Introduction to Psychology: Course Overview

Instructor Information

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

Course Objectives

• Comprehensive introduction to the study of the human mind
• Explore topics such as:
  • Brains
  • Children
  • Language
  • Sex
  • Memory
  • Madness
  • Disgust
  • Racism
  • Love
  • And more

Course Format

• Two lectures per week
• Required course readings
  • Some content overlaps between lectures and readings
  • Some lectures/readings will have unique content

Course Materials

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

Assessment

• Exams: Midterm and Final (not during exam period)
  • Multiple choice, short answer, fill in the blank
  • Previous exams and review sessions available prior
• Weekly Questions: Starting third week
  • Pass/fail, brief questions to keep up with material
• Book Review: Details provided later
• Experimental Participation Requirement: Details next week

Tips for Success

• Attend all classes
• Keep up with readings before class
• Form study groups
• Establish contact with instructor/teaching fellows
  • Office hours and email for appointments available

Motivation for Taking the Course

• Understand oneself and others: think about human behavior, interaction, therapy
• Broad applications to real-world problems

Course Topics

• Neuroscience: Study of mind through the brain
• Developmental: Focus on growth, learning, human nature
• Cognitive Psychology: Computational approach, analogy with computers
• Social Psychology: Behavior in groups
• Clinical Psychology: Mental health and illness
• Interdisciplinary Connections: Evolution, economics, philosophy, etc.

Illustrative Topics

1. Brain Function and Consciousness
   • Terri Schiavo case, physical basis of mental life
2. Child Development
   • Development, continuity, and personality
   • Influence of genes vs. environment
3. Attractiveness
   • Computer-generated attractive faces
4. Morality and Evil
   • Institutional evil, mass murderers, personal evil
5. Mental Illness
   • Disorders such as depression, anxiety, and rare disorders
   • Phineas Gage example and personality change

Guest Lecturers

• Dr. Marvin Chun: Cognitive neuroscience of faces
• Dr. Susan Nolen-Hoeksema: Depression and sex differences
• Kelly Brownell: Psychology of food
• Dr. Peter Salovey: Mysteries of love on Valentine's Day

Final Notes

• Community of scholars at Yale will contribute to course
• Guest lecturers will enhance learning experience
• All details and schedule in syllabus
• Questions to be addressed after lecture