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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Introduction to Psychology by Yale University

4.9
stars
27,753 ratings

About the Course

What are people most afraid of? What do our dreams mean? Are we natural-born racists? What makes us happy? What are the causes and cures of mental illness? This course tries to answer these questions and many others, providing a comprehensive overview of the scientific study of thought and behavior. It explores topics such as perception, communication, learning, memory, decision-making, persuasion, emotions, and social behavior. We will look at how these aspects of the mind develop in children, how they differ across people, how they are wired-up in the brain, and how they break down due to illness and injury....

Top reviews

TP

Dec 17, 2021

An excellent course to get a general idea about psychology as well as understanding of what to do next if you are into learning more. Very useful links for extra reading. And very engaging instructor.

IS

Nov 4, 2023

A very comprehensive course, giving you the insights into the field of psychology, even with no prior background of psychology, and containing interesting references and examples throughout the course

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176 - 200 of 6,107 Reviews for Introduction to Psychology

By Nanda H

Sep 15, 2020

Great for people that are curious towards the various areas of psychology but never studied it in the academy. It is a general overlook of it all. I like to read specialized books of the field and I wish I had taken this course 10 years ago, before those studies. I absolutely adored it and am craving a second part of the course. The Professor provides some pretty awesome extra material for the extra curious people. I have a very nonsense academic history, an associates in Physics, Bachelor in Music and now I was just accepted for a Masters in Psychology, this course laid down a pretty nice bed for what is to come, it pointed out four books (many more, I bought four of them) that added a great amount of knowledge to myself and that I am sure I will use throughout grad school. If you are a curious interested person yourself, do yourself a favor and buy "The Principles Of Psychology" by William James. If you take the course and use the book for consultation you will make the absolute best of it! Have a nice journey!

By Mariam Y M

Dec 4, 2020

Intro Psych , my very first course taken on Coursera, was started along side another one here on Coursera. The latter course wasn't as engaging, educating and well made as this one. The professor can only be described as wonderful. His way of lecturing isn't by just telling us information, but also by making us a part of a discussion, this discussion helps us to understand and explore the topic of that week. There are extra readings, discussion forms and so many more recourses to learn more. Next, the videos used elements of visualization along side other elements to aid to the process of diving into the topics of the lectures. In addition Coursera has a few options that really made me see that online learning may be as beneficial or even a bit more in some fields. Some of those options: saving certain moments in the videos as notes, the transcript, etc. Lastly, the whole team behind this course must be at least applauded since this is a unpaid course. I am grateful for this provided opportunity to learn.

By Mónica P G

Feb 1, 2024

GRACIAS, GRACIAS, GRACIAS. No hay una palabra que pueda describir el agradecimiento que siento hacia Paul Bloom especialmente y hacia todos aquellos que habéis hecho posible este curso. Me han despertado el espíritu investigador, no dejo de leer , no paro de enlazar temas de consulta, formular hipótesis en mi cabeza, buscar más estudios, etc. Siempre he sentido la inquietud de aprender, de leer, etc., pero ahora es distinto, no hago más que pensar en hipótesis, estudios, experimentos , teorías, etc. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. There is no word that can describe the gratitude I feel towards Paul Bloom especially and towards all those who have made this course possible. They have awakened my research spirit, I can't stop reading, I can't stop linking topics for consultation, formulating hypotheses in my head, looking for more studies, etc. I have always felt the desire to learn, to read, etc., but now it is different, I only think about hypotheses, studies, experiments, theories, etc.

By Bergman D

Jun 25, 2020

This was one of the most amazing courses I took. During the pandemic, I really missed the opportunity to learn something new, gain knowledge, and also regretted that I could not begin to study psychology as early as I wanted. And this course turned out to be magnificent in everything - the lectures of Professor Blossom were extremely interesting, entertaining, vivid in their examples from life, jokes, experiments, and much more. Do not forget about the amazing component of the course itself, it's visual part, and tasks that helped to consolidate knowledge. I was glad every minute that I could study on this course, was glad of the opportunity to be involved in the educational process, and found it extremely exciting and informative.

I highly recommend taking this course, as it perfectly expands our knowledge of psychology, not only as a science that deals with mental diseases but also with science that studies how we know the world and how we perceive it.

