Introduction
to Psychology
Series Entitled: "Psychology: The Human Experience"
1)
Why Study Human Behavior?
Lesson 1 introduces psychology as a science of behavior and mental
processes. It explains how understanding why we think and act as
we do enhances our lives.
2)
Research Methods in Psychology
Lesson 2 provides an overview of observational and descriptive research
by illustrating how the scientific method is used to study the relationship
between violent video games and aggression.
3)
The Nervous System
Lesson 3 provides learning about the components of the nervous system
and the methods used for studying the brain through the story of
a hemispherectomy patient.
4)
The Neuron and Neural Transmission
Lesson 4 illustrates how the brain communicates with the body by
explaining what the neuron is, how it functions, and what happens
to that communication when neurological disorders occur.
5)
Sensation and Perception
Lesson 5 demonstrates how our senses gather information about the
world around us. Perception is also covered in depth.
6)
Consciousness
Lesson 6 illustrates how our consciousness and awareness vary throughout
a typical day. It also explores the impact of circadian rhythms.
7)
Learning: Classical and Operant Conditioning
Lesson 7 discusses Pavlov's classical conditioning experiment and
how it demonstrates the process of learning by an association or
relationship.
8)
Learning: Observational and Cognitive Approaches
Lesson 8 discusses observational learning. The cognitive process
of learning is illustrated using B.F. Skinner's research.
9)
Memory
Lesson 9 answers the question of "What is memory?" and
explains how our sense of identity relies on memories of personal
history and connections with the people around us.
10)
Language and Cognition
Lesson 10 explores the fact that most animals have the ability to
communicate, but only humans have language, symbols for objects,
actions, ideas, and feelings.
11) Intelligence and Creativity
Lesson 11 explores what intelligence means in different environments
and cultures and discusses nature versus nurture and the history
and biases of intelligence testing.
12)
Motivation
Lesson 12 offers an in-depth discussion of biological and social
theories of motivation, intertwined with Bandura's presentation
on the role of self-efficacy.
13)
Emotion
Lesson 13 asks the following questions: What are emotions? Are they
learned or are they innate? Are they expressed in the same way throughout
most cultures?
14)
Infant and Child Development
Lesson 14 provides an overview of Piaget's four stages of cognitive
development.
15)
Adolescent and Adult Development
Lesson 15 explains the significance of peer relationships and Kohlberg's
moral development theory. Erikson's theory on human development
and Kubler-Ross' five stages of dying and death complete the overview.
16)
Gender and Sexuality
Lesson 16 explores the distinction between the terms sex and gender
and describes the similarities and differences between men and women.
17)
Personality Theories
Lesson 17 explores the three major theories of personality-Freudian,
humanistic, and social-cognitive perspective-by examining the life
of the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.
18)
Personality Traits and Assessment
Lesson 18 looks at the ways we can evaluate and assess the many
parts of our individual personalities.
19)
Social Cognition
Lesson 19 focuses on how people form impressions of others and how
people's behavior is affected by attitudes.
20)
Attitudes
Lesson 20 analyzes the formation of attitudes and how they can be
turned into prejudice. It also explores ways to prevent prejudice
and how to appreciate individual and group diversity.
21)
Group Influence
Lesson 21 explains individuality, group behavior, and deindivduation.
22)
Stress, Health, and Coping
Lesson 22 chronicles a breast cancer survivor who employs successful
coping strategies to aid in maintaining good health in stressful
situations.
23)
Understanding Psychological Disorders, Part One
Lesson 23 presents research on obsessive/compulsive disorders, and
examines the daily lives of patients with these disorders.
24)
Understanding Psychological Disorders, Part Two
Lesson 24 examines Schizophrenia, its symptoms, and types. It asks
the question: Can some people who suffer from this disease live
a relatively normal life?
25)
Therapies
Lesson 25 examines four different styles of therapy treatment for
mental disorders and discusses the role of each style of therapy.
26)
Making Psychology Part of Your Life
Lesson 26 concludes the series by examining how psychology can be
applied to all areas of our lives.
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