Do not take this class as an elective, "easy" course. Tests can be confusing because they are more "the best answer" than "the right answer." Willingham's a nice guy, but if taking with other difficult or major classes, don't take this class.

Willingham the best professor I have encountered at the University so far. He is witty and explains the material well, always pausing and entertaining questions from the crowd. While the midterms are challenging, if you put the time in, you should be OK. I have no interest in pursuing a Psych major, but I would still recommend this class to anyone due to its incredible intrigue.

This class is very difficult. However, Willingham is an amazing professor and makes the class highly enjoyable. The tests are about 75% lecture material and 25% book material, so make sure you study both.

I read the reviews here and thought "I have to take this class!"
Professor = Incredible, awesome, one of my favorites ever, like him a lot.
The class itself = He doesn't provide the ppt's beforehand, which means in class you're struggling to write down everything on the slide, plus determining whether to write down what he's saying because it's pertinent, or not because he's just telling a funny aside example or interesting experiment you won't have to know later.
It's impossible to know how you're doing in the class since the lowest of 3 midterms is dropped and then curved overall at the end (but not always curved up--he curves to a 3.0 GPA average). The midterms are all multiple choice, but hard hard hard and you need to study A LOT for them. I honestly think this should just be taken C/NC.
Lastly (and this could just be me), taking this class really turned me off from psychology as a "science." It's all theoretical and there's no way of actually knowing how your brain works, and so this entire class is devoted to how psychologists have interpreted experiments and hypothesized. But concepts like a "central executive" in my brain controlling "demons" telling it what to perceive? I remain suspect about it all. Some of it is interesting, but a lot questionable science.

Willingham is definitely an engaging lecturer is absolutely hilarious. He made going to class in the morning worthwhile. For the most part, material is interesting as well. The biggest grades in the class are the 3 midterms, which are difficult, but are made easier if you remember the readings well. The lowest midterm is also dropped and Willingham usually curves test scores toward a B. This is a really good class to take while at UVA, no matter what your major is.

Willingham is highly respected and an awesome lecturer. He treats college students like colleagues and that is refreshing to say the least, especially with his successful books and frequent interviews with the New York Times! His personal research is very interesting (on learning methods), but he is clear in his lectures and SO approachable if you are feeling lost. TAKE COGNITION WITH WILLINGHAM, especially if you are a psych major. You will regret it if you leave without the opportunity to work with him. Yes, very tricky test questions. But straightforward expectations. I liked that.

First off, Willingham is the man. His lectures are hysterical, on point, and cover some really interesting material on how we think. That being said, the 2nd test and Final are difficult to say the least. Fortunately, you take 3 tests in the class and get the lowest dropped, but the Final counts for 40% of your grade and pretty much makes or breaks your grade in the end. However, this class makes up for its difficulty in how enthralling and personal Willingham makes the material. He uses fantastic examples of cognitive principles from our every day lives, making it instantly applicable to celebrity's stupdity or the mindless games every student plays during Finals week. A pretty approachable guy too, I'd recommend his class to anyone who has a slight interest in the topic, and is alright with not getting a certain A in the class.

Professor Willingham is one of my favorite professors at UVA. The material is really fascinating and he makes it more so by really involving the class in his lectures. However, even if you love the class, don't expect it to be easy. His tests are very difficult. Even if you put in the hours reading and going to lectures, some of the questions can still trip you up. Going to his Q&A sessions is helpful though.

Willingham is legitimately hilarious, and an all-around great teacher. The book is dense, but skim it and read carefully through the powerpoints, and you'll be fine.

I love this class. Willingham knows his stuff and is very good at explaining it to the class. He's funny as well.