By Hope L

May 30, 2020

Instructor Paul Bloom is extremely engaging. The way he presents information is extremely simple, clear, but informative, and his voice is easy and pleasant to listen to, I was pleasantly surprised by the animations in the video and all the text in the slides provided. It was very organised and helped in my learning tremendously. Although this is one of the very few courses I have taken, it is the best one I have taken in terms of educational value and how interesting it is. For someone who was just auditing the course i.e. watching the videos & reading readings, not participating in discussion forums and more challenging assignments, the assignments provided were very suitable as they were pretty short but long enough to help me revise what I had learned, and having the readings at hand was something I appreciated. Would recommend to anyone interested in learning the very basics of psychology, just like me before this course. :)

By Lee S K

Aug 24, 2023

Prof Paul Bloom has been very organized and patient in his content delivery, with admirable amount of consideration for students like me who has zero knowledge in Psychology. He made the complex concepts digestive and alert students with caution for the possibilities of sophistication in reality. He is very inspiring!

The layout of this course enables me to achieve work life balance through the autonomy of self management in terms of time, content for the day.

The multifaceted approach, lecture video with salient concepts illustrated with diagrams, lecture script and reading materials help me tremendously in understanding the newly learned content. With the short review test for each chapter, I could recap the knowledge before it eluded me.

I am begining to make sense of some people's behaviours now which perplex me in the past. Thank you so much for making this course available, and so efficiently taught.

By Débora D R d A

Jun 20, 2021

Esse curso é muito rico! Recomendo a todos. Eu fiz ele a longo de um ano. Isso me permitiu ir refletindo com calma sobre cada assunto. Foi muito rico para a minha vida e acredito isso terá um impacto por toda ela. Aprendi muitas coisas novas e sempre levo conteúdo desde curso para discutir com a minha terapeuta.

Contudo, algumas partes me causaram crises existenciais (parece que eu não tenho uma personalidade, apenas genes e causalidade e isso é meio irritante as vezes), algumas vezes me questionei se alguns problemas eram insolucionáveis ou se eu não me sentiria mais feliz depois de atingir meu grande sonho. Mas o curso é bem sucedido em te dar recursos para estar aberto a uma nova perspectiva de vida. Pra quem quer aprender cientificamente sobre psicologia, também é um ótimo curso. Você terá uma breve noção sobre toda a área da psicologia e penso que é um ótimo começo.

Recomendo a todos! Curso incrível.

By Luz S H F

May 31, 2020

La psicologia es un tema que me ha apasionado siempre, sin embargo no he estado de acuerdo con muchas cursos cuadriculada que he recibido donde no se pasan de memorizar fechas , nombres y pensamientos de nuestros maestros de la Psicologia.

en este corto pero rico curso, he logrado avanzar y confirmar conceptos que he pensado no han sido salidos de la actualidad

El profesor tiene una manera muy amena de llevarnos por esos conocimientos básicos, donde descubro que no estoy tan lejos de la realidad cuando difiero de algunos pensamientos psicológicos, sin des-meritar otros, toda vez que los tiempos actuales nos llevan a repensar nuestra comprensión a las nuevas generaciones para avanzar hacia una cultura mas positiva.

Gracias profesor es usted un excelente profesional y por lo poco que pude ver me atrevo a decir que también lo es como persona.

Me encantaría asistir por lo menos a una charla presencial!!!!!!

By Ana K

Aug 18, 2021

This is the most well-structured and thought-through introductory course I have taken online (and I have taken a lot of courses). I am seriously concerned that any course I take from now on would be a dreadful disappointment in comparison. Apart from a great variety of topics that inspire further discussions and investigation, the course offers engaging animations to go with each video, and they have a great motivational and emotional impact on learners (I simply assume it's not just me). Additional and heart-felt thanks to professor Paul Bloom - an incredibly talented teacher and narrator who made me feel motivated to continue my studies. I watched every single video and read every single paper or resource that was recommended, and this is the highest praise a student can give. For anyone who is interested in the field of psychology, this is the best course you can possibly take.

By Анна П

Sep 18, 2023

Я очень благодарна за этот курс. Несмотря на то, что это - пропедевтика, а я изучаю психологию по университетским учебникам (а также слушая доступные лекции профессионалов на украинском и русском языках), сделала для себя ряд открытий. И с удовольствием теперь делюсь информацией со знакомыми. Так, к примеру, только из курса профессора Блума узнала про эффект Флинна.

В целом, материал систематизирован совсем не так, как я привыкла по украинским или российским учебникам, и многие акценты - отличаются. Очень интересен, например, подход к изучению истории психологии: у нас обычно дают больше школ и направлений, но менее аналитично.

Несмотря на внешнюю простоту курса и простоту тестов, над ответами пришлось подумать. Это - еще одно свидетельство глубины и полезности курса. Я очень довольна, что не зря, а с огромной пользой потратила время на него.

