Introduction to Psychology Coursera

For one of my Personal Application bubbles, I was assigned to take a Coursera course or a MasterClass. I originally wanted to take a MasterClass, but I struggled with trying to find one that related to my project. So, I chose to do a Coursera course, Introduction to Psychology with Yale University. I have always found it so interesting how our brains work and respond to different circumstances, and throughout my project, I’ve seen how where our identity is founded affects us far more than outward appearances.

  This course discussed many questions about human behavior and the mind, such as: What are people most afraid of? What makes us happy? What causes mental illnesses? The course provided a broad overview of the scientific aspects of our thoughts and behaviors, how people perceive and communicate, how to make decisions, and how different interactions can greatly influence us.

One of the most fascinating things I took away was how much our behavior is influenced by both biology and the environment around us. The discussion of how we understand others' thinking and decision-making, and how we respond in social situations, offered a new perspective on why we act the way we do.

This also made me more aware of the many ways our brains process the experiences we face, and of how each of us has a unique perspective. We learned that perception, memory, and social influences can help us see how people form biases and even misunderstand one another. But this reminded me how important it is to approach people with patience and understanding. This course helped me think more deeply about human behavior and provided tools to better understand and relate to those around us.