Psychology of Popularity

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Psychology of Popularity

Instructor: Dr. Mitch Prinstein

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6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

1,003 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

8 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

1,003 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

8 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

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Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 6 modules in this course

The level of popularity you experienced in childhood and adolescence is still affecting you today in ways that you may not even realize. Learn about how psychologists study popularity and how these same concepts can be used in adulthood to be more successful at work, become better parents, and have a happier life.

We will review how popularity is changing your social information processing and DNA expression.

What's included

5 videos2 readings1 assignment

5 videosTotal 55 minutes

Introduction to Popularity11 minutes
Is Popularity in Our DNA?13 minutes
How Popularity Affects Us Thousands of Times a Day15 minutes
Do You Have a Hostile Attribution Bias?9 minutes
Do You Have a Rejection Sensitivity Bias?6 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Syllabus10 minutes
Grading and Logistics10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 1 Quiz30 minutes

We will discuss the ways that we have identified different subgroups of kids and adults who have different popularity profiles.

What's included

5 videos1 assignment

We will discuss what behaviors popular people engage in, and what types of specific behaviors make people unpopular almost immediately. Implications for adult relationships will be discussed.

What's included

4 videos1 assignment

We will review why facial and body attractiveness plays a role in popularity and how parents can make their children more popular.

What's included

4 videos1 assignment

We will discuss recent findings regarding the links between popularity and psychopathology.

What's included

6 videos1 assignment

6 videosTotal 51 minutes

How Do We Study the Effects of Popularity on Later Outcomes?9 minutes
How Does Popularity Predict Delinquency?10 minutes
Different Types of Rejected Children7 minutes
Why Do Rejected-Aggressive Children Have so Many Difficulties?6 minutes
How Does Popularity Predict Internalizing Symptoms?12 minutes
How Does Depression Predict Peer Rejection?8 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 5 Quiz30 minutes

We will review why popular people really do have better skills and life outcomes compared to others.

What's included

5 videos1 assignment

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(167 ratings)

Dr. Mitch Prinstein

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

1 Course69,869 learners

Offered by

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Reviewed on May 26, 2025

Really educaional, though a lot of stuff is evident through general observation. But I suppose this is a built-in conundrum of social research

Reviewed on Feb 5, 2016

This course is extremely in-depth and thorough, and provides much insight into the world of what makes us want to be "part of the crowd."

Reviewed on Feb 20, 2016

This course has been absolutely terrific! The knowledge and insight this has briefed me with has been very useful, and makes more than a lot of sense. Thank You Mr. Prinstein, and Thank You Coursera!

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