UMN PSY 1001 Core Themes

The mind is what the brain and body does

Malfunctions illuminate how systems work

Psychological errors that we make tell us a lot about how we develop and grow over time

Many things about humans are “natural” but that doesn’t always mean they are good

obedience and the milgram experiment (shocking people)

Who we are is determined by the interaction of inner and outer forces

(nature versus nurture)

Much of who we are is influenced by forces outside of our awareness or control

cells to society approach, genetics,

Human life is profoundly shaped by our connections to others

Our minds construct reality and because our minds are flexible, we have the power to change our reality

for example downward and upward connections