3.67 Average
fascinating material taught by a pleasant, knowledgeable professor. expect more work than typical intro level course.
Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 4.0
Recommend 3.0
Difficulty 4.0
Hours/Week 3.0
PSYC 2150
Introduction to CognitionLast taught: Fall 2026
3.7 Rating
3.2 Difficulty
3.01 GPA
Instructor
4.0
Enjoyability
3.5
Difficulty
3.2
Recommend
3.5
Reading
2.7
Writing
0.0
Group Work
0.0
Other
0.0
Total Hours / Week
Hours 2.7
Grade Distribution
Average GPA 3.01
Students Measured 5,602
Sections
1Review Summary Updated April 5, 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.
163 Reviews
4.00 Average
I loved Prof. Willingham - great speaker, excellent sense of humor, nice guy overall. The material could be pretty interesting, though sometimes frustrating because there's seems to be lots of theories that are all partially right. Tests weren't too bad.
Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 4.0
Recommend 4.0
Difficulty 3.0
Hours/Week 2.0
2.00 Average
WIllingham is a cool guy but the class is very boring. The only good parts of the lectures are when he jokes and goes off-topic. The book is dull and hard to read, and many of the concepts sound like they're the same every chapter. So, Willingham is cool, class is not.
Instructor 3.0
Enjoyability 2.0
Recommend 1.0
Difficulty 3.0
Hours/Week 3.0
4.67 Average
Professor Willingham is a fabulous teacher and such a nice guy. This was one of my favorite classes at UVA.
Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 5.0
Recommend 5.0
Difficulty 4.0
Hours/Week 4.0
3.33 Average
Willingham is FABULOUS. The material....not so much. I'd discourage taking the class unless it was with Willingham.
Instructor 5.0
Enjoyability 2.0
Recommend 3.0
Difficulty 2.0
Hours/Week 2.0
4.33 Average
Willingham is awesome! He wrote the book and it complements his lectures so well! Don't take this class unless he's teaching it!
Instructor 4.0
Enjoyability 4.0
Recommend 5.0
Difficulty 3.0
Hours/Week 2.0