Free Course Image Introduction to Psychology

Free online courseIntroduction to Psychology

Duration of the online course: 18 hours and 43 minutes

4.88

StarStarStarStarStar

(98)

Join our free Introduction to Psychology online course covering brain science, development, language, evolution, emotion, morality, mental illness, and happiness.

In this free course, learn about

  • Foundations of Psychology
  • Development and Language
  • Evolution, Emotion, and Rationality
  • Individual Differences and Motivation
  • Social Psychology and Morality
  • Mental Illness and Well-Being

Course Description

Welcome to "Introduction to Psychology," an immersive journey through the fascinating world of human behavior and mental processes. Spanning a total duration of 18 hours and 43 minutes, this course has garnered widespread acclaim with an impressive average rating of 5 out of 5 stars. As part of the Health category and specifically focused on Psychology, this course covers a wide array of subjects, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the field.

The course begins with an "Introduction" that sets the stage for what is to come. Here, learners are acquainted with the overall structure and objectives. This initial chapter provides the necessary foundation for delving into the complex territory of the human psyche.

The next sections, titled "Foundations," delve into the bedrock of psychological study. "This Is Your Brain" covers the neurological underpinnings of thought and behavior, shedding light on the brain's intricate mechanisms. In "Freud," the course delves into the lives and theories of Sigmund Freud, whose work has left an indelible mark on psychology. The "Skinner" segment explores the principles of behaviorism, pioneered by B.F. Skinner, providing crucial insights into how external stimuli influence behavior.

Transitioning into developmental psychology, the course examines "What Is It Like to Be a Baby: The Development of Thought," offering a glimpse into the cognitive world of infants and their evolving understanding of the world around them. "How Do We Communicate?: Language in the Brain, Mouth" explores the biology and psychology of language, from its neurological basis to its articulation.

The course also addresses consciousness with "Conscious of the Present; Conscious of the Past: Language," and extends into a broader look at evolution in "Evolution, Emotion, and Reason." This segment is enriched by a guest lecture that delves into the dimensions of love, rationality, and emotions, providing a multifaceted view of human evolution and its impact on our emotional lives.

Diversity in human psychology is another focal point in "Why Are People Different?: Differences," while "What Motivates Us: Sex" discusses the fundamental drives that shape behavior. The exploration of human interaction continues with "A Person in the World of People," segmented into discussions on morality and self-other perception, providing a nuanced understanding of how individuals relate to one another.

The course also doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of psychology. "What Happens When Things Go Wrong: Mental Illness" is a two-part series that dives deep into mental health issues, offering critical insights and discussions on various psychological disorders.

Finally, the journey culminates with "The Good Life: Happiness," which explores the concept of well-being and what it means to lead a fulfilling life. This chapter ties together the myriad threads discussed throughout the course, offering learners a holistic view of psychology.

With expert guidance, "Introduction to Psychology" promises not only to educate but also to inspire a deeper understanding of the human mind.

