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Psychology of Popularity

The level of popularity you experienced in childhood and adolescence is still affecting you today in ways that you may not even realize. Learn about how psychologists study popularity and how these same concepts can be used in adulthood to be more successful at work, become better parents, and have a happier life.

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What's inside

Syllabus

How is Popularity Affecting Your Life as an Adult?

We will review how popularity is changing your social information processing and DNA expression.

How Do We Study Popularity Scientifically?

We will discuss the ways that we have identified different subgroups of kids and adults who have different popularity profiles.

Why are Some People More Popular Than Others? (Part 1)

We will discuss what behaviors popular people engage in, and what types of specific behaviors make people unpopular almost immediately. Implications for adult relationships will be discussed.

Why are Some People More Popular Than Others? (Part 2)

We will review why facial and body attractiveness plays a role in popularity and how parents can make their children more popular.

How Does Popularity Change Our Mood, Feelings, and Behaviors? (Part 1)

We will discuss recent findings regarding the links between popularity and psychopathology.

How Does Popularity Change Our Mood, Feelings, and Behaviors? (Part 2)

We will review why popular people really do have better skills and life outcomes compared to others.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines how popularity affects adult social information processing and DNA expression

Taught by Dr. Mitch Prinstein, recognized for his work in psychology

Develops students' understanding of the scientific study of popularity

Provides practical insights into how popularity impacts adult relationships

Explores the role of facial and body attractiveness in popularity

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Reviews summary

Accessible introduction to psychology

According to students, Psychology of Popularity is a well-received course designed for beginners. Learners say that the course is accessible, engaging, and features relevant lessons for everyday life. It covers causes and solutions for popularity-related issues.

Lessons apply to real-world situations.

"It gives the causes and the solutions for various problems and helps all of us to make the improvements we need."

Perfect for learners new to psychology.

"It's perfectly pitched so that complete beginners can engage right from the very start without feeling all at sea..."

Some information may be too fundamental.

"Well into the second week the term 'popularity' had yet to be defined for the purposes of the course."

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 Psychology of Popularity with these activities:

Review child development and psychology basics

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Reviewing the basics of child development and psychology can help you better understand the concepts discussed in this course.

Browse courses on Child Development

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Read through your old notes or textbooks on child development.
Take practice quizzes or tests to assess your knowledge.
Attend a refresher workshop or seminar on child development.

Practice identifying levels of popularity

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Reinforce your understanding of the various levels of popularity to lay a foundation for the rest of the course.

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Review the course materials on identifying levels of popularity.
Complete the practice exercises at the end of the module.

Identify mentors who can provide guidance on popularity-related issues

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Finding mentors who can provide guidance on popularity-related issues can help you develop your own understanding and strategies for navigating social situations.

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Identify potential mentors who have experience or expertise in the area of popularity.
Reach out to your potential mentors and introduce yourself.
Ask your mentors for guidance and advice on popularity-related issues.

Four other activities

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Read "Popularity: The Hidden Dynamics" by Mitch Prinstein

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Gain in-depth insights into the dynamics of popularity from a leading expert in the field.

View Popular: Finding Happiness and Success in a... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Read through the book, making notes and highlighting key concepts.

Join a study group or discussion forum to discuss course concepts

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Participating in a study group or discussion forum can help you engage with the material in a more interactive way and gain different perspectives from your peers.

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Find a study group or discussion forum that aligns with your interests.
Introduce yourself and share your goals for the group.
Actively participate in discussions and ask questions.

Write a blog post about the role of popularity in your own life

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Writing a blog post about the role of popularity in your own life can help you reflect on the material covered in this course and gain a deeper understanding of its implications.

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Brainstorm a list of topics related to popularity that you're interested in writing about.
Do some research on the topic you choose.
Write a draft of your blog post.
Edit and revise your blog post.
Publish your blog post and share it with others.

Design and conduct a research study on the effects of popularity

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Conducting a research study on the effects of popularity can provide you with hands-on experience in applying the concepts you learn in this course and contribute to the field of research.

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Come up with a research question.
Design your study.
Collect data.
Analyze your data.
Write up your results.

Career center

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

Human Resources Manager

The Psychology of Popularity course will introduce you to the different subgroups of individuals who have different popularity profiles. It will also discuss what behaviors popular people engage in, and what types of specific behaviors make people unpopular almost immediately. This course can help prepare you for human resources work by providing you with a deep understanding of human behavior and how to increase an individual's popularity at the workplace. As an HR professional, you would be responsible for hiring new employees, performance management, and employee relations. A strong understanding of how popularity dynamics play into team performance can help you excel in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Psychologist

The Psychology of Popularity course will provide you with a scientific understanding of how popularity is studied and how these concepts can be used in adulthood to be more successful at work. As a Psychologist, you will be responsible for helping people understand and cope with psychological problems. A strong understanding of popularity dynamics can help you better understand the social factors that contribute to mental health problems and develop more effective treatments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Psychologist

