Learn the fundamental principles of psychology, the major subjects of psychological inquiry, and the principal research methodologies of the field. You can earn a free certificate of completion for this online Psychology course, or use it to earn credit in leading college programs. 

In our Psychology course, you will learn to:

  • identify the steps of the scientific method and apply it to psychological research methodology and statistical analyses;
  • discuss the general history of psychology and the growth and development of the field; and
  • understand the basic findings of a variety of areas of psychology, including sensation and perception, learning and memory, emotion, development, social psychology, and psychopathology.

PSYCH101: Introduction to Psychology

Study the fundamental principles of psychology and the major subjects of psychological inquiry, such as emotion, development, memory, and psychopathology.

Course Introduction:

This course introduces you to the fundamental principles of psychology and the major subjects of psychological inquiry. It will provide you with the tools necessary to study psychology and presents a sampling of the major areas of psychology research. We begin with a short overview of psychology's development as an academic discipline and then review the principal methodologies most commonly deployed in its study. The units are arranged around broad areas of research, including emotion, development, memory, and psychopathology. We will focus on well-substantiated research and current trends within these categories.
Course Units:
  • Unit 1: Scientific Foundations of Psychology 
  • Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior 
  • Unit 3: Sensation and Perception 
  • Unit 4: Learning 
  • Unit 5: Cognitive Psychology 
  • Unit 6: Developmental Psychology 
  • Unit 7: Motivation, Emotion, and Personality 
  • Unit 8: Clinical Psychology 
  • Unit 9: Social Psychology 
  • Unit 10: Industrial and Organizational Psychology 
  • Unit 11: Health and Stress Psychology
Course Learning Objectives:
  • Describe the general history of the field of psychology;
  • Recognize the steps of the scientific method, how it applies to psychological research methodology, and the types of analysis common in psychological research;
  • Explain the nature versus nurture argument and the current status of thinking regarding gene-environment interaction;
  • Identify the major components of biological systems often studied in psychology; and
  • Compare the subfields of psychology: sensation and perception, learning and memory, human development, social psychology, and clinical psychology/psychopathology.
Proctored Exam:

This exam requires the use of a proctoring service for identity verification purposes. The cost for proctoring for this optional exam is \$5 per session.
Continuing Education Units: 4.6