The Psychology of People: How to Understand Yourself & Influence Others

You are invited into the classroom of one of America’s best social psychology professors to explore surprising insights into the science of our behavior and the secrets of understanding people.

Do you ever wish you better understood why people do what they do? What governs our thoughts and actions? How we influence others and vice versa? This eye-opening audio course introduces you to the science of human social psychology and offers surprising answers to these and many other questions.

Our social situations can lead us to act in unexpected ways. Depending on the context, we can soar with boundless joy or get mired in frustration and aggression. Sometimes we demonstrate deep compassion toward others, sometimes prejudice. 

In 18 engaging lectures, Andrew Ward, an NIH-funded psychology professor at Swarthmore College, reveals the unseen forces behind social behaviors. He helps you grasp the psychology of our relationships and interactions. Under his guidance, you will explore the most essential concepts in social psychology.

UC Riverside Vice Chair of Psychology Sonja Lyubomirsky writes, “At Swarthmore College, Professor Andrew Ward’s courses are among the most popular, and it’s easy to see why.”

Delivered with clarity and enthusiasm, his lectures will prompt you to reflect on a myriad of examples of surprising behavior. Armed with a new awareness of social influences, you will learn to better understand and interact with those around you.

This course is part of the Learn25 collection.