The Psychology of Adaptation

Current updates and messages: 

• 2026/3/16.: Conference participation  (in  class)

Current and important updates regarding COURSE REQUIREMENTS - effective for the present semester:

On the classes the different perspectives of the psychology of adaptation will be presented (the data science, developmental, genetic, personality, cognitive and affective psychology perspectives) with students' active participation in the discussions of the topics. 1-3 compulsory and several recommended articles will be provided for each topic on the course google drive (link will be sent via Neptun email).

Your FINAL exam grade for the course will be the mean of the PART 1 & PART 2 grades (50-50%, rounded according to mathematical rules). 

• The FIRST PART OF YOUR COURSE GRADE will be based on a compulsory course activity performed in class. This semester you should prepare a 20-minute ACTIVITY in pairs and conduct it in class. Further details regarding the activities will be discussed in class. Please sign up for the week of Your choice (link will be sent via email). The topic can be anything that you think is interesting to others, connected to the different perspectives discussed in class. See details below and the course schedule with dates above.
  The use of generative AI (e.g. ChatGPT) is permitted and encouraged for planning activities (e.g. to be used as an assistant in finding & developing the creative concept, tasks and materials to be presented). However, authors must critically review and revise the generated material and submit an appropriate declaration of AI use.
  Ethical consideration: You MUST present the title of your activity 3 days before the presentation (on the sign-up sheet) and discuss any ethical issue with the tutor.

• The SECOND PART OF YOUR COURSE GRADE will be based on a 24hour online exam - for which you have to sign up in Neptun in the exam period. The "24h essay task" is a single question to be answered in a 2-3 page essay from 10AM of the exam to 10 AM next day.

  • e.g. "Connect two perspectives learnt on this course and provide an example to portray benefits of taking into consideration both".

  • or "Explain to a 10 year-old child the benefits of emotion regulation").  

The online exam will be on the CANVAS portal (https://canvas.elte.hu/). A single file is expected to be uploaded, answering the question of the exam. On this exam you are free to use any resource to answer the question, but make sure that it is YOUR OWN coherent work, not the collection of thoughts from others! The use of generative AI tools is permitted to a limited extent when writing the 24hour exam. The tools may be used for brainstorming, to structure the essay, to assist in finding resources and answering questions raised by the student, translating foreign-language sources, and proofreading the text (spelling, style). AI generated illustrations are also welcome. However, it is strictly PROHIBITED to use these tools to write the substantive part of the essay or to generate the reference list. In order to preserve professional ethics and academic integrity, the text must reflect the student's own train of thought.
Illustrations and references are welcome but not complusory, and they can excede the length requirement. Evaluation will be based on content, coherence, & creativity of the essay.
Make your essay the best! :)

Description of course Activities:
More information and methodology details will be provided in class.

• PRESENTATIONS & TASKS:
  Your activity should be balanced and focused on 1-3 "take home messages". Present a topic close to your heart (practically anything goes—use your imagination). Your chosen topic should be linked to (at least) one of the perspectives of the psychology of adaptation. Be ready to answer questions related to this prespective and the related readings. Please use LIMITED time for frontal speach & present a digestable amount of information / ideas. ESSENTIAL PART of acivities should be TASK(s) with ACTIVE PARTICIPATION of the auidence!

- The Flash Talk style for e.g. is a perfect choice to introduce a topic: dazzling your audience in 3–5 minutes with a well-rehearsed yet seemingly spontaneous talk, sprinkled with humor and twists. The audience’s focus should be on you. You may accompany your talk with a carefully crafted single slide, bring a prop, or go without either.
- Discussions, games, quizzes are excelent to activate your audience - don't be afraid to ask them to stand up, form a circle, use their phones for tasks with Mentimeter, Kahoot or other apps, etc. You can also use the projector for presenting results of these apps, your slides or even short videos.
- Bare in mind that tasks take time. Plan, rehearse and make sure you fit into the time limit. Leave time to summarize your intended message and questions!
- Be prepared to modify your plan due to technical difficulties, time issues, and ADAPT to any other unexpected events.

• DEBATES revolve around a topic chosen by the pair, but here you have certain roles set - you may choose further students for these tasks:
  - the MODERATOR is responsible for conducting the debate, ensuring a balanced flow of ideas
  - the TIMEKEEPER makes sure the event is kept on schedule
  - the AFFIRMATIVE MEMBER/DUO/TEAM supports the resolution or topic being debated
  - the NEGATIVE MEMBER/DUO/TEAM: This team or individual opposes the resolution or topic.
  Timig shoud be calculated the same way as for the group demonstrations.

How to prepare? Find your pair, discuss and refine your topic, plan, practice, and make sure you’re engaging and entertaining. Ensure active participation from your audience, and mind the time limit!
Looking forward to Your presentations!!!🥳

The general course outline (see updates for the present semester above):