The undergraduate Psychology Program at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University (BAİBÜ) began its academic journey in 2003. The department has five main subfields: Experimental, Developmental, Social, Applied Psychology, and Psychometry. Psychology is a scientific discipline that studies human behavior through observation and experimental methods. The undergraduate psychology program is designed to teach students the fundamental concepts, theories, and research methods of psychology, focusing on developing research skills, gaining professional practice abilities, and emphasizing the importance of ethical principles.
Psychology is divided into two branches: theoretical and applied psychology.
Theoretical Psychology:
his branch focuses on psychological processes such as learning, thinking, and motivation. Key areas include: Experimental Psychology investigates psychological phenomena through laboratory experiments on humans and animals. Physiological Psychology examines the physiological bases of behavior. Social Psychology studies human interaction and social behaviors. Developmental Psychology explores psychological processes such as thinking, learning, emotions, and excitement throughout human development. Personality Psychology analyzes human personality. Abnormal Psychology investigates abnormal behaviors.
Applied Psychology:
pplied psychology uses data from theoretical psychology to address human behavior-related issues in daily life. Main areas include: Clinical Psychology studies the causes and treatments of behavioral problems in individuals with severe adjustment disorders. Industrial Psychology focuses on selecting the most suitable personnel to increase productivity, fostering positive relationships in the workplace, and understanding consumer preferences. Counseling Psychology helps individuals with mild adjustment issues. Sports Psychology examines the motivation and performance of athletes. Rehabilitation Psychology studies the psychology of individuals with disabilities. Traffic Psychology investigates thoughts, emotions, and behaviors related to traffic. Health Psychology focuses on maintaining and promoting health behaviors. School Psychology examines the learning process in schools and addresses students' academic challenges.
Vision and Mission of the Psychology Program:
The vision of the BAİBÜ undergraduate psychology program is to be a leading and respected department in education, research, public health, and counseling in Turkey. Its mission includes contributing to the country's need for psychologists, training professionals in applied and research fields, promoting an understanding of psychological methods and applications and fostering advancements in scientific research and practices in subfields of psychology to protect and improve psychological health.
Departmental Facilities
The department offers international (Erasmus) and national (Farabi) student exchange programs. Facilities include a brainstorming space, a graduate research and development laboratory, and an organizational psychology laboratory. Two rooms are dedicated to observation, interviews, psychological testing, research methods, and experimental studies. Graduate programs are available in various branches of psychology for students who wish to specialize and pursue a doctoral degree. Since its establishment, the Psychology Department has shown significant progress and continues to advance rapidly.
Career Opportunities
raduates of the program can find employment in various institutions such as ministries (e.g., Ministries of Health, Justice, Youth and Sports), the Child Protection Agency, hospitals, nursing homes, daycare centers, prisons, industrial organizations, rehabilitation centers, schools, and research institutions. With the increasing demand for human-focused services, the need for psychology professionals in research and application fields (e.g., psychological counseling and psychotherapy services) is steadily rising.
Psychologists tailor their roles to the nature of the institution they work in. They may administer psychological assessment tools such as tests and inventories, conduct interviews, help individuals resolve problems, and assist in finding appropriate solutions. Those working in research and education develop measurement tools and methods to modify human behavior.
