EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY:
COGNITION LABORATORY (PSYCH 311L)
FALL 2010
______________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Caroline E. Mann
Phone: 947-8647
*Office: Psych 2
*Email:
cmann@randolphcollege.
edu
*Class time and location:
Mon. 1:50-3:50; Room:
Psyc. 03; Psych. computer
laboratory
*Office hours: Tues.
10:45-12:00; Wed. 1:302:30; and by appointment
You may view this course syllabus on-line on Moodle at anytime.
There is no textbook required for this lab; however, there is a code provided for you in your
textbook that provides access to CogLab 2.0 Online. You will need to bring that access code with
you to lab every week. Additionally, I strongly recommend that you obtain a copy of the following
(if you don’t already own it) to aid in the writing of your lab papers:
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association
(6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.*
*A copy of the 5th edition is likely fine for the purposes of this course; there are few changes
between the two.
Purpose of the Course
The primary purpose of this lab is to give you hands-on experience with some of the experimental
techniques and methods used in cognitive psychology. Some of the topics we will discuss include
neurocognition, attention, perception, memory, imagery, and judgment. Additionally, you will have
the opportunity to conduct your own group research project of your choice towards the end of the
semester, run subjects, analyze the data, and present it in poster form to the class.
A secondary goal of the lab is to help you sharpen your critical analysis and synthesis skills. To
accomplish this goal, you will be writing several APA style Results and Discussion papers over the
course of the semester. These papers will give you the opportunity to work on your data analysis
skills and then apply your findings to previous research and suggest new avenues for future studies
(i.e., critically analyze their findings and synthesize them with a body of literature).
At the end of the semester, you should:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
be proficient in conducting several cognitive psychology experimental techniques
be able to develop an original research idea and carry it out
be able to statistically evaluate original data
be able to critically analyze and synthesize a body of literature
be able to present your ideas both in APA style and in an oral/poster presentation format.
Mechanics of the Course

Come to lab: Because so much of what we do in the lab requires hands-on work, it is
imperative that you come to every lab session. You must be part of the data collection process
to use it for the lab papers based on that experiment. There will be no make-up sessions for
missed labs.

No late assignments: Be sure to hand in all assignments on the designated day. There will be
no exceptions, unless adequate documentation is made available by the Dean of Students office
or the Health Center.
Requirements of the Course

CogLab 2.0 (Online): All of the information for the experiments are available online using
your access code with group ID (Mann2010) and group password (original). Specific details on
using CogLab and accessing each experiment are provided in an attachment to this syllabus.

RESEARCH PAPERS: You will write 3 partial APA Style research papers and 1 complete
APA Style paper over the course of the semester. These APA style papers will be based on
data collected in lab. Research papers will total 70% of your final grade.


Results and Discussion papers: Because one of the primary goals of this lab is to help you
sharpen your critical analysis and synthesis skills, most of the papers you write in the lab
will be Results and Discussion papers. Results and Discussion papers will allow you to work
on your data analysis skills and will require you to know your “Introduction” material
because you will have to apply background information to your Discussion section to make
it complete (although you will not be writing an official Introduction section in most papers).
These papers will require you to statistically analyze the lab’s data and then critically analyze
and synthesize these findings with previous literature. More specific details about Results
and Discussion papers will be forthcoming. A title page, References and proper APA style
citations should be included in every paper. The grading table below indicates the % of each
assignment contributing towards your final grade. This percentage increases with each paper
to reflect on your subsequent grades your use of feedback provided on how to sharpen your
APA writing skills.

Full APA Style paper: Additionally, to give you feedback on an Introduction and Method
section, you will be required to write one full APA Style paper for your semester project.
The full APA Style paper will include Introduction, Method, Results, and Discussion
sections and will be worth 25% of your final grade. References and proper APA style
citations should be included in every paper.
POSTER PRESENTATION: Students will work in groups of two to plan and carry-out a
final group project on the topic of their choice (Note: All projects must be approved by Dr.
Schwartz before proceeding). You may choose from a list of CogLab experiments (see the list
handed out in lab) or you may choose to develop your own experiment. Several weeks will be
available during the semester to discuss your ideas for these projects. On the last day of lab, we
will be holding the Psyc 311L Poster Session in which groups will present their original project
in conference poster form for the class. More details about the group projects and tips on
making a poster will be forthcoming. Your final Group Project Poster and your presentation of
it will be worth 30% of your final grade.
Grading:
Assignment
Expt 1 Paper (Results & Discussion)
Expt 2 Paper (Results & Discussion)
Expt 3 Paper (Results & Discussion)
Semester Project Paper (all sections)
Expt 5 Group Poster Presentation
Total
Percentage of Final Grade
10
15
20
25
30
100
Students with Disabilities:
Please provide me with the appropriate letter from Tina Barnes, Coordinator of Disability Services
in the Learning Resources Center, indicating what accommodations you require, and I will make
every effort to meet your needs. Please consult with Tina Barnes (947-8132,
tbarnes@randolphcollege.edu) in the LRC (Main Hall) if you need more information.
The Honor Code:
Important: All written assignments in this class are pledged work under the Randolph College
Honor Code. I encourage you to work with other students in the lab on most aspects of the lab
(e.g., data collection and data analysis); however, the writing of your independent papers must be
your work alone. To clarify, you may collect data with labmates and analyze the data together (not
one person analyzing the data and passing it on to others, but two or more of you sitting down
together and working through the data analysis). You may also work through critical analyses
together, but I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to write your papers individually. If
lab papers appear to be too similar, you will be asked to report yourself to the Chair of the Randolph
College Judiciary Committee for disciplinary action. If you have any questions or concerns about
how the Honor Code applies to work in this class, please see me immediately so I can discuss this
with you.
Lab Schedule:
This is an approximate guide. Material may be added or deleted throughout the semester, as time
permits. If changes are made, they will be announced in lab as soon as possible.
Topic and/or Experiment
Date
Aug. 30
Sept. 6
Sept. 13
Assignments due for the week and lab
experiments schedule for that day:

No class meeting this week


Introduction to the Lab


Discuss the semester project

Experiment 1: Brain Asymmetry

Discuss ideas for semester project
Practice using CogLab

Identify 3 possible topics/experiments
for semester project

Complete the CogLab: Collect and
analyze data during lab time

Group assignments and discussion of
group semester project ideas with Dr.
Mann

Expt. 1 Paper Due: Results &
Discussion

Experiment 2: Change Detection

Complete the CogLab: Collect and
analyze data during lab time

Continued group discussions of
semester projects

Expt. 2 Paper Due: Results &
Discussion

Discuss data collection logistics for your
semester projects

Final Project Idea Due **Your idea
must be approved before proceeding with
data collection **
Oct. 18