By Louise G

Oct 17, 2022

This is by far the best online class I have ever taken! The videos are engaging and wonderfully animated, and the lectures flow thanks to the teacher's clear passion for the subject. The videos are short enough that you can stay focused for the whole time and the content is accessible to all. There is almost no work required beyond sitting in front of your laptop to listen to the class and think about the questions asked in the lectures, which makes it a great class to audit alongside another (in-person) one or whilst doing a job.

As a political scientist, I often read articles co-written with psychologists. I am grateful for this course as it has given me a good overview of the training these academics get and the ways in which the discipline thinks and engages with questions about behavior & thoughts. I cannot recommend this class enough!

By Raphaela Z

May 6, 2020

I believe for those who learn better understanding the abstract way, rather than by learning the definitions, this is a wonderful course. Professor Bloom does a great job explaining/ making sense of psychology by using real-life situations. It is also pleasant that terminologies (accurate to the topics ) can be found in the readings to further enhance your understanding. Also, for international students, with English being their second/third language, like my case, it is quite comprehensive. The lectures use images and bullet points as support.

Also, as a side note: this course is free and I attended pricey psychology classes previously (in the same length of 6 weeks. I think that the quality of this course is at the equilibrium, or even better than other psychology courses.

Thank you for your efforts, Mr. Bloom, to provide this course!

By Zoe C

Nov 9, 2020

Some have said how the cartoon has ruined these lectures. I disagree, I can get easily bored watching a person stare at me and talk. The animations have been well thought out and the mix of media has really helped keep my attention. The lectures themselves were great. There were done in bitesize segments and were simply explained so someone who has never studied Psychology before (like me) can easily understand the terminology and various studies. I'm really happy I chose to do this course, I'm happy that I completed it without being reminded, I'm happy that I actually took the information in and made notes. I'm also very happy with my overall grade, I stuck to the honor system which has made me all the more pleased to have passed! I'm thinking about studying social or clinical psychology in more depth and this has really helped!

By Angelina M

Aug 19, 2020

It was my first time doing online course. I loved everything about the course, when professor bloom was teaching it felt like I was sitting in the class. I would tell my kids that I am the one sitting with back pony tails. The course was an eye opener, for a lot of things. In my family I have 2 people that psychotic disorder - schizophrenia. I learn a lot and it will be so easy to understand more of what is happening with them. They explanation of the subjects was made simply. I also enjoy the subject about happiness. I am happy that I started the course and finish because it has been my dream to learn something about the mind and human behavior. I love it......I love it. THANK YOU PROFESSOR BLOOM YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB, KEEP IT UP. in my venda which is my home language. NDO LIVHUWA ....Angie from South African --Pretoria

By Vishvajith G

Apr 20, 2021

I had to take up this course because I was under a dilemma if I had to take Psychology as my mainstream or Physics (which I am currently pursuing my under-graduate in) but unfortunately because I didn't have Biology in my high school stream, I couldn't take Psychology. I always wanted to know more about why humans are the way the are and this course surely paved a path towards me learning more about this. I am satisfied. Technically I guess that means happiness, now doesn't it?! I always wanted to be a mental health counsellor in a high school in India (which is my native) to create more awareness about it and make students take better decisions than what I did. Thank you Prof. Paul Bloom, it was a wonderful experience. Hope I could meet you when (I wish) I pursue my Masters in The United States. Thank You.

G. VIshvajith.

By Kavin P

May 27, 2020

Since long I was curious about questions like why do we have the thoughts that we do? What makes us good and bad? Why can't we battle our intuitions and cravings???

All these questions and much further detailed knowledge has been imparted to me from this course. I have learned about the various fields in psychology and that too with fun! The interactive method of teaching, engaging videos, detailed course material - which doesn't just give data, but also explains the biological, evolutionary reasons behind them!

It has opened an entirely new direction for me and has made me confident over my decisions in daily life. I am now even further motivated to learn psychology in deeper aspect after this course.

Thank you Professor Bloom, Thank you Yale University and Thank You So So much Coursera!!!

By Sutapa C

Nov 25, 2022

Exceptionally good course, a great introduction to Psychology and Prof Bloom was very interesting. I loved the avatar of Prof Bloom and the overall graphics and presentation was wonderful.

I also loved the emphasis on modern science, on the brain, on evolutionary theory and also on Behavioral Psychology, Psychology of Happiness, the latter two subjects being relatively new. I took this course when I was a teenager in college in 1975. Now, I see how psychology has evolved and what were abnormalities in the DSM then, isn't in DSM-5. I see the shift in thinking from Psychoanalysis to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

I am 65 by the way and recently retired. I couldn't think of a better way to spend my time than take this course and be amazed! Thanks Prof Bloom, thanks Yale and thanks Coursera.

