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The Science of Cognitive Deviations

SAT Score Range

2 sessions

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About

The session will explore fascinating ways in which the human brain “misfires” or behaves unpredictably. Learners will investigate cognitive deviations including illusions, false memories, déjà vu, phantom limb sensations, and other quirks of perception, memory, and thought. The session will also touch on the neural mechanisms underlying these phenomena, highlighting how and why the brain sometimes produces unexpected or counterintuitive experiences.

Students will actively participate through visual demonstrations, thought experiments, and interactive challenges. They will experience optical and auditory illusions firsthand, test memory tricks, and discuss surprising case studies. The session is designed to combine scientific explanation with experiential learning, encouraging curiosity, observation, and critical thinking about the inner workings of their own minds.

Tutored by

Ayeesha N 🇧🇩

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An undergraduate student who loves helping others learn :)

✋ ATTENDANCE POLICY

1. Regular Attendance Required:

Students are expected to attend all sessions of the series to gain the full learning experience. Each session builds on the previous one, and active participation is essential to understanding the material.

2. Punctuality:

Learners should arrive on time for each session. Late arrivals disrupt activities and may cause students to miss critical demonstrations or discussions.

3. Excused Absences:

Absences may be excused for valid reasons such as illness or emergencies. Learners should notify the instructor in advance whenever possible and make arrangements to review missed content. 4. Participation Expectation: Attendance alone is not sufficient; learners are expected to actively engage in demonstrations, discussions, and exercises. Students who are present but consistently disengaged may be contacted regarding participation. 5. Consequences for Non-Compliance: Students who miss more than 20% of sessions without a valid excuse, or who repeatedly fail to participate, may be withdrawn from the course at the instructor’s discretion.

SESSION 1

15

Nov

SESSION 1

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Other Topics

Sat 3:00 AM - 4:10 AM UTCNov 15, 3:00 AM - 4:10 AM UTC

In the first session, learners will explore how the brain interprets sensory information, and how it can be fooled. Through visual demonstrations and interactive activities, students will experience optical and auditory illusions, change blindness, and other perceptual quirks firsthand. The session will also introduce the concept of cognitive deviations, discussing why the brain sometimes misperceives the world and what these “glitches” reveal about normal brain function.
SESSION 2

22

Nov

SESSION 2

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Sat 3:00 AM - 4:10 AM UTCNov 22, 3:00 AM - 4:10 AM UTC

The second session will shift focus from perception to cognition and memory. Learners will examine how the brain stores, recalls, and sometimes distorts information. Case studies and demonstrations, such as false memories, phantom limb sensations, and other cognitive phenomena, will illustrate the fascinating ways the brain can misfire. This session also highlights how understanding these deviations can improve critical thinking, memory awareness, and insight into everyday mental experiences.

Public Discussion

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Nov 15 - Nov 22

2 weeks

70 mins

/ session

Next session on November 15, 2025

SCHEDULE

Saturdays

3:00AM