Psychology for Beginners

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The field of psychology is an important academic discipline. Yet, few people understand how crucial what glass-wearing knowledge workers who study the mind can teach us. Psychology is the study of human behaviour. It takes the form of a number of different approaches, including biological, psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioural and social theories. In this course students are introduced to key research studies in each of these areas, and find out the answers to questions such as: What does the brain look like? How does it work? How do we think? How do we learn languages? How do we remember, and why do we forget? Why do we like to eat, drink, sleep and have sex? Why do we conform and whom do we obey? Why do we disobey? Why and how do we fall in love? How do relationships break up? This course explores the richness of human functions and uncovers the secrets behind the brain, revealing its complexities and answering questions about how and why we behave (and misbehave!). The course reveals how psychologists study human behaviour in laboratory conditions and explains some of the difficulties encountered in doing so. The course is designed for those wishing to acquire an understanding of psychology as a science, and the contributions of psychologists in the understanding of human behaviour. Major changes occurred in the 1960s. The discipline expanded its scope to examine mental events that Watson had dismissed. Advancements in technology allowed for studying these mental events (or cognitive processes). Individuals reactions to stimuli could be measured and thus inferences could be drawn. Additionally, there was a growing body of research on mental processes. Together these two developments can be described as the cognitive revolution. Now, taking all these developments into consideration, Psychology can be defined as “the science of behaviour and cognitive processes” (Baron, 1998). In other words, psychology looks into “every aspect of human behavior and human experience” (Baron, 1998). The definition has two components: behavior and cognitive processes. Behavior is any observable action by an organism. Cognitive processes, on the other hand, are one’s thoughts, mental images, how one reasons, one’s memories and so on. Key Perspectives in Psychology In addition, the book mirrors the structure that the topic of psychology is actually taught in many Universities, making it easy to follow. Overall, Psychology: A Complete Introduction is a well-written and informative guide to the field of psychology.

In this lecture, Professor Bloom introduces students to the study of psychology from an evolutionary perspective, the idea that like the body, natural selection has shaped the development of the human mind. Prominent arguments for and against the theory of natural selection and its relationship to human psychology are reviewed. Students will hear several examples of how studying mental phenomenon from an evolutionary perspective can help constrain theories in psychology as well as explain many prevalent human instincts that underlie many of our most basic behaviors and decisions. Psychologists: Occupational Outlook Handbook Open link in a new tab. (2022). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved December 22, 2022.

Why study Psychology with The Open University?

Professor Bloom opens with a brief discussion of the value and evolutionary basis of unconscious processing. The rest of this lecture introduces students to the theory of Behaviorism, particularly the work of prominent behaviorist, B. F. Skinner. Different types of learning are discussed in detail, as well as reasons why behaviorism has been largely displaced as an adequate theory of human mental life. It will help you understand the four elements of personality, understand your personality type, and learn the difference between behavior and personality. You’ll also learn to carry yourself in different situations, accurately identify different types of people, and understand people’s perceptions of you based on your personality type. Introduction to Psychology | Coursera On Becoming a Person is a psychology book written by Carl R. Rogers and published in 1961. In the book, Rogers argues that the best way to help people is to treat them with respect, empathy, and genuineness. He also believes that people have a natural tendency to grow and improve. This course is offered in collaboration with University of Toronto. A major focus of the course is experimental psychology and how it affects our understanding of behavior. It covers the brain and its cognitive abilities like memory, consciousness, learning, attention, and perception. You will get a certificate upon completion. Intro to Psychology | Udacity The book covers many more popular psychology myths and finds that most of these myths are easily debunked with a little scientific research. So next time you hear someone repeating one of these popular psychology myths, be sure to set them straight!

Most of us appear to believe that we are more athletic, intelligent, organized, ethical, logical, interesting, open-minded, and healthy-not to mention more attractive-than the average person.” Daniel Gilbert Decide what psychological subjects you're interested in. Psychology is the study of the human mind, but there are many different sub-topics within it, like child development, cognitive psychology, social psychology, and clinical psychology. If you want to learn about psychology, you should ask yourself if there's anything specific you'd like to learn. [1] X Research source Choose between online and traditional psychology courses. If you would like to learn about psychology in a more structured way, you can take psychology courses at a college or university. If you are not already a full-time student, you will want to decide whether you want to try to enroll in a course at a nearby school or take a course online. Guest lecturer Peter Salovey, Professor of Psychology and Dean of Yale College, introduces students to the dominant psychological theories of love and attraction. Specific topics include the different types of love, the circumstances that predict attraction, and the situations where people mistakenly attribute arousal for love. Woodside AG, Sood S, Miller KE. When consumers and brands talk: Storytelling theory and research in psychology and marketing. Psychology and Marketing. 2008;25(2):97-145. doi:10.1002/mar.20203

Teaching methods

This course starts with foundations like psychological theories of behaviorism and psychodynamics. It also covers language and development and how people learn languages. Other aspects of this course will include cognitive psychology, neural processes, behavior modification, and human variation. It explores how psychologists assess happiness and what contributes to a good life in the human experience. Positive Psychology: Character, Grit and Research Methods | Coursera Cognitive psychology: This subfield focuses on mental processes such as attention, thinking, language, and memory. Benjafield JG. The long past and short history of the vocabulary of anglophone psychology. History of Psychology. 2012;15(1):50-71. doi:10.1037/a0023386 The last lecture in the course wraps up the discussion of clinical psychology with a discussion of treatment efficacy. Does therapy actually work? Professor Bloom summarizes the different types of influences that clinical interventions might have on people who receive therapy. School psychologists: work in educational settings to assist children and students in managing emotional, academic, and social issues. They may also work with teachers, staff, and parents to create positive learning environments for students.

Clinical psychology: Clinical psychologists provide mental and behavioral health care and often provide consultation to communities, as well as training and education. If you are experiencing emotional or psychological symptoms, you might need a clinical or counseling psychologist. Online courses offer considerably more flexibility, which can be great if you already have a tight schedule. [12] X Research source The more rigid structure of traditional courses, though, can help some students stay motivated and learn more effectively. [13] X Research source If you are in passionate love and want to celebrate your passion, read poetry. If your ardor has calmed and you want to understand your evolving relationship, read psychology. But if you have just ended a relationship and would like to believe you are better off without love, read philosophy.” Jonathan Haidt

Careers in Psychology

What books should I read if I’m interested in psychology? What are the best psychology books for beginners? These are common questions people ask themselves if they want to learn psychology by themselves. And while it might seem intimidating if you’re just getting started, don’t get discouraged. It’s fully possible to become an expert in understanding how the human mind works. Figure out why people behave in a certain way. Spot errors in the way you act and make proper adjustments. Psychology is the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Psychologists strive to understand the mind, brain functions, and human behavioral patterns and the motivation behind them. The various domains of psychology include cognitive psychology, humanistic psychology, experimental psychology, organizational psychology, social psychology, forensic psychology, developmental psychology, and educational psychology. Psychology Projects. Projects offer a first-hand observation of the application of psychology. You may be involved with projects in your community or school where clinical psychologists or cognitive psychologists observe human behavior. Beware of memories accompanied by strong emotions and vivid details—they are just as likely to be wrong as mundane memories, but you’re far less likely to realize it.” Christopher Chabris In each chapter, Benson provides a clear and concise explanation of complex concepts, making them easy to understand for anyone with no prior knowledge of psychology. This book also includes lots of brilliant illustrations that help visual learners understand the topic of psychology. The Psychology Book is an essential read for anyone interested in learning about psychology and will provide readers with a thorough understanding of the field.