Introduction to Psychology

Instructor Introduction

• Instructor: Dr. Paul Bloom
• Course: Introduction to Psychology

Course Overview

• Comprehensive introduction to the study of the human mind
• Topics include:
  • Brains
  • Children
  • Language
  • Sex
  • Memory
  • Madness
  • Disgust
  • Racism
  • Love
  • And many others
• Questions explored:
  • Difference between men and women
  • Can animals learn language?
  • What grosses us out?
  • Why do some people overeat and how to stop?
  • Why do people go crazy in groups?
  • Can you trust your childhood memories?
  • Why do some get depressed and others don't?

Course Structure

• Two lectures a week
• Course readings
• Essential to: Attend lectures and do readings
• Note: Slides available online but not a substitute for attending class

Required Textbooks

• Peter Gray’s Psychology, 5th edition
• The Norton Reader edited by Gary Marcus

Evaluation Method

• Midterm and Final (Final on last day of class)
  • Multiple choice, short answer, fill-in-the-blank
• Previous exams available online for practice
• Weekly questions starting from the third week (pass/fail)
• Short book review towards the end of the class
• Experimental participation requirement

Tips for Success

• Attend all classes
• Keep up with the readings (preferably before class)
• Form study groups
• Establish contact with the instructor or a teaching fellow
• Office hours available

Course Content and Topics

General Goals

• Provide state-of-the-art introduction to human psychology
• Understand how the human mind works, how we think, and what makes us what we are

Sub-Areas of Psychology

1. Neuroscience: Study of the mind by looking at the brain
2. Developmental: Focus on how people develop, grow, and learn
3. Cognitive: Computational approach to study the mind (mind as computer analogy)
4. Social: Study of how people act in groups
5. Clinical: Study of mental health and mental illness

Related Areas

• Evolution
• Economics and game theory
• Philosophy
• Computer science
• Anthropology
• Literature
• Theology

Sample Topics

The Brain

• Example: Terri Schiavo’s case (illustration of physical basis of mental life)

Children

• Developmental questions:
  • How do we acquire knowledge?
  • Innate vs. cultural influences
• Continuity in development
• Influence of genes and environment

Attraction

• What makes a face attractive?
• Cross-cultural perspectives on attractiveness

Morality and Good vs Evil

• Different forms of evil (institutional, political, mental illness)
• Good behavior, heroism (e.g., Oskar Schindler, Paul Rusesabagina)

Mental Illness

• Major disorders like depression and anxiety
• Less common disorders like memory disorders, multiple personality disorder, Capgras syndrome, Cotard's syndrome

Special Guest Lectures

1. Dr. Marvin Chun: Cognitive neuroscience
2. Dr. Susan Nolen-Hoeksema: Depression and sex differences
3. Kelly Brownell: Obesity, eating disorders, and psychology of food
4. Dr. Peter Salovey: Mysteries of love

Final Remarks

• Importance of attending all lectures and keeping up with readings
• Encouragement to engage with the instructor and teaching fellows for a better experience