Information Package / Course Catalogue
Evolutionary Psychology
Course Code: PSİ319
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to recognize evolutionary psychology models, and basic concepts, examine the studies done in this field and discuss the criticisms of the field.

Course Content

The perspective of evolutionary psychology, cognitive psychology and evolutionary biology; mind-computer analogy; evolution, mutation, genes, adaptation, natural selection; language acquisition; modularity, mental modules; common and specific models; criticisms of evolutionary psychology; behavioural genetics, evolutionary psychology and the future of psychology are discussed.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Lec. Fatma Ebru KÖSE
Learning Outcomes
1.Knows the evolution process and related concepts.
2.Knows the evolutionary explanations about cognitive processes, emotions and behaviors in general.
3.Learns current debates about evolutionary psychology in general.
4.Understands the evolutionary basis of matching strategies.
5.Understand the evolutionary foundations of cooperation and aggression.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Buss, D. M. (Ed.). (2016). The handbook of evolutionary psychology (Second edition). John Wiley & Sons: Hoboken, New Jersey.
2.Evrimsel Psikolojiye Giriş, D.Evans ve O. Zarate (çev. Hakan Çetinkaya), TPD Yayınları, Ankara, 2004
3.Bakırcı, Ç.M. (2016). Evrim kuramı ve mekanizmaları: Evrimin temelleri ve nasıl işlediği üzerine. Ginko Bilim.
4.Diamond, J. (2020). İnsan cinselliğinin evrimi. (B. Baysal, Çev.). Pegasus yayınları (Orijinal çalışma basım tarihi 1997).
5.Tomasello, M. (2017). İnsan iletişiminin kökenleri. ( G. Koca, Çev.). İstanbul: Metis Yayıncılık (Orijinal çalışma basım tarihi 2008).
6.Tomasello, M. (2018). İnsan ahlakının doğal tarihi. ( A. Onacak, Çev.). İstanbul: Koç Üniversitesi Yayınları (Orijinal çalışma basım tarihi 2016).
7.Tomasello M. (2019) Neden ortaklıklar kurarız? (B. Tunçgenç, Çev.). Alfa Bilim Yayınları (Orijinal çalışma basım tarihi 2009).
8.Baggott, J. (2018). Kökenler: Yaratılışım bilimsel öyküsü. (S. Erdem, Çev.). Kolektif Yayınları (Orijinal çalışma basım tarihi 2015).
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction to the field of evolutionary psychology
Week 2 - Theoretical
Evolutionary Biology, Biodiversity Mechanisms
Week 3 - Theoretical
Selection Mechanisms: Artificial Selection and Natural Selection
Week 4 - Theoretical
Introduction to Evolutionary Psychology and Survival Problems
Week 5 - Theoretical
Life History Theory
Week 6 - Theoretical
Mating Strategies: Short Term Mating Strategies
Week 7 - Theoretical
Mating Strategies: Long Term Mating Strategies
Week 8 - Theoretical
Evolution of morality
Week 9 - Theoretical
Evolution of human sexuality, Love and fidelity in romantic relationships
Week 10 - Theoretical
Parental investment, kin selection, parent-child conflict
Week 11 - Theoretical
Social Brain Hypothesis
Week 12 - Theoretical
Cooperation and Solidarity
Week 13 - Theoretical
Aggression and intergroup conflict, Hierarchy
Week 14 - Theoretical
The evolution of cognitive biases and language
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%40
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory1462112
Midterm Examination1516
Final Examination1617
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)125
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
OÇ-1
4
5
5
5
4
OÇ-2
5
5
4
4
4
OÇ-3
4
5
5
5
4
OÇ-4
3
3
4
OÇ-5
3
3
4
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026