Overview
This lecture introduces the course "Introduction to Psychology," outlining its main topics, requirements, structure, evaluation methods, and the broad approach to studying the human mind.
Course Structure and Requirements
- The course covers a broad range of topics about the human mind, including brains, development, language, memory, social behavior, and mental disorders.
- Two weekly lectures and assigned readings are required; some lecture content will not overlap with readings.
- Slides will be posted online but do not replace class attendance.
- Required materials: Peter Gray's "Psychology" (5th ed.) textbook and The Norton Reader (ed. Gary Marcus); used copies are acceptable.
- Evaluations include a midterm, a final (held on the last class), weekly written questions, a short book review, and an experimental participation requirement.
Tips for Success
- Attend all lectures and keep up with readings, ideally before each class.
- Form study groups and connect with classmates.
- Teaching fellows and the professor are available for questions and support during office hours or by appointment.
- Building connections is encouraged but staying anonymous is also acceptable.
Course Content Overview
- Psychology is divided into five sub-areas: neuroscience (brain studies), developmental (how people grow and learn), cognitive (mind as computation), social (behavior in groups), and clinical (mental health).
- The course integrates perspectives from related fields like evolution, economics, philosophy, computer science, and anthropology.
Sample Topics and Case Studies
- The physical basis of mental life: e.g., Terri Schiavo and brain damage.
- Child development: innate vs. learned knowledge, continuity of personality, influence of genes vs. environment.
- What makes someone attractive and cultural differences in preferences.
- Morality and evil: institutional evil, individual evil (e.g., Ted Bundy), and altruism (e.g., Oskar Schindler).
- Mental illness: depression, anxiety, memory disorders, multiple personality, Capgras and Cotard's syndromes, and their implications for understanding normal psychology.
Guest Lecturers
- Dr. Marvin Chun: cognitive neuroscience of faces.
- Dr. Susan Nolen-Hoeksema: depression and sex differences.
- Kelly Brownell: psychology of food, obesity, and eating disorders.
- Dr. Peter Salovey: psychology of love.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Neuroscience — study of mind via the brain.
- Developmental Psychology — study of how people grow and learn.
- Cognitive Psychology — study of mental processes as computational functions.
- Social Psychology — study of how people behave in groups.
- Clinical Psychology — study of mental health and mental illnesses.
- Capgras Syndrome — delusion that loved ones have been replaced by imposters.
- Cotard's Syndrome — delusion of believing oneself to be dead.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Obtain required textbooks and readings.
- Form study groups or find a study partner.
- Attend all lectures and complete weekly questions starting in the third week.
- Participate in experimental research as required.
- Check syllabus for guest lecture dates and professor/TF office hours.