Introduction to Cognitive Psychology Course | Prof. Naveen Kashyap IITG
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 4714 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Humanities and Social Sciences, Psychology |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 26 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Introduction to Cognitive Psychology: A 12-Week Journey into the Human Mind
For centuries, one of humanity's greatest puzzles has been understanding our own behavior. What drives our decisions? How do we perceive the world, remember our past, and solve complex problems? The answers lie in the intricate workings of our cognitive processes. This foundational course, Introduction to Cognitive Psychology, offers a comprehensive exploration of the mental mechanisms that guide every aspect of human thought and action.
Taught by Prof. Naveen Kashyap, Ph.D., an Associate Professor of Psychology at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG), this 12-week program is designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Prof. Kashyap brings over a decade of teaching expertise in cognitive psychology, research methodology, and related fields, alongside a research focus on sleep and human cognitive processes.
Why Study Cognitive Psychology?
Understanding the cognitive roots of behavior empowers us to exert greater control over personal and professional situations. The knowledge gained from this course is not confined to academic theory; it is immensely practical. You will learn to apply principles of cognition to tackle everyday problems, optimize decision-making, and improve learning strategies.
Furthermore, the insights into human information processing are the very bedrock of modern technology. By understanding how our cognitive systems learn and adapt, we can design more sophisticated Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems that learn from mistakes, enhancing human-computer interaction and making technology more intuitive.
Course Instructor: Prof. Naveen Kashyap
Prof. Naveen Kashyap, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIT Guwahati. With a dedicated research interest in sleep and cognitive processes, he has been instructing students at both UG and PG levels for the past 10 years. His teaching portfolio includes core courses such as Cognitive Psychology, Introduction to Psychology, Consumer Psychology, Advanced Cognitive Processes, and Research Methodology.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
The course is systematically structured into three core modules, guiding you from foundational concepts to complex applications of knowledge.
Topic 1: Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
- Week 1: History, Theory and Research in Human Cognition
Topic 2: Basic Cognitive Processes
- Week 2: Object Perception and Recognition
- Week 3: Attentional Processes and Cognition
- Week 4: Memory Introduction
- Week 5: Long Term Memory
Topic 3: Organizational Knowledge
- Week 6: Memory of General Knowledge
- Week 7: Concept Formation
- Week 8: Visual and Spatial Memory
Topic 4: The Use of Knowledge
- Week 9: Human Language Skills
- Week 10: Thought Process and Problem Solving
- Week 11: Reasoning
- Week 12: Decision Making
Recommended Textbooks & Resources
To complement the lectures, the following authoritative textbooks are recommended for deeper study:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Psychology | Kathleen Galotti | Cengage Learning |
| Applied Cognitive Psychology | Robert Sternberg | Cengage Learning |
| Cognitive Psychology | Bridger Riegler | Pearson Press |
| Cognitive Psychology | Stephen Kosslyn | PHI Press |
Who Should Enroll?
This course is ideally suited for a wide academic audience, including:
- Undergraduate (UG) students in Psychology, Cognitive Science, or related fields.
- Postgraduate (PG) students seeking a strong foundation in cognitive processes.
- PhD scholars and researchers from interdisciplinary backgrounds.
- Professionals and enthusiasts interested in understanding the science of the mind and its applications in AI, design, and education.
Embark on this 12-week intellectual journey to decode the mysteries of the human mind. From the basic building blocks of perception and attention to the higher-order processes of language and decision-making, this course will provide you with the essential toolkit to understand, predict, and influence human behavior.
Enroll Now →