Psychology - An Introduction - Beeston Library - Adult Learning

What is psychology? Is it a science, an art or something in between? If you've ever been curious about how we think, feel, and behave, this beginner-friendly course is the perfect place to start. You'll explore the origins of psychology and follow its development through fascinating schools of thought, from Freud to modern-day approaches. Whether you're thinking about further study, personal development, or just love learning about people, come and discover how psychology helps us understand ourselves and the world around us.

This course will introduce you to different branches of psychology, including Psychoanalysis, Behaviourism, Cognitive Approaches, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Positive Psychology. You will be introduced to the work of several key figures such as Freud, Pavlov, Skinner, Bandura, Piaget, Maslow and Rogers, as we discuss some of psychology’s most important and influential studies.

No prior knowledge needed—just curiosity and an open mind! By the end of the course, you will:

• Define key terms including Psychology and scientific method in a psychological context.

• Discuss arguments for and against Psychology as a science, using examples.

• Describe two of Freud’s studies, including their aims and findings.

• Identify two key Behaviourist figures and outline their contributions.

• Compare the main features of Psychoanalysis and Behaviourism.

• Critically discuss two landmark psychological studies, considering ethical and methodological issues.

• Recognise how psychological knowledge can support transferable skills such as analytical thinking, communication, and evidence-based reasoning for employability.

What you will need to bring to the course:

Suggested Reading for the course:

Introducing to Psychology by Nigel C Benson (lots of cartoon images)

The Human Mind by Paul Bloom (more in-depth)