PSY105
Making Decisions to Thrive
What makes you tick? And what ticks you off? Did you know there’s a whole science devoted to studying your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors — providing answers to these questions and more. Welcome to PSY105. Each week, this course introduces a fundamental concept in Psychology and explores ways you can use what you learn to better understand yourself and others. Along the way, you’ll meet a WNBA player, a celebrity chef, and even a fighter pilot — who are using these same concepts to make smarter decisions in their lives and careers. Are you ready? Because the next 11 weeks will change your life!
Lessons
Every course consists of 11 week-long lessons. In this course demo, several lessons with their full content are featured.
What is Psychology?
What makes you tick? And what ticks you off? You’ve probably asked such questions. But did you know there’s a whole science devoted to studying your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors … and providing answers to improve your life?
Biology and the Mind
Is your mind separate from your body? It’s an age-old question. But with some amazing tools, modern science has found a clear answer: “No.”
Personality and Human Development
Are you the same person you were ten years ago? Do you make decisions the same way? Will you improve yourself over the next decade? Developmental psychology investigates how people change as we age: our bodies, our brains, and our behaviors.
Memory
Why can you remember your third-grade teacher’s name, but can’t figure out where you put your keys ten minutes ago? The answer is memory – one of the most fascinating topics in psychology.
Mental Health
Welcome to week 5, where we meet WNBA star, Chamique Holdsclaw, who helps us look at something that impacts one in four people – but that many still feel uncomfortable addressing – mental health.
Emotion
Climb aboard the F-16 of ace Air Force fighter pilot Nicole Malachowski. Before she could master her flight controls, she had to master her own feelings. That’s how powerful our emotions are.
Motivation
Imagine waking up one morning to find you’re paralyzed. That’s the grim reality Nicole Malachowski faced. All her life she’d beaten the odds to rise up the ranks, from ace pilot to Air Force Thunderbird to White House advisor.
Decision Making
Movie and television star Omar Epps is facing the toughest decision of his life. It’s not whether to take on an important role, or how to succeed in Hollywood. His biggest decision is how to be the best father ever to his children, each and every day.
Learning and Behavior
Imagine if every day you had to start from scratch – relearning the basics for how to lead your life. That’s what television and movie star Omar Epps has to do every time he tackles a new part.
Stress
Next time you feel stressed out by a test or a traffic jam, take a deep breath, and consider Nicole Malachowski’s idea of pressure. When she flew an F-15E fighter jet for the Air Force in Iraq, she was regularly called into the heat of combat missions.
The Impact
What a journey these ten weeks have been! You’ve probed your behaviors and peered into your brain. You’ve explored your emotions and motivations, how you can manage stress and make the best decisions.
Assessment Overview
Assignment 1
Learners will analyze case studies and apply concepts related to the brain, personality, and development.
Assignment 2
Learners will analyze a case study and apply concepts related to emotion, memory, and mental health.
Assignment 3
Learners will analyze a case study and apply concepts related to learning, problem-solving, motivation, and stress.
Assignment 4
Learners will analyze a case study and apply concepts related to brain and social development, mindset, personality, and emotional regulation.
Course Resources
Webtext Information
Student Quickstart Guide
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How to Navigate
How to Answer Questions
How to Track Progress
eBook Support
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