About this course: This course will highlight the most interesting experiments within the field of psychology, discussing the implications of those studies for our understanding of the human mind and human behavior. We will explore the brain and some of the cognitive abilities it supports like memory, learning, attention, perception and consciousness. We will examine human development - both in terms of growing up and growing old - and will discuss the manner in which the behavior of others affect our own thoughts and behavior. Finally we will discuss various forms of mental illness and the treatments that are used to help those who suffer from them. The fact of the matter is that humans routinely do amazing things without appreciating how interesting they are. However, we are also routinely influenced by people and events without always being aware of those influences. By the end of this course you will have gained a much better understanding and appreciation of who you are and how you work. And I can guarantee you that you'll learn things that you'll be telling your friends and family about, things that will fundamentally change the way you think of yourself and others. How can you resist that?!
Created by: University of Toronto
Taught by: Steve Joordens, Professor
Department of Psychology
| Commitment | 18.5 hours videos and quizzes |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Welcome and Orientation to the Course
This section is about your orientation to the Coursera interface and the logistics of the course.
2 readings
- Reading: Course Logistics
- Reading: Links to Outside Resources
WEEK 2
History & the Scientific Method
This section is about exploring the introduction to the Science of Psychology. At the end of this first section you'll be able to identify and discuss some of the major movements in the Science of Psychology.
7 videos
- Video: Lecture 1 - Psychology Emerges... (14:38 min)
- Video: Lecture 2 - Before Freud (17:46 min)
- Video: Lecture 3 - Freud (14:26 min)
- Video: Lecture 4 - After Freud (16:25 min)
- Video: Lecture 5 - Truth Seeking (12:35 min)
- Video: Lecture 6 - Knowledge Association (15:49 min)
- Video: Lecture 7 - Knowledge by Contrast (15:23 min)
WEEK 3
The Matter of the Mind
There was a time when one could study Psychology without linking phenomena back to the brain itself, but those days are slowly disappearing. Now every Psychology student, yourself included, is expected to have at least a general knowledge of brain organization and structure. At the end of this section you will be able to locate structures of the brain and discuss its organization.
8 videos
- Video: Lecture 1 - Brain Matter (20:20 min)
- Video: Lecture 2 - Your Light Switch (12:40 min)
- Video: Lecture 3 - Subcortical Regions (13:27 min)
- Video: Lecture 4 - The Occipital Lobe (10:59 min)
- Video: Lecture 5 - The Temporal Lobe (14:51 min)
- Video: Lecture 6 - The Parietal Lobe (16:07 min)
- Video: Lecture 7 - The Frontal Lobe (18:10 min)
- Video: Lecture 8 - Split Brain (14:40 min)
WEEK 4
Sensation, Perception, Attention and Awareness
This section is all about the systems our brain uses to get input from the world ... you will be able to recognize what those things around us are and where they are ... and be able to interpret who we are and how we fit.
8 videos
- Video: Lecture 1 - Outside In (14:26 min)
- Video: Lecture 2 - Point of Contact (20:24 min)
- Video: Lecture 3 - Perceiving What: Part 1 (18:38 min)
- Video: Lecture 4 - Perceiving What: Part 2 (17:50 min)
- Video: Lecture 5 - Perceiving Where (17:35 min)
- Video: Lecture 6 - Selection (16:38 min)
- Video: Lecture 7 - Self Awareness (13:21 min)
- Video: Lecture 8 - Theory of Mind (13:40 min)
WEEK 5
Learning
This section is all about learning and behaviourism. When you're done the videos you'll be able to name and describe the topic of learning and behaviour in contexts such as flirting and gambling!
8 videos
- Video: Lecture 1 - Forces of Nature (15:18 min)
- Video: Lecture 2 - Rise of Behaviorism (15:59 min)
- Video: Lecture 3 - Learning (14:09 min)
- Video: Lecture 4 - Learning by Consequence (17:32 min)
- Video: Lecture 5 - How to Flirt (17:38 min)
- Video: Lecture 6 - Conditioned Superstition (10:02 min)
- Video: Lecture 7 - Passing the Test (14:40 min)
- Video: Lecture 8 - Observational Learning (11:52 min)
Graded: Midterm Test
WEEK 6
Memory
This topic is Memory, and it's a big topic, and one I know a fair amount about. It was hard to figure out what to present and what to leave out. I tried to include some of the most interesting stuff. I hope you agree. After this section you'll be able to define and summarize topics such as False Memory and Amnesia.
