PSY 690: New Student Seminar

Explore the principles of functionalistic psychology, from its emphasis on understanding the purpose behind our thoughts and behaviors to its integration of pragmatism and evolutionary perspectives. Discover how context, individual differences, and a holistic approach play pivotal roles in this psychological framework.

Uncover the mystery behind reversed-color afterimages and how our eyes decode them. Explore the role of cones and the importance of Hering's opponent-process theory. Break down other vision theories and their relevance to our color perception.

Explore the fascinating history of psychology, from its ancient roots in Greek, Egyptian, and Chinese thought to modern neuroscience. Join us on a journey through the groundbreaking theories and experiments of pioneers like Freud, Jung, Watson, and Maslow. Discover how psychology has evolved into a diverse field that continues to unravel the complexities of the human mind and behavior.

Discover the nuanced world of drug tolerance using real-world scenarios. Learn to differentiate between dependence, habitual use, and actual drug tolerance. A must-watch for understanding drug effectiveness and its implications.

Explore persuasion techniques such as Door-in-the-face, Foot-in-the-door, That's-not-all, and Not-so-free sample, commonly used in psychology, marketing, and sales, where only Foot-in-the-door initiates with a small request to enhance compliance with a larger one later based on the consistency principle.

Examine the concepts of groupthink and group polarization in group decision-making. Learn how the drive for harmony can overshadow critical thought, and how group discussions can intensify biases. Discover ways to maintain diverse thought and prevent extreme views.