Welcome to Understanding Memory. Someone once said that memory is fascinating because sometimes we forget what we want to remember, sometimes we remember what we want to forget, and sometimes we remember events that never happened or never happened the way we remember them. I want to show you how memory works, why it sometimes fails, and what we can do to enhance it. Based on my recent book – Memory and Movies: What Films Can Teach Us About Memory (MIT Press, 2015) – I will provide an introduction to the scientific study of human memory by focusing on a select group of topics that hold widespread appeal.
Offered By
Understanding Memory: Explaining the Psychology of Memory through Movies
Wesleyan UniversityAbout this Course
Learner Career Outcomes
42%
started a new career after completing these courses
17%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
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Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
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Approx. 9 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Greek, Italian, Catalan, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, English, Spanish, Hungarian
Skills you will gain
PsychologyTerm (Time)SemanticsPersonal Development
Learner Career Outcomes
42%
started a new career after completing these courses
17%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 9 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Greek, Italian, Catalan, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, English, Spanish, Hungarian
Offered by
Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand. With our distinctive scholar-teacher culture, creative programming, and commitment to interdisciplinary learning, Wesleyan challenges students to explore new ideas and change the world. Our graduates go on to lead and innovate in a wide variety of industries, including government, business, entertainment, and science.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
1 hour to complete
Memory Processes and Memory Movies
Human memory involves a collection of systems that enable us to remember the past and imagine the future. Films can enhance our understanding of memory by telling us stories about people, illustrating how their present was shaped by their past and how, by watching their stories, we might navigate similar situations in our future.
1 hour to complete
5 videos (Total 38 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
2 hours to complete
Making Long Lasting Memories
Memory’s main purpose is to facilitate future thinking. But to plan successful future actions, effective strategies for learning and retention are needed. Some strategies are highly effective for producing long lasting memories, others are not.
2 hours to complete
6 videos (Total 76 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
2 hours to complete
Autobiographical Memories and Life Stories
Each of us has a life story based on our personal experiences. These autobiographical memories define us and make us unique. But in telling our life story, we have reconstructed a personal narrative, much like a memoir writer. These recollections are generally accurate, but our memories are never a perfect record of the past.
2 hours to complete
6 videos (Total 65 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
2 hours to complete
Understanding the Reality of Amnesia
Amnesia has often been portrayed in film as resulting from a bump on the head and cured by another head bonk. In real life, amnesia can follow physical or emotional trauma, it may be temporary or permanent, and if it resolves, it is never from another blow to the head.
2 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 66 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM UNDERSTANDING MEMORY: EXPLAINING THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MEMORY THROUGH MOVIES
by RDJul 31, 2020
The material is presented in an easy to remember and understand format. Information is repeated several times during a lecture. The videos chosen enhanced understanding and engagement in the lectures.
by MSFeb 6, 2021
This is a great course.I'm a film lover and a psychology student.This method of learning [learning through movies] more effect than the usual learning. Hope to see more courses like this in future.
by KKJun 2, 2020
one of the best course I did on Coursera. I really love learning memory and psychology at the same time. the examples given are really just awesome. One useful course during this COVID-19 pandemic.
by ADMar 9, 2017
As the course has included movies to explain important concepts, it never gets boring. As a result a link is maintained throughout. It is a small course giving a great understanding about memory.
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