COURSE INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION INFORMATION


Course Name
Evolutionary Bases of Learning and Cognition
Code
Semester
Theory
(hour/week)
Application/Lab
(hour/week)
Local Credits
ECTS
PSY 551
Fall/Spring
3
0
3
7.5
Prerequisites
None
Course Language
English
Course Type
Elective
Course Level
Second Cycle
Mode of Delivery -
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course
Course Coordinator -
Course Lecturer(s)
Assistant(s) -
Course Objectives The main objective of the course is to describe, discuss, and analyze the innate features of the minds of different organisms which have evolved to match certain aspects of that physical external universe, and the way in which the physical universe interacts with the mind to produce the phenomenal world.
Learning Outcomes The students who succeeded in this course;
  • will be able to discuss how and where the evolutionary approach may help us understand human behavior.
  • Will be able to discuss behaviour from reflexes to consciousness.
  • Will be able to discuss the development of social behaviour from evolutionary perspective
  • Will be able to interpret material in terms of biological function and the effect of natural selection.
  • Will be able to analyze and report on material learned.
Course Description This course is concerned with an in depth investigation of the evolutionary bases of learning and cognition. The course will cover how mental mechanisms and their biological correlates have evolved to produce what we have today.
Related Sustainable Development Goals

 



Course Category

Core Courses
Major Area Courses
Supportive Courses
Media and Managment Skills Courses
Transferable Skill Courses

 

WEEKLY SUBJECTS AND RELATED PREPARATION STUDIES

Week Subjects Required Materials
1 introduction
2 Gene machines DAWKINS, R. (1989). The selfish gene. Oxford, Oxford University Press.Chapter 2&4
3 Agression DAWKINS, R. (1989). The selfish gene. Oxford, Oxford University Press.Chapter 5&6
4 Family planning DAWKINS, R. (1989). The selfish gene. Oxford, Oxford University Press.Chapter 7&8
5 Battle between generations and sexes DAWKINS, R. (1989). The selfish gene. Oxford, Oxford University Press.Chapter 8&9
6 Alturistic Behaviour DAWKINS, R. (1989). The selfish gene. Oxford, Oxford University Press.Chapter 10
7 Cultured animal Dugatkin. 2001. The Imitation Factor: Evolution Beyond the Gene. Simon & Shuster, New York, Chapter 1
8 Choice of mate Dugatkin. 2001. The Imitation Factor: Evolution Beyond the Gene. Simon & Shuster, New York, Chapter 2
9 Meaning of the culture Dugatkin. 2001. The Imitation Factor: Evolution Beyond the Gene. Simon & Shuster, New York, Chapter 3
10 "Meme" concept Dugatkin. 2001. The Imitation Factor: Evolution Beyond the Gene. Simon & Shuster, New York, Chapter 4
11 Supernormal stimulus Barrett, D. (2010). Supernormal stimuli: How primal urges overran their evolutionary purpose. New York: W.W. Norton & Co. Chp 3
12 Supernormal stimulus Barrett, D. (2010). Supernormal stimuli: How primal urges overran their evolutionary purpose. New York: W.W. Norton & Co. Chp 4
13 Supernormal stimulus Barrett, D. (2010). Supernormal stimuli: How primal urges overran their evolutionary purpose. New York: W.W. Norton & Co. Chp 5
14 Supernormal stimulus Barrett, D. (2010). Supernormal stimuli: How primal urges overran their evolutionary purpose. New York: W.W. Norton & Co. Chp 6
15 Power and sexuality among apes Waal, F. B. M. (1998). Chimpanzee politics: Power and sex among apes. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
16 Power and sexuality among apes Waal, F. B. M. (1998). Chimpanzee politics: Power and sex among apes. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
Course Notes/Textbooks

DAWKINS, R. (1989). The selfish gene. Oxford, Oxford University Press. ISBN-10: 0192860925

Dugatkin. 2001. The Imitation Factor: Evolution Beyond the Gene. Simon & Shuster, New York, ISBN-10: 0684864533

Barrett, D. (2010). Supernormal stimuli: How primal urges overran their evolutionary purpose. New York ISBN-10: 039306848X

Waal, F. B. M. (1998). Chimpanzee politics: Power and sex among apes. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN-10: 0801886562

 

Suggested Readings/Materials

 

EVALUATION SYSTEM

Semester Activities Number Weigthing
Participation
Laboratory / Application
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
7
35
Presentation / Jury
4
40
Project
1
25
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterm
Final Exam
Total

Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade
6
70
Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade
1
30
Total

ECTS / WORKLOAD TABLE

Semester Activities Number Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours
(Including exam week: 16 x total hours)
16
3
48
Laboratory / Application Hours
(Including exam week: 16 x total hours)
16
Study Hours Out of Class
16
5
80
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
7
10
Presentation / Jury
4
5
Project
1
30
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterms
Final Exams
30
    Total
248

 

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS RELATIONSHIP

#
Program Competencies/Outcomes
* Contribution Level
1
2
3
4
5
1

To be able to develop and deepen the current and advanced knowledge in the experimental science of psychology with original thought and/or research and come up with innovative definitions based on Master's degree qualifications.

2

To be able to conceive the interdisciplinary interaction which the experimental psychology is related with, come up with original solutions by using knowledge requiring proficiency on analysis, synthesis and assessment of new and complex ideas.

3

To be able to evaluate and use new methodological knowledge in a systematic way and gain higher level of skills on research methodology of the mind, behavior, and the brain.

4

To be able to develop an innovative knowledge, method, design and/or practice or adapt an already known knowledge, method, design and/or practice to another field; research, conceive, design, adapt and implement an original subject.

5

To be able to make critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation of new and complex ideas in the field of experimental psychology.

6

To be able to develop new ideas and methods in the field of experimental psychology by using high level mental processes such as creative and critical thinking, problem solving and decision making.

7

To be able to broaden the borders of the knowledge in the field by producing or interpreting an original work or publishing at least one scientific paper in the field in national and/or international refereed journals.

8

To be able to organize and participate in scientific activities such as workshops, conferences, and panels to elaborate possible solutions to the problems which may be specific to experimental psychology or interdisiplinary.

9

To be able to contribute to the transition of the community to an information society and its sustainability process by introducing scientific, technological, social or cultural improvements by following pioneer and innovative methods and theories of the mind, behavior and the brain trilogy.

10

To be able to develope effective and functional means of communication to analyze mental relations and processes in the context of experimental psychology.

11

To be able to contribute to the solution finding process regarding social, scientific, cultural and ethical problems in the field and support the development of these values.

12

To be able to write an original dissertation in accordance with the criteria related to the field of Experimental Psychology.

13

To be able to communicate and discuss orally, in written and visually with peers by using English language.

*1 Lowest, 2 Low, 3 Average, 4 High, 5 Highest