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PSYC 2150 Introduction to Cognition
Last taught: Fall 2026 Add to Schedule
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Review Summary Updated April 05, 2026

This class runs entirely on exams, so you will need to read the assigned textbook thoroughly and attend every lecture to handle the highly specific, memorization-heavy tests. Lectures are widely praised for being engaging and clarifying complex ideas, but the posted slides are too vague to rely on alone. A generous class curve typically pushes average exam grades into the B range, though the grading system is notoriously confusing and keeps your actual standing hidden until late in the term. If you are genuinely interested in cognitive psychology, the material is fascinating and rewarding, but the lack of assignments and relentless exam focus make this a serious challenge for anyone expecting an easy A.

130 Reviews

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Fall 2016
4.7
Average

Love Willingham! He's adorable and makes lectures interesting and fun. The first (of 3 midterms) was really easy but then the second one was kinda hard so the tests are kinda iffy. I would definitely recommend for psych or non-psych majors. Make sure you do the readings and study and you'll probably be fine.

Instructor 5.0
Enjoyability 4.0
Recommend 5.0
Difficulty 3.0
Hours/Week 1.0
Fall 2016
3.3
Average

The prof has fairly engaging lectures, but the tests are VERY tricky. (Personally) not a huge fan of the material but some of my classmates enjoy it a lot.

Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 4.0
Recommend 2.0
Difficulty 4.0
Hours/Week 3.0
Fall 2015
5.0
Average

Willingham is the best professor I have ever had, and I actually looked forward to the class. It's a little early but it made the morning bearable. If you are interested in the brain and cognitive processes (like brain games) then you will love the class. Take it in the fall with Willingham and not Jaswal, you'll be glad you did. Tests are tricky but if you go to the lectures, take great notes, and actually do the readings then you will end up with a fine grade. It's a great "welcome to college" class. Dave I love you.

Instructor 5.0
Enjoyability 5.0
Recommend 5.0
Difficulty 2.0
Hours/Week 5.0
Fall 2015
4.3
Average

Daniel Willingham is the best lecturer that I have ever encountered. He is hilarious and personable but also professional and good at communicating the course material in a memorable way.

Instructor 5.0
Enjoyability 4.0
Recommend 4.0
Difficulty 2.0
Hours/Week 4.0
Fall 2015
4.3
Average

Dan is the man! I enjoyed this class so much just because of how interesting/witty Dan was. This class had no work besides occasional readings, and there were 3 tests and a final, and one of the 3 tests could be dropped. The tests were pretty difficult but could be manageable if you did all of the readings and went to all of the lectures. If you don't go to a lecture, you're missing out on a ton. There are a ton of specifics Dan covered in class quickly that would be on the exam, so you have to pay attention the entire class, and write as much down as you can, which can be a bit difficult considering it is a no devices class. If the topic interests you at all I would definitely recommend taking this class with Dan, but be prepared to have to study hard for a decent grade in the class.

Instructor 5.0
Enjoyability 4.0
Recommend 4.0
Difficulty 4.0
Hours/Week 1.0
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Fall 2015
3.7
Average

Willingham is a great lecturer. Seriously, so engaging. He's funny and makes the material relatable. That said, there's a lot of information presented in this class. A lot. The three midterms weren't too bad, because they weren't cumulative. The final was a nightmare--extremely specific with tricky wording. I don't think the final reflected what I actually learned in the class. There's a curve, though, so the grading is fair.

Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 4.0
Recommend 3.0
Difficulty 4.0
Hours/Week 1.0
Fall 2015
3.7
Average

Willingham is a nice guy and very knowledgeable of the material. The lectures are light, funny and interesting. You cannot use devices to take notes. He moves very quickly through material and you basically need to memorize everything he says. The exams are hard and include specific questions about readings which aren't covered in class. I am not a PSYC major and took this class because I thought it looked interesting. However, I have been frustrated with the amount of material you need to memorize to succeed on the exams. I would not suggest this class if you do not have to take it.

Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 4.0
Recommend 3.0
Difficulty 5.0
Hours/Week 4.0
Fall 2014
4.0
Average

Professor Willingham is a wonderful instructor. The course material is interesting, even to a non-Psychology major. However, we go over several concepts during each lecture, all of which could be on the exam. The midterms are 40 multiple-choice questions, which will refer to one of the many concepts discussed in lecture.

Instructor 5.0
Enjoyability 4.0
Recommend 3.0
Difficulty 4.0
Hours/Week 1.0
Fall 2014
3.3
Average

There is not homework for this class, just 4 tests and a final that make up your grade (I think we were able to drop the lowest test, but not the final). Willingham makes his lectures very interesting and engaging, he has a good sense of humor and doesn't post all of his slides -- just the ones with diagrams and graphs. so Thats an incentive to get up early in the morning for class. Overall, I would definitely recommend this class because I learned so much. Just be prepared to study a lot and take good notes in class. There is very minimal reading (like anywhere from 3-15 pg. per class).

Instructor 3.0
Enjoyability 3.0
Recommend 4.0
Difficulty 5.0
Hours/Week 2.0
Fall 2014
4.7
Average

Willingham is an awesome professor. If you ask questions he'll try to explain it as thoroughly as possible and outside of class he is also very helpful. That being said the material can be a bit dry at times but I thought it was pretty interesting overall. GO TO LECTURE and take notes. I barely read the book but still did well in the class from lecture notes and doing the practice exams.

Instructor 5.0
Enjoyability 4.0
Recommend 5.0
Difficulty 1.0
Hours/Week 0.0
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