PSYC281 EXP. PSYCHOLOGY I:LEARNING
| Course Code: | 3710281 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 6.0 |
| Department: | Psychology |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Undergraduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Assist.Prof.Dr REŞİT KIŞLIOĞLU |
| Offered Semester: | Fall Semesters. |
Course Objectives
The course is concerned with the basic principles of learning and conditioning particularly from the behaviourism perspective. Therefore, it will cover the topic of what learning is and how it is measured objectively, the principles of habituation, desensitization, classical conditioning (Pavlovian Conditioning), operant conditioning (Skinnerian Conditioning) and avoidance. In due course issues that pertain to cognition will be discussed as there is a strong link between cognitive processes and learning.
Course Content
A course designed to acquaint the students with the experimental literature of the psychology of learning. Areas of major emphasis are principles of classical and instrumental conditioning, reinforcement and its patterns, extinction, relation of learning to motivation, generalization and discrimination. A selective treatment of major learning theories in various contexts is distributed throughout the course material.
Course Learning Outcomes
On the successful completion of this subject, it is expected that the student will have an understanding of :
- Fundamental theories of learning
- How basic learning mechanisms are linked to higher order functions
- The basic principles underlying experimental study of human behaviour
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | Solid background in basic theories and approaches in psychology | ✔ | |||
| 2 | Skills to follow both national and international publications and developments in the discipline and to obtain and interpret new information in the light of acquired theoretical knowledge | ✔ | |||
| 3 | Awareness of the value of continuing educational practices such as in-service trainings, seminars, and conferences to keep career-relevant knowledge and skills up-to-date | ✔ | |||
| 4 | Skills to conduct research based on basic knowledge related to testing and measurement, research methods, and statistics as well as the ability to present and disseminate research findings both orally and in writing | ✔ | |||
| 5 | Knowledge and skills about conducting research and practice by adhering to ethical guidelines | ✔ | |||
| 6 | Skills in oral and written communication both in Turkish and English as well as preferably learning a third language | ✔ | |||
| 7 | Skills to work in teams that involve disciplinary and interdisciplinary projects | ✔ | |||
| 8 | Critical thinking skills in following the psychological literature together with the psychology-related information appearing in popular media | ✔ | |||
| 9 | Skills to generate practical and culture-sensitive solutions to problems | ✔ | |||
| 10 | Awareness of societal, environmental, and economic factors in professional practice and research | ✔ | |||
| 11 | Skills to lead and pioneer in the profession of psychology, either in academia or professional practice | ✔ | |||
| 12 | Skills in independent and team work | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution