Achieving a state of “flow”. Encouraging a growth mindset. Removing triggers for mindless eating. Guarding against confirmation bias. Nudging behaviors through thoughtful design. These concepts, and many others like it, are entering our public awareness, backed by recent research in psychology.

As a field, psychology has been progressing rapidly, aided by advances in neuroscience and collaboration with other fields (economics, technology, design, etc.). In 2002, the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences went to psychologist Daniel Kahneman for his work depicting human biases, and an outpouring of popular books. The interesting thing is that there have been interesting research findings for a long time, but it seems the public has developed a renewed interest in the subject (maybe in part due to recent economic crises and the collapse of assumptions based on ‘rational actors’).

Whatever the reason, there are now more resources to learn about psychology than ever–take a look at the courses below and get your psychology on!

Quick note: While many of these courses do come with fees, all of them are available to audit in full or in part. If you’re new to MOOCs and want to learn more (including how fees work in these courses), check out our Beginner’s Guide to Massive Open Online Courses.

Introductory Psychology Courses

Core Psychology Courses

Psychology and Wellness Courses

Developmental Psychology Courses

Social Psychology and Behaviour Courses

Cognitive Psychology Courses

Mental Health Courses

Consumer Psychology Courses

Criminal Psychology Courses

Introductory Psychology

Introduction to Psychology

University of Toronto via Coursera

This course will highlight the most interesting experiments within the field of psychology, discussing the implications of those studies for our understanding of the human mind and human behavior. We will explore the brain and some of the cognitive abilities it supports like memory, learning, attention, perception and consciousness.

★★★★★ (21 ratings)

Intro to Psychology

San Jose State University via Udacity

Go on a journey through psychological concepts and principles to enable you to gain a more in-depth understanding of human thought and behavior.

★★★★★ (22 ratings)

Introduction to Psychology

Yale University via Coursera

What are people most afraid of? What do our dreams mean? Are we natural-born racists? What makes us happy? What are the causes and cures of mental illness? This course tries to answer these questions and many others, providing a comprehensive overview of the scientific study of thought and behavior.

★★★★★ (3 ratings)

Introduction to Psychology: Sensation and Perception

Monash University via FutureLearn

Learn how our sensory systems work together to help us to perceive and respond to the world around us.

★★★★★ (3 ratings)

Introduction to Psychology: The History and Science of Psychology

Monash University via FutureLearn

Investigate the history and science of psychology while mastering the basic principles of the scientific method.

★★★★☆ (15 ratings)

AP® Psychology – Course 1: What is Psychology?

The University of British Columbia via edX

Learn about the history and research methods of psychology.

★★★★★ (1 rating)

Introduction to Psychology: The Psychology of Personality

Monash University via FutureLearn

Explore the complex factors and influences that help shape our personality and examine what makes us different, and why.

★★★★☆ (3 ratings)

心理学概论 | Introduction to Psychology

Tsinghua University via edX

Explore psychological research to understand basic theories and methods of scientific psychology with a strong focus on positive psychology.

★★★★☆ (1 rating)

Introductory Psychology

Modern States via Independent

This course covers the fundamentals of the subject taught during one semester of a college-level psychology class

AP® Psychology – Course 0: Introduction

The University of British Columbia via edX

An introduction the AP® Psychology Course Sequence.

Introduction to Psychological Research Methods

University of Queensland via edX

Learn how to plan, conduct and analyze psychological research and effectively communicate the results.

Introduction to Psychology as a Science 1 – Methodological and Biological Foundations

Georgia Institute of Technology via Coursera

This course deals with an Introduction to Psychology as a Science. The course covers all areas of Psychology, discussing scientific findings relevant to each area.

Introduction to Psychology as a Science 2 – Fundamentals of the Mind and Behavior

Georgia Institute of Technology via Coursera

This course deals with an Introduction to Psychology as a Science. The course covers all areas of Psychology, discussing scientific findings relevant to each area.

Core Psychology

What is a Mind?

University of Cape Town via FutureLearn

Explore the most pertinent scientific and philosophical concepts for understanding our own minds with this free online course

★★★★★ (185 ratings)

Music Moves: Why Does Music Make You Move?

University of Oslo via FutureLearn

Learn about the psychology of music and movement, and how researchers study music-related movements, with this free online course.

