Course Details

PRINCIPLES OF LEARNING

Course Information

Semester	Course Unit Code	Course Unit Title	T+P+L	Credit	Number of ECTS Credits
3	PSYF212	PRINCIPLES OF LEARNING	5+0+0	5	10

Course Details

Language of Instruction	English
Level of Course Unit	Bachelor's Degree
Department / Program	PSYCHOLOGY
Type of Program	Formal Education
Type of Course Unit	Elective
Course Delivery Method	Face To Face
Objectives of the Course	The objectives of the course are; • to familiarise students with the basic principles of learning from the perspective of behaviourism. • raise awareness of how human beings, like other organisms, are shaped by the environmental forces, i.e., experiences.
Course Content	The course is mainly on the basic principles of learning, in other words, the relatively long-lasting changes of the behaviours due to experiences. The course reviews these principles from the behaviouristic perspective; therefore, it covers the topics of one-stimulus learning, i.e., habituation and sensitisation, and stimulus-stimulus associations, referring to classical (Pavlovian) conditioning. Preceding the extinction of the behaviours and avoidance topics, instrumental/operant (Skinnerian) conditioning, referring to the shaping of behaviours due to its consequences (rewards and punishments) is also covered in the course.
Course Methods and Techniques	It used the in-class (face to face) lectures teaching method.
Prerequisites and co-requisities	( PSYC101 ) and ( PSYC102 ) and ( PSYC103 ) and ( PSYC104 )
Course Coordinator	None
Name of Lecturers	Associate Prof.Dr. Mehmet Akif Güzel https://avesis.agu.edu.tr/akif.guzel akif.guzel@agu.edu.tr
Assistants	None
Work Placement(s)	No

Recommended or Required Reading

Resources	Domjan, M. (2015). The Principles of Learning and Behavior (7th Ed). Belmont, USA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
	The lecture notes are sent to the students in handouts formats via CANVAS before each lecture.

Course Category

Mathematics and Basic Sciences	%0
Engineering	%0
Engineering Design	%0
Social Sciences	%90
Education	%10
Science	%0
Health	%0
Field	%0

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria

In-Term Studies	Quantity	Percentage
Yarıyıl İçi Çalışmalarının Başarı Notunun Katkısı	2	% 60
Final examination	1	% 40
Total	3	% 100

ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload

Activities	Quantity	Duration	Total Work Load
Kısa Sınav	2	40	80
Kişisel Çalışma	1	75	75
Ders dışı çalışma	1	45	45
Yüz Yüze Ders	5	15	75
Final Sınavı	1	20	20
Total Work Load			Number of ECTS Credits 10 295

Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

No	Learning Outcomes
1	Define and classify the basic learning principles of conditionings
2	Differentiate and discuss how behaviours are shaped though experiences
3	Question the behaviours they face as to whether they are affected by any conditionings, e.g., classical or operant
4	Understand how conditioning is also affecting various abnormal behaviours (e.g., phobias) as well, such as those showing avoidance or extinction patterns

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week	Topics	Study Materials	Materials
1	Introducing the course
2	Background and rationale for the study of learning and behavior
3	Elicited behaviour, habituation, and sensitisation
4	Foundations of classical conditioning
5	Mechanisms of classical conditioning
6	Instrumental conditioning: motivational behaviour
7	1st midterm (30%)
8	Fall break
9	Schedules of reinforcement & choice behaviour
10	Instrumental conditioning: motivational mechanisms
11	Extinction of conditioned behaviour
12	2nd Midterm (30%)
13	Aversive control: avoidance & punishment
14	Aversive control: avoidance & punishment
15	-video presentations & readings- (in-class group activity)
16	General review and discussion

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant

https://sis.agu.edu.tr/oibs/bologna/progCourseDetails.aspx?curCourse=72264&lang=en