PSYd0002 General psychology

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 15 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Stanislav Ježek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. PhDr. Petr Macek, CSc. (lecturer)
prof. Mgr. Tomáš Řiháček, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Stanislav Ježek, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites
No prerequisites
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of this course is to clarify and organize the theoretical foundation for the preparation of a dissertation project. In collaboration with their supervisor, the student will identify relevant theories (i.e., those that explain the phenomenon they wish to study and the variables that influence it), select one or more of these theories as the basis for their work (and from which the studies they intend to build upon are derived), and describe in detail the current state of the theory (its main theses and their refinement based on recent studies). Given the current unsatisfactory state of theory in many areas of psychology, the above process will require the identification of relevant concepts and findings, and the development of an original theoretical framework for the chosen phenomenon.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, the student should be able to: Select and analyze relevant theories for their dissertation project with a high level of quality. Develop a review paper that includes a detailed theoretical analysis and evaluates empirical evidence. Formulate specific research questions that focus on unexplained or unexplored aspects of the theory. Create a theoretical framework that will serve as the basis for further research in their dissertation.
Syllabus
  • - a study of relevant literature - preparing and writing of critical review
Literature
  • Relevantní příručky, monografie a články.
Teaching methods
Reading in this course will involve not only studying theoretical texts related to the dissertation topic but also critically analyzing and interpreting empirical studies that support or test various theories. Writing will be a key activity for preparing the review paper, which will be one of the main outputs of the course. Discussion is an essential part of the learning process and the development of the review paper. It will take place both during consultations with the supervisor.
Assessment methods
The output is a brief review paper that includes: A concise characterization of relevant theories. A detailed presentation of the chosen theory and model(s) of the studied phenomenon, including relevant factors/variables that influence the phenomenon. An evaluation of the extent to which (and in what way) the main theses of the proposed theory are supported by empirical research. What needs to be tested or can be tested in the theory. Although it is not the main focus of the paper, it should be clear from the text what research question(s) the doctoral student intends to explore regarding the studied phenomenon. The structure and content focus of this paper (15–20 standard pages) will be consulted with the examiner (usually the course coordinator, though it could be someone else). The course is concluded with a colloquium. The student will prepare a 20-minute presentation in which they present the key theses of their review paper. This will be followed by a discussion, during which questions are expected to clarify terms or individual theses of the theory to ensure that colleagues understand them and can potentially apply them in their own research programs. Other questions may, for example, encourage the presenter to provide a more detailed justification for their choice of theory or to further discuss the research opportunities that the proposed theory offers.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: in blocks.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, Spring 2020, Autumn 2020, Spring 2021, Autumn 2021, Spring 2022, Autumn 2022, Spring 2023, Autumn 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
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