Counselor

The Psychology of Popularity course will provide you with a scientific understanding of how popularity is studied. It will also discuss the different factors that contribute to popularity. This course can help prepare you for counseling work by providing you with a deep understanding of human behavior and how to build positive relationships. As a Counselor, you will be responsible for helping people cope with personal and social problems. A strong understanding of popularity dynamics can help you better understand the challenges faced by your clients and develop more effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Counselor

Social Worker

The Psychology of Popularity course will provide you with insights into how popularity affects your life as an adult. It will also discuss how these concepts can be used to be more successful at work. As a Social Worker, you will be responsible for helping people cope with personal and social problems. A strong understanding of popularity dynamics can help you better understand the challenges faced by your clients and develop more effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Public relations manager

The Psychology of Popularity course will introduce you to the different factors that contribute to popularity. It will also discuss how popularity can affect mood, feelings, and behaviors. This course can help prepare you for public relations work by providing you with a deep understanding of human behavior and how to build positive relationships with the media and the public. As a Public Relations Manager, you would be responsible for managing the reputation of a company or organization. A strong understanding of popularity dynamics can help you develop effective public relations campaigns that increase visibility and build trust.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public relations manager

Marketing Manager

The Psychology of Popularity course can help you become a more effective Marketing Manager. The course will provide you with a scientific understanding of how popularity is studied and how these concepts can be used in adulthood to be more successful at work. As a Marketing Manager, you will be responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns that increase brand awareness and sales. A strong understanding of popularity dynamics can help you create more effective marketing campaigns that appeal to a wider audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

TV Producer

The Psychology of Popularity course will introduce you to the social science research on popularity. This course will provide you with insights into how popularity works and can help you produce more engaging and shareable TV shows. As a TV Producer, you will be responsible for overseeing the production of television shows and ensuring that they are entertaining and informative. A strong understanding of popularity dynamics can make your job easier and your TV shows more popular.

See salaries and explore the career path for TV Producer

Occupational Therapist

The Psychology of Popularity course will provide you with insights into how popularity affects your life as an adult. It will also discuss how these concepts can be used to be more successful at work. As an Occupational Therapist, you will be responsible for helping people regain or improve their physical and cognitive functions. A strong understanding of popularity dynamics can help you better understand the social challenges faced by your clients and develop more effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Occupational Therapist

Teacher

The Psychology of Popularity course will provide you with insights into how popularity affects your life as an adult and how you can use these concepts to be more successful at work. As a Teacher, you will be responsible for educating students and helping them reach their full potential. A strong understanding of popularity dynamics can help you create a more positive and supportive learning environment for your students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Event Planner

The Psychology of Popularity course will provide you with a scientific understanding of how popularity is studied. It will also discuss the different factors that contribute to popularity. This course can help you become a more effective Event Planner by providing you with insights into how to create events that are popular and well-attended. As an Event Planner, you will be responsible for planning and executing events that meet the needs of your clients. A strong understanding of popularity dynamics can help you create events that are memorable and successful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Event Planner

Social Media Manager

The Psychology of Popularity course may be useful for Social Media Managers. The course will provide you with insights into how popularity affects your life as an adult and how you can use these concepts to be more successful at work. As a Social Media Manager, you will be responsible for developing and executing social media campaigns that increase brand awareness and engagement. A strong understanding of popularity dynamics can help you create more effective social media campaigns that reach a wider audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Sales Manager

The Psychology of Popularity course may be useful for Sales Managers. The course will provide you with insights into how popularity affects your life as an adult and how you can use these concepts to be more successful at work. As a Sales Manager, you will be responsible for leading a team of salespeople and helping them achieve their sales goals. A strong understanding of popularity dynamics can help you build stronger relationships with your team and motivate them to perform at their best.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Speech-Language Pathologist

The Psychology of Popularity course may be useful for Speech-Language Pathologists. The course will provide you with insights into how popularity affects your life as an adult and how you can use these concepts to be more successful at work. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, you will be responsible for helping people with speech and language disorders. A strong understanding of popularity dynamics can help you better understand the social challenges faced by your clients and develop more effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speech-Language Pathologist

Physical Therapist

The Psychology of Popularity course may be useful for Physical Therapists. The course will provide you with insights into how popularity affects your life as an adult and how you can use these concepts to be more successful at work. As a Physical Therapist, you will be responsible for helping people regain or improve their physical functions. A strong understanding of popularity dynamics can help you better understand the social challenges faced by your clients and develop more effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physical Therapist

Politician

The Psychology of Popularity course may be useful for Politicians. The course will provide you with insights into how popularity affects your life as an adult and how you can use these concepts to be more successful at work. As a Politician, you will be responsible for representing the interests of your constituents and working to improve their lives. A strong understanding of popularity dynamics can help you win elections and build support for your policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Politician

Reading list

We've selected 21 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Psychology of Popularity.

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Is written by the instructor of the course and great companion read to enhance your understanding of the course's subject matter.

Psychology of Popularity

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Accessible introduction to psychology

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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