Academic Year/course:
2023/24
613 - Degree in Psychology
31217 - Psychology of Memory
Syllabus Information
Academic year:
2023/24
Subject:
31217 - Psychology of Memory
Faculty / School:
301 - Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Humanas
Degree:
613 - Degree in Psychology
ECTS:
6.0
Year:
2
Semester:
Second semester
Subject type:
Compulsory
Module:
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1. General information
Memory is a complex psychological process, the proper functioning of which is fundamental to human life. This psychological process serves to encode information, store the encoded information in the brain and retrieve it later when needed. In this context, the main objective of the subject is that the student acquires a vision as complete and updated as possible of the theory, the methods of study and the most relevant results in the study of this psychological process.
Memory should not be understood as a single entity but as the interaction of several processes that act encoding and storing information, with different properties, durations and functions. The proposed type of study approaches, from a critical perspective, the main theoretical positions that have emerged since the beginning of the scientific psychology. Given the enormous development that cognitive neuroscience has undergone in recent years, an important objective for the student is to acquire a good knowledge of the relationships between the different memories and the brain. To do this, they will need to know the types and processes of human memory, what happens when memory impairment occurs, as in amnesia and dementia, and what changes occur with age in the various memory systems. Finally, it is important that they know and know how to use the main techniques used to train their own and other people's memory.
These approaches and objectives are aligned with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations Agenda 2030 (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/), so that the acquisition of the results of the subject provides training and competence to contribute to some extent to their achievement: Goal 3: Health and wellness.
Goal 4: Quality education
Goal 5: Gender equality.
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth.
Goal 10: Reduction of inequalities.
Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
2. Learning results
At the end of the term, the student should be able to describe and relate the main theoretical approaches to memory, differentiate the main variables involved in its study, and be able to analyse the explanatory significance of these processes.
In order to pass this subject, the student must́ demonstrate the following results:
- To integrate the knowledge of the subjects of the psychology of fundamental processes with the basic knowledge acquired in the Baccalaureate.
- To accurately use of the language of psychology in general and of psychology of fundamental Processes in particular.
- To understand and explain dysfunctional and pathological aspects of behaviour and relate them to knowledge of the fundamental psychological processes.
- To design studies following the scientific method to gather data and test different explanatory hypotheses of human behaviour
- To work as a team and collaborate in the solution of practical cases and experimental work.
- To effectively schedule teamwork and monitor the correct functioning of this way of working.
- To put forward explanatory hypotheses on the normal and pathological functioning of human memory.
- To prepare research reports and functional analysis of the behaviour of individuals.
3. Syllabus
Unit 1. Introduction to the study of human memory and conceptual framework.
Unit 2. Memory structures and processes.
Unit 3. Working memory.
Unit 4. Episodic memory.
Unit 5. Semantic memory.
Unit 6. Autobiographical memory, witness memory and false memories.
Unit 7. Implicit memory and explicit memory.
Unit 8. Prospective report.
Unit 9. Memory and amnesia.
Unit 10. Memory and aging.
Unit 11. Memory training.
4. Academic activities
Activities will be carried out to enable the acquisition and development of the main competencies of the subject.
Activities will also be developed to encourage critical thinking, teamwork, debate, and the realization of individual or group reports. These reports will reflect in writing both the reflections and concepts learned as well as the skills, abilities and attitudes developed during the course of the subject, all of which are essential for the acquisition of the professional competencies of the future psychologist.
The learning activities are divided into:
1. Master classes (maximum 30 hours, 3 ECTS).
2. Group practical sessions (minimum 20 hours, 2 ECTS).
3. Other activities throughout the term: (maximum 10 hours, 1 ECTS).
They will consist of scientific or academic activities, performance of or participation in research projects, reviews, portfolios, conferences, discussion groups, attendance to seminars and conferences, etc.
5. Assessment system
Assessment Criteria
The fundamental evaluation criteria of the course, as stated in the Degree Project of the Degree in Psychology of the University of Zaragoza, are the following:
1. Evaluation of written tests.
2. Assessment of individual and group work.
3. Assessment of the development, participation and quality of the activities for the development of competencies.
Evaluation tests for the first call of each academic year:
Global test: In the subject there will be a mandatory global evaluation test, to which all students will be entitled, and which will be fixed in the academic calendar by the Center. The global test will have two parts: the first part will consist of an objective theoretical multiple-choice test with three alternatives, where only one of them is correct. There is a penalty for errors: for every two incorrect answers, the value for a correct answer will be subtracted. This test will have a value of 60% of the final grade.
The second part will consist of questions in reference to the materials and contents worked in the classroom practices of the subject; students who have passed the practices during the term by continuous evaluation will not have to take this part of the test and the grade obtained during the term will be saved. It is a prerequisite to pass the theoretical and practical parts independently. The practical part will be equivalent to 40% of the final grade.
Practice reports (continuous evaluation only): Given the structure of the practices, based on the resolution of a problem (PBL), students will be required to prepare a "portfolio", which will include the different materials generated in the practical sessions ( ). The teacher will determine the structure, objectives, evaluation criteria as well as the due date, which will be non-extendable. In addition, students must attend a session with the teacher to explain the content of their portfolio, as well as satisfactorily answer questions about its preparation and
individual contribution. Passing the practical part during the term exempts the student from having to be evaluated for that part in the global test.
Evaluation tests for the second call of each academic year:
The evaluation in the second call, to which all students who have not passed the subject will be entitled, will be carried out by means of a global test to be taken during the period established in the academic calendar and set by the Centre.