Introduction to Psychology from Coursera

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?!

What's inside

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.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops an intro-level background in modern psychology

Taught by Steve Joordens, who is a published author and professor in the field of psychology

Examines human development across the full lifespan

Introduces students to various forms of mental illness and the treatments used to address them

Emphasizes the 'most interesting experiments' within the field of psychology

Recommended for those seeking to gain a broader understanding of the human mind and behavior

Reviews summary

In-depth intro to psychology

learners say that Introduction to Psychology is a clear, enjoyable, and engaging introduction to the subject. Professor Steve Joordens is considered a rockstar of psychology MOOCs. Students appreciate his enthusiasm and easy-going teaching style, and they find his explanations easy to understand. The course covers a broad range of topics, including memory, intelligence, personality, and mental illness. There is a significant amount of homework reading, but students find the studies interesting. While some learners prefer seeing the professor in person, others enjoy the animated presentations.

Reading materials could be very interesting.

"A lot of home work reading available, interesting studies overviewed."

"I'll advice that course to everyone interested in psychology."

In-depth content covering core topics.

"It covers a broad range of sub-types and gives you a good grasp on psychology as a whole."

"This course provides a high-level overview of psychology as an academic field and covers areas including memory, intelligence, personality, and mental illness."

Engaging animated presentations.

"I didn't mind that although I think some people prefer seeing the professor in person."

"A clear, enjoyable introduction to the subject."

Easy-to-understand explanations.

"Professor doing a great job explaining things in a manner that everyone can understand the material."

"Great course, very easy going and clear explanations of material."

"The midterm quiz comes at the end of week 4 but includes questions relating to week 5."

Excellent professor.

"Steve Joordens is a rockstar of Psychology MOOC's - one of the best courses I have ever attended!"

"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."

Course is longer than expected.

"The amount of time I spent each week varied significantly - the first week being the longest and the last week the shortest."

Lectures are one week behind.

"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."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Psychology with these activities:

Reach out to industry professionals for guidance

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Connect with experienced professionals to gain insights and advice.

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Identify professionals in your field
Send personalized emails or LinkedIn messages requesting mentorship
Attend industry events and introduce yourself to potential mentors

Read 'Marketing Management' by Philip Kotler, Kevin Keller, and Nancy Lee

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Strengthen your foundational knowledge by reading a classic textbook on marketing.

View Social Marketing: Behavior Change for Good on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly
Take notes and highlight key concepts
Complete the end-of-chapter exercises

Organize your notes, assignments, and quizzes

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Improve your learning efficiency by organizing course materials.

Browse courses on Note-Taking

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Gather all your notes, assignments, and quizzes
Create a filing system or use a digital note-taking app
Review and organize your materials regularly

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Practice manipulating images in GIMP

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Sharpen your image editing skills through repetitive exercises.

Browse courses on Image Manipulation

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Review GIMP's basic tools and features
Perform basic image manipulations, such as cropping and resizing
Apply filters and effects to enhance images

Volunteer at a local non-profit organization

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Gain practical experience and apply your skills to make a positive impact.

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Identify organizations that align with your interests
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Commit to a regular volunteering schedule

Attend a workshop on a specific marketing topic

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Enhance your skills by participating in focused workshops.

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Identify workshops that align with your learning goals
Register and attend the workshops
Actively participate and ask questions

Develop a mock advertising campaign for a product or service

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Solidify your understanding of marketing principles through practical application.

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Define your target audience and marketing objectives
Brainstorm creative concepts and develop a media plan
Create advertising materials, such as visuals and copy
Evaluate the effectiveness of your campaign

Develop a business plan for a new venture

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Test your entrepreneurial skills by creating a comprehensive business plan.

