Psychology for Students

In this episode of Psychology for Students, we kick off Chapter 3 by exploring one of the most fascinating and personal aspects of psychology — consciousness. But what exactly is consciousness, and why does it matter? We’ll break down the concept of awareness, explain how it exists on a spectrum from full alertness to deep sleep, and introduce the key ideas behind controlled versus automatic processing. Plus, we’ll take a look at Sigmund Freud’s influential theory of the unconscious min...

In this Chapter, we explore the fascinating world of consciousness — your moment-to-moment awareness of yourself and your environment. You’ll learn about the different states of consciousness, from being fully alert to dreaming, and how your brain cycles through these states each day. We’ll break down how substances like caffeine, alcohol, and THC alter conscious experience, and how practices like meditation and hypnosis can shift your awareness in powerful ways. This chapter also explains wh...

In this episode of Psychology for Students, Angela takes you through a detailed, easy-to-understand review of Chapter 2: The Role of Biology in Psychology from Psychology in Your Life, 4th Edition by Grison and Gazzaniga. We break down the key concepts you need to know for your quiz—but more importantly, we help you understand how these ideas apply to your real life. Learn how your nervous system works like your body’s communication network, how different parts of your brain function, and how...

In this episode, we’ll walk through the essential ideas from Chapter One of your Introduction to Psychology course — including the major concepts, the five domains of psychology, and the early thinkers who helped shape the field. This is your chance to relax, listen, and reinforce what you’ve learned — all while preparing for common quiz questions you might see in a typical psychology class. Join Angela, Professor Hastings’ teaching assistant, as she guides you through the key terms and defin...

What if I told you that one of the biggest predictors of success in your life, your career, and your relationships isn’t your IQ—it’s your Emotional Intelligence? In this episode of Psychology for Students, Professor Jeff Hastings dives into the science and practice of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and explains why understanding and managing your emotions may be the most important skill you ever learn. We break down what Emotional Intelligence really is—not just a buzzword, but a powerful set o...

In this deeply personal and important episode of Psychology for Students, Professor Jeff Hastings shares a heartfelt message that every student—and really, every person living in today’s high-tech, low-touch world—needs to hear. We often think of addiction as something that only applies to drugs or alcohol. But what if one of the most dangerous addictions of our generation is the one we carry in our pockets every day? Technology addiction is real. It rewires the brain, hijacks your focus, dam...