Introduction to Psychology - Lecture Notes

Course Introduction

• Instructor: Dr. Paul Bloom
• Course Purpose: Comprehensive introduction to the study of the human mind
• Key Topics: Brain, child development, language, memory, mental health, social behavior, etc.

Course Logistics

• Website: Central resource for syllabus, lecture slides, practice exams, and assignments
• Class Structure:
  • Two lectures per week
  • Course readings are mandatory alongside lectures
• Attendance and Participation:
  • Attend all classes and keep up with readings
  • Form study groups for better understanding
  • Slides will be made available online
• Textbooks:
  • Peter Gray's Psychology, 5th edition
  • The Norton Reader edited by Gary Marcus

Evaluation

• Exams:
  • Midterm and final (final before the exam period)
  • Multiple choice, short answer questions
  • Review sessions will be provided
• Weekly Questions:
  • Starting third week, questions to be submitted to teaching fellows weekly
  • Marked pass-fail, to encourage staying on track
• Assignments:
  • Short book review
  • Experimental participation requirement

Class Environment

• Filmed for Yale University Open Educational Resources
• Classroom Setting:
  • No filming of students' faces or voices
  • Class experience intended to remain unaffected

Lecture Topics and Course Content

General Themes

• Understanding the human mind and behavior
• Psychology's intersection with other disciplines: Economics, philosophy, computer science, etc.

Major Areas of Psychology

1. Neuroscience: Study of the brain and its impact on the mind
2. Developmental Psychology: Understanding growth and learning
3. Cognitive Psychology: Computational approach to mind studies
4. Social Psychology: Interaction within groups
5. Clinical Psychology: Focus on mental health and illness

Key Specific Topics

1. The Brain:

   • Physical basis for mental life (e.g., consciousness, emotions)
   • Case study: Terry Schiavo

2. Child Development:

   • Development of language, understanding of the world
   • Nature vs. nurture debate

3. Attractiveness and Social Behavior:

   • What makes a face attractive?
   • Study of attractiveness within and across cultures

4. Morality and Ethics:

   • Understanding good vs. evil
   • Influences of nature and environment

5. Mental Illness:

   • Major disorders: Depression, anxiety
   • Memory disorders and extreme cases (e.g., Phineas Gage)
   • Exploration of less common disorders: Multiple personality disorder, Capgras Syndrome

Guest Lectures

• Dr. Marvin Chun: Cognitive neuroscience
• Dr. Susan Nolan-Huxema: Depression and sex differences
• Dr. Kelly Brownell: Psychology of food
• Dr. Peter Salovey: Psychology of love

Note: Attendance is crucial, and regular engagement with the course material is encouraged for success.