The most 'important and greatest puzzle' we face as humans is ourselves (Boring, 1950, p. 56). Humans are a puzzle, one that is complex, subtle and multi-layered, and it gets even more complicated as we evolve over time and change within different contexts. When answering the question 'what makes us who we are?' psychologists put forward a range of explanations about why people feel, think and behave the way they do. Just when psychologists seem to understand one bit of 'who we are' up pops some new evidence to show a different side! It is not easy to pin down all the many influences. This course, Starting with psychology, makes a start.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

- analyse a range of factors within and outside individuals which influence mind and behaviour

- consider multiple influences in case studies

- describe the way that influences are interlinked in complex ways

- discuss the multiple factors involved in what makes us happy.