2025
Psychology of Memory and Language
Name: Psychology of Memory and Language
Code: PSI11118L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Psychology
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
General Objectives
Understand the importance of an analytical approach in the study of mental processes;
Develop an interest in scientific research;
Foster critical and methodological reflection;
Acquire basic skills in experimental research;
Specific Objectives
Recognise the importance of studying memory and language for understanding the human being and for the various application domains of psychology;
Understand the architecture of the human memory system and its processes, demonstrating knowledge of the main theoretical models and experimental evidence;
Know and understand the specificity of the processes involved in the treatment of spoken and written language;
Apply the theoretical knowledge acquired in practice, focusing on three main points: a) the functioning of these processes in daily life; b) populations with memory and language disorders; c) research.
Understand the importance of an analytical approach in the study of mental processes;
Develop an interest in scientific research;
Foster critical and methodological reflection;
Acquire basic skills in experimental research;
Specific Objectives
Recognise the importance of studying memory and language for understanding the human being and for the various application domains of psychology;
Understand the architecture of the human memory system and its processes, demonstrating knowledge of the main theoretical models and experimental evidence;
Know and understand the specificity of the processes involved in the treatment of spoken and written language;
Apply the theoretical knowledge acquired in practice, focusing on three main points: a) the functioning of these processes in daily life; b) populations with memory and language disorders; c) research.
Contents
I. Memory
1. What is memory?
2. Structure of memory
2.1. Multi-Store Model
2.1.1. Sensory Memories: Visual and Auditory
2.1.2. Short-Term Memory
2.1.3. Long-Term Memory
2.2. Unitary Store Model
3. Working Memory
4. Long-Term Memory Systems
5. Learning, organization, and forgetting
6. Memory in everyday life
II. Language
1. What is language?
2. Language acquisition
3. Spoken language
3.1. Speech stimuli
3.2. Perception of speech
3.3. Word recognition
3.4. Models of speech comprehension and production
4. Written language
4.1. Identification of Written Words
4.1.1. Learning to Read
4.2. Writing words
1. What is memory?
2. Structure of memory
2.1. Multi-Store Model
2.1.1. Sensory Memories: Visual and Auditory
2.1.2. Short-Term Memory
2.1.3. Long-Term Memory
2.2. Unitary Store Model
3. Working Memory
4. Long-Term Memory Systems
5. Learning, organization, and forgetting
6. Memory in everyday life
II. Language
1. What is language?
2. Language acquisition
3. Spoken language
3.1. Speech stimuli
3.2. Perception of speech
3.3. Word recognition
3.4. Models of speech comprehension and production
4. Written language
4.1. Identification of Written Words
4.1.1. Learning to Read
4.2. Writing words
Teaching Methods
The lectures introduce the concepts and theoretical models. Essentially expository in nature, they are punctuated by moments of debate and questioning aimed at stimulating scientific reasoning and oral argumentation. The analysis of experimental results is taught and encouraged, alongside reflection on their significance and scientific relevance. Moodle is the primary tool for promoting learning and managing communication with students. Through the digital resources available on Moodle, autonomous work and the development of research skills are encouraged.
The practical classes include activities for the oral presentation and discussion of work related to experimental studies, clinical cases, or analysis of situations that illustrate the functioning of processes in everyday life.
The practical classes include activities for the oral presentation and discussion of work related to experimental studies, clinical cases, or analysis of situations that illustrate the functioning of processes in everyday life.
Assessment
Continuous Assessment
The continuous assessment has 4 main components:
- 2 written tests;
- 2 group assignments in pairs: i) presentation of 1 poster on a topic related to human memory (15-minute presentation); ii) 1 presentation of a scientific article reporting a study on spoken or written language (20-minute presentation).
Final grade: average of the marks obtained in the written test (60%) and practical assignments (40%).
Final Assessment
1 written assessment/exam, to be held at the end of the semester, covering all the material taught in the theoretical and practical classes, to demonstrate overall learning.
To pass the course, a minimum grade of 9.0 must be achieved in any assessment, with an overall average between the theoretical and practical components of 10 or above; rounding will only be applied to the final classification.
The continuous assessment has 4 main components:
- 2 written tests;
- 2 group assignments in pairs: i) presentation of 1 poster on a topic related to human memory (15-minute presentation); ii) 1 presentation of a scientific article reporting a study on spoken or written language (20-minute presentation).
Final grade: average of the marks obtained in the written test (60%) and practical assignments (40%).
Final Assessment
1 written assessment/exam, to be held at the end of the semester, covering all the material taught in the theoretical and practical classes, to demonstrate overall learning.
To pass the course, a minimum grade of 9.0 must be achieved in any assessment, with an overall average between the theoretical and practical components of 10 or above; rounding will only be applied to the final classification.
Teaching Staff
- Isabel Maria Cabrita de Araújo Leite dos Santos Silva [responsible]
Accreditations and Certifications