★★★★★ (3 ratings)

Exploring Psychology’s Core Concepts|走进心理学

Tsinghua University via edX

How do you interpretThe Da Vinci Code? Isa sleepwalker aware of themselves? Is language before the mind or the contrary? This course will answer these questions and more with psychology theories.

★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Introduction to Neuroeconomics: How the Brain Makes Decisions

Higher School of Economics via Coursera

This course will help you to start your progress in the field of Neuroeconomics and to further develop your skills during other more advanced courses and trainings in the future. For some topics, the course will also provide supplementary videos to reveal the opinions of leading experts in the field.

★★★★☆ (18 ratings)

Understanding Memory: Explaining the Psychology of Memory through Movies

Wesleyan University via Coursera

Someone once said that memory is fascinating because sometimes we forget what we want to remember, sometimes we remember what we want to forget, and sometimes we remember events that never happened or never happened the way we remember them. I want to show you how memory works, why it sometimes fails, and what we can do to enhance it.

★★★★☆ (7 ratings)

AP® Psychology – Course 2: How the Brain Works

The University of British Columbia via edX

Learn how your brain works and the basics of neuroscience, genetics and consciousness.

Trends in e-Psychology

KU Leuven University via edX

Learn about e-based promotion of physical, mental and social health, focusing on e-cigarettes, e-mental health applications and e-mediation as case-examples.

Secondary : Psychology (222)

NIOS via Swayam

The course offers an opportunity for learners to analyse the nature of psychology and the range of behaviors and mental processes. The course highlights on basic psychological processes, human development and social psychological process.

Sr.Secondary : Psychology (328)

NIOS via Swayam

Psychology is a discipline which is relevant to all walks of life. Its applications to the various areas of personal, organizational and social functioning are well recognized. All of us use various psychological concepts without knowing them. This course at the Senior Secondary level has been designed in such a way that the learners will know the basics of psychology in simple language. Attention has also been paid to the Indian context.

Psychology XI Part-I

NCERT via Swayam

This course consists of nine chapters on topics considered essential for an introductory course in psychology like learning, thinking, memory, motivation and emotion, etc. Efforts have been made to provide linkages across and within the chapters to maintain continuity and holistic perspective. Meaningful contexts have been provided to relate the subject matter with day-to-day life.

Psychology XII Part-I

NCERT via Swayam

The course will introduce you to the fundamentals of psychology. Besides providing basic disciplinary knowledge, it focuses on enhancing your curiosity and understanding of people’s behaviour and that of your own. The interactive nature of the course will help you understand psychology as a discipline as well as the practical applications of psychology in day-to-day life. The course will help you to explore yourself and the world of which you are the part.

Psychology and Wellness

A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment

Indian School of Business via Coursera

This course draws content from a variety of fields, including psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral decision theory to offer a tested and practical recipe for leading a life of happiness and fulfillment.

★★★★★ (435 ratings)

The Science of Well-Being

Yale University via Coursera

“The Science of Well-Being” taught by Professor Laurie Santos overviews what psychological science says about happiness. The purpose of the course is to not only learn what psychological research says about what makes us happy but also to put those strategies into practice.

★★★★★ (10 ratings)

The Science of Happiness

University of California, Berkeley via edX

The first MOOC to teach positive psychology. Learn science-based principles and practices for a happy, meaningful life.

★★★★★ (31 ratings)

Buddhism and Modern Psychology

Princeton University via Coursera

The Dalai Lama has said that Buddhism and science are deeply compatible and has encouraged Western scholars to critically examine both the meditative practice and Buddhist ideas about the human mind. This course will examine how Buddhism is faring under this scrutiny.

★★★★★ (27 ratings)

Success – Achieve Success with Emotional Intelligence

Taylor’s University via OpenLearning

Success and happiness are what most of us chase for most of our lifetimes. Interestingly, however, little is taught in schools about how to achieve success beyond the academic measures.

★★★★★ (4 ratings)

Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science

University of Pennsylvania via Coursera

Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman—renowned worldwide as the “father of Positive Psychology”—has led visionary leaps in the scientific research, empirical data and personal understandings of human flourishing. This course explores the past, present and future of positive psychology as a journey through the key scientific leaps led by Dr. Seligman and his colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania’s Positive Psychology Center and Master of Applied Positive Psychology program.

