Psychology is the science of mind and behaviour. We all go through life thinking, feeling, and acting. It feels like we are in control of this, and to a reasonable extent we are. But in reality, there are many factors that drive our thinking and our behaviour, often beyond our awareness. Why am I depressed in winter? Why did I fall in love with her, but not her? And why does nearly everybody fall in love with Brad Pitt? Psychology can provide some answers. What is intelligence? What is personality? What is memory? Why do we dream? Why are we prone to all kinds of illusions every day? Why are other people even more prone to illusions: for instance hearing voices or seeing things? Lastly: is our sense of control an illusion: do we have free will?
In this lecture series, De Graaf will introduce key concepts and findings from the science of psychology that may help us understand ourselves just a little bit better. The last lecture will be delivered by Henry Otgaar, PhD, Assistant Professor of Forensic Psychology UM.
 

The individual lectures
1. Masters of the Mind: the science of psychology (13 Sept)
2. Mind Matters: development and disorders (20 Sept)
3. Mind in Control? Part 1: the power of the situation (27 Sept)
4. Mind in Control? Part 2: the power of the unconscious (4 Oct)
5. Memory in Mind: how you remember, or not (11 Oct, Henry Otgaar)