Psychology of Human Behavior

Curiosity about the human mind is something Professor David W. Martin believes is present in just about everyone - even if we don't always realize it. The Psychology of Human Behavior is an outstanding introduction to the field of psychology, beginning with its historical context and looking ahead to some of the directions it is likely to take in the future. Though the course is not intended to be an in-depth exploration of this constantly evolving discipline, its 36 lectures work smoothly as an easy-to-follow primer and offer the ideal starting point for satisfying curiosity about how the mind works, the perspectives from which that question can be approached, and directions for further learning. Ultimately, psychology is about human behavior: what we do and why we do it. And as Professor Martin moves across the landscape of psychology today, he introduces topics as varied as major types of mental disorders; the different kinds of physical, behavioral, and "talking" therapies available to treat them; and the ways simple learning is accomplished. He includes example after example of how complex that simple idea - what we do and why we do it - can be. Though most of our understanding of human psychology has been gained in little more than a century, the puzzle psychologists are working to assemble and understand has been in process for a long, long time. Psychology of Human Behavior can only begin to describe that puzzle, of course, but it is a fascinating description - both a solid summary and an ideal starting point for those eager to find the keys to the puzzle's solution.