★★★★★ (1 rating)

Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions

University of Pennsylvania via Coursera

Positive interventions are one of the building blocks for the application of positive psychology in our day-to-day lives. In this course taught by Dr. James Pawelski, we explore positive interventions through theory, research and practice. We provide learners the basic tools for using and measuring positive psychology in professional or personal contexts.

★★★★★ (1 rating)

Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills

University of Pennsylvania via Coursera

Learn how to incorporate resilience interventions into your personal and professional life with Dr. Karen Reivich. In this course, you are exposed to the foundational research in resilience, including protective factors such as mental agility and optimism. Several types of resilience interventions are explored including cognitive strategies; strategies to manage anxiety and increase positive emotions such as gratitude; and a critical relationship enhancement skill.

★★★★☆ (4 ratings)

Positive Psychology

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill via Coursera

This course discusses research findings in the field of positive psychology, conducted by Barbara Fredrickson and her colleagues. It also features practical applications of this science that you can put to use immediately to help you live a full and meaningful life.

★★★★☆ (26 ratings)

Positive Psychology: Character, Grit and Research Methods

University of Pennsylvania via Coursera

Learners discover how apply to research methods to their study of Positive Psychology. In this course, we study with Dr. Angela Duckworth and Dr. Claire Robertson-Kraft. Through an exploration their work “True Grit” and interviews with researchers and practitioners, you develop a research hypothesis and learn how to understand the difference between internal and external validity.

Introduction to Self-Determination Theory: An approach to motivation, development and wellness

University of Rochester via Coursera

In this course, Professor Richard Ryan, co-founder of the theory, will provide an overview of SDT with special emphasis on how autonomy, competence, and relatedness supports and facilitates behavioral persistence, quality of relationships, and healthy developmental processes, among other topics.

Positive Psychology Specialization Project: Design Your Life for Well-being

University of Pennsylvania via Coursera

You are encouraged to take the first four courses of the Foundations of Positive Psychology Specialization before starting this course and completing the Specialization Project. This course, taught by Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman brings all the key concepts from the first four courses to practice as you develop and test a new positive intervention for an audience of your choice.

Psychology for Health and Well Being

University of Kashmir via Swayam

The course “Psychology for Health and Well-being” is a generic elective course in B.A. Psychology under the Choice Based Credit System. This course enables the learner to explore the concept of mental health and to distinguish the same from mental illness and appreciate the significance of mental health promotion.

Positive Psychology

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi via Swayam

This course focuses on ‘Positive Psychology’ (PP) which is a relatively new branch of Psychology that aims to understand, test, discover and promote the factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive. This course will introduce the learners to these fundamental aspects of PP, apart from highlighting some of the core PP concepts including – happiness, flow, mindfulness, optimism, resilience, emotional intelligence, spirituality and self-related concepts (self-efficacy, self-esteem, ideal-self and real-self, self-regulation) etc.

Developmental Psychology

Introduction to Psychology: Developmental Psychology

Monash University via FutureLearn

Examine the physical, cognitive and social development we undergo throughout our lives.

★★★★★ (13 ratings)

Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms

Relay Graduate School of Education via Coursera

Positive psychology meets K-12 pedagogy. This course explores key ideas of positive psychology and shows how great teachers apply those lessons to maximize student engagement and accomplishment. Through lectures, discussions, interviews and footage of great educators in action, you’ll learn how to integrate character-based objectives into your own teaching.

★★★★★ (17 ratings)

Introduction to Psychology: The Psychology of Learning

Monash University via FutureLearn

Explore how new behaviours are learnt by examining different types of psychological conditioning.

★★★★★ (7 ratings)

Introduction to Developmental Psychology

University of Queensland via edX

Learn how we develop over our lifetime, including our ability to think, communicate, and form social attachments.

★★★★★ (1 rating)

Supporting children with difficulties in reading and writing

University of London International Programmes via Coursera

This course is for teachers to learn why some children have so much difficulty with reading and writing, often called ‘dyslexia’, and to learn more about best practice in teaching literacy to all in light of recent scientific discoveries.

★★★★☆ (1 rating)

Learning, Knowledge, and Human Development

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign via Coursera

This course sets out to provide an understanding of theories of learning and development and how these theories relate to educational technology.

Introduction to Educational Psychology

Modern States via Independent

It reviews the fundamentals of Introduction to Educational Psychology subject that are usually covered throughout a one-semester undergraduate course at college.

