Course detail

Basics of Psychology 2

FaVU-ZPS2Acad. year: 2024/2025

The course offers a systematic introduction to general psychology. It presents a basic description of psychological phenomena, processes and activities through which humans reflect, grasp and influence reality. It offers descriptions and explanations of mental processes from the perspective of human physiology and biology to understand how humans navigate the world, learn to understand themselves, and be better prepared to cope with the demands of living a meaningful life.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Mgr. Richard Fajnor

Department

Department of Art History and Theory (KTDU)

Entry knowledge

Basic Psychology 1

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The conditions for the exam and assessment:

active participation in classes to the extent of 50 %,
elaboration of a personal reflection on a topic related to the teaching content in the scope of 1 A4
an exam combining written preparation and subsequent discussion on sub-specific topics.

Lecturing takes place in the classrooms of the FFA BUT in the hours determined by the schedule. Attendance is compulsory in 50 %.

Aims

The aim of the course is to provide students with the opportunity to acquire knowledge of basic psychological terminology, based on current knowledge of general psychology, and to orient themselves in its use. To understand the psychological processes, organization and dynamics of an individual's mental life and to be able to describe common functions of the human psyche. To gain information about theories of psychological aspects of human determination and basic insight into social interactions and group dynamics. Students will also learn about various psycho-hygienic techniques, energetization and activation practices of psycho-somatic manipulation.

The student acquires knowledge of basic psychological terminology and orientation in its use. He will get the opportunity to understand psychological processes, the organization and dynamics of an individual's mental life and their connection with body functions. He will know basic theories about the psychological aspects of human determination and basic insight into social interactions and group dynamics.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Blatný, Marek. Psychologie osobnosti. Praha: Cosmopolis, 2010. ISBN 978-80-247-3434-7
Kitching, Helen J. Essential Studies for A-Level Psychology, London: Hodder Education, 2020. ISBN 978-1510469396
Myers, David G. Sociální psychologie. Brno: EDIKA, 2016. ISBN 978-80-266-0871-4
Nakonečný, Milan. Obecná psychologie. Praha: Triton, 2015. ISBN 978-80-7387-9297
Vágnerová, Marie. Obecná psychologie: Dílčí aspekty lidské psychiky a jejich orgánový základ. Praha: Karolinum, 2016. ISBN 978-80-246-3268-1

Type of course unit

Lecture

13 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Mgr. Richard Fajnor

Syllabus

1. Thinking (general psychology)

- description of thought operations and thought forms, basics of propositional logic

key concepts: abstraction, comparison, analysis, synthesis, concretization, deduction, induction, etc., semantic triangle of language and speech, semantics and interpretation, logic, concept, judgment, judgment, proposition, theory, hypothesis, law

2. Intelligence (general psychology)

- intelligence as a quality of thinking, multifactorial intelligence

key concepts: IQ and other testing tools, brain model, raven's progressive matrices

3. Creativity (general psychology)

- creativity and its manifestations, convergent or divergent type of problem solving

key concepts: convergent or divergent thought production, creativity, fluency, flexibility, originality, elaboration, sensitivity, redefinition, characteristics of the creative personality

4. Emotions (general psychology)

- description of emotional reactions

key concepts: basic (lower) emotions, higher emotions, emotional reactions, emotional state – mood, emotional relationship – passion, affect, phobia

5. Identity (personality psychology)

- definition of the concept of self, identity and personality

key concepts: development of the use of the self, personality theory, self-concept, self-actualization and self theory, identification

6. Personality typology and dynamics (personality psychology)

- personality typology, personality dispositions and dynamics, acquired and innate temperament

key concepts: introversion and extroversion, personality dynamics, temperaments, traits, character, talents, temperament map, personality diagram

7. Culture (social psychology)

- system of social norms and concepts of culture

key concepts: customs, mores, laws, taboos, functions of culture, conformity

8. Sociability (social psychology)

- socialisation, sociability, social learning

key concepts: attitudes, prejudices, stereotypes, conformity and norms, position, role, status,

9. Small group (social psychology)

- characteristics of small groups, territorial demarcation and time, culture

key concepts: social environment, characteristics of groups, hierarchy in groups – power, sociometric and communication structure, crowd psychology

10. Communication, social interaction (social psychology)

- different forms of communication and social interaction

key concepts: social perception, cooperation, competitiveness, hostility, conflict, assertiveness, communication – non-verbal, visual and pictorial, sign and symbolic

11. basic psychological trends

- description of psychological trends and theories of the first half of the 20th century

key concepts: gestaltism, cognitive psychology, behaviourism (reflexology – I. P. Pavlov), depth psychology (psychoanalysis – S. Freud, analytical – C. G. Jung, individual – A. G. Jung, individual – A. A. Adler, E. Fromm)

12. basic psychological trends

- description of psychological trends and theories of the 2nd half of the 20th century

key concepts: humanistic theory (holistic-dynamic perspective – A. H. Maslow, self-actualization – C. R. Rogers), transpersonal psychology, psychoenergetization

Seminar

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Mgr. Richard Fajnor