Psych 101 “Top 15” Concepts Correlation does NOT equal causation (and by extension, why experiments can yield causation). The basics of research methods.

Nature AND nurture shape behavior. This encompasses many different areas of psych: personality, learning, memory, motivation, physio, abnormal,etc.

Machines can read your mind. Importance of knowing about the different types of brain scanning and major brain structures.

WYSINWYG…What you see is NOT what you get. Perception (through all senses) is a process.

In memory, the rich get richer. You can improve your memory, and the more you do, the better you get.

Memory is not as accurate as you think. Loftus pioneering studies, but many other research articles followed.

Problems can be solved. An important skill to learn, no matter what field a student goes into (especially politics!!)

You’re not as rational as you think. Decision making also is an important life skill, that humans are notoriously bad at.

Right now, someone is trying to persuade you. Attitudes are formed all the time, much of the time subtly.

Question authority. The main message of Milgram.

We are all just a sack of chemicals. Knowledge of neural transmission explains many different areas of psychology.

Psychologists do Id better. A fundamental knowledge of Freud and other personality theorists.

Help is out there. If you are not functioning at the level you want to, clinicians and counselors can help. Know how to find one, and know what the different theoretical orientations different therapists/counselors have.

Schizophrenia is NOT multiple personality. Just because the media gets it wrong so often.

Your behavior can be modified… and you can do the modifying. Behavior modification addresses learning theory, and also many applications in our everyday lives.