Information Package / Course Catalogue
PSYC 444 Readings and Research in Clinical Psychology IV
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 444
Course Title in English Readings and Research in Clinical Psychology IV
Course Title in Turkish Klinik Psikolojide Okuma ve Araştırma IV
Language of Instruction EN
Type of Course Flipped Classroom
Level of Course Advanced
Semester Spring
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: 3 Recitation: Lab: Other:
Estimated Student Workload 188 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 acquire sufficient theoretical knowledge and practical skills to understand, critique and present empirical studies and articles in the domain of clinical psychology.
Course Description This course is an advanced course on readings and research in stress which systematically considers stress management and anxiety related disorder and their complex interactions in understanding mental health and illnesses. The main goals of the course are to familiarise students with the theoretical background of the stress models and to qualify them with relevant skills and competencies which are necessary for developing a scientific paper independently.
Course Description in Turkish Bu ders, psikopatolojilerin oluşumunda etkili olan stress ve kaygı bozuklukları üzerine okuma ve araştırma yapmayı amaçlayan ileri seviye bir son sınıf dersidir. Dersin temel amacı öğrencilere stress ve kaygı ile ilişkili ruhsal bozuklukların oluşumunda etkili olan risk faktörleri hakkındaki literatürle tanıştırmak ve bu konuda bağımsız araştırma yapabilmelerini sağlayacak yetkinlik ve beceriyi kazandırmaktır.

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) understand the stress models and anxiety disorders that explain various risk factors for mental illnesses;
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 HW,Participation,Project
2) Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation. H HW,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 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
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 Participation,Presentation,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 Participation,Presentation,Project
Prepared by and Date NAZLI IŞIK BİRÇEK GÜL , March 2022
Course Coordinator SENA CÜRE ACER
Semester Spring
Name of Instructor Öğr. Gör. NAZLI IŞIK BİRÇEK GÜL

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) Differences between Stress and Anxiety (risk factors for Mental Health)- An Overview.
2) Necessary terms and concepts in stress and anxiety research.
3) Psychosocial stressors (perceived threat to our social status, social esteem, respect, and/or acceptance within a group; threat to our self-worth)
4) Interpersonal factors (Parent attachment, poor parental supervision, exclusion from peer groups etc.)
5) Physical health and prolonged illness (Chronic illness, constant pain, disability etc.)
6) Personality Traits and stress (Big Five Factors, Type A and Type B)
7) Emotional skills for stress management (Emotion regulation difficulties, vulnerability, resilience etc.)
8) Midterm Week
9) Social skills and stress protective roles (Self-esteem and self-efficacy.)
10) Cognitive skills (Cognitive flexibility and Cognitive distortions)
11) Behavioural skills for stress management (sleep hygiene, exercises, mindfulness practices)
12) Low life satisfaction and well-being. Failure in self-actualisation and individuation.
13) Stress and Physiological effects (stress hormones)
14) Revision
15) Final Examination Period
16) Final Examination Period
Required/Recommended ReadingsRecommended Textbook: Lonner, W. J. (2007). Handbook of multicultural perspectives on stress and coping. Springer Science & Business Media. There will be a set of required empirical articles and book chapters which will be shared by the instructor.
Teaching MethodsThis course will be taught entirely in the flipped format. Students will be assigned reading materials every week. During class time, students’ grasp of basic concepts from these articles will be assessed and reinforced. Each week, a number of students will be responsible to hold a presentation on a given risk factor and lead a discussion. All 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. Also, each week students will learn to advance their literature reviewing skills as well as coding and analysing in SPSS.
Homework and ProjectsHW 1: Students will conduct a literature review on etiology of stress and they choose and write a 3-4 pages of review in APA format. HW 2: Students will develop reseach questions and hypothesis and write a research proposal which contains the literature review (HW1), the aim of the study, research plan (scales, sample etc.) and statistical tests to be used. HW 3: Students will review others’ proposal and give feedback and suggestions to improve the quality of the work. Presentation & Leading Discussion: Every week a group of students will be asked to hold a presentation on a specific risk factor for mental health and lead a discussion about how they can operationalize and study its predisposing effects in their own research projects. Empirical Paper: Students will be asked to collect data, code and analyse it on SPSS and write an empirical article based on these analyses in APA format. Poster Presentation: Students will prepare a scientific poster to present and discuss their findings.
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 1 % 10
Application 1 % 20
Homework Assignments 3 % 30
Presentation 1 % 10
Paper Submission 1 % 30
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration bircekn@mef.edu.tr

Throughout the semester, students are responsible for following announcements, working on the uploaded material and responding to the discussions on the blackboard on a weekly basis. Coming class prepared is compulsory to be able to follow the course and stay engaged within the class. Students can submit a paper assignment on a rescheduled date only if they submit an official health report to the faculty secretary’s office. Students are expected to come to class on time and be respectful of the teaching and learning environment at all times. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and is strictly penalized. Academic dishonesty includes any commitment of cheating, lying and deceit in any form such as plagiarism or cheating during exams. Students are strictly responsible for submitting their own work, not that of others or other agents. Full citation of others’ work is required. 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 1 3 4 112
Presentations / Seminar 2 8 2 20
Homework Assignments 3 9 3 36
Paper Submission 1 20 20
Total Workload 188
Total Workload/25 7.5
ECTS 7.5