PSYC404 HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY
| Course Code: | 3710404 |
| 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: | |
| Offered Semester: | Fall or Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
This course aims to acquaint students with the historical background of psychology hence a better understanding and appreciation of how psychology has evolved as a basic and applied science. This and the philosophical and practical roots of psychology in a historical backdrop will also help students understand how different braches of psychology came into being.
Course Content
This course endeavours to present the student the historical backdrop of how psychology,as a science, has emerged, developed and evolved into what it is today. While the philosophical origins of scientific psychology will set the base for the course, as the semester proceeds, the subject hinges upon the historical issues such as the body-mind dualism, spirituality and approaches to individualism, the idea of consciousness and the effect of enlightenment in the roots of basic psychological questions as they emerged from philosophy. The course will continue with the main genres of psychology such as the
psychodynamic theory, behaviourism, humanistic view, existentialism, cognitive revolution in their historical contexts. As well, the subject will be presenting the main theories of personality and psychotherapy parallel to the societal and personal histories of the respective theorists and practitioners.
Course Learning Outcomes
- A good understanding of the relationship between philosophy and psychology
- The historical position of psychology amongst sciences
- A better perception of psychology as an interdisciplinary science and the reasons behind
- Ability to analytically think of psychology as a basic and applied science
- A good understanding of how an area of future interest (e.g., clinical psychology) has evolved and what position it occupies in other fields of relevance (e.g., psychiatry)
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