Admission Requirements
Master’s students Psychology with specialisation Applied Cognitive Psychology
Description
In this course, a variety of approaches aimed at enhancing cognitive performance (e.g. vigilance, creativity, memory, productivity) is critically evaluated. Students will learn which techniques are applied, whether they really work, and how this is tested. The mechanisms behind cognitive enhancement are discussed in both a behavioral and a psychobiological framework.
Lecture overview:
1) Context: circadian rhythm, climate, order, music, light (G.Band)
2) State of the body: motivational states, cardio-vascular fitness, nutrition, stress, plasticity, reward (G.Band)
3) Cognitive training: mnemonics, mental imagery, speed-reading, self-regulation (J.van Muijden)
4) Cognitive training: sleep learning, serious gaming, mental challenge, engaging life style (J.van Muijden)
5) Drugs: improving attention, creativity, memory etc. (L.Colzato)
6) Mind set: meditation, hypnosis, mindfulness, spirituality, relaxation, flow, mood (L.Colzato)
7) Brain-machine interactions: neurofeedback, brain-computer interface, prosthetics (P.Haazebroek)
8) External support: robotics, external memory, life hacking, organizers, media (P.Haazebroek)
Course objectives
This is the theoretical part of the specialization in human potential. After this course, students have a complete overview of prevalent techniques for cognitive enhancement and their scientific status.
Timetable
Human Potential: Theory (2011-2012)
Mode of instruction
Intensive master course
9 meetings of 2 hours
50% lecture, 50% student presentations
Assessment method
The assessment is based on:
Individual presentation
Two individual papers
Active participation is compulsory
From January 1, 2006 the Faculty of Social Sciences has instituted the Ephorus system to be used by instructors for the systematic detection of plagiarism in students’ written work. Please see the information concerning fraud .
Blackboard
Information available on blackboard.leidenuniv.nl
Reading list
Vernon, D. (2009). Human potential: exploring techniques used to enhance human performance. New York: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group. ISBN: 978-0-415-45770-5 (238 pages)
Selected journal articles (appr. 200 pages)
Master’s introduction and enrolment day
Make a reservation in your agenda so you will not miss any information that you will need during your master’s programme MSc in Psychology. Please consult the Agenda master meetings
Contact information
Dr. G. Band
Room 2A47
Tel: 071-5273998
E-mail: band@fsw.leidenuniv.nl