PSY 4391: History and Theory of Psychology

Understand Freud's perspective on dreams as manifestations of unconscious desires and conflicts. Contrast this with the Neural Activation Theory, which links dreaming to random neural activity during REM sleep. Discuss the criticisms and nuances of both theories in modern psychology.

Explore the intriguing science behind superstitious behavior. Discover how accidental timing of rewards influences our beliefs and actions. From Pavlov's dogs to lucky shirts, uncover the psychology of coincidences and their effects on our actions.

Discover the factors influencing the risk of major depression and bipolar disorder. Unpack the roles of genetic predisposition, family history, and life events in mental health. Learn why a biological family connection stands out as the most significant risk factor.

Explore the psychological concept of Attributional Style and how individuals attribute reasons for life events. Learn the difference between optimistic and pessimistic explanations. Discover how this concept impacts our self-perception and reactions to outcomes.

This video explores how sensory receptors neurotransmitters and various brain structures work together to detect and react to pain all within a fraction of a second. Dive deep into the role of the sensory cortex spinal cord thalamus amygdala and endocrine system in our immediate and automatic response to potential harm.