Overview of Introduction to Psychology Course

Sep 29, 2024

Introduction to Psychology Course Overview

Instructor

  • Professor: Dr. Paul Bloom
  • Role: Professor of the course, providing a comprehensive introduction to the study of the human mind.

Course Topics

  • Main Areas: Brains, children, language, sex, memory, madness, disgust, racism, love, and more.
  • Key Questions & Topics:
    • Differences between men and women
    • Animal language learning
    • Disgust and dietary habits
    • Group psychology
    • Reliability of childhood memories
    • Depression and other mental health issues

Course Structure

  • Lectures: 2 per week
  • Readings: Must be completed alongside attending lectures. Some content may not overlap between lectures and readings.
  • Materials:
    • Textbook: Peter Gray's Psychology, 5th edition
    • Readings: The Norton Reader edited by Gary Marcus
    • Available at Labyrinth bookstore on York Street or online.

Evaluation

  • Exams:
    • Midterm and Final (Final not during exam period, held last day of class)
    • Format: Multiple choice, short answer, fill-in-the-blank
    • Past exams and review sessions will be available.
  • Weekly Questions:
    • Start in the third week, due every Friday.
    • Aimed at keeping up with material.
  • Assignments:
    • Short book review towards the end of the course.
    • Experimental participation requirement for understanding psychological research.

Success Tips

  • Attend classes and keep up with readings.
  • Form study groups.
  • Engage with course materials and instructors/teaching fellows.
    • Office hours and contact via email encouraged.

Course Themes & Goals

  • Introduction to the human mind and psychology's sub-areas:
    • Neuroscience: Study of the brain and mind.
    • Developmental Psychology: Growth and learning processes.
    • Cognitive Psychology: Computational approach to the mind.
    • Social Psychology: Interactions and group behaviors.
    • Clinical Psychology: Mental health and illness.
  • Interdisciplinary approaches including evolution, economics, game theory, and more.

Example Topics

  1. Brain and Mental Life: Terri Schiavo's case, physical basis of mental life.
  2. Child Development: Questions of innate versus learned knowledge.
  3. Attractiveness: Factors influencing facial attractiveness.
  4. Morality: Concepts of good and evil, famous cases (e.g., Ted Bundy).
  5. Mental Illness: Common and rare disorders, e.g., 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.
  • Dr. Peter Salovey: Mysteries of love.

Conclusion

  • Encouragement to actively engage and explore the interdisciplinary nature of psychology.