Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Teach yourself the basics of psychology
• Method 2 of 2: Get a psychology course
• Tips

Psychology is an academic discipline that studies the mind and human behavior. Whatever your reasons for wanting to learn more about psychology, you can choose from a number of basic learning and study methods to help you with it. The topic may seem daunting, but you can make it easier by breaking the learning process down into smaller steps.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Teach yourself the basics of psychology

1. Decide what psychological topics you are interested in. Psychology is the study of the human mind, but there are many different subtopics, such as child development, cognitive psychology, social psychology, and clinical psychology. If you want to learn anything about psychology, you have to ask yourself if there is anything specific you would like to learn.
   • If you decide that there is something specific you would like to learn more about, do some preliminary research on psychology on the Internet to see which sub-topics within psychology best match your interests.
   • University psychology department websites or the American Psychological Association website can be reliable sources for doing some of this preliminary research.
   • For example, if you decide you want to know how psychologists treat patients, focus on clinical psychology. Or if you decide you want to learn more about human interaction, it is best to delve into social psychology.
2. Make a reading list of popular psychology books. Once you have decided what you want to learn about, you should start looking for books on your chosen topic. You can search for books on the internet yourself or go to your local library and ask a librarian for help. It is best to choose books intended for readers who want to learn the basics and not advanced readers.
   • You can determine who a book is for by paying attention to the publisher's title and description. If a title doesn't sound inviting or too specific, it's probably intended for knowledgeable readers. For example: a book with the title A Study of Stimulus Response in Males Aged 19-21, would almost certainly be intended for readers who are already very familiar with psychology.
   • The publisher's description of a book often says something about the target audience of the book. For example, if the back of a book says, "This book is great for students and curious readers," then the book is probably intended for readers like you who are not yet experts.
   • Some popular psychology books written for a wide audience are: The Social Animal from Elliot Aronson, Thinking Fast and Slow from Daniel Kahneman, The Art of Choosing from Sheena Iyengar, Drive from Daniel H. Pink and The Power of Habit from Charles Dugigg.
3. Read textbooks on psychology for a more academic overview of the field. Although sometimes less enjoyable to read, textbooks can provide a more authoritative overview of psychology than popular books.
   • Some textbooks used in introductory psychology classes at universities include: An Introduction to the History of Psychology by B.R. Hergenhahn and Tracy B. Henley, Introduction to Psychology by James W. Kalat and Psychology by David G. Meyers.
4. Learn about contemporary psychological theories by listening to podcasts. If you think you can learn better by listening or if you just don't have time to read, you can learn about psychology through podcasts. You can find podcasts on your phone through apps like iTunes (for iPhones) and Podcast Republic (for Androids).
   • There are many podcasts, so read the descriptions of some to find out which topics are closest to your interests.
   • Anyone can create a podcast, so to make sure you choose a podcast with accurate information, research who makes it. Podcasts produced by psychology experts (people with a psychology degree) or podcasts produced by reputable institutions, such as NPR, should be the most reliable.
   • Some popular psychology podcasts include: "Shrink Rap Radio", "School of Psych", and "The Psychology Podcast".
5. Learn academic approaches to psychology by listening to lectures. You can also listen to lectures recorded by psychology professors. Lectures are usually more methodical and academic than podcasts. Some universities record a wide variety of lectures and make them available to the public.
   • Yale and Stanford, for example, have a number of lectures you can download from their website.
   • Apps such as iTunesU collect recorded lectures from a number of universities.
6. Keep a study schedule. Once you have decided what to read or listen to, you need to create and maintain a schedule for studying. Studying regularly can often help people learn in their own, most effective way. Try to schedule studying at times that are convenient for you to make sure you stick to your plan.
   • When listening to podcasts or lectures, you may decide to combine studying with your commute, chores, or exercise.
   • When creating a study schedule, keep specific goals in your calendar. Working towards a deadline can help keep you motivated and on track for your studies.
7. Take notes on the psychological concepts you are learning about. To help you remember what you read or listen to, take notes about what you learn each day. These notes could be facts you learned, questions you have, or your insights into the material. You can take notes with pen and paper or on an electronic device. Writing notes will usually help you remember the material you have learned.
   • Make a note of terms or concepts you are not familiar with so you can look them up and do further research.
8. Find someone to study psychology with. If you are having a hard time motivating yourself to study on your own, try to find a friend or family member who is willing to learn psychology with you. You can agree to read the same books and then discuss them together to compare what you have learned from them. Making learning a social event often motivates people to stick to a study schedule.
   • Discussing material with others also often helps people retain information and view a topic in a new way.

Method 2 of 2: Get a psychology course

1. Choose between online and traditional psychology studies. If you want to learn about psychology in a more structured way, you can study psychology at a college or university. If you are not yet a full-time student, you need to decide whether you want to enroll in a course at a school near you, or whether you want to take a course online.
   • Online courses offer significantly more flexibility, which can be great if you already have a busy schedule.
   • The more rigid structure of traditional courses, though, can help keep some students motivated and study more effectively.
   • Folk universities often offer courses at a relatively low price and do not require students to study full-time.
   • Many colleges and universities offer online classes, but if you don't need college credits, you can take online courses through websites such as Coursera.
   • If you are interested in a psychology class, but do not want to be graded on the material, you can ask the professor if you can take the class - which means that you attend the classes and do the lectures, but do not have to complete graded assignments. However, you will not receive credits for attending.
2. Investigate the course offerings of psychology courses. Once you have decided whether to take an online or traditional course, you should research the course offerings to find a course that is relevant to your interests. You can view the course offerings on university websites, which usually briefly describe the type of material the courses will cover.
3. Take an introductory psychology course to learn the most basic of material. If you want to take a course that provides the most general introduction to psychology, try to find an introductory psychology course. Such courses are usually designed for students with no prior education in the subject.
   • If a faculty does not offer an introductory course, you can call or email one of the department managers to ask which course the department recommends for introductory level students.
4. Take more advanced psychology classes to learn about specific topics. If an introductory psychology course is too broad for your interests, you can try a more advanced course that addresses the subject knowledge of your specific interest. Instead of an introductory course, you can, for example, take a course on social psychology or neuropsychology.
   • So you will have to check with the professor if you are eligible for an advanced course that interests you.
   • Occasionally, certain preparatory courses may be waived.
5. Sign up for more psychology classes to expand your knowledge. If you have successfully completed a psychology course and would like to learn more about the subject, you can enroll in more courses. To find out which courses best suit your interests, talk to your course professor and ask which classes he or she would recommend to you.
   • You can also talk to students who have taken multiple psychology classes and ask them if they would recommend a particular course or professor.

Tips

• When you read books on psychology, take it easy and try to familiarize yourself with terms you don't understand. Taking the time to look up concepts you don't know can help you remember the information you are studying.