Course overview

Dive into the science behind thoughts, feelings, and decisions

Why do we think the way we do? How do our feelings influence our choices? This course opens the door to psychology, helping you understand the forces behind human experience. You don’t need prior knowledge, just a little curiosity.

Investigate the mind in action

Meet the key ideas and debates that have shaped Psychology. From cognitive and biological approaches to behaviourist and psychodynamic perspectives, you’ll explore how psychologists study the mind and human experience.

You’ll learn how these approaches explain everyday thinking, emotions, and decision-making. The course also covers major debates in the field, including ethics, culture, and the balance between nature and nurture.

Experience Psychology in practice

Discover how research comes alive at the University of East Anglia (UEA). You’ll see how scientists use tools like electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to understand the brain.

Through practical examples, you’ll see how Psychology applies to health, education, and everyday choices. You’ll also explore how research findings are translated into applications that influence communities and behaviour.

Reflect on yourself and others

The course invites you to explore how your thoughts and emotions shape the decisions you make. You’ll gain tools to recognise patterns in your thinking and understand why people act the way they do.

By linking psychological concepts to personal and social experiences, you’ll develop a clearer perspective on yourself and others, and uncover insights that can guide learning, wellbeing, and everyday interactions.

What topics will you cover?

What is psychology?
The story of psychology
Three early forces in psychology
A cognitive and biological revolution
Conceptual issues in psychology
Scientific status of psychology
Psychology in context

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Explain the term psychology
Identify the historical origins of psychology as a discipline and its key movements 
Evaluate the structure of psychology and its scientific status 
Assess the place of psychology in wider human life 
Identify the applications of psychology
Reflect on the limitations of psychology

Who is the course for?

This course is for anyone curious about human thought and feeling. It’s perfect for prospective students, career changers, or those exploring behavioural science, mental health, neuroscience, or the science of the mind.

Thoughts, feelings and behaviour: An introduction to psychology

Welcome to Norwich