Experimental Psychology: Cognitive Processes
PSYC 440
Lecture meeting: MW 3:00 – 4:15 PM (BPS 1236)
Lab meeting:
Wednesday
Section 0101: 9:00 – 11:00 (BPS 0124)
Section 0102 11:00 – 1:00 (BPS 0124)
Thursday
Section 0103: 9:00 – 11:00 (BPS 0124)
Section 0104: 11:00 – 1:00 (BPS 0124)
Instructor: Dr. Michael Dougherty
Office: BPB 1145B
Office Hours: Tentatively Monday 1:00 – 2:00 and by appointment.
PH #: 301-405-8423
E-Mail: mdougherty@psyc.umd.edu
Lab Instructor:
Petra Scheck RM: BPS 3140
Phone: 301-405-0026 e-mail: pscheck@wam.umd.edu
Office Hours: Thursday, 1:30 – 3:00, and by appointments
Course Web page: http://www.bsos.umd.edu/psyc/dougherty/Classes/psyc440.htm
Reading:
Required Texts: APA Style Manual (5th edition) American Psychological Association.
Required Readings: Course Packet available at BSOS copy center.
Purpose of the course: The purpose of this course is three-fold: 1) to give you a basic understanding of
contemporary research in cognitive psychology, 2) help you develop the methodological and analytical skills
necessary to do research in cognitive psychology, and 3) learn ya how to rite properly. In the process of
satisfying these goals, we will explore, in depth, 4 major areas within cognitive psychology: Working memory,
prospective memory, long-term memory, and memory monitoring. You will be required to develop testable
research ideas, carry the ideas to fruition, and write brief journal-style reports.
Each topic will begin with an overview of the major theoretical and empirical work, relying on contemporary
journal articles to explore the latest ideas by some of the top researchers in each field. We will then develop
new testable ideas, implement the ideas via controlled experiments, and then write the results up.
Evaluation / Grading: There will be a total of 530 points possible in this class. Assignments are due on the
due date. No make-ups will be given for quizzes and in class assignments.
Exams and quizzes
 Exams (200 points)
There will be two exams (midterm and final) each worth 100 points. Exams will cover everything
covered in the course (lecture and lab material, APA style, experimental design, statistics, etc.)
 Pop quizzes (20 pts): 10 unannounced pop quizzes will be given. Pop quizzes can occur in both lecture
and lab. No make-ups will be given.
o Participation (20 pts): Participation is my way to making sure everybody has read the material before
coming to class. Names will be drawn at random. If you are not in class or cannot answer the question
you will not receive participation points for that day.
Assignments
 Writing assignments (220 points total)
- 2 flash papers (10 pts each): Short in-class writing assignments.
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- 2 full manuscripts (12 – 15 pages) (100 points each): Each full paper will consist of three sub-grades:
a) Full “final” draft, b) Full “revised final” draft, c) response letter to TA describing how manuscript
was revised in light of comments.
Final Project (50 points): Original research idea: Research proposal, Data collection, Poster
presentation.
4 Other assignments (5 points each): Scavenger Hunt; Article summary; Counterbalancing exercise;
APA style assignment
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Note: I reserve the right to change the grading system in any way (add, delete, or change assignments,
quizzes, and exams).
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Make-up exam policy: I give make-up exams only for University sanctioned reasons. Please consult the
University Student handbook. Notes from doctors and funeral homes are required when applicable (these
are easily obtainable if your excuse is legitimate). No make-ups will be given for quizzes and in class
assignments.
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Late paper policy: Late work is highly discouraged. Only in extreme circumstances in which
documentation for University sanction excuses (see student handbook) will tardy papers be accepted
without penalty. The penalty for late papers is the reduction of a letter grade for each day late as follows: 1
letter grade for 1 day late, 2 letter grades for 2 days late, 3 letter grades for 3, 4, 5, or 6 days late. A paper
handed in on day 7 will receive an F (59%) and a paper handed in on the 8th day will receive a 0%.
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Note to Disabled Students: Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him or her
from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact me personally as soon as possible so we can
discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate your educational opportunities.
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Academic Misconduct: Honesty is a fundamental precept in all academic activities and those privileged to
be members of a university community have a special obligation to observe the highest standards of honesty
and a right to expect the same standards of others. Academic misconduct in any form is inimical to the
purposes and functions of the university and therefore is unacceptable and rigorously proscribed. If you
have questions about what constitutes academic misconduct, contact me.
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Students enrolled in this class shall abide by the code of academic integrity. For more information
see: http://www.inform.umd.edu/CampusInfo/Departments/JPO/AcInteg/code_acinteg2a.html