Information Package / Course Catalogue
PSYC 411 Readings and Research in Social Psychology I
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

Ders Genel Tanıtım Bilgileri

School/Faculty/Institute Faculty of Econ., Admin. and Social Sciences
Course Code PSYC 411
Course Title in English Readings and Research in Social Psychology I
Course Title in Turkish Sosyal Psikolojide Okuma ve Araştırma I
Language of Instruction EN
Type of Course Flipped Classroom
Level of Course Advanced
Semester Fall
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: 3 Recitation: Lab: Other:
Estimated Student Workload 180 hours per semester
Number of Credits 7.5 ECTS
Grading Mode Standard Letter Grade
Pre-requisites PSYC 205 - Research Methods I
Expected Prior Knowledge Research methods in psychology
Co-requisites None
Registration Restrictions Only Undergraduate Students
Overall Educational Objective To become familiar with the advanced theoretical background of major areas of social and political psychology; to be able to integrate psychological research practice and to be able to understand, critique and present empirical articles published in highly acclaimed psychology journals.
Course Description This course is an advanced course on readings and research in power and intergroup relations. The main goals of the course are to familiarise the students with the theoretical background of political psychology and power and enable the students to approach these concepts from diverse perspectives of psychology such as the clinical, cognitive, evolutionary and social neuroscience. At the end of the course, the students would be equipped with necessary knowledge of theories in advanced social and political psychology and would be able to understand and critique empirical articles published in highly acclaimed psychology journals. Students will also be able to conduct research, evaluate the findings and write them up in an empirical format. One of the main aims of this course is to enable students to critically evaluate the research findings communicated in scientific journals.
Course Description in Turkish Bu ders, güç ve gruplararası ilişkiler üzerine son sınıf dersidir. Temel amacı öğrencileri politik psikoloji ve güç literatürüyle tanıştırmak ve alana klinik, bilişsel, evrimsel ve sosyal nörobilimsel perspektiflerle yaklaşabilmelerini sağlamaktır.

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 political psychology and intergroup relations;
2) evaluate scientific articles in relation to the research methods and theories employed;
3) conduct scientific research;
4) evaluate the findings of research through the means of SPSS;
5) write research findings up in an empirical format;
6) discuss and present psychological theories and research in the correct ethical format.
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2 3 4 5 6
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. H Exam,Participation,Project
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. S HW,Participation,Project
5) Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline. H HW,Participation,Project
6) Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards. H Project
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. H HW,Project
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). H Exam,Participation,Project
9) Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity. H Participation
10) Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement. S Participation
11) Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses. H HW,Project
12) Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning. H HW,Project
13) Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations. H HW,Participation
Prepared by and Date MÜJDE PEKER BOOTH , March 2022
Course Coordinator SENA CÜRE ACER
Semester Fall
Name of Instructor Prof. Dr. MÜJDE PEKER BOOTH

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) Evolution, Power and Egalitarian Behaviour among Animals
2) Embodiment of Power
3) Determinants & Consequences of Power
4) Social Neuroscience
5) Dominance & Health
6) Justice, Values, Morality & Politics
7) Cognition and Emotion in Political Psychology
8) Experimental Existential Psychology
9) Understanding Ingroup Favouritism: Comparing SIT, SJT & SDO
10) Collective Narcissism
11) Behavioural Economics & Power
12) Gender, Power & Sexual Aggression
13) Applications on Empowerment
14) Revision
15) Final Examination Period
16) Final Examination Period
Required/Recommended ReadingsRecommended Textbook: Guinote, A. & Vescio, T. K. (2010). The social psychology of power. (1st ed.). London, UK: Guildford Press. There will also be a set of required empirical articles.
Teaching MethodsThis course will be taught entirely in the flipped format. Students will be assigned an reading materials every week. During class time, I will first assess and reinforce the students’ grasp of basic concepts from these articles. Each week, a number of students will be responsible to create discussion questions regarding the article and the articles will be discussed based on their research methodology and theoretical background. Also, each week students will learn to advance their literature reviewing skills as well as coding and analysing in SPSS. Students will be expected to prepare for class by spending sufficient time to master the preparatory materials. 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. This course is aimed at final year Psychology students.
Homework and ProjectsStudents will be asked to coordinate one of the discussion sessions of the course based on the assigned required reading of an article published in high impact psychology journals. They will be asked to make presentation based on these articles and provide discussion questions. Students will also be asked to collect data, code and analyse it on SPSS and write an empirical article based on these analyses in APA format.
Laboratory WorkStudents will use the lab SPSS facilities to enter and analyse the data they have collected as well as to do literature review for their empirical paper.
Computer UseStudents will work with SPSS to enter and analyse the data they have collected as well as to do literature review for their empirical paper.
Other ActivitiesStudents will be asked to read each week’s articles prior to that week’s classroom session. Classroom discussions will be based on these readings.
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
Attendance 14 % 15
Application 1 % 10
Homework Assignments 1 % 10
Midterm(s) 1 % 20
Paper Submission 1 % 20
Final Examination 1 % 25
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration mujde.peker@mef.edu.tr

Students arriving late or unprepared will be barred from that class, which will impact upon their continuous assessment grade. Students must provide a legitimate, acceptable and documented excuse for missing a scheduled exam. There will be a make-up exam if students miss the midterm. Make-up exams could be in a different format than midterm or final 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 15 1 3 4 120
Midterm(s) 1 8 2 10
Paper Submission 2 8 2 6 32
Final Examination 1 16 2 18
Total Workload 180
Total Workload/25 7.2
ECTS 7.5