By Pritha S

Sep 12, 2023

I thoroughly enjoyed this course. I joined this course from sheer personal interest in the subject and now I want to take it up further. I am grateful to Professor Paul for giving the introductory advice about taking this course as a proper course ...sitting with a cup of coffee and taking notes. I have just entered the" senior citizen club" after retiring from the Indian Administrative Service but I felt I was a 20 year old under grad!! In addition to these lectures I simultaneously listened to the same lectures uploaded on Youtube ....for me that added to my enjoyment as I could actually see Prof. Bloom.

Thanks for creating this open course. I am seriouly thinking about taking up a few more similar courses. I would be interested in studying "Sadness"...

By Mashups & S

Sep 28, 2021

I greatly enjoyed this course. Everything about it, from start to finish was all I needed to be certain of the fact that I want to devote my life to studying psychology. I believe this course gave me all the knowledge I needed to kick off the fall semester and I cannot be more grateful! I especially enjoyed solving the quizzes and they were so simple considering Professor Bloom gave his all to make sure no matter whether or not you have a comprehensive knowledge of this subject, you will easily immerse yourself in his lectures. I appreciate his style and sense of humor and I am fond of the animation which makes things easy to understand. I certainly hope Professor Bloom publishes another course because I will for sure be among the first to enroll in it.

By Mø M

Mar 20, 2023

I just completed an online introduction to Psychology course under the expert tutelage of Professor Bloom, and it was an awe-inspiring experience. His unique teaching style and insightful examples struck a deep chord within me, despite having studied a similar course decades ago during my university days. The course proved to be a fantastic refresher, especially since my daughter is pursuing human behavior in her university studies, and I yearned for the ability to engage in academic conversations with her. Thanks to Professor Bloom, I broadened my understanding of this fascinating field and now engage in thought-provoking discussions with my daughter. I am deeply grateful for the invaluable knowledge imparted during this remarkable course.

By Belinda N

Jun 3, 2022

Introduction to Psychology opened my mind to understand quite a few things I wish I knew before. My husband was diagnosed with several disorders of which biopolar was one. So many times he said that I did not understand what he was going through and he was right. Now, after he has passed on, with this course it is like a drawn curtain that was opened to let light into my mind. I am now seriously considering to continue with one of the many options available within the psychological environment. I am not able to support my husband but I will hopefully be able to have a meaningful input in the lifes of other sufferers - one way or the other. Thank you so much for the "light" you, Prof Bloom, has switched on in a once "dark" mind.

By M L

Sep 18, 2020

I am not a college student, nor am I a graduate. I've never been to college on such an academic level, but I can say with sincerity I thoroughly enjoyed this course and might even re-take it to bolster the fantastic knowledge Paul Bloom has shared with us. Since quarantining for COVID-19, I've discovered an interest in Psychology, and ever since I have been exploring possible higher education. I'd love to work towards a Master's. I am apprehensive to enroll, but this course has given me some courage that I can be capable of learning more about psychology. I really did enjoy it, and sad that it has concluded. However, I cannot wait to learn more and explore the subjects we covered in further detail. Thank you, Professor Bloom!

By Eray K

Apr 25, 2020

This is probably the best online course I have ever taken, on any platform, on any subject! Mr. Bloom is an excellent instructor. He created a very well organized structure that leaves no question marks behind as you go through the lessons, and every information he gives is crucial for the following stages of the course. I am glad I have taken this course, and even though I am into the field of psychology a lot, I strongly believe that anyone in the world, even if they have absolutely zero background in psychology would find this course pretty darn cool. He does not only make you learn some things, but he also makes you love psychology a lot more. This course is definitely worth all the hours you are going to put in!

By Kevin R

May 27, 2020

This course is an absolute masterpiece. I am simply giddy with delight from having studied it and now feel I have gained a good foundation on which I can continue my pursuit of learning more about psychology. Essentially, I have been interested in the subject for many years, yet until the coronavirus pandemic and the invention of MOOCs, I never seemed to have the opportunity to get started. I've read a lot of books about psychology, but this short course has put everything together in a way which has left me feeling on the one hand, a great grounding in the subject, on the other, a long road of study ahead of me ... so without further ado, I'd best get started. Thank you to everyone who made this course possible.

By Indira B

Apr 11, 2022

This was the first online course I did where I really committed to study with discipline. It wans't hard because the videos were all very didactic, the course program very well developed and aligned, professor Dr. Bloom was a great teacher and was actually fun to listen to him speaks. I've learned so much about the brain and how my mind works, and sometimes I got a little pissed off about his extremely scientific view, but then Dr. Bloom always came with another hypothesis or another point of view. Also the coursera platform is so easy even to people who don't have practice with these kind of thing, and have subtitles and translation options. Anyway, thank you Yale University for making this available for us!