PSYC 106 Introduction to Social PsychologyMEF UniversityDegree Programs Guidance and Psychological CounselingGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy Statement
Guidance and Psychological Counseling
Bachelor Length of the Programme: 4 Number of Credits: 240 TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF: Level 6

ECTS Course Information Package

School/Faculty/Institute Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences
Course Code PSYC 106
Course Title in English Introduction to Social Psychology
Course Title in Turkish Sosyal Psikolojiye Giriş
Language of Instruction EN
Type of Course Flipped Classroom
Level of Course Introductory
Semester Spring
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: 3 Recitation: 0 Lab: 0 Other: 0
Estimated Student Workload 131 hours per semester
Number of Credits 5 ECTS
Grading Mode Standard Letter Grade
Pre-requisites None
Co-requisites None
Expected Prior Knowledge None
Registration Restrictions Only Undergraduate Students
Overall Educational Objective To become familiar with the basic theoretical background of major areas of social psychology such as social cognition, attribution, self and identity, attitudes, social influence, groups and decision making and intergroup behaviour and be introduced to psychology as a scientific discipline. To be able to understand and critique empirical articles published in highly acclaimed psychology journals. Moreover, students will be asked to apply the basic concepts to their daily lives as well as to important social problems around them.
Course Description This course aims to introduce the students to the scientific study of social psychology. Students are introduced to fundamental concepts in social psychology with the help of famous classical studies in the area as well as current developments. Students will also be introduced to the methods psychologists use in answering their research questions.

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) understand the fundamental theories in social psychology;
2) understand the contextual specificity (and the relatively modest degree of cross-situational consistency) of human behavior
3) comprehend scientific English and communicate it in a scientific manner;
4) create new research ideas;
5) discuss psychological theories and research in the correct ethical format;
6) employ an open-minded view about differences in opinions and promote tolerance and understanding among groups.
7) evaluate scientific articles in relation to the research methods and theories employed;
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1) Scientific competence, knowledge, skills and effective teaching methods and strategies in order to provide psychological help.
2) Knowledge that will enable students to develop the skills to cope with problems they encounter in the school environment.
3) Basic knowledge about developmental processes from early childhood to adulthood and the characteristics and issues unique to each stage.
4) Knowledge about the tools used in school counseling services and being equipped to develop relevant programs.
5) Competence in vocational guidance and counseling practices.
6) Understanding of human relations and interaction.
7) Knowledge, experience and skills in scientific methods in order to conduct research studies in behavioral sciences.
8) Awareness of the necessity of lifelong learning, accessing information, and monitoring developments in education, science, and technology. An ability to solve problems related to the field, continuously developing and renewing oneself, and having critical thinking and questioning skills. An ability to use information technologies.
9) Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written Turkish; ability to use English at least in the European Language Portfolio B2 General Level.
10) Knowledge about past and present regulations and legislations regarding professional applications of the field and being equipped to contribute to its further development.
11) Sensitivity for different cultures, values ​​and democratic rights of individuals; the knowledge of national culture and history, and using that knowledge in increasing awareness and involvement in national and international social, cultural, artistic, and technological developments.
12) A sense of professional and ethical responsibility, and awareness of national and universal sensitivity expressed in the Basic Law of National Education.