Human Growth and Development

Modern States via Independent

It covers the fundamentals generally taught in a one-semester introductory course in developmental psychology or human development, including the infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and aging.

Understanding child development: from synapse to society

Utrecht University via Coursera

In this course, we dive into the topic of child development.

Psychology Of Development And Learning

CEC via Swayam

This course is designed to orient the teacher students about the child development, personality and the process of Teaching and Learning. This course offers an overview of the study of childhood and adolescence. In the course, the concept of adolescence is situated in realistic and contextual frames.

Social Psychology and Behaviour

Social Psychology

Wesleyan University via Coursera

This course offers a brief introduction to classic and contemporary social psychology, covering topics such as decision making, persuasion, group behavior, personal attraction, and factors that promote health and well-being.

★★★★★ (63 ratings)

Introduction to Human Behavioral Genetics

University of Minnesota via Coursera

Behavioral genetic methodologies from twin and adoption studies through DNA analysis will be described and applied to address longstanding questions about the origins of individual differences in behavioral traits.

★★★★★ (10 ratings)

Psychology of Personal Growth

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology via edX

Learn to understand personal growth from a comparative perspective.

★★★★★ (30 ratings)

Introduction to Social Psychology

University of Queensland via edX

Learn why people think and behave the way they do in social settings.

★★★★★ (1 rating)

Psychology of Popularity

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill via Coursera

The level of popularity you experienced in childhood and adolescence is still affecting you today in ways that you may not even realize. Learn about how psychologists study popularity and how these same concepts can be used in adulthood to be more successful at work, become better parents, and have a happier life.

★★★★☆ (9 ratings)

The Psychology of Thrill Seekers

Emory University via Coursera

Sensation seeking is a trait we all have and includes the search for complex and new experiences. Thrill Seekers, people with high-sensation seeking personalities, crave exotic and intense experiences even when physical or social risks are involved. This course helps learners examine the remarkable world of the high-sensation seeking personality and explores the lifestyle, psychology, and neuroscience behind thrill seekers.

★★★★☆ (1 rating)

(HE) Science of Relationships

Colorado State University Online via Canvas Network

Free relationship advice: Who couldn’t use that, right? And from an expert with a scientific perspective no less! Have you ever wondered what makes your significant other tick? Why you’re attracted to the people you are? How to best nurture a relationship? Or how to get through a breakup?

★★★☆☆ (5 ratings)

Psychology of Political Activism: Women Changing the World

Smith College via edX

Learn what motivates prominent women such as Gloria Steinem, Loretta Ross, and others to become involved in activism in this political psychology course.

AP® Psychology – Course 4: How Behavior Works

The University of British Columbia via edX

Learn about the theories of motivation and emotions and obtain an in-depth look at intelligence testing and personality development.

Introduction to Brain & Behaviour

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur via Swayam

Course Objectives: The course is meant to familiarise the students with theneural basis of mental/cognitive processes. The course will stress on both how the mental functions operate to give rise to human behaviour and also simultaneously show how these processes are implemented in the human brain.

Cognitive Psychology

Introduction to Cognitive Psychology

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati via Swayam

Understanding and predicting human behavior will helps humans in exerting more control over situations. The bases of human behavior are the cognitive processes underlying them. The present course is an attempt to discuss and understand the basic cognitive processes that guide human behavior.

★★★★☆ (1 rating)

Introduction to Cognitive Psychology: An Experimental Science

University of York via FutureLearn

Learn how to use cognitive psychology experiments to explore the internal workings of the mind with this online psychology course.

Cognition, Transformation and Lives

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur via Swayam

This course addresses anyone who is interested in change, not the temporary change, but transformation at a deeper, sustained level; whether individual or collective. The course is structured to provide a basic knowledge of Psychology and Neuroscience before using a narrative biography of Mahatma Gandhi to elucidate the process of transformation. It does not look at Mahatma Gandhi’s politics rather at the Man who left behind a model of transformation. We posit it in a scientific analysis here.

Mental Health

Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health

The University of Sydney via Coursera

The course will feature a large number of Australian experts in psychiatry, psychology and mental health research, and we will also hear from “lived experience experts”, people who have lived with mental illness, and share their personal stories of recovery. We take an evidence-based approach to a range of strategies that anyone can use to enhance their own mental health and that of others, from exercise and relaxation techniques through to the role of love, relationships and ‘good’ types of work.

