Course Details

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY AND HUMAN BEHAVIOUR

PSYF221

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Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
5PSYF221SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY AND HUMAN BEHAVIOUR5+0+051021.06.2026

 
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 This course introduces students to the fundamental theories and principles of social psychology, exploring how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts. By examining topics such as social perception, attitudes, group dynamics, and intergroup relations, students will gain a deeper understanding of the psychological processes that shape human interaction. No prior knowledge of psychology is required to succeed in this course.

Participants who successfully complete this course will achieve the following learning outcomes, corresponding to the AGU Psychology Program aims:
Course Content Human beings are inherently social creatures. From childhood to adulthood, our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are shaped by the presence of others, whether through direct interaction or the broader influence of culture and society. In an era of rapid social and technological change, understanding the forces that drive human behavior—both at the individual and group levels—is more crucial than ever.

This course introduces you to the scientific study of how people think about, influence, and relate to one another. We will examine both individual-level processes, such as perception, attitudes, decision-making, and emotions, as well as social-level dynamics, including conformity, persuasion, group behavior, and intergroup relations. Through classic and contemporary research, we will explore fundamental questions: Why do people conform to social norms? What drives prejudice and discrimination? How do individuals form and maintain relationships? Why do some people help others while others act aggressively?

By integrating psychological theories with real-world examples, this course provides a foundational understanding of human social behaviour that is applicable across various domains, from business and politics to healthcare and everyday interactions. You will gain insight into the ways in which individual cognition and personality interact with social forces to shape behaviour. Whether you are pursuing a career in psychology, education, management, or public policy, the knowledge and skills you acquire in this course will enhance your ability to analyse social interactions, challenge biases, and apply psychological principles to practical problems in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world.
Course Methods and Techniques This course meets twice a week for a total of 5 hours and carries 10 ECTS credits:

Tuesdays, 16:00–19:00 (3 hours): These sessions will consist of lectures and class discussions. Before each lecture, students will complete a 5-minute quiz on CANVAS related to the assigned chapter (see the weekly schedule at the end of the syllabus). Quizzes must be taken in class.
Thursdays, 13:00–15:00 (2 hours): These sessions will focus on in-class activities (with occasional out-of-class assignments) where students apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems. Activities may include reflection papers, group debates, experiment design, critical reflections, movie critiques, games, Wikipedia editing, and more.
Throughout the course, students will also develop a research proposal, which will be presented and submitted at the end of the semester. The course will include a midterm exam and a final exam to assess your understanding of key concepts.

Course Requirements:
Pre-Class Quizzes (5%):

Before each Thursday lecture, students will complete a 5-minute quiz on CANVAS based on the assigned chapter. Quizzes must be taken in class.

In-Class Activities (15%):

During Tuesday sessions, students will engage in various activities designed to apply social psychology theories to real-life problems. These may include—but are not limited to—reflection/reaction papers, group debates, experiment design, critical reflections, movie critiques, games, and Wikipedia editing.

Each activity should critically engage with the readings and class discussions. For example:

If the topic is conformity, you might design an experiment to test how group size influences conformity in a specific context.
If the topic is prejudice, you might write a reflection paper connecting the readings to a recent news event or personal experience.
If the topic is persuasion, you might participate in a group debate on the ethical implications of persuasive techniques in advertising.
These activities will help you deepen your understanding of social psychology concepts and develop practical skills for analyzing and addressing real-world issues. Occasional out-of-class assignments may also be given to complement these activities.

Research Proposal (20%)

A key component of this course is the development of a research proposal on a topic related to social psychology. This project will allow you to apply the theories and methods you learn in class to a real-world issue of your choice.

Throughout the semester, you will work on various parts of the proposal during in-class activities and assignments. For example:

You may write reaction papers that explore potential research questions or critique existing studies related to your topic.
You may participate in group discussions to brainstorm ideas, refine your research question, or receive feedback on your methodology.
You may design experiments or surveys as part of in-class activities to test your hypotheses or gather data.
By the end of the semester, you will have completed the following components of your proposal:

A one-page description of your research idea.
A list of four key references that support your proposal.
The final proposal will be a maximum of 15 pages, written in APA format, and will include:

A clear research question.
A literature review.
A detailed methodology.
Expected outcomes and implications.
You will also present your proposal in class before the final weeks of the course. Detailed guidelines and deadlines will be provided later in the semester.

Midterm Exam (25%):

A midterm exam will assess your understanding of key concepts covered in the first half of the course.

Final Exam (30%):

A final exam will evaluate your comprehension of the material covered throughout the semester.

