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 Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Information Systems, Informatics, Information Technology, Programming, Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience or corresponding, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen
• English and Swedish corresponding to the level of English and Swedish in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6 and Svenska 3)

Intended learning outcomes

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

• account for research in cognition and emotion 
• account for the interplay between emotional and cognitive systems in the brain
• explain the relationship between environmental factors, emotions, and cognition
• critically evaluate central cognitive psychological theories and models of emotion
• apply theories of the interplay between emotional and cognitive systems to people's judgments, decisions and preferences in different situations
• discuss research in behavioral decision theory
• explain how decision theory relates to perceptions of emotion and cognition
• Identify one's need of further knowledge in cognition, emotion, and decision-making and develop one’s competency in relation to that

Course content

The course deals with the interplay between cognition, emotion and decision-making. This includes perspectives and results from different fields and disciplines in psychology, philosophy and cognitive science.

Key content covered in the course is:

• cognitive theories of emotion
• the neuropsychological basis for the interaction between cognition and emotion, including neuroanatomical and neurochemical aspects
• Theories about the evolutionary origins of emotion and cognition
• the connection between physical environment and emotion
• emotional design
• different perspectives and theories about how people make decisions.

Teaching and working methods

The teaching consists of lectures and seminars. In addition, the students are expected to read materials on their own.

Examination

The course is examined by:

• written and oral individual assignments, grading scale: UG
• active participation in seminars, grading scale: UG
• written individual examination, grading scale: EC 

For Pass (E) final grade, Pass (E) is required for the home examination and Pass for other parts. Higher grades are based on the exam.

Detailed information can be found in the study instructions.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

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 conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

About teaching and examination language

The teaching language is presented in the Overview tab for each course. The examination language relates to the teaching language as follows: 

• If teaching language is “Swedish”, the course as a whole could be given in Swedish, or partly, or as a whole, in English. Examination language is Swedish, but parts of the examination can be in English.
• If teaching language is “English”, the course as a whole is taught in English. Examination language is English.
• If teaching language is “Swedish/English”, the course as a whole will be taught in English if students without prior knowledge of the Swedish language participate. Examination language is Swedish or English depending on teaching language.

Department