PSY456 APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

Course Code:2330456
METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week):3 (3.00 - 0.00)
ECTS Credit:7.5
Department:Psychology
Language of Instruction:English
Level of Study:Undergraduate
Course Coordinator:
Offered Semester:Fall Semesters.

Course Objectives

This course aims to provide an overview of the field of applied social psychology and enable students to gain hands-on experience in developing an intervention for a social issue that affects individuals and communities. The content of the course is designed to familiarize students with applications of social psychological theory and research to understand and address social and practical problems in the real world. The goal is to introduce students to applied social psychology with its theoretical and methodological background and the design and evaluation of interventions for empowering individuals and communities. The focus of the course will be on how social psychology can be applied to different areas of life, including clinical and counseling psychology, media, health, education, organizations, community, environment, diversity, etc.


Course Content

This course aims to familiarize the students with how the theories and findings of social psychology are applied to different real life problems in various social settings. In the course the content of applied social psychology and its main domains will be explained. Then, the students will be exposed to how several major theoretical areas within social psychology, such as social cognition, attitudes, attitude change, social influence, social norms, social relations, and prejudice can be applied to social problems relevant to health, environment, education, gender, intimate relations, politics, leadership, conflict, and sports.


Course Learning Outcomes

Ask critical questions and discuss the findings in the literature on applied social psychology.
Understand the theoretical and methodological background of applied social psychology.
Apply social psychology to different areas of life, including clinical and counseling psychology, media, health, education, etc.
Evaluate the interventions suggested/ applied for practical and social problems regarding possible advantages and disadvantages. 
Combine social psychological knowledge and skills to suggest a solution for a social issue.


Program Outcomes Matrix

Level of Contribution
#Program Outcomes0123
1Solid background in basic theories and approaches in psychology.
2Skills to obtain and interpret new information in the light of acquired theoretical knowledge.
3Skills to follow both national and international publications and developments in the discipline.
4Basic applied skills and knowledge of the various disciplines of psychology that do not require specialization.
5Awareness of the value of continuing educational practices such as in-service training, seminars, and conferences to keep career-relevant knowledge and skills up-to-date.
6Skills to conduct research based on basic knowledge related to testing and measurement, research methods, and statistics. That is, skills related to forming research hypotheses, designing the research, collecting data, applying basic statistical analysis, and reporting.
7Knowledge and skills about conducting research and practice by adhering to ethical guidelines.
8Skills in oral and written communication both in Turkish and English.
9Skills to work in teams that involve disciplinary and interdisciplinary projects.
10Critical thinking skills in following the psychological literature together with the psychology-related information appearing in popular media.
11Skills to generate practical and culture-sensitive solutions to problems.
12Awareness of societal, environmental, and economic factors in professional practice and research.
13Skills to lead and pioneer in the profession of psychology, either in academia or professional practice.
14Skills in independent and team work.

0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution