Students will be expected to provide a detailed essay (1500 words) on a topic within cognitive psychology, providing an overview of the relevant literature, applying and critically analysing research, and explaining what useful findings have come from the research. Students will receive formative feedback throughout the module, comprising task-related feedback on a week-by-week basis, together with discussions to encourage peer-learning, in addition to comments from the relevant tutor.

Cognitive psychology influences can explain human behaviour and mental processes of those who function in sport and exercise settings. This module will develop students’ conceptual and historical appreciation of cognitive issues in the context of psychology, sport and exercise. The module will also allow students to develop their understanding of methods, theories, and approaches to study the main topic areas within cognitive psychology. Cognitive psychology explores how information is processed by the brain and is concerned with how people perceive, remember, make sense of and make decisions based upon incoming stimuli.

1. Demonstrate a clear understanding and critical appraisal of theories, research, and debates relating to cognitive psychology

Learning Outcome: Knowledge & Understanding, Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

2. Express in writing a structured argument representing debates in cognitive psychology to explain human behaviour

Learning Outcome: Communication

Students follow a single-semester study programme. Students will learn through a combination of asynchronous lectures, synchronous lectures, and webinars. Video lectures will be posted on the virtual learning environment (VLE), and students will be required to view these each week prior to completing the webinar activities, which will then be used to build upon the material presented in the video lectures. In addition, students can access support material via the virtual learning environment (e.g., Blackboard) and Microsoft Teams.

Students are required to access additional support material independently.

Students will learn through a combination of video lectures, independent activities, formative feedback tasks, peer to peer discussions, and 1-2-1 tutor support.

Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment
Microsoft Teams
Internet access
Library facilities

Eysenck, M., & Keane, M. (2020). Cognitive Psychology: A student's handbook. Hove, UK: Psychology Press.

Harrison, V., Kemp, R., Brace, N., & Snelgar, R. (2021). SPSS for psychologists. Bloomsbury Publishing.

Cognition in Sport and Exercise explores how people think, focus, decide, and perform in sport and exercise settings. You will examine key cognitive processes such as attention, perception, memory, and decision-making, and how these influence performance and behaviour. This foundation supports progression to higher-level psychology modules and strengthens key academic and employability skills.