psychology lesson order

What is psychology and its history? How do scientists think in psychology (the scientific method)? The brain and nervous system (introduction only) Sensation and perception Learning Memory Thinking and problem-solving Intelligence Motivation and emotions Personality (introduction) Psychological disorders (introduction only) Psychotherapy (introduction)

Welcome! I'm absolutely thrilled to embark on this journey into the human mind with you. Before we dive into our first topic, I'd love to learn a little bit more about you so I can make this experience as relevant and exciting as possible.

To help me tailor this session, could you tell me a little bit about why you're interested in learning psychology, and if you have any prior knowledge or experience with the topic?

I've read some psychology books/articles and want to understand the science better.

It's wonderful to have you here! Since you've already dipped your toes into some psychology readings, we can move straight past the basics and really focus on what makes this field a true, rigorous science.

Your path

How do scientists think in psychology (the scientific method)?

The brain and nervous system (introduction only)

Sensation and perception

Learning

Memory

Thinking and problem-solving

Intelligence

Motivation and emotions

Personality (introduction)

Psychological disorders (introduction only)

Psychotherapy (introduction)

What is Psychology?

If you ask most people to picture a psychologist, they'll probably describe someone sitting in a quiet office, taking notes while a patient reclines on a leather couch. While that's a classic image, it only captures a small sliver of the discipline. At its core, is defined as the scientific study of mind and behavior.

Let's unpack that definition. The "mind" refers to all our internal, private experiences—our thoughts, memories, emotions, and dreams. "Behavior" refers to any observable action, from a simple blink of an eye to complex social interactions. But the magic word in that definition is scientific. Psychology doesn't rely on gut feelings, intuition, or common sense; it relies on structured observation, experimentation, and hard data.