PSY 201: Ecology of Human Happiness

Uncover the philosophical origins of nerve pathways and reflexes. Discover how René Descartes shaped our understanding of the body's automatic responses. Differentiate his contributions from other famous thinkers.

Discover the intricacies of associative learning in psychology. Differentiate between concepts like classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Gain insights into how our brains form patterns and shape responses based on experiences.

Discover the intricate steps behind the reading and understanding process. Learn how our eyes perceive visual information and how the brain processes it, from basic light perception to recognizing intricate details. Delve into the synergy of bottom-up and top-down processing in vision.

Explore the diverse techniques in medical imaging for visualizing brain structures. From CT scans and MRIs to PET scans and EEGs, understand their specific roles and applications. Grasp how these non-invasive tools assist in diagnostics and treatment planning.

Egocentrism, a cognitive bias, causes individuals to prioritize their perspectives, influencing decisions and interactions. Using relatable scenarios with college students and vacation planning, we examine how egocentrism operates and ways to challenge this bias through empathy and perspective-taking.

Unpack the different psychological perspectives on motivation, from biological drives to socio-cultural influences. Understand how internal and external factors shape our desire and commitment. Explore the roles of conscious and unconscious elements in motivating behavior.