PSYCH 120A
Cognitive Psychology
Description: Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Requisites: courses 10, 100A. Designed for juniors/seniors. Survey of cognitive psychology: how people acquire, represent, transform, and use verbal and nonverbal information. Perception, attention, imagery, memory, representation of knowledge, language, action, decision making, thinking. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
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Most Helpful Review
The material isn't all that interesting but I definitely recommend this professor for 120A! This class was co-taught by Prof Liu (first half) and Prof Holyoak (second half). Prof Liu did his best to explain the complicated information but his accent was terrible so it was hard to follow. I preferred the second half with Prof Holyoak. Unlike many psych tests, Prof Holyoak's were straightforward. Do the reading and study his lecture notes. He explains the material very well so attend lecture.
The material isn't all that interesting but I definitely recommend this professor for 120A! This class was co-taught by Prof Liu (first half) and Prof Holyoak (second half). Prof Liu did his best to explain the complicated information but his accent was terrible so it was hard to follow. I preferred the second half with Prof Holyoak. Unlike many psych tests, Prof Holyoak's were straightforward. Do the reading and study his lecture notes. He explains the material very well so attend lecture.
Most Helpful Review
John Hummel is an incredible professor. He is a gifted and dynamic lecturer, and he is REALLY excited about everything he teaches. He can't wait to see you outside class and tell you everything he knows and loves about cognitive psychology. He's also incredibly funny, in an offbeat way. It way truly my pleasure to be able to learn from him. As a side note, he looks like Officer Doofy from Scary Movie, but I won't hold that against him.
John Hummel is an incredible professor. He is a gifted and dynamic lecturer, and he is REALLY excited about everything he teaches. He can't wait to see you outside class and tell you everything he knows and loves about cognitive psychology. He's also incredibly funny, in an offbeat way. It way truly my pleasure to be able to learn from him. As a side note, he looks like Officer Doofy from Scary Movie, but I won't hold that against him.
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Most Helpful Review
I was worried about this class after I heard how difficult Prof Mcauliffe was for 100A. But for 120A, I cannot say that he is unfair or difficult at all. His lectures can be a bit scattered and difficult to follow if you 'space out' for a second but all in all they are enjoyable - he actually makes it fun! The practice tests are VERY helpful to get a feel for his testing style. Take the practice tests - they provide you with a few 'freebies' for the exams. His questions are pretty straight forward and not too tricky at all. Very fair. I got an A in the class. Another great thing: NO BOOK! Just based on lectures and slides. Definitely recommended.
I was worried about this class after I heard how difficult Prof Mcauliffe was for 100A. But for 120A, I cannot say that he is unfair or difficult at all. His lectures can be a bit scattered and difficult to follow if you 'space out' for a second but all in all they are enjoyable - he actually makes it fun! The practice tests are VERY helpful to get a feel for his testing style. Take the practice tests - they provide you with a few 'freebies' for the exams. His questions are pretty straight forward and not too tricky at all. Very fair. I got an A in the class. Another great thing: NO BOOK! Just based on lectures and slides. Definitely recommended.
Most Helpful Review
Winter 2019 - Took a chance with this professor as he had no reviews because what could be worse than 120B? I really tried to like this guy since he does care about the class and tries his best lecturing BUT man I really hated coming to this class. He sometimes confuses himself in lecture while I'm already struggling to pay attention. Really the only saving grace of this class was the mandatory section which would go into further depth on topics (get Maureen Gray as a TA or perish). His tests are unnecessarily difficult (and a fan on the cursed E answer choice). While the in-class / online quizzes and essay were easy assignments, the tests just make you feel like you wasted your time going over his 400+ review slide compilation. Perhaps reading the book could have helped but I wouldn't know because I can't read. You're probably better off taking this with someone else.
Winter 2019 - Took a chance with this professor as he had no reviews because what could be worse than 120B? I really tried to like this guy since he does care about the class and tries his best lecturing BUT man I really hated coming to this class. He sometimes confuses himself in lecture while I'm already struggling to pay attention. Really the only saving grace of this class was the mandatory section which would go into further depth on topics (get Maureen Gray as a TA or perish). His tests are unnecessarily difficult (and a fan on the cursed E answer choice). While the in-class / online quizzes and essay were easy assignments, the tests just make you feel like you wasted your time going over his 400+ review slide compilation. Perhaps reading the book could have helped but I wouldn't know because I can't read. You're probably better off taking this with someone else.
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2016 - I actually really liked Dr. Monti! I wasn't expecting to enjoy an 8am lecture, but he did a really good job of lecturing. Occasionally the slides were unclear upon review, but lectures are podcasted so it was easy to go back and listen to him again. Grades were made up of 2 non-cumulative midterms, i>clicker and discussion section participation, a short paper, and a cumulative final. The only tricky part of this class was the test questions are ALL true/false. I was hesitant for the first exam, but my grades didn't suffer so it works as a format. Discussion sections are easy, you just have to sign in and listen to the TA give a summary of what we talked about in class. Overall, I would take more classes with Dr. Monti. He seemed like he genuinely enjoyed the subject and his lectures were very enthusiastic!
Winter 2016 - I actually really liked Dr. Monti! I wasn't expecting to enjoy an 8am lecture, but he did a really good job of lecturing. Occasionally the slides were unclear upon review, but lectures are podcasted so it was easy to go back and listen to him again. Grades were made up of 2 non-cumulative midterms, i>clicker and discussion section participation, a short paper, and a cumulative final. The only tricky part of this class was the test questions are ALL true/false. I was hesitant for the first exam, but my grades didn't suffer so it works as a format. Discussion sections are easy, you just have to sign in and listen to the TA give a summary of what we talked about in class. Overall, I would take more classes with Dr. Monti. He seemed like he genuinely enjoyed the subject and his lectures were very enthusiastic!
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2017 - So let me start of by saying I HATE the science based area of psychology and I was dreading taking this class. Rissman is an incredibly engaging, intelligent professor, and he’s great at providing examples so you understand the concepts. However, with that being said, the tests are HARD. Meaning the kind of hard where you walk out feeling like you failed. I got an 88% on the first test and a 70% on the final, but that’s because I barely studied for the final. In other words, study your ass off and you’ll be okay. Do the extra credit, visit the TAs for help on the paper, and participate!! This will save your grade. This guy truly does want you to do well. Just meet him halfway and you’ll be ok!
Fall 2017 - So let me start of by saying I HATE the science based area of psychology and I was dreading taking this class. Rissman is an incredibly engaging, intelligent professor, and he’s great at providing examples so you understand the concepts. However, with that being said, the tests are HARD. Meaning the kind of hard where you walk out feeling like you failed. I got an 88% on the first test and a 70% on the final, but that’s because I barely studied for the final. In other words, study your ass off and you’ll be okay. Do the extra credit, visit the TAs for help on the paper, and participate!! This will save your grade. This guy truly does want you to do well. Just meet him halfway and you’ll be ok!
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