Course content

  • Video class: 1. Introduction 29m
  • Exercise: What type of unusual motivations do some students have when they come to Intro Psychology that the course may actually help with?
  • Exercise: In an introductory psychology course, what is a likely reason for studying cases involving unusual mental disorders?
  • Video class: 2. Foundations: This Is Your Brain 53m
  • Exercise: _What is the main difference between dualism and the Astonishing Hypothesis?
  • Exercise: What is the 'Astonishing Hypothesis' proposed by Francis Crick?
  • Exercise: What is the Astonishing Hypothesis as described in the lecture on the Introduction to Psychology?
  • Video class: 3. Foundations: Freud 56m
  • Exercise: _Who developed an encompassing theory of mind over the span of many decades?
  • Exercise: In Freud's psychoanalytic theory, which component of the personality is responsible for dealing with reality?
  • Exercise: According to Freud, what are the three distinct processes going on in the unconscious mind that influence behavior?
  • Video class: 4. Foundations: Skinner 58m
  • Exercise: _According to some psychologists and biologists, why would an unconscious evolve from an evolutionary standpoint?
  • Exercise: Why does the concept of the unconscious challenge the idea that all mental processes are conscious?
  • Exercise: According to the discussed psychological concepts, why might deception evolve as an unconscious process?
  • Video class: 5. What Is It Like to Be a Baby: The Development of Thought 48m
  • Exercise: _According to Piaget, what are the two mechanisms of learning that drive a child through different stages of cognitive development?
  • Exercise: Which theoretical concept did Piaget contribute to psychology that involves the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they can't be seen?
  • Exercise: What term describes the process where children change their system of knowledge to incorporate new experiences?
  • Video class: 6. How Do We Communicate?: Language in the Brain, Mouth 56m
  • Exercise: What is the term used to describe the smallest meaningful unit in a language?
  • Exercise: What evidence supports the idea that the ability to use language is part of human nature, according to the lecture on language?
  • Video class: 7. Conscious of the Present; Conscious of the Past: Language 59m
  • Exercise: Based on the lecture content, which statement accurately reflects the nature of human perception?
  • Exercise: Which of the following is a reason why human perception is considered a difficult problem to solve?
  • Video class: 8. Conscious of the Present; Conscious of the Past: 59m
  • Exercise: What is the concept of change blindness in psychological studies?
  • Exercise: What does the term 'change blindness' describe in psychological research?
  • Video class: 9. Evolution, Emotion, and Reason: Love (Guest Lecture by 1h09m
  • Exercise: According to psychological research presented by Dean Peter Salovey, which of the following is NOT one of the factors that significantly influences the initial attraction between people?
  • Exercise: What concept in social psychology suggests that we are more attracted to competent individuals who occasionally make mistakes, boosting their likability?
  • Video class: 10. Evolution, Emotion, and Reason: Evolution and Rationality 59m
  • Exercise: What does the 'endowment effect' suggest about how we value possessions?
  • Exercise: What is the primary difference between ultimate and proximate causation in evolutionary psychology?
  • Video class: 11. Evolution, Emotion, and Reason: Emotions, Part I 53m
  • Exercise: _What is one advantage of an evolutionary perspective on the mind, according to Professor Paul Bloom?
  • Exercise: Why do evolutionary psychologists believe humans have instinctual fears of animals like snakes and spiders?
  • Exercise: What is one key reason why evolutionary psychology is important in understanding human emotions according to the text?
  • Video class: 12. Evolution, Emotion, and Reason: Emotions, Part II 56m
  • Exercise: _What is the main difference between nonhuman primate smiles and human smiles according to the second world's expert on smiling?
  • Exercise: According to the studies by Richard Nisbett and Dov Cohen, which region in the United States is more associated with a 'culture of honor'?
  • Exercise: What do the behaviors of nonhuman primates, such as chimpanzees or gorillas, primarily use smiles to convey?
  • Video class: 13. Why Are People Different?: Differences 1h05m
  • Exercise: According to contemporary research in behavioral genetics, which factor has been found to contribute the least to individual human differences in traits such as intelligence and personality?
  • Exercise: Which of the following is most likely an environmental factor contributing to differences in intelligence among individuals?
  • Video class: 14. What Motivates Us: Sex 52m
  • Exercise: According to the data presented by Professor Paul Bloom, how much time does the average American spend on sex per day?
  • Exercise: What is the concept of 'parental investment' as described in biological terms?
  • Video class: 15. A Person in the World of People: Morality 1h01m
  • Exercise: Which of the following concepts were discussed by Professor Paul Bloom in his lecture on the Introduction to Psychology?
  • Exercise: What does the Milgram experiment illustrate about human behavior?
  • Video class: 16. A Person in the World of People: Self and Other, Part I 58m
  • Exercise: _What is the individual difference in our social natures that Professor Paul Bloom talks about before introducing the test?
  • Exercise: Based on the psychology lecture, which of the following factors is typically NOT associated with why we like other people?
  • Exercise: What is the 'mere exposure effect' in social psychology?
  • Video class: 17. A Person in the World of People: Self and Other, Part II; 1h04m
  • Exercise: Based on the Introduction to Psychology course lecture, which of the following aspects about dreams is NOT accurate?
  • Exercise: What is the Pygmalion effect as discussed in the context of social psychology?
  • Video class: 18. What Happens When Things Go Wrong: Mental Illness, Part I 54m
  • Exercise: _What is the most fundamental question in clinical psychology according to Dr. Susan Nolen-Hoeksema's lecture?
  • Exercise: What are some of the characteristics that are used to label behaviors as abnormal or unhealthy in the field of clinical psychology?
  • Exercise: What is a significant challenge in diagnosing mental disorders according to the lecture on modern clinical psychology?
  • Video class: 19. What Happens When Things Go Wrong: Mental Illness, Part II 56m
  • Exercise: _What is the scope of mental disorders discussed in the lecture?
  • Exercise: Which of the following statements best reflects the topic that is greatly emphasized in the final part of the Introduction to Psychology course?
  • Exercise: In relation to the historical understanding of mental illnesses, which of the following statements is true?
  • Video class: 20. The Good Life: Happiness 47m
  • Exercise: _What is the "regression to the mean" phenomenon in psychology?
  • Exercise: Based on the content provided regarding clinical psychology and the evaluation of therapy's effectiveness, which of the following best describes the concept of 'regression to the mean' in the context of psychological therapy?
  • Exercise: What is one method researchers use to determine if therapy is effective?

This free course includes:

18 hours and 43 minutes of online video course

Digital certificate of course completion (Free)

Exercises to train your knowledge

100% free, from content to certificate

Ready to get started?Download the app and get started today.

Install the app now

to access the course
Icon representing technology and business courses

Over 5,000 free courses

Programming, English, Digital Marketing and much more! Learn whatever you want, for free.

Calendar icon with target representing study planning

Study plan with AI

Our app's Artificial Intelligence can create a study schedule for the course you choose.

Professional icon representing career and business

From zero to professional success

Improve your resume with our free Certificate and then use our Artificial Intelligence to find your dream job.

You can also use the QR Code or the links below.

QR Code - Download Cursa - Online Courses

Course comments: Introduction to Psychology

Students found the free online course engaging, interactive, and highly informative. They praised the professor’s clear explanations, theories, and analogies, felt like they were in a real classroom, and expressed a desire for more material and future courses.

fatima jahan

Paul's class are my favorite.He is fantistic lecturer.

Akeem Simmonds

"Interactive."

Cecelia Goedel

professor bloom is one of the most informative and complete professors I have had ever. I love his theories and analogies during lectures.

crystal atkins

I absolutely love this course. I learned so much from Professor Paul Bloom. I hope more is to come. thank you

Jincy Ruble

good session

Phumello Success

how do we get the study material online?

Fatima Hussain

super

Keirsten Gadwah

love the instructor

Tegra Mbombo

This means a lot to me I feel like I'm in the class right now.

More free courses at Psychology

Download the App now to have access to + 3300 free courses, exercises, certificates and lots of content without paying anything!

  • 100% free online courses from start to finish

    Thousands of online courses in video, ebooks and audiobooks.

  • More than 48 thousand free exercises

    To test your knowledge during online courses

  • Valid free Digital Certificate with QR Code

    Generated directly from your cell phone's photo gallery and sent to your email

Cursa app on the ebook screen, the video course screen and the course exercises screen, plus the course completion certificate

+ 9 million
students

Free and Valid
Certificate

60 thousand free
exercises

4.8/5 rating in
app stores

Free courses in
video and ebooks