Psychology Course Overview and Insights

Aug 21, 2024

Introduction to Psychology - Lecture 1

Instructor and Course Overview

  • Instructor: Dr. Paul Bloom
  • Course Name: Introduction to Psychology
  • Course Focus: Comprehensive introduction to the study of the human mind.
  • Topics Covered:
    • Brains, children, language, sex, memory, madness, disgust, racism, love, etc.
    • Differences between men and women.
    • Animal language learning.
    • Psychological phenomena like disgust and group behavior.
    • Childhood memory reliability.
    • Depression causes.

Course Structure

  • Lectures: Two per week.
  • Readings: Important and supplement lectures.
    • Some content only found in readings or lectures.
  • Materials Available: Slides available online; textbook and reader recommended.

Required Texts

  • Textbook: Peter Gray's Psychology, 5th edition.
  • Reader: The Norton Reader edited by Gary Marcus.
  • Availability: Labyrinth bookstore or online.

Evaluation

  • Exams: Midterm and Final (Final on last day of class).
    • Format: Multiple choice, short answer, fill-in-the-blank.
  • Assignments:
    • Weekly questions to motivate keeping up with readings.
    • Short book review assignment.
    • Experimental participation requirement.

Success Tips

  • Attend all classes and keep up with readings.
  • Form study groups for discussions and exam prep.
  • Introduce yourself to classmates for support.
  • Engage with instructors and teaching fellows.

Course Goals

  • Provide a state-of-the-art introduction to human psychology.
  • Explore human thought, behavior, and mind through various sub-areas:
    • Neuroscience, Developmental, Cognitive, Social, Clinical Psychology.
    • Intersection with other fields: Economics, Philosophy, Literature, etc.

Key Topics and Examples

  • Brain and Consciousness

    • Example: Terri Schiavo case highlighting physical basis of mental life.

  • Child Development

    • Example: Development of language and understanding in children.
    • Nature vs. nurture in personality and intelligence.

  • Attraction

    • Factors defining attractiveness and cultural influences.

  • Morality and Evil

    • Institutional vs. individual evil.
    • Heroes and moral behavior under stress.

  • Mental Illness

    • Common disorders: Depression, anxiety.
    • Rare disorders: Multiple personality, Capgras syndrome, Cotard's syndrome.

Guest Lecturers

  • Dr. Marvin Chun: Cognitive neuroscience.
  • Dr. Susan Nolen-Hoeksema: Depression and sex differences.
  • Kelly Brownell: Psychology of food and obesity.
  • Dr. Peter Salovey: Mysteries of love.

Dr. Bloom emphasized the need for active engagement in the course, attending lectures, and keeping up with assignments and readings. The course will cover a wide range of topics in psychology with expert insights from guest lecturers.