Participation (5%):

Active participation in lectures, discussions, and activities is essential. Students are expected to contribute thoughtfully and respectfully to class discussions.
Prerequisites and co-requisities ( PSYC101 ) and ( PSYC102 ) and ( PSYC103 ) and ( PSYC104 )
Course Coordinator None
Name of Lecturers Asist Prof.Dr. AHMET ÇOYMAK ahmet.coymak@agu.edu.tr
Assistants Uzman Ömer Topuz omer.topuz@agu.edu.tr
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources Myers, D. G., Abell, J., & Sani, F. (2020). Social psychology (3rd European ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Myers, D. G., & Twenge, J. M. (2022). Social psychology (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Course Notes -Myers, D. G., & Twenge, J. M. (2022). Social psychology (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
-Myers, D. G., Abell, J., & Sani, F. (2020). Social psychology (3rd European ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Course Category
Mathematics and Basic Sciences %100

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 1 % 25
Yarıl yılSonu Sınavı/Dönem Projesinin Başarı Notuna Katkısı 1 % 20
Quiz/Küçük Sınav 12 % 5
Final examination 1 % 30
Uygulama Çalışmaları (Laboratuar,Sanal Mahkeme,Stüdyo Çalışmaları vb.) 9 % 15
Diğer (Staj vb.) 1 % 5
Total
25
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Yazılı Sınav 1 2 2
Deney 1 3 3
Grup Sunumu 4 2 8
Grup Projesi 1 10 10
Sınıf İçi Aktivitesi 9 2 18
Final Teslimi ve Jüri 1 4 4
Kısa Sınav 12 1 12
Okuma 9 3 27
Araştırma 1 10 10
Seminer 2 10 20
Ders dışı çalışma 1 36 36
Sözlü Sınav 1 5 5
Yüz Yüze Ders 14 5 70
Derse Devam 14 5 70
Final Sınavı 1 5 5
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 10 300

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
2 Examine the methods that make social psychology a science
Bilgi 
1 Define social psychology and explain what it does.
Beceri 
4 Summarize various psychological perspectives on human similarities and differences
Yetkinlik 
3 Identify and describe the central concepts behind social psychology.

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Getting to know each other Introducing Social Psychology
2 Social Cognition Reading -Myers, D. G., & Twenge, J. M. (2022). Social psychology (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. -Myers, D. G., Abell, J., & Sani, F. (2020). Social psychology (3rd European ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
3 Attribution and social explanation Reading -Myers, D. G., & Twenge, J. M. (2022). Social psychology (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. -Myers, D. G., Abell, J., & Sani, F. (2020). Social psychology (3rd European ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
4 Self and Identity Reading -Myers, D. G., & Twenge, J. M. (2022). Social psychology (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. -Myers, D. G., Abell, J., & Sani, F. (2020). Social psychology (3rd European ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
5 Attitudes Reading -Myers, D. G., & Twenge, J. M. (2022). Social psychology (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. -Myers, D. G., Abell, J., & Sani, F. (2020). Social psychology (3rd European ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
6 Persuasion and Attitude Change Reading & Observation -Myers, D. G., & Twenge, J. M. (2022). Social psychology (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. -Myers, D. G., Abell, J., & Sani, F. (2020). Social psychology (3rd European ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
7 Social Influence Reading & Experiment -Myers, D. G., & Twenge, J. M. (2022). Social psychology (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. -Myers, D. G., Abell, J., & Sani, F. (2020). Social psychology (3rd European ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
8 Term Break
9 People in groups Reading -Myers, D. G., & Twenge, J. M. (2022). Social psychology (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. -Myers, D. G., Abell, J., & Sani, F. (2020). Social psychology (3rd European ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
10 Leadership and group decision-making Reading -Myers, D. G., & Twenge, J. M. (2022). Social psychology (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. -Myers, D. G., Abell, J., & Sani, F. (2020). Social psychology (3rd European ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
11 Prejudice and discrimination Reading -Myers, D. G., & Twenge, J. M. (2022). Social psychology (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. -Myers, D. G., Abell, J., & Sani, F. (2020). Social psychology (3rd European ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
12 Intergroup behavior Reading -Myers, D. G., & Twenge, J. M. (2022). Social psychology (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. -Myers, D. G., Abell, J., & Sani, F. (2020). Social psychology (3rd European ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
13 Close Relations Reading -Myers, D. G., & Twenge, J. M. (2022). Social psychology (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. -Myers, D. G., Abell, J., & Sani, F. (2020). Social psychology (3rd European ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
14 Social Psychology in Apply Setting Reading -Myers, D. G., & Twenge, J. M. (2022). Social psychology (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. -Myers, D. G., Abell, J., & Sani, F. (2020). Social psychology (3rd European ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

 
Sustainable Development Goals
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 P11 P12
All 5 3 3 5 5 4 4 3 3 1 3 4
C2 5 1 1 4 3 3 3 1 2 2 2
In1 3 1 1 4 5 3 3 4 3 1 3 1
Sk4 5 1 1 4 4 3 3 2 3 2 1
Co3 4 4 3 4 4 4 3 2 3 1 5

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

  
  https://sis.agu.edu.tr/oibs/bologna/progCourseDetails.aspx?curCourse=72267&lang=en
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