Cognition, Emotion, and Decision Making, 6 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master Programme in Cognitive Science

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree in the field of cognitive science, or Bachelor's degree 180 in main field of computer science or equivalent and approved 30hp courses in one or more of the subjects: psychology, linguistics, philosophy, neuroscience, anthropology or equivalent, or Bachelor's degree in one of the main areas of Psychology or Neuroscience and approved 30hp courses in computer science or equivalent.

Intended learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should at an advanced level be able to:

• account for key research findings in cognition and emotion
• account for the interplay between emotional and cognitive systems in the brain
• explain the relationship between different environmental factors, emotions and cognition
• critically evaluate central cognitive psychological theories and models of emotion
• apply theories about the interplay between emotional and cognitive systems on people's behavior in different situations, especially those involving assessments, decisions and preferences
• account for key research findings within decision theory
• explain how results and the issues discussed in decision theory are linked to basic beliefs about emotion and cognition

Course content

The course covers the interaction between cognition, emotion and decision-making. This includes perspectives and results from different fields and disciplines, where different methods, both empirical and more theoretical, have been used.

Topics and issues listed in the course are:

• cognitive science theories of emotion
• the neuropsychological basis for the interplay between cognition and emotion, including neuroanatomical and neurochemical aspects
• evolutionary psychological theories about emotion and cognition
• relationship between physical environment and emotion
• emotional design
• different theories about how people make decisions

Teaching and working methods

The teaching consists of lectures and seminars.Some laboratory elements. In addition, the student should conduct self-study.

Examination

The examination consists of oral assignments, assignments and a written exam. Active participation in seminars. Detailed information can be found in the study guide.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

Department