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Introductory College Courses For Psychology

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Getting Acquainted With Psychology

Introduction to Psychology is a very important course that psychology majors must take in order to proceed further in the study of the human mind. Many psychology majors are drawn to psychology because they are looking for answers as to why people do the many different things that they do. Many students find that Introduction to Psychology is a great free online college course to acquaint students to the different aspects of psychology, touching briefly on the major contributors and theories.

There are many different people who are responsible for much innovation in the world of psychology. In order to fully understand the depth and breadth of the contributions of many of these different luminaries, further classes will need to be taken. Introduction to Psychology will give students introductions as to whom these people are and what they have done that is most notable, but will not give the students the full story. Two important people that will be profiled in Introduction to Psychology are Sigmund Freud and B.F. Skinner.

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Meet The Major Contributors

Sigmund Freud is probably the most famous person who is associated with psychology - he also holds the dubious distinction of being the most controversial person associated with psychology. Freud is famous for his psychoanalysis practices in Vienna, but his most famous contributions to psychology involve the different levels of consciousness as well as the Id, Ego and Superego. Freud's many different contributions will not get great detail but cursory attention in this course, which can be taken free with online school scholarships.

B.F. Skinner was a mild-mannered Harvard professor who is responsible for many of the different ideas regarding human behavior. Not surprisingly, the area of study that is associated with Skinner is known as behaviorism. Skinner's many innovations included "Skinner's box", as well as his ideas on "Radical Behaviorism". There are many psychologists today who are still working on ideas and theories developed by Skinner.

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There are many different categories of study within this field that are within the realm of the human mind. Intro to Psychology will not go into great depth in all of these different subgroups, but what it will do is teach students about the many varied areas of psychology and give students the basics. The timeworn image of a patient on a couch and the doctor saying "tell me how that makes you feel" are just that - old-fashioned. Students entering the field of psychology in college will be fascinated with the ever-expanding range of abnormal psychology that is addressed. It is almost a certainty, however, that the term "evolutionary psychology" will be new to them.

Evolutionary psychology is very much in synch with the idea of evolutionary physiology. Many psychologists who subscribe to ideas put forth in evolutionary psychology point to the evolution of the human body to prove that evolution of the mind occurs. These psychologists are interested in the different ways people have sharpened mental processes over time using natural selection as their guide.

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Moving On Towards A Psychology Degree

Abnormal psychology is the area of psychology that is directly related to the study of how the human mind processes stimuli in an abnormal fashion. There are many different psychological disorders that are studied in this area such as schizophrenia, clinical depression, mood disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Even today we learn of new disorders, still being classified as to where they fit in - such as extreme hoarding - and what treatments might be effective.

Observation and interpretation are part and parcel of this field and colleges with psychology programs will expand upon every aspect of psychology as students progress through toward their psychology degree. Students will find scholarships and grants abound for those dedicated to pursuing accreditation in this arena. While study of the subject matter is prominent, the ultimate goal is a happier and healthier individual - couch or no couch!

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Comments

  • onlinemba May 12, 2011 @ 10:49 pm | delete
    Lovely lens.thanks for sharing it with us
  • Yourshowman Dec 19, 2010 @ 9:09 pm | delete
    This lens should be ranked higher.
  • jgelien Dec 2, 2010 @ 11:10 am | delete
    My daughter is currently working on her doctorate in psychology at a university in California. Not an easy field but very rewarding. Congratulations on getting your degree and thanks for a great lens.
  • cwarden Dec 2, 2010 @ 8:18 pm | delete
    Thank you! You must be so proud of her :o) I wish you both the best!
  • SofiaMann Dec 1, 2010 @ 3:56 pm | delete
    Congratulations for completing your studies. As a psychologist I know it may be difficult to take time when you have kids.
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cwarden

I am a psychology graduate. As a single mother of two, I feel that one of my biggest accomplishments was completing my education. I believe that witho... more »

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