Prospectus

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Cognitive Neuroscience of Action Control

Course
2016-2017

Entry requirements

Only open to MSc Psychology (research) students

Description

This course is intended to provide an overview of, and discuss state-of-the-art developments in the cognitive neuroscience of attention and action control. The selection of papers considered changes from year to year but will focus on the experimental analysis of action-control mechanisms including goal representation, action selection, action planning, sequential action planning, multitasking, and error monitoring.

Each course meeting aims to provide a deeper insight into the theoretical background of research on one of these core mechanisms—with an emphasis on controversies—and will be based on a paper that either reviews a substantial body of recent research or makes strong statements reflecting the different perspectives on the issue. On the basis of further reading assignments, each student will orally present at least one paper (using Power Point), write a blog, and prepare a research proposal, which consists of a critical review of the literature relevant to the chosen topic, and recommendations for future research.

Course objectives

Upon completion of the course, students will:

  • Gain an overview of recent theoretical developments in the area of action control and a deeper insight into the relationship between control processes and brain functions;

  • Get a better understanding of how modern techniques to analyse brain processes and careful, creative experimenting can inform psychological theorizing; and

  • Practice how to analyse associated methodological and theoretical problems and how to develop, communicate and defend their own opinion.

Timetable

For the timetables of your lectures, work groups and exams, please select your study programme in:
Psychology timetables

Lectures

Registration

Course

Students need to enroll for lectures and work group sessions.
Master’s course registration

Examination

Students are not automatically enrolled for an examination. They can register via uSis from 100 to 10 calendar days before the date. Students who are not registered will not be permitted to take the examination.
Registering for exams

Mode of instruction

8 2-hour work group sessions.

Assessment method

The assessment of the course is based on:

  • 10% active participation

  • 10% blog

  • 20% oral presentation

  • 60% research proposal

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences has instituted that instructors use a software programme for the systematic detection of plagiarism in students’ written work. In case of fraud disciplinary actions will be taken. Please see the information concerning fraud.

Reading list

Hommel, B., Brown, S.B.R.E., & Nattkemper, D. (2016). Human action control: From intentions to movements. Switzerland: Springer. Chapter 1 needs to be prepared for the first meeting

Contact information

Prof.dr. Bernhard Hommel
hommel@fsw.leidenuniv.nl