Continuing with social psychology, this lecture covers factors influencing how we form impressions of others. Students will learn about the rapid impression formation process and the role of stereotypes in shaping perceptions.
The lecture will highlight the utility and negative effects of stereotypes, discussing implicit biases and their implications for social interactions. Additionally, the module will address two intriguing psychological phenomena: the nature of sleep and laughter, exploring current theories surrounding these topics.
In this module, Professor Paul Bloom introduces the course, outlining its comprehensive nature and discussing the five main branches of psychology:
This foundational module sets the stage for deeper exploration into the human mind.
This lecture introduces two fundamental theories regarding the relationship between the mind and body: Dualism and Materialism. Dualism posits that the conscious mind is distinct from the physical body, while Materialism asserts that mental states arise from physical brain states.
Students will explore compelling arguments that have led Materialism to dominate psychological thought, along with a foundational overview of the brain's neurophysiology, helping to bridge the gap between psychology and biological science.
This module delves into the groundbreaking theories of Sigmund Freud, offering insights into his life and significant contributions to psychology. Students will learn about psychoanalysis and its focus on the unconscious mind, as well as the theory's limitations and criticisms.
Despite its critiques, Freud's ideas about the unconscious continue to influence modern psychology. This lecture will encourage students to consider the relevance of Freudian concepts in contemporary psychological practices and theories.
In this engaging lecture, Professor Bloom highlights the significance of unconscious processing and introduces the theory of Behaviorism, focusing on B.F. Skinner's contributions. Students will learn about different types of learning and the evolutionary basis for unconscious processing.
Furthermore, the lecture will discuss the reasons behaviorism has been largely replaced as a comprehensive theory of human mental life, encouraging students to reflect on the evolution of psychological thought.
This module focuses on cognitive development, beginning with Jean Piaget's theories on how children acquire knowledge. Students will explore Piaget's stages of cognitive development and the methodologies he used to study children's learning processes.
The lecture will also introduce contemporary research on infant cognition, addressing how cognitive abilities emerge and the importance of understanding developmental variations across different children. This foundational knowledge illustrates the complexity of human thought development.
This lecture introduces the intricate nature of language as a uniquely human ability. Students will explore key topics within the study of language, including:
The lecture will also discuss language acquisition theories and the significance of language specialization across cultures, enhancing students' understanding of how language shapes human experience.
This module continues the discussion on language, exploring communication systems in non-human primates and other animals. Students will learn about the relationship between language and thought, examining how language shapes our understanding of reality.
The lecture progresses into theories of perception, attention, and memory, addressing why we perceive visual illusions and how our attention is selective. Students will gain insights into various memory types and how they influence our cognition.
This lecture further develops the topics of vision and memory, reviewing essential psychological research on memory types, limitations, and strategies to improve memory. Students will learn about memory disorders and their implications for daily life.
Additionally, the lecture highlights important social implications of memory research, including discussions on recovered memories and the influence of suggestibility on eyewitness testimony, providing a deeper understanding of the malleability of human memory.
In this guest lecture, Professor Peter Salovey introduces students to the psychological theories of love and attraction. The discussion encompasses various types of love, the factors that predict attraction, and the common misconceptions surrounding the relationship between arousal and love.
Through an exploration of different contexts and circumstances, students will gain a broader understanding of the psychological underpinnings of love, enhancing their grasp of human relationships.
This module introduces students to the study of psychology through the lens of evolution. The lecture discusses how natural selection has influenced the development of the human mind, examining arguments for and against this perspective.
Students will explore examples of how an evolutionary approach can clarify psychological theories and explain basic human instincts, shedding light on behaviors and decisions that are rooted in our evolutionary past.
This class examines human emotions through an evolutionary lens, discussing how emotions function, their origins, and their communicative roles. The lecture covers three notable case studies: happiness, fear, and familial emotions.
Students will learn how these emotions evolved and how they affect social interactions and relationships, providing insight into the importance of emotional responses in human connectivity.
Continuing the discussion on emotions, this lecture focuses on evolutionary explanations for various emotional responses, such as parental love, gratitude, spite, and cultural variations in feelings of revenge.
Students will explore how these emotions serve as adaptations to navigate social environments, highlighting the significance of understanding emotions in the context of psychology and human behavior.
This engaging module addresses the question of why people differ from one another, focusing on personality and intelligence. Students will learn about contemporary theories and research that measure these traits, exploring their variability across different individuals and groups.
The lecture will also delve into the influence of genetics, parenting, and environmental factors on personality and intelligence, encouraging students to consider the complexities of human differences.
This lecture explores the intersection of psychology, sex, and evolutionary theory, discussing insights into gender differences and sexual attraction. Students will learn how evolutionary psychology can explain varying preferences in mate selection and sexual orientation.
Through a critical examination of contemporary studies, the lecture will provide a nuanced understanding of how psychological factors influence sexual behaviors and relationships.
This module introduces psychological theories of morality and the factors guiding moral judgment. Professor Bloom will discuss the emotions associated with morality, exploring how they evolved and their impact on human behavior.
Students will engage with questions surrounding moral dilemmas, examining what drives individuals to act morally or immorally, and how psychological research contributes to understanding these phenomena.
This module is the first of two focusing on social psychology, where students will explore how we perceive ourselves and others. The lecture introduces the "six degrees of separation" phenomenon and its implications for social connectivity.
Additionally, the module reviews biases affecting self-perception and perceptions of others, emphasizing the role of social influences on individual behavior and identity formation.
Continuing with social psychology, this lecture covers factors influencing how we form impressions of others. Students will learn about the rapid impression formation process and the role of stereotypes in shaping perceptions.
The lecture will highlight the utility and negative effects of stereotypes, discussing implicit biases and their implications for social interactions. Additionally, the module will address two intriguing psychological phenomena: the nature of sleep and laughter, exploring current theories surrounding these topics.
In this module, Professor Susan Nolen-Hoeksema provides insights into modern clinical psychology, focusing on identifying and treating mental disorders. The lecture emphasizes mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and depression, detailing current diagnostic criteria and treatment practices.
Students will gain an understanding of how psychological assessments are conducted and the various therapeutic approaches employed in clinical settings, enhancing their awareness of mental health issues.
This lecture continues the exploration of psychopathology, discussing various definitions of mental illness. Professor Bloom will review clinical diagnoses, including schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, dissociative disorders, and personality disorders.
The module concludes with an introduction to therapy, exploring different therapeutic approaches and their effectiveness in treating mental health issues, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of clinical psychology.
The final lecture of the course focuses on the efficacy of clinical treatments and the intriguing field of positive psychology. Professor Bloom summarizes the influences that clinical interventions can have on individuals and assesses the effectiveness of various therapeutic approaches.
In particular, this module explores the concept of happiness, addressing questions such as: What makes us happy? How does happiness vary across cultures? Students will learn about the latest research in positive psychology and the misconceptions surrounding happiness.