Elements of Surprise

3 Units

This course will connect research into the cognitive experiences of surprise and suspense with the ways people can create those experiences for each other--cooperatively and uncooperatively--in everyday interaction and in cultural products like jokes, architecture, music, written narratives, films, and games. Topics include predictions and expectations involved in perceiving and navigating the physical world, cognitive biases, timing in conversation, language processing, attention, perspective-taking, counterfactual thinking, the psychological structure of explanations, and the psychology of "fair play." Offered as COGS 319 and COGS 419 . Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course.