8 videos
- Video: Lecture 1 - Memory is Not Singular: Part 1 (15:55 min)
- Video: Lecture 2 - Memory is Not Singular: Part 2 (24:34 min)
- Video: Lecture 3 - Reconstructive Memory (13:18 min)
- Video: Lecture 4 - False Memory (9:40 min)
- Video: Lecture 5 - Deja Vu (19:23 min)
- Video: Lecture 6 - Familiarity (12:33 min)
- Video: Lecture 7 - Amnesias (15:45 min)
- Video: Lecture 8 - What is Not Forgotten (14:39 min)
WEEK 7
The Social Mind
This topic is Social Psychology and it features some of the most controversial experiments in psychology. Some of these will having you thinking very deeply for a long time after you see them. You'll have time to analyze and interpret our experience with conformity and authority.
8 videos
- Video: Lecture 1 - Conformity (13:51 min)
- Video: Lecture 2 - Authority (16:29 min)
- Video: Lecture 3 - Protecting the Self (15:04 min)
- Video: Lecture 4 - Good People Do Bad (16:25 min)
- Video: Lecture 5 - Bystander Interference (12:00 min)
- Video: Lecture 6 - Schemas, Stereotypes and Prejudice (16:16 min)
- Video: Lecture 7 - Competition, Ignorance, Fear and Prejudice (18:28 min)
- Video: Lecture 8 - Attraction (20:15 min)
WEEK 8
Mental Illness
This topic is Clinical Psychology and you'll learn both about various clinical disorders, and about the therapies commonly used to treat them.You'll be able to extend this knowledge to different disorders. Be careful to not start diagnosing all your friends or family (or yourself!)
8 videos
- Video: Lecture 1 - Diagnosis (21:22 min)
- Video: Lecture 2 - Anxiety Disorders (21:58 min)
- Video: Lecture 3 - Disorders of Emotion (20:32 min)
- Video: Lecture 4 - Schizophrenia (22:24 min)
- Video: Lecture 5 - Personality Disorders (15:48 min)
- Video: Lecture 6 - Insight Therapies (17:53 min)
- Video: Lecture 7 - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (20:30 min)
- Video: Lecture 8 - Biological Treatments (21:44 min)
WEEK 9
Videos by Request
This module is all about you and is about extending our foundational knowledge in the field of psychology so you can discover and describe to others more of what's interesting to you. These curated videos are based on past course requests. We will add new ones as well from time to time as new cohorts make requests.
8 videos
- Video: Lecture 1 - Sleep (24:59 min)
- Video: Lecture 2 - Dreams (20:58 min)
- Video: Lecture 3 - Hypnosis (38:49 min)
- Video: Lecture 4 - Stages of Development (26:21 min)
- Video: Lecture 5 - Parent-Child Relationships (27:14 min)
- Video: Lecture 6 - Intelligence (27:29 min)
- Video: Lecture 7 - PTSD (23:20 min)
- Video: Lecture 8 - Love (31:19 min)
Graded: Final Exam
WEEK 10
Final Assignment
Final Peer Assessment Assignment
Graded: Relating the Class to World Events
WEEK 11
Links to Outside Resources
This reading item has links to resources referenced in the course
1 reading
- Reading: Links to Resources
WEEK 12
Super Optional Videos
These are extras and side videos that you are not tested on. Feel free to watch if you're interested.
8 videos
- Video: MOOC2 - Week 1 - Side Dish 1
- Video: DanVoyer
- Video: Complex Brains working and not
- Video: Halloween Side Dish Treat
- Video: Synesthesia Side Dish
- Video: Anthony Rucco Interview
- Video: Jessica Dere Interview
- Video: Until Next Time Beans!
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Help from Your Peers
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Certificates
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
Creators
University of Toronto
Established in 1827, the University of Toronto has one of the strongest research and teaching faculties in North America, presenting top students at all levels with an intellectual environment unmatched in depth and breadth on any other Canadian campus.
Ratings and Reviews
we got the right lecturer, thanks coursera ;-)
I really enjoyed this course! I think it’s a perfect starting point for anyone with an interest in psychology. Steve is amazing too. He keeps you interested throughout. I’ll definitely continue on and do another course
I would recommend this course to everyone who is interested in Psychology and doesn't know where to start. Very well put together. Got me excited throughout the end of last lecture, learned lot of cool concepts. Whats more to say other than huge thanks to Prof. Steve Joordens and all the people who made this MOOC possible !
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NW
Absolutely fantastic, engaging and interesting!