APSB23608U Social Cognition

Volume 2025/2026
Education

Kognitions- og datavidenskab

 

The course is open to:

  • Exchange and Guest students from abroad
Content

Social cognition refers to the cognitive processes that enable individuals to function within a social group. The course will provide a contemporary overview of theoretical frameworks and empirical research in this area. The lectures, seminars, readings, and assignments will cover various empirical methods from behavioral assessments to neuroimaging, and assume prior knowledge or interest, and ideally coursework in, empirical research in cognitive science, psychology, or similar. The course will consider how we perceive and understand others, how the presence of others changes our cognitive processing and how our cognitive processes are optimized for group living. Furthermore, the course will touch on the developmental origins of our core social cognitive capacities. Topics will include the relationship between self and others, person perception, social influence on cognitive processes, culture  and joint action. Throughout, the course will touch on the developmental and evolutionary origins of our core social cognitive capacities, how human social cognition compares to that of other animals, and what neural processes support these capacities.

Learning Outcome

On completion of the course, students should be able to:

Knowledge

  • Define core concepts, domains, and positions within the field of social cognition.
  • Account for methods, including neuroscientific methods, for studying social cognition.
  • Understand ways in which social context can modify cognitive processing.
  • Describe developmental origins of core social cognitive skills.

 

Skills

  • Contextualize concepts and discussions introduced in the course to core scientific texts in the field of social cognition.
  • Use concepts about social cognition in adequate ways.
  • Interpret the relevance of empirical studies in choosing between different theories and models of social cognition.
  • Discuss the relationship between developmental contexts and the social cognitive skills of adults.

 

Competencies

  • Evaluate how empirical research is related to positions in core theoretical debates in the field of social cognition.
  • Assess the adequacy of different empirical methods to address research problems in the field of social cognition.

 

400 standard pages of compulsory literature and 200 standard pages of self-selected literature. The literature consists mainly of recent research literature in developmental psychology. The complete syllabus is provided in the course room on Absalon.

Avanceret kognitionspsykologi or similar.
The classes consist of lectures and seminar classes. During the semester, students will be expected to participate in class activities such as group work or short presentations.
The classes consist of lectures and seminar classes.

7x4 hours (2h lecture + 2h seminar) blocked over the first half of the semester.

Week 36-41+43
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 14
  • Class Instruction
  • 14
  • Preparation
  • 99
  • Exam
  • 72
  • Total
  • 199
Oral
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, 72 hours
Type of assessment details
The home assignment is free.
Scope: Individually maximum of six normal pages; in groups of 2 maximum 8 pages; or 3 maximum 10 pages. The student must choose one of three questions and write a paper.

For the exam, students will identify an open question within the topics of social cognition, covered in the course, and design a research proposal for a study/project addressing the question. Students will have the opportunity to receive peer and instructor feedback on parts of their proposal, and will write the final assignment at home
Examination prerequisites

As course activity and a requirement for the exam, 1-page outlines of research proposals will have to be submitted prior to the exam period, which will be distributed for peer review. Each individual / group will review 2 other proposals and submit their reviews to the course instructors. Feedback will be received at the beginning of exam period and will have to be incorporated in the final assignments.

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Re-exam

Same as the ordinary exam. Research proposal but on a new topic, different to the topic submitted for peer feedback (if any). No additional peer feedback will be given prior deadline.

 

Criteria for exam assesment

Please see the learning outcome.

Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.
 

To obtain the top grade “12”, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.


To obtain the passing grade “02”, the student must in a satisfactory way be able to demonstrate a minimal acceptable level of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.