Information Package / Course Catalogue
PSYC 445 Readings and Research in Clinical Psychology V
MEF University
Degree Programs
Psychology
General Information For Students
Diploma SupplementErasmus Policy Statement
Psychology
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 445
Course Title in English Readings and Research in Clinical Psychology V
Course Title in Turkish Klinik Psikolojide Okuma ve Araştırma V
Language of Instruction EN
Type of Course Flipped Classroom
Level of Course Advanced
Semester Fall
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: 3 Recitation: 0 Lab: 0 Other: 0
Estimated Student Workload 182 hours per semester
Number of Credits 7.5 ECTS
Grading Mode Standard Letter Grade
Pre-requisites PSYC 205 - Research Methods I
Co-requisites None
Expected Prior Knowledge Research Methods in Psychology
Registration Restrictions Only undergraduate students
Overall Educational Objective To be able to evaluate theoretical and scientific bases of mindfulness-based practices in mental health; know all steps of conducting research starting with formulizing research question ending with professionally presenting research findings.
Course Description This course is designed as an advanced course in readings and research in clinical psychology with a focus on mindfulness and its effects on behavioral health. Students will be introduced to the Western framework and the scientific study of mindfulness, particularly with regard to the neurobiological, behavioral and cognitive mechanisms via which mindfulness influence stress response and psychological health. Students are expected to conduct research in a related topic of their interest.

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) Formulating a research question
2) Designing a research
3) Collecting, analyzing, and evaluating data
4) Presenting empirical findings in writing and as a poster
5) Demonstrate knowledge in the concept and practice of mindfulness and the effects of mindfulness on behavioral/psychological health
6) Develop an understanding of the neurobiological, behavioral and cognitive mechanisms underlying the effects of mindfulness-based practices
7) Keep yourself up-to-date with empirical findings related to the effectiveness of mindfulness-based practices
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1) Thorough knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
2) Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation.
3) Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes.
4) Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts.
5) Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline.
6) Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards.
7) Demonstration of competence in information technologies, and the ability to use computer and other technologies for purposes related to the pursuit of knowledge in psychology and the broader social sciences.
8) Skills to communicate the knowledge of psychological science effectively, in a variety of formats, in both Turkish and in English (in English, at least CEFR B2 level).
9) Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.
10) Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement.
11) Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses.
12) Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning.
13) Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations.

Relation to Program Outcomes and Competences

N None S Supportive H Highly Related
     
Program Outcomes and Competences Level Assessed by
1) Thorough knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology. H Exam,HW,Participation
2) Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation. S HW,Lab
3) Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes. H HW,Participation
4) Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts. H Participation
5) Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline. N
6) Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards. S Participation
7) Demonstration of competence in information technologies, and the ability to use computer and other technologies for purposes related to the pursuit of knowledge in psychology and the broader social sciences. N
8) Skills to communicate the knowledge of psychological science effectively, in a variety of formats, in both Turkish and in English (in English, at least CEFR B2 level). S Exam,HW,Participation
9) Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity. S Exam,Participation
10) Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement. H Participation
11) Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses. H HW
12) Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning. S HW,Participation
13) Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations. H HW,Participation
Prepared by and Date SENA CÜRE ACER , October 2024
Course Coordinator SENA CÜRE ACER
Semester Fall
Name of Instructor Öğr. Gör. NAZ ŞANSAL

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) Introduction
2) What is Mindfulness?
3) What are Mindfulness-Based and Informed Practices?
4) Effects of Mindfulness on Mental Health and Stress
5) Student Presentations for Research Proposal
6) Mindfulness: Overview of Mechanisms
7) Mechanisms: Attention Regulation
8) Mechanisms: Emotion Regulation, Coping with Stress
9) Mechanisms: Self-Related Processes and Perspective
10) Mechanisms: Body Awareness, Metacognitive Awareness
11) (Self-) Compassion and Psychopathology
12) Mindfulness in Children
13) Poster Presentations
14) Poster Presentations
15) Final Examination Period
16) Final Examination Period
Required/Recommended Readings“Required” research and review article assignments (up to two articles per week) will be available via MEF library and Blackboard. References for “suggested” readings will also be provided in order to help you find readings related to your research interests and guide your own research agenda.
Teaching MethodsThis course is taught in the flipped format designed to meet the level of final year students of the Department of Psychology. Students will be assigned research articles pertinent to topics of each week’s class and are expected to present it to their classmates. During class time, students are evaluated with respect to their understanding of basic concepts, theoretical background and research methodology. Each week students will be assigned a task related to conducting their own research in class and out of class. These successive tasks will facilitate the development of their research skills in areas including literature review, research methodology, data collection, data analysis, and research report writing. Students are expected to contribute to class discussions and collaborate with each other in the conduct of research during class and between classes.
Homework and ProjectsStudents will be asked to collect data, code and analyze it on SPSS and write an empirical article based on these analyses in APA format. Students will also present the assigned required research or review article published in high impact psychology journals.
Laboratory WorkStudents will use the lab to access the digital library resources and SPSS facilities for literature review and data analyses, respectively.
Computer UseStudents will work with SPSS to enter and analyze the data they have collected as well as to do literature review for their empirical paper.
Other ActivitiesStudents will be required to read each week’s articles prior to that week’s class and actively participate in classroom discussions based on these readings.
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
Attendance 14 % 10
Application 4 % 50
Presentation 3 % 40
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration acers@mef.edu.tr

Instructor’s e-mail address: cankayab@mef.edu.tr Students must provide a legitimate, acceptable and documented excuse for missing a class. There will not be any make up for assignments conducted in missed classes. Students are encouraged to discuss their questions in class and during office hours. 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 0 3 42
Presentations / Seminar 3 20 15 105
Paper Submission 1 20 15 35
Total Workload 182
Total Workload/25 7.3
ECTS 7.5