Relation to Program Outcomes and Competences

N None S Supportive H Highly Related
     
Program Outcomes and Competences Level Assessed by
1) Scientific competence, knowledge, skills and effective teaching methods and strategies in order to provide psychological help. S Exam
2) Knowledge that will enable students to develop the skills to cope with problems they encounter in the school environment. N
3) Basic knowledge about developmental processes from early childhood to adulthood and the characteristics and issues unique to each stage. N
4) Knowledge about the tools used in school counseling services and being equipped to develop relevant programs. N
5) Competence in vocational guidance and counseling practices. N
6) Understanding of human relations and interaction. H Exam
7) Knowledge, experience and skills in scientific methods in order to conduct research studies in behavioral sciences. S
8) Awareness of the necessity of lifelong learning, accessing information, and monitoring developments in education, science, and technology. An ability to solve problems related to the field, continuously developing and renewing oneself, and having critical thinking and questioning skills. An ability to use information technologies. N
9) Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written Turkish; ability to use English at least in the European Language Portfolio B2 General Level. N
10) Knowledge about past and present regulations and legislations regarding professional applications of the field and being equipped to contribute to its further development. N
11) Sensitivity for different cultures, values ​​and democratic rights of individuals; the knowledge of national culture and history, and using that knowledge in increasing awareness and involvement in national and international social, cultural, artistic, and technological developments. N
12) A sense of professional and ethical responsibility, and awareness of national and universal sensitivity expressed in the Basic Law of National Education. N
Prepared by and Date ARZU KARAKULAK , November 2023
Course Coordinator BANU FEMİR GÜRTUNA
Semester Spring
Name of Instructor Öğr. Gör. MELİKE AKER

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) Introducing Social Psychology
2) Social Psychological Methodology
3) Social Cognition
4) Social Perception
5) The Self
6) The Need to Justify our Actions
7) Midterm
8) Attitudes and Attitude Change
9) Social Influenece and Conformity
10) Group Processes
11) Interpersonal Attraction and Romantic Relationships
12) Prosocial Behavior
13) Prejudice
14) Revision
15) Final Examination Period
16) Final Examination Period
Required/Recommended ReadingsAronson, E., Wilson, T. D., Akert, R. M. & Sommers (2018). Social Psychology. Pearson (9th Ed.) Additional papers relevant for the topic to be covered may be assigned for further reading.
Teaching MethodsThis course will be taught entirely in the flipped format. Students will be assigned to watch an online introductory lecture prepared for each topic and/or to read the relevant book chapter and then to complete quizzes related to these contents before coming to the class. During class time, deeper elaboration on the respective concepts will take place, and students will be asked to discuss the acquired knowledge, and to apply it to real life situations. For some some weeks, additional scientific articles relevant to the covered topic will be assigned for reading during class time, and students will be responsible to come up with discussion questions. These articles will then be discussed based on their research methodology and theoretical background. Students will be expected to prepare for class by spending sufficient time to master the preparatory materials and to complete quizzes. They will also be expected to contribute appropriately to class discussions and to assisting the learning of other students. I as the instructor commit to preparing and selecting high-quality materials for each class, at an appropriate, not-too-difficult level of English (this course is aimed at first year students).
Homework and ProjectsStudents will be asked to complete reflection papers during class time. Students will be asked to answer a predefined question that asks them to define social psychological phenomena / concepts and to apply them to real life incidents and/or to critically evaluate a scientific paper.
Laboratory WorkNone
Computer UseNone
Other ActivitiesStudents will be asked to read each week’s book chapter and (if applicable) the article prior to that week’s classroom session. Classroom discussions will be based on these readings as well as various videos. Students will also be asked to complete several pre-courses quizzes that relate to the preparatory material.
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
Attendance 14 % 15
Application 1 % 15
Midterm(s) 1 % 35
Final Examination 1 % 35
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration karakulaka@mef.edu.tr

Attendance at all classes is not mandatory; yet active participation is expected and missing the classes will negtively impact upon students' continuous assessment grade. If students missed a class, it is their responsibility to follow up on and to cover the missed content. Exam questions will draw heavily from the lectures and the class discussions. Students must provide a legitimate, acceptable and documented excuse for missing a scheduled exam. Students are expected to treat university personnel and one another respectfully at all times; this includes showing respect for class content and for others’ opinions. The commitment of acts of cheating, lying, and deceit in any of their diverse forms such as plagiarism, and copying during examinations is dishonest and will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty and plagiarism: YÖK Disciplinary Regulation.

ECTS Student Workload Estimation

Activity No/Weeks Hours Calculation
No/Weeks per Semester Preparing for the Activity Spent in the Activity Itself Completing the Activity Requirements
Course Hours 14 2 3 2 98
Application 1 10 10
Midterm(s) 1 10 1 11
Final Examination 1 10 2 12
Total Workload 131
Total Workload/25 5.2
ECTS 5