Psychology Essentials

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior, a field born from philosophy and physiology. This module lays the groundwork by exploring its history, major perspectives, and the critical thinking skills that define the discipline.

How do we know what we know? Psychologists rely on the scientific method to separate fact from opinion. This module covers research design, the power of correlation versus causation, and the ethical principles that protect human participants.

Every thought, feeling, and behavior has a biological basis. This module explores the architecture of the nervous system, from the structure of a neuron to the specialized functions of the brain's lobes, and the role of genetics and the endocrine system.

Sleep, dreams, and psychoactive drugs all represent altered states of consciousness. This module examines the stages of sleep, common sleep disorders, and how substances like depressants and stimulants affect the brain and behavior.

How do we learn? From Pavlov's dogs to Skinner's boxes, this module unpacks the three major types of learning: classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning. Real-world examples show how these principles shape habits, fears, and skills.

Memory is not a single thing but a system of encoding, storing, and retrieving information. This module explores the Atkinson-Shiffrin model, the biology of memory, common memory errors, and practical strategies to improve recall.

From Piaget's stages of cognitive growth to Erikson's psychosocial crises, this module traces human development across the lifespan. It covers attachment, parenting styles, moral reasoning, and the physical and cognitive changes of aging.

What makes you you? This module explores the major theories of personality, from Freud's psychodynamic approach to the Big Five trait model. It also covers humanistic and social-cognitive perspectives, as well as how personality is assessed.

We are profoundly influenced by the presence of others. This module examines social cognition, conformity, obedience, prejudice, and prosocial behavior, drawing on classic experiments like Milgram's shock study and the Stanford prison experiment.

Stress is a part of life, but chronic stress can damage health. This module covers the physiology of the stress response, the link between stress and illness, and effective coping strategies. It also introduces the field of positive psychology and the pursuit of happiness.

What defines a psychological disorder? This module explores the criteria for abnormality, the DSM-5 classification system, and the major categories of disorders, including anxiety, mood, schizophrenia, and personality disorders. It also covers the history and modern approaches to therapy.