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Identify a business opportunity and define your target market
Conduct market research and develop a competitive analysis
Outline your business model, including operations, marketing, and finance
Write an executive summary and present your plan to investors

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Psychology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cognitive Psychologist

Cognitive Psychologists research cognitive processes such as perception, language, problem solving, and memory. This Introduction to Psychology course covers essential concepts in cognition and can provide valuable background knowledge for professionals in the field. Modules on sensation, perception, attention and awareness, learning, and memory align well with the core responsibilities of Cognitive Psychologists. Completion may enhance understanding and performance in the role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cognitive Psychologist

Clinical Psychologist

Clinical Psychologists provide mental health care to individuals and groups. This course would be a good foundational course to take before applying to a PhD program in Clinical Psychology. The course covers various clinical disorders, as well as therapies used to treat them. This knowledge may assist you in providing more comprehensive care to your patients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Psychologist

Developmental Psychologist

Developmental Psychologists study human development across the lifespan. This course covers human development both in terms of growing up and growing old. Taking this course may help you understand the cognitive and social changes that occur throughout the lifespan. This can be particularly valuable for professionals working with children or the elderly.

See salaries and explore the career path for Developmental Psychologist

Educational Psychologist

Educational Psychologists work with students, teachers, and parents to improve educational outcomes. This course may provide valuable insights into the cognitive processes involved in learning. The section on learning and behaviorism may be particularly helpful for developing effective teaching strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Psychologist

Forensic Psychologist

Forensic Psychologists apply psychological principles to legal settings. This course offers a solid grounding in psychology, covering topics such as the scientific method, cognition, social psychology, and mental illness. This knowledge may be helpful in understanding the psychological factors involved in criminal behavior and providing expert testimony in court.

See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Psychologist

Geropsychologist

Geropsychologists work to improve the lives of older adults. This course includes a module on human development that covers growing old. This may be helpful for understanding the cognitive and social changes that seniors experience and developing effective interventions to address their needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geropsychologist

Health Psychologist

Health Psychologists help people understand and manage their health conditions. This course may provide a solid foundation in psychology, including topics such as the scientific method, cognition, and mental illness. This knowledge may be helpful in understanding the psychological factors that contribute to illness and recovery, as well as developing effective health interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Psychologist

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists apply psychological principles to the workplace. This course may provide a foundation in psychology, including topics such as the scientific method, cognition, and social psychology. This knowledge may be helpful in understanding human behavior in the workplace and developing effective strategies for employee selection, training, and motivation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Neuropsychologist

Neuropsychologists study the relationship between the brain and behavior. This course includes a module on the matter of the mind, which covers brain organization and structure. This may be helpful for understanding how the brain influences behavior and developing effective interventions for neurological disorders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Neuropsychologist

Personality Psychologist

Personality Psychologists study the personality traits and characteristics that make people unique. This course may provide a foundation in psychology, including topics such as the scientific method, cognition, and social psychology. This knowledge may be helpful in understanding the psychological factors that influence personality development and functioning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Personality Psychologist

Rehabilitation Psychologist

Rehabilitation Psychologists help people with disabilities or injuries to regain function and live independently. This course may provide a foundation in psychology, including topics such as the scientific method, cognition, and social psychology. This knowledge may be helpful in understanding the psychological factors that influence rehabilitation and developing effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Rehabilitation Psychologist

School Psychologist

School Psychologists work with students, teachers, and parents to promote mental health and academic success in schools. This course may provide a foundation in psychology, including topics such as the scientific method, cognition, and social psychology. This knowledge may be helpful in understanding the psychological factors that influence child development and learning.

See salaries and explore the career path for School Psychologist

Social Psychologist

Social Psychologists study the influence of social factors on human behavior. This course includes a module on the social mind, which covers topics such as conformity, authority, and prejudice. This may be helpful for understanding how social factors influence our thoughts, feelings, and actions, and for developing effective interventions to address social problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Psychologist

Sports Psychologist

Sports Psychologists help athletes enhance their mental skills and performance. This course may provide a foundation in psychology, including topics such as the scientific method, cognition, and motivation. This knowledge may be helpful in understanding the psychological factors that influence athletic performance and developing effective strategies for mental training.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sports Psychologist

Writer

Writers create written content for a variety of purposes, including entertainment, information, and persuasion. This course may provide a foundation in psychology, including topics such as the scientific method, cognition, and social psychology. This knowledge may be helpful in understanding the psychological factors that influence writing and developing effective strategies for writing that is clear, engaging, and persuasive.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writer