abilities (4TR and 9GRT) will be worked on practical and theoretical expositions. Learning outcomes (RO2, RO3, RO4 RO5 and RO6) will be evaluated through the final examination, and the activities programmed along the practical sessions.

Students with special educational needs should contact the Student Attention Service (Servicio de Atención y Ayudas al Estudiante) in order to receive the appropriate academic support

1.-   THEORY (70%): Evaluation of (RO3 and RO5 RO6) theoretical knowledge of students will be made by a final exam. The exam may contain multiple choice questions and/or short answer or essay questions.  Expositional clarity, correct spelling and expression, capacity for analysis and synthesis, the use of psychological terms in an appropriate manner, the formal presentation of the exam, etc. will be considered in the evaluation. All scheduled test that has to be subject to deferment for personal and justified reasons ( (Artco. 13.1   Reglamento de Régimen Académico y de Evaluación del Alumnado de la Universidad de Jaén) will switch of date according to the current regulations, and the format of exam will be oral. That is valid also for practices evaluation. 

2.- PRACTICES AND ATTENDANCE (30%): Practices will be evaluated continuously throughout the course through attendance, and delivery of activities and/or exams (RO2 and RO4). Those pupils who decide to make the practices must compulsorily attend all sessions (5%).  

3.- FINAL MARK= THEORY (70%) + PRACTICES AND ATTENDANCE (30%). Practices mark will be added whenever theorical exam is passed.