PSY3450 TOPICS IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

Course Code:2333450
METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week):3 (3.00 - 0.00)
ECTS Credit:7.0
Department:Psychology
Language of Instruction:English
Level of Study:Undergraduate
Course Coordinator:Prof.Dr. NURAY SAKALLI
Offered Semester:Spring Semesters.

Course Objectives

  • Introduce students to central concepts of social psychology within an anthropological framework.
  • Highlight the cultural and historical assumptions underlying classical social psychology studies.
  • Familiarize students with anthropological theories of personhood, identity, emotion, and power.
  • Encourage critical reflection on cross-cultural diversity in social behavior.
  • Develop students’ ability to connect experimental findings in psychology with ethnographic insights from anthropology.
  • Promote interdisciplinary thinking and comparative analysis in understanding social life.

Course Content

See course description at the end


Course Learning Outcomes

  • Understand key social psychology concepts in dialogue with anthropological theories.
  • Critically assess the cultural assumptions behind classic social psychology studies.
  • Use ethnographic material to deepen their understanding of social processes.
  • Connect psychological phenomena (identity, prejudice, conformity, emotion, persuasion) with anthropological insights.
  • Develop cross-disciplinary thinking and apply it to contemporary issues.

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