Dr. Spetch is currently teaching Psycho 485.

Course Description:

PSYCO 485 Theory in Learning and Comparative Cognition
*3 (fi 6) (either term, 3-0-0).
A theoretical analysis of topics such as Pavlovian conditioning, instrumental learning, working memory,
timing, concept learning, and order and numerical competence. Also discussed will be the purposes and
nature of theories and the historical development of theory in learning and comparative cognition.
Prerequisite: PSYCO 381.

Course Webpage (password protected)

Course Syllabus:

Psychology 485, Theory in Learning & Comparative Cognition, Section B1, 2003

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:30-10:50, BSP-226

Prerequisite 381 (Principles of Learning)

Dr. M. L. Spetch, Professor

Office: BSP-447 BioScience, Phone: 492-7548

email: mspetch@ualberta.ca

Office hours: Tues and Thurs 11:00-11:50 or by appointment.

Teaching Assistant: Tiffany Lee

BSP-537

email: tiffany.lee@ualberta.ca

Office Hours: Wednesdays 12:00 pm to 1:00pm or by appointment

492-5844

Course Content

Psyco 485 provides an in-depth analysis of research and theory in learning and comparative cognition. The course is designed to acquaint students with both historical and contemporary theoretical issues in these areas. The course aims to provide an appreciation of the purpose and nature of theory as well as the interplay between theory and empirical research. Specific topic areas will include history of learning theory, theoretical analyses of associative learning, memory processes, spatial cognition, and numerical and language competency in non-humans. The term paper and oral presentation requirements will give students experience in reading and evaluating the first-hand literature on a particular topic. These assignments will provide students with an opportunity to develop and sharpen their critical thinking skills and to enhance their ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Course Goals:

The content of the course is intended to: 1) Provide students with an understanding of historical and contemporary issues in the study of learning and comparative cognition, and show how theory and empirical research interact in addressing these issues. 2) Acquaint students with the variety of methods and techniques that have been developed to address questions about cognitive processes in non-human organisms. 3) Help students gain an appreciation for the remarkable complexity and sophistication of cognitive and behavioral processes throughout the animal kingdom.

The format and assignments of the course are designed to help students develop skills and gain experience in: 1) reading about research from primary sources; 2) organizing and summarizing research in the literature on a particular topic, 3) effectively communicating information and ideas in both oral and written formats.

Evaluation:

Grades will be based on: 1) one midterm and a final exam, each worth up to 30%, 2) one term paper worth 28%, 3) an in-class group oral presentation worth 7%, and 4) class participation and in-class written assignments worth 5%. The exams will require essay answers and will each cover material (lecture and readings) from approximately one-half of the course (see sample questions). Each exam will be assigned a nine-point grade using the following tentative conversion: 9(93-100%), 8(83-92%), 7(72-82%), 6(60-71%), 5(53-59%), 4(48-52%), 3(40-47%), 2(30-39%), 1(0-29%). The term paper will be assigned a nine-point grade based on the nature and quality of the paper (see Aterm paper requirements@). The oral assignment is group presentation of a summary of a research article to the class. Oral presentations will be held on March 27 and April 1. Oral presentations and class participation will be marked on a nine-point scale according to criteria outlined on the AOral presentation and class participation requirements@ document.

In addition, there will be two small optional quizzes, one prior to the midterm exam and one prior to the final exam. These quizzes are each worth 5% and can be used to reduce the weight of the respective exam to 25%. Each quiz will be held during the last portion of the class on the scheduled day and writing of the quiz is optional. The mark on the quiz will count toward the final grade only if it is higher than the exam for that section. Note that there is no option for deferral or rewrite of a missed quiz.

Reading material:

(1) Coursepack: PSYCO 485 Selected Readings

(2) Materials to help with preparation of your term paper are available in Smitty (BSP-210).

(3) A few additional readings or handouts will be made available in class or on the web.

Term paper: The term paper, including the optional draft submission, must be typewritten and double-spaced, should be between 12 and 18 pages in length (excluding reference list and any tables or figures) and must follow APA formatting. Use of APA formatting for citations is particularly critical. The paper should critically review the research and theory in some area of interest in animal learning/memory/cognition. You may choose your own topic or you may develop a topic based on the possible topic ideas provided on the course web site. In either case you are encouraged to discuss your topic selection with Dr. Spetch early in the term and you must hand in a topic approval form to Dr. Spetch no later than by 2pm on Feb 25. Failure to do so will result in a deduction of 0.5 out of 9 and could result in further reductions due to inappropriate content. See term paper requirements for further details.

You should strive to attain the quality and style (although not the length or scope) of contemporary literature reviews published in Psychological Bulletin. You may submit a typewritten draft of all or part of the paper for comments no later than 2pm on March 25. You may work individually or in pairs (see Term Paper Description for information regarding working in pairs). Term papers received by 2pm on Tue April 1 will receive a bonus of 0.5 marks added to the final term paper mark. The final due date for the term paper is 2pm on Tue April 8. Marks will be deducted (1 full grade point out of 9) for each day or part day that the paper is late. For additional information see "term paper requirement", term paper FAQ (web) and the APA publication manual (available in Smitty - BSP-210).

Along with your term paper, you must hand in: 1) a signed declaration form and 2) a copy of the first page of each article that you cite in your review.

Order of topics and material covered on the exams:

Note: as apparent based on the number of readings, the topics are not equal in length. Thus we will spend considerably more time on some topics than on others. The course pack readings associated with each topic are listed. Note that quizzes and exams will cover material from these readings as well as information covered in lectures, presentations and in supplemental reading materials provided or assigned.

Part A

Topic 1: Historical development of comparative cognition and animal learning. Readings 1-7.

Topic 2: Contemporary learning theory: Pavlovian conditioning. Reading 8, 9.

Topic 3: Causal learning. Reading 10.

Topic 4: Contemporary learning theory: Instrumental learning. Reading 11.

Quiz 1 (Topics 1-3): Thurs Feb 6.

Midterm Exam (Topics 1 - 4): Thurs Feb 13. (def: Fri, Feb 28, 16:00 -17:20)

Part B

Topic 5: Comparative cognition: scope and issues. Readings 12, 13,14,15.

Topic 6: Comparative cognition: Memory processes. Readings 16, 17, 18, 19

Topic 7: Comparative cognition: Spatial cognition. Readings 20, 21.

Topic 8: Comparative cognition: Numerical competence. Reading 22.

Topic 9: Comparative cognition: Language competence. Reading 23.

Quiz 2 (Topics 5, 6,7): Tues Mar 25

Final Exam (Topics 5 - 9): As scheduled: Mon April 14, 9:00-11:00

(def: Mon April 28, 2003, 16:00-18:00)