Fall Break-No Classes
Oct. 25
 Experiment 3: Implicit Learning

Complete the CogLab: Collect and
analyze data during lab time
Nov. 1

Semester project experiment

Run independent projects

Semester project experiment

Expt. 3 Paper Due: Introduction,
Results, & Discussion

Run independent projects
Sept. 20
Sept. 27
Oct. 4
Oct. 11
Nov. 8
Nov. 15

No lab: Meet with Dr. Mann as needed
to discuss semester projects

Run independent projects
Nov. 22

Discuss the logistics and mechanics for
the poster session

Run independent projects
Nov. 29

Meet with Dr. Mann to prepare your
poster

Finish group projects
Dec. 6

Final Poster Presentations of Group
Projects

Group Project Poster Session
Dec. 17th

Last day of exam period

Semester project paper due:
Introduction, Methods, Results, &
(FRIDAY)
Discussion
Instructions for getting started with CogLab
These instructions describe how students in the class psych 311 for instructor Beth Schwartz at
Randolph College create their individual accounts.
1. Open your Web browser and go to
http://coglab.wadsworth.com/Information/studentscreate.shtml
2. Go to the bottom of the Web page. There should be three text fields and one button. If
these are not visible, your Web browser does not have Java enabled or has an out of date
version of Java. Go to the CogLab Browser Check page for details.
3. In the top text field, enter the group ID: Mann2010. In the second text field, enter the
access password: original. In the third text field, enter your registration code. The
registration code is bundled with your textbook on a postcard. Do not purchase used
CogLab registration codes! If the registration code has already been used, it will not work
for you. Each valid registration code can be used only once. After filling in all the text fields,
click on the Submit information button.
4. Your Web browser will connect with the CogLab server to verify your information. If the
information is correct, a new window will appear. Make sure that the school name, instructor
name, and class name are correct. If they are not, you may have accidentally accessed a
different group than your instructor intended. The field marked as 'Your log-in ID:' lists
your assigned log-in ID, which you will use to access your CogLab account and complete
experiments. You cannot change this log-in ID.
5. Enter your first name, last (family) name, a password, and a security question and answer.
For the security question and answer, try to pick a topic that will be easy for you to know the
answer but would be difficult for anyone else (e.g., the name of your first pet).
6. Click on the Apply button. Your Web browser will again connect with the CogLab server to
save your data and register your account. If all of your information is valid, your account is
ready to go! When your information is saved, your registration code will be marked as being
used.
7. When your data is saved, your Web browser will load a new window that lists all the
properties of your CogLab account. Especially important is the log-in ID and password.
Print or save this Web page for your records. (Note: some pop-up blockers will prevent
this window from appearing. If you data does not appear, click the link below the text fields
to view this page. Go to the CogLab Browser Check page for details.)
8. To start doing experiments, point your Web browser to http://coglab.wadsworth.com.
Select the experiment that you want to perform by clicking on the link. Read the information
and instructions carefully. At the bottom of the page are two text fields and two buttons.
Enter your log-in ID and password and then click on the Submit information button. After
your log-in information is verified, the Start experiment button can be selected. Click on the
Start experiment button to open a new window where the experiment will take place. You
need to read the instructions before you can complete the experiment!
9. At the end of the experiment, the browser window will load a summary of your data for the
experiment. When you see this window, you are finished with the experiment.
10. You can access details about your account, and view averages from your group and around
the world by directing your Web browser to
http://coglab.wadsworth.com/Information/studentsaccess.shtml.
If you have any problems, contact technical support at
http://coglab.wadsworth.com/support/techsupport.html
Coglab Choices for Lab Semester Project:
Stroop Effect
Visual Search
Modality Effect
Memory Span
Phonalogical Similarity Effect
Encoding Specificity
Forget-it-all-along Effect
Link Word Effect
Word Superiority
Decision Making
Wason Selection Task
GROUP POSTER INSTRUCTIONS
General Poster Information
Each group is required to make and present a poster detailing their independent project. This poster
is due on the last day of lab. Students will present their poster to the class and answer any questions
regarding their study.
The point of a poster is to present your data in a clear and concise manner. A person should be able
to read your poster and have a good idea of why you did what you did, how you did it, what you
found, and what it all means.
Try to use a font that is at least 18 points on the Title (authors’ names and affiliation are usually
slightly smaller than the title, e.g., 14 points). The rest of the poster should have a font that is at
least 14 points. Try to keep the font size consistent throughout the poster (i.e., if you use 18 point
font in the Introduction, use it on the Method, Results, etc…).
Poster Sections
Feel free to be creative when making your poster; however, there are certain key elements that must
be included in each poster:
1. Title
This is positioned at the top of your poster that succinctly and creatively states the title of
your study. The title should clearly describe the study. Also, below the title of the study
include the names of the authors and the authors’ affiliation. This section usually contains
large print (e.g., at least 18 point font).
2. Introduction
This section explains any background information on the question you are attempting to
answer with your study. Use your textbook and related journal articles to obtain any basic
information for this section. You’ll need to talk about (1) what you were examining in your
experiment, (2) what has been done in the past with regard to this question, and (3) what you
expected to find.
3. Method
This section will describe all of the steps involved in carrying out your study. You will
include the following subheadings in this section:
(1) Subject: briefly describe the subjects you used for the study (e.g., female Psyc 101
students). Use identifying information to describe your subjects. You should also
include age, sex, etc.
(2) Apparatus or Materials: briefly describe the apparatus or materials used in the study. This
section should include details so that anyone wanting to replicate your study could do so.
(3) Procedure: briefly describe the design of your experiment. Basically, describe from start
to finish how you conducted the study. A table or diagram is often helpful in describing
the procedure (in addition to the text).
4. Results
This section will consist of the results from your experiment. Be sure to report any statistical
tests along with p-values. See me regarding statistical analyses if you have any questions.
Also, you will want to include some sort of a graph or figure in this section to represent your
data.
5. Discussion
This section will be used to talk about the implications of your study – why is it important?
Of course your data has been obtained from only a small number of subjects, but you can
still talk about whether or not your results matched your predictions, and if not, why. Also,
talk about what you could do differently next time to obtain better results or take your good
results a step further. This section is basically used to tie everything together.
6. References
Include a reference section listing all of the sources cited in the poster. Be sure to use
proper APA-Style for this section and for citing throughout your poster.