Course

Unit I

Unit I – Reasoning and Decision-Making
Types of reasoning: inductive and deductive
Approaches to reasoning: componential, rules/heuristics and mental models
Cognitive biases in decision-making (e.g., availability, representativeness, framing effect, and hindsight bias)
The neural basis of decision-making

Unit II

Unit II – Neural Basis of Emotion
Psychological theories of emotion
The nervous system: Vagus nerve and emotion regulation
The limbic system as the “emotional brain” and emerging concepts of emotional networks
The amygdala
Interactions between emotion and other cognitive processes (LeDoux, Damasio)
Understanding the minds of others

Unit III

Unit III – Motivation and Behavioural Change
Psychological theories of motivation
Neural basis of motivation
Behaviour change: habits, nudging, motivation, interest, reinforcement, self-regulation, and self-efficacy, goal setting
Cognitive control and goal-oriented behaviour
Behaviour change experiment: Identifying a personal area of behaviour change in collaboration with the Mano Layam Center for Wellbeing and development of a strategic implementation plan

Unit IV

Unit IV – Language
Definition of language: phonemes, words, and letters; semantics and syntax
Language acquisition
Neural models of language comprehension and speech production

Unit V

Unit V – Neurodivergence
Neurodevelopmental differences: variation of cognitive functioning (neurodivergence) due to autism, ADHD, dyslexia, synesthesia, etc.
Intense World Theory of autism

Prerequisites: Good reading and writing skills in English; Basic understanding of brain anatomy and neural functioning

Summary:
Learners will understand how we use higher-order cognitive skills, such as reasoning and
decision-making, but also, how we can make errors in judgement. They will learn what motivates us, where emotions come from, and how cognitive control helps us navigate life. They will also learn how emotions and motivation shape behavioural change. Learners will also grasp the importance of language, how we learn language as infants, and how being able to understand another person’s point of view is important for human societies. Finally, learners will appreciate variations in cognitive functioning, such as in neurodivergence.

Course Objectives:

1. To develop a critical understanding of how we use our mind for reasoning and making decisions and how we make errors in judgment.
2. To gain an overview of the neural basis of mental processes, such as reasoning and decision-making, emotion, motivation, and language.
3. To understand how our emotions affect other cognitive processes.
4. To understand the connection between motivation and behavioural change, as well as other theories of behavioural change mechanisms.
5. To gain insight into what language is, why it is important to us as humans, and how infants acquire language.
6. To gain an overview of variations in cognitive functioning (neurodivergence).

Course Outcomes:

• CO1: Gain insights into theories from cognitive psychology that explain cognitive processes, such as reasoning and decision-making, emotion, and motivation.
• CO2: Gain insights into the neural basis of cognitive processes, such as reasoning and decision-making, emotion, and motivation.
• CO3: Understand the connection between motivation and behavioural change, as well as other theories of behavioural change mechanisms.
• CO4: Understand the importance and role of language.
• CO5: Understand variations in cognitive functioning (neurodivergence).

Skills:

• Understand cognitive psychology theories and the neural basis of cognitive processes, such as reasoning and decision-making, emotion, and motivation.
• Understand the neural basis of cognitive processes, such as reasoning and decision-making, emotion, and motivation.
• Develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between brain function and cognition.
• Grasp how emotion, motivation, and other factors impact behavioural change.
• Gain an overview of variations in cognitive functioning (neurodivergence).