PSYCHOLOGY 264    Section:

PSYCHOLINGUISTICS

Spring Quarter 2005

Units:
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in psychology or consent of instructor.
Course description:  The goal of this seminar is to examine theories of working memory (WM) and their implications for understanding individual variability in language processing and comprehension. The hallmark characteristic of WM is its limited capacity. Although the existence of capacity limitations is uncontroversial, the factors responsible for them vary from theory to theory. These include constraints on the amount of activation in WM, similarity-based interference, processing speed, lack of skill or knowledge for efficient encoding and retrieval, and the ability to inhibit irrelevant information. A central thesis of most WM models is that individuals differ in WM capacity and that capacity differences have implications for the performance of complex cognitive tasks such as reading comprehension. Current theories of individual differences in WM will be evaluated in light of behavioral and neurological evidence.

Course format: Discussion; Student Presentations

Topics: Working Memory, Individual Differences

Grading Policy: The course grade will be based on student presentations and in-class participation.

ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING: Thursday, March 31st, 5:10-6pm, room 102A Young Hall (the regular class time will be arranged at this meeting).
Text(s):

Textbook Information not Available Yet
Classroom Class Schedule Course Website
145 Young R   1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Instructor Instructor Email Office Office Hours
Debra Long , Ph.D. 101 Young Hall TR 4:10-5:30