This course will highlight the most interesting experiments within the field of psychology, discussing the implications of those studies for our understanding of the human mind and human behavior. We will explore the brain and some of the cognitive abilities it supports like memory, learning, attention, perception and consciousness. We will examine human development - both in terms of growing up and growing old - and will discuss the manner in which the behavior of others affect our own thoughts and behavior. Finally we will discuss various forms of mental illness and the treatments that are used to help those who suffer from them.
The fact of the matter is that humans routinely do amazing things without appreciating how interesting they are. However, we are also routinely influenced by people and events without always being aware of those influences. By the end of this course you will have gained a much better understanding and appreciation of who you are and how you work. And I can guarantee you that you'll learn things that you'll be telling your friends and family about, things that will fundamentally change the way you think of yourself and others. How can you resist that?!
Overview
Syllabus
- Welcome and Orientation to the Course
- This section is about your orientation to the Coursera interface and the logistics of the course.
- History & the Scientific Method
- This section is about exploring the introduction to the Science of Psychology. At the end of this first section you'll be able to identify and discuss some of the major movements in the Science of Psychology.
- The Matter of the Mind
- There was a time when one could study Psychology without linking phenomena back to the brain itself, but those days are slowly disappearing. Now every Psychology student, yourself included, is expected to have at least a general knowledge of brain organization and structure. At the end of this section you will be able to locate structures of the brain and discuss its organization.
- Sensation, Perception, Attention and Awareness
- This section is all about the systems our brain uses to get input from the world ... you will be able to recognize what those things around us are and where they are ... and be able to interpret who we are and how we fit.
- Learning
- This section is all about learning and behaviourism. When you're done the videos you'll be able to name and describe the topic of learning and behaviour in contexts such as flirting and gambling!
- Memory
- This topic is Memory, and it's a big topic, and one I know a fair amount about. It was hard to figure out what to present and what to leave out. I tried to include some of the most interesting stuff. I hope you agree. After this section you'll be able to define and summarize topics such as False Memory and Amnesia.
- The Social Mind
- This topic is Social Psychology and it features some of the most controversial experiments in psychology. Some of these will having you thinking very deeply for a long time after you see them. You'll have time to analyze and interpret our experience with conformity and authority.
- Mental Illness
- This topic is Clinical Psychology and you'll learn both about various clinical disorders, and about the therapies commonly used to treat them.You'll be able to extend this knowledge to different disorders. Be careful to not start diagnosing all your friends or family (or yourself!)
- Videos by Request
- This module is all about you and is about extending our foundational knowledge in the field of psychology so you can discover and describe to others more of what's interesting to you. These curated videos are based on past course requests. We will add new ones as well from time to time as new cohorts make requests.
- Final Assignment
- Final Peer Assessment Assignment
- Links to Outside Resources
- This reading item has links to resources referenced in the course
- Super Optional Videos
- These are extras and side videos that you are not tested on. Feel free to watch if you're interested.
Taught by
Steve Joordens
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Reviews
4.8 rating, based on 28 Class Central reviews
4.9 rating at Coursera based on 5183 ratings
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I am taking this course right now and am on week 5 in the course outline. I just wanted to warn others that the instructor is off by a week in his lectures. The midterm quiz comes at the end of week 4 but includes questions relating to week 5. In we…
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Even though this is only an inductory course, it's very comprehensive. And the supplymentary materials are very eye-opening. I wish there were more quizzes before the big tests so that I can do a self-check but it's still one of the best courses I've ever taken.
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I liked the content and as the title suggests, it is only the basics and introduction to Psychology, but the insights were great!
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It's a great intro to psychology, it covers a broad range of sub-types and gives you a good grasp on psychology as a whole.
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Maksim KazlouskiGreat course, very easy going and clear explanations of material. Professor doing a great job explaining things in a manner that everyone can understand the material. A lot of home work reading available, interesting studies overviewed. I'll advice that course to everyone interested in psychology. -
This is one of my favorite courses. One of the reason that I really enjoyed taking this course is the instructor of the course, Steve Joordens, who teaches very enthusiastically. He really enjoys talking about psychology and his attitude is contagious.
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I only audited the course out of couriosity. Very interessing! Gives a good overview of the topic. Great teacher! Connects the organ/brain function with the behavoir.
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The course is great,in fact am beginning to learn a lot that i didn't know about my life and the society as whole.
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I like it . I learned a lot. I plan to study deeper into psychology. Steve is very pleasant to listen to. I like the format, the suggested videos and readings. I am hoping to get back into it though. I got cut off. Hoping someone could help me get back into the program.
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This introductory course takes a great, broad view at psychology. We learn about some of the big names in the field, Freud, Wundt, etc. at a pace that is easily manageable and stress free. Steve Joordens makes learning addicting and offers plenty of great humor, study materials, and some recipes and music videos to keep the mood light and fun.
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It is one of the best psychology course online right now. if you are willing to start to studying psychology i recommend this course . Professor Steve Joorden explains every basic topics of psychology in depth and it has quizzes and assignment for tracking your progress .overall very interesting course.
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This must have been the best decision of my life, I could not have found a better way for me to learn what I love.
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I have always wanted to study the human brain and thought process, why people act in the way they do and try to understand and rationale their thought process. This has given me a bit of groundwork on this,
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I am from Azerbaijan and I have graduated from university 5 years ego with major in general psychology however due to various reasons i didn't follow this path (although i have some plans for masters degree related to psychology in Europe inn near future), it was like a deja vu and it reminded me why i did choose this subject.
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Sania K. -
IoioAmazing course and amazing teacher. I guess one of the best teacher I have found online. The course is definitely worth it if you like psychology but you don't have much knowledge about it. -
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