Thoughts, feelings and behaviour: An introduction to psychology
Explore how your thoughts, feelings, and decisions shape behaviour.
This online course introduces core ideas in psychology—why we think the way we do, how feelings shape choices, and what drives behaviour. It surveys major approaches such as cognitive, biological, behaviourist, and psychodynamic perspectives and connects them to emotion and decision-making.
Designed for beginners, the University of East Anglia course uses concise multimedia lessons and practical examples to explain research methods and applications such as EEG and fMRI in health and education contexts. You’ll learn to interpret psychological research and reflect on your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviour.
At a Glance
Thoughts, feelings and behaviour: An introduction to psychology is an entry-level course developed by the University of East Anglia that introduces major perspectives in psychology and how researchers study mind, emotion, and behaviour.
The course pairs concise multimedia lessons with practical examples and peer discussion to show how psychological research maps onto everyday thinking, feelings, and decision-making.
| Level | Beginner |
| Rating | 4.6 out of 5 |
| Duration | 2+ weeks |
| Languages | English |
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| Price | Free to join with optional paid upgrade for certificate and extended access |
What This Course Teaches
Outcomes are presented as measurable competencies learners should be able to demonstrate after completing the course.
You will be able to explain core psychological terms, identify historical and methodological foundations, evaluate the scientific status of psychology, and apply those insights to real-world contexts.
How the Course Is Structured
The course is organised into two themed weeks and nine topical modules that progress from the historical roots of psychology to its scientific methods and applied contexts.
Overall this is a short, classroom-style offering that runs across two weeks and comprises nine discrete modules or steps.
Curriculum overview
01 Introducing psychology and this course ▾
Overview of the course topics and how the learning activities are organised.
02 What is psychology? ▾
Defines psychology as a field of enquiry and explains its relationship with other disciplines.
03 The story of psychology ▾
Survey of psychology’s historical evolution from philosophical origins to the modern era.
04 Three early forces in psychology ▾
Comparison of psychodynamic, behaviourist, and humanist approaches and their influence.
05 A cognitive and biological revolution ▾
Examination of the shift toward cognitive and biological perspectives and its impact on research.
06 Conceptual issues in psychology ▾
Engagement with major conceptual questions that challenge our understanding of consciousness and mind.
07 Scientific status of psychology ▾
Analysis of research methods, comparison with other sciences, and discussion of strengths and limitations.
08 Psychology in context ▾
Exploration of how psychological knowledge is applied in social, cultural, educational, and professional settings.
09 Conclusion ▾
Final reflections on the material covered and suggested next steps for further study.
Audience & Requirements
This course is aimed at curious learners who want a grounded introduction to psychological theory, methods, and everyday applications; it suits prospective students, career changers exploring behavioural science or mental-health adjacent roles, and professionals in education or health seeking foundational context.
It is presented at a beginner level with no prior subject knowledge required, focusing on accessible explanations and classroom-style activities.
- Prospective university students exploring psychology as a subject choice.
- Career changers seeking an introduction to behavioural science or mental-health concepts.
- Educators and allied-health professionals who want basic psychological context for practice.
- Curious lifelong learners interested in how thoughts, feelings, and decisions are studied.
- No special prerequisites or prior psychology knowledge.
- Sufficient English language proficiency to follow lectures and discussions.
- Willingness to complete short readings, multimedia steps, quizzes, and peer discussions.
Final Verdict
This course is a good value for learners seeking a concise, university-backed introduction to psychological ideas and research methods. Given its strong learner rating, CPD-accredited certificate option, and a free-to-join model with an optional paid upgrade for extended access and certification, it offers a low-risk way to gain reliable foundational knowledge.
It’s best suited to beginners, prospective students, and professionals looking for contextual background rather than specialist training; those needing in-depth methodological or clinical expertise should view this as a stepping stone to more advanced study.
