COURSE INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATION INFORMATION


Course Name
Evolutionary Psychology
Code
Semester
Theory
(hour/week)
Application/Lab
(hour/week)
Local Credits
ECTS
PSY 313
Fall/Spring
3
0
3
6
Prerequisites
None
Course Language
English
Course Type
Elective
Course Level
First Cycle
Mode of Delivery -
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course
Course Coordinator -
Course Lecturer(s)
Assistant(s) -
Course Objectives The main goal of this course is to have the students acquire a deeper understanding for what causes us to think, react to others, behave in the ways we do, how our experiences shape us, how and why our behaviors differ from those of other animals. To examine how evolutionary theory can be used to understand human psychology. To provide students with a detailed insight into theoretical perspectives and research findings/methods in Evolutionary Psychology.
Learning Outcomes The students who succeeded in this course;
  • Will be able to explain the basic principles of evolutionary theory.
  • Will be able to give examples where the evolutionary approach may help us understand human behavior.
  • Will be able to discuss the importance of the comparative methodology.
  • Will be able to explain how an adaptationist perspective can be used to understand human psychology.
  • Will be able to discuss systematic and advanced knowledge of important theoretical work and research findings in Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavioral Ecology.
Course Description Traditional psychology is a rich and vital field, but it has no overarching theory of what we call “mind design”. Also most of traditional psychology’s reliable findings are more sensible and more informative when they are interpreted in an evolutionary framework. Evolutionary psychology is a different way of thinking about the entire field of psychology.
Related Sustainable Development Goals

 



Course Category

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

 

WEEKLY SUBJECTS AND RELATED PREPARATION STUDIES

Week Subjects Required Materials
1 The Scientific Movements Leading to Evolutionary Psychology Buss, D., M. (2016). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind (5th Edition). New York, NY: Routledge. (Chapter 1, pp.2-32)
2 The New Science of Evolutionary psychology Buss, D., M. (2016). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind (5th Edition). New York, NY: Routledge. (Chapter 2, pp.33-66)
3 Combating the Hostile Forces of Nature: Human Survival Buss, D., M. (2016). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind (5th Edition). New York, NY: Routledge. (Chapter 3, pp.68-99)
4 Women's Long-Term Mating Strategies Buss, D., M. (2016). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind (5th Edition). New York, NY: Routledge. (Chapter 4, pp.102-132)
5 Men's Long-Term Mating Strategies Buss, D., M. (2016). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind (5th Edition). New York, NY: Routledge. (Chapter 5, pp.133-162)
6 Midterm Exam I
7 Short-Term Sexual Strategies Buss, D., M. (2016). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind (5th Edition). New York, NY: Routledge. (Chapter 6, pp.163-191)
8 Problems of Parenting Buss, D., M. (2016). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind (5th Edition). New York, NY: Routledge. (Chapter 7, pp.194-224)
9 Problems of Kinship Buss, D., M. (2016). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind (5th Edition). New York, NY: Routledge. (Chapter 8, pp.225-253)
10 Cooperative Alliances Buss, D., M. (2016). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind (5th Edition). New York, NY: Routledge. (Chapter 9, pp.256-284)
11 Aggression and Warfare Buss, D., M. (2016). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind (5th Edition). New York, NY: Routledge. (Chapter 10, pp.285-314)
12 Midterm Exam II
13 Conflict Between Sexes Buss, D., M. (2016). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind (5th Edition). New York, NY: Routledge. (Chapter 11, pp.315-347)
14 Status, Prestige, and Social Dominance Buss, D., M. (2016). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind (5th Edition). New York, NY: Routledge. (Chapter 12, pp.348-376)
15 Toward a Unified Evolutionary Psychology Buss, D., M. (2016). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind (5th Edition). New York, NY: Routledge. (Chapter 14, pp.378-420)
16 Final Exam .
Course Notes/Textbooks

Buss, D. M. ( 2012). Evolutionary Psychology: New Science of the Mind, International Edition. New York: Pearson

ISBN-13: 978-0205992126

ISBN-10: 0205992129

Book chapters outlined above, recent articles holding current scientific enquiries in evolutionary psychology, and .ppt presentations.

Suggested Readings/Materials

 

EVALUATION SYSTEM

Semester Activities Number Weigthing
Participation
Laboratory / Application
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
Presentation / Jury
Project
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterm
2
50
Final Exam
1
50
Total

Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade
2
50
Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade
1
50
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
15
3
45
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
Presentation / Jury
Project
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exam
Midterms
2
27
Final Exams
1
33
    Total
180

 

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS RELATIONSHIP

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

To have knowledge of basic concepts, theories, approaches (behavioral, biological, cognitive, evolutionary, social, developmental, statistical, humanistic, psychodynamic, and socio-cultural), and current applications specific to the field of psychology by using current course materials and instruments.

X
2
To have basic knowledge and skills about the applications in the different subfields of psychology.
3

To have basic knowledge about the testing and measurement instruments used in different subfields of psychology and basic level skill that does not require expertise in carrying out applications in different subfields of psychology.

4

To make use of other disciplines that may contribute to psychology and have basic knowledge about the contribution of psychology to these disciplines.

X
5

To have cumulative knowledge about the position of psychology as a scientific discipline in Turkey, the conducted research, applications and problems encountered from past to present in the field of psychology.

X
6

To have the competence to conduct a research individually and/or as a team using the knowledge acquired in the field of psychology, interpret the findings obtained by using scientific problem solving and critical thinking approaches.

7

To have the ability to construct a research hypothesis, create a research design, collect data, analyze it, report it in a scientific writing format, and interpret it by using basic knowledge related to testing and measurement, research methods, and statistics acquired in the field of psychology.

8

To have the competence to share the theoretical and applied knowledge acquired in the field of psychology with the experts and lay people by using the required information and communication technologies in scientific studies and events that benefit the society.

9
To have knowledge of the relevant professional and ethical values ​​in the domains of psychology and respect individual differences and human rights in research and practices related to psychology.
10

To constantly renew herself/himself professionally by following both national and international publications in the field of psychology, the developments in testing and measurement instruments and software programs used in the discipline.

11
To establish written and verbal communication with experts and lay people by using both Turkish and English.
12

To be able to speak a second foreign at a medium level of fluency efficiently.

13

To be able to relate the knowledge accumulated throughout the human history to their field of expertise.

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