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The Great Ideas of Psychology

By: Daniel N. Robinson, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Daniel N. Robinson
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Publisher's Summary

If you’ve ever wanted to delve more deeply into the mysteries of human emotion, perception, and cognition, and of why we do what we do, these 48 lectures offer a superb place to start. With them, you’ll see the entire history of psychology unfold. In the hands of Professor Robinson, these lectures encompass ideas, speculations, and point-blank moral questions that might just dismantle and rebuild everything you once thought you knew about psychology. In fact, you’ll not only learn what psychology is, but even if it is, as Professor Robinson discusses the constantly shifting debate over the nature of psychology itself.

Lecture by lecture, Professor Robinson navigates from one subject to the next, and you’ll follow along as he recreates a Platonic dialogue; explains brain physiology; or explores the intricacies of middle ear construction, the psychological underpinnings of the Salem witch trials, and the history of the insanity defense.

Among other things, you’ll learn:

  • How a brilliant young scientist’s temporary blindness led to pioneering research in sensory psychology
  • How the once-prestigious, now-derided, ”sciences” of phrenology and mesmerism contributed to psychological knowledge
  • What happened when a Stanford psychologist and his students decided to study “being sane in insane places” by getting themselves committed to a mental institution
  • How the brain is able to “rewire” itself to compensate for particular traumas at an early age
  • If high heritability determines how much the environment influences the value of a trait, and more.
    • PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©1997 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)1997 The Great Courses

What listeners say about The Great Ideas of Psychology

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Thorough coverage of the topics

Good level of detail on the full range of topics and delivered in an easy to understand and interesting way

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Superb

This course is an intellectual masterpiece and I would suggest it to any curios mind wanting to study psychology.

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great lectures

essential if you are hoping to learn more about psychology. I really enjoyed these lectures

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1 person found this helpful

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Selected ideas of Psychology

I expected a coherent overview of psychology, but the very detailed lectures did not form a whole. The series give the impression of a compilation of unrelated, separately prepared lectures.That also created some repetition of studies or anecdotes mentioned. He concentrated on a few great thinkers such as Aristotle, David Hume and Freud, but did not mention some of the other big names. I found that he tended to revert back to philosophy, where his strength lies. I personally would have liked more emphisis on recent developments in psychology in this series.
Overall an exhaustive, detailed encounter of some great ideas in psychology, worth the effort to finish, but do not expect to find any answers. The lecturer has a great mind, is very knowledgible on his subject, and lectures very well.

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Good.

beautifully presented. very easy to listen too. good insight into the historical world of psychology.

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Delightful and engaging work

Professor Robinson is an astounding teacher and intellectual. The content of his presentations and the manner with which he presents it is a genuine treasure.

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Hilarious and Incredibly Detailed

Any additional comments?

This is an EXHAUSTIVE review of psychology that I doubt could EVER be improved! Professor Robinson starts from physical stimulus to perception to interpretation to social interactions and culture. Psychology on so many levels, with humour and an abundance of personal experiences that describe the history of attempting to explain and correct abnormal behaviour with all the approaches possible. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

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5 people found this helpful

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Best book on Psychology

I really enjoyed this audio book,
It covers so much and I like the way Daniel N. Robinson voice remains professional but you can hear the passion in his voice,
It’s not monotone and I personally could listen to him speak each day.
Thank you for creating this audio book it was awesome.

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2 people found this helpful

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Fantastic set of lectures

Fantastic set of lectures for the beginner to the interested. Gives some very valuable life lessons on how philosophy and psychology have developed.

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  • FR
  • 16-05-2023

Great overview. Needs a minor update

This series was recorded in 1997. It is now over 25 years old. The principals still are valid but it does need an update if only an extra chapter addressing any new developments in the past quarter of a century

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