★★★★★ (18 ratings)

Young People and Their Mental Health

University of Cambridge via FutureLearn

What are the most common mental health problems, what can you do about them and how do you improve your mental health?

★★★★☆ (31 ratings)

Psychology and Mental Health: Beyond Nature and Nurture

University of Liverpool via FutureLearn

Learn how a psychological understanding of our emotions and behaviour gives us new ways to improve mental health and well-being.

★★★★☆ (11 ratings)

Foundations of International Psychiatry

University of Melbourne via Coursera

This course aims to give you a more nuanced understanding of the role of a psychiatrist, developing clinical skills and therapeutic relationships. Understanding the impact of mental illness in society and ethics in medicine are some of the key themes central to this course. This course is designed to provide essential background knowledge and practical skills that apply to any mental health clinical setting.

★★★★★ (1 rating)

Psychological First Aid

Johns Hopkins University via Coursera

Learn to provide psychological first aid to people in an emergency by employing the RAPID model: Reflective listening, Assessment of needs, Prioritization, Intervention, and Disposition. Utilizing the RAPID model (Reflective listening, Assessment of needs, Prioritization, Intervention, and Disposition), this specialized course provides perspectives on injuries and trauma that are beyond those physical in nature.

★★★★☆ (27 ratings)

AP® Psychology – Course 5: Health and Behavior

The University of British Columbia via edX

Learn about the relationship between stress and physical and mental health and the treatment of abnormal behavior, including psychological disorders.

Counseling and Psychotherapy Theory

Seoul National University via edX

Learn about the theories of counseling and psychotherapy on human change through an easy-to-understand overview.

Existential Well-being Counseling: A Person-centered Experiential Approach

KU Leuven University via edX

Explore existential themes in your personal and professional life. Develop strengths and counseling skills to improve your well-being and the well-being of others.

Introduction to Clinical Psychology

University of Queensland via edX

Learn about the principles underlying psychological therapy and the features and treatment of common mental disorders, including anxiety, depression and schizophrenia.

Introduction to Psychology as a Science 3 – Normal and Abnormal Behavior

Georgia Institute of Technology via Coursera

The course covers personality psychology, social psychology, and abnormal psychology.

Consumer Psychology

Buyer Behaviour and Analysis

Curtin University via edX

Learn how to analyse and apply consumer and buyer behaviour fundamentals to develop an effective marketing campaign.

★☆☆☆☆ (1 rating)

Customer Value in Pricing Strategy

University of Virginia via Coursera

In this course, we’ll show you how to price a product based on how your customers value it and the psychology behind their purchase decisions.

Consumer Behaviour and Psychology

Coventry University via FutureLearn

Learn about the origins of consumer psychology and examine how consumer behaviour can be influenced by a range of factors.

Avatar Psychology for Designers

Michigan State University via Coursera

This course covers the latest and greatest psychological research on avatars and is relevant to current and future designers of any medium that includes user self-representations (e.g., video games, virtual worlds, robots, automobiles, social media, etc.).

Consumer Buying Behaviour

Welingkar Institute of Management via Swayam

This course “Consumer Buyer Behaviour” is from Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research Its a 4 Credit Course. This course will help participants to develop an ability to unlock the mind (the black box) which shapes his needs, motives, personality, attitude, perception and other aspects shaping his behaviour including buying behaviour.

Consumer Buyer Behaviour

Welingkar Institute of Management via Swayam

This course “Consumer Buyer Behaviour” is from Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research. This course will help both students and market researchers to decide consumer’s behaviour. It will show how marketing information & research tools should be applied not only to solve the various problems but also identify opportunities to grow in today’s growing competitive business.

Consumer Behaviour

Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur via Swayam

Drawing heavily from the fields of psychology, anthropology and economics; the concepts of Consumer Behaviour puts forth the decision-making processes of buyers, both individually and in groups. The course will sensitize the participants about how the aforesaid concepts will help them in designing appropriate marketing mix and the overall marketing strategy.

Criminal Psychology

Forensic Psychology: Witness Investigation

The Open University via FutureLearn

Discover how psychology can help obtain evidence from eyewitnesses in police investigations and prevent miscarriages of justice.

★★★★★ (16 ratings)

The Psychology of Criminal Justice

University of Queensland via edX

Learn how behavioural science can improve our criminal justice system.

★★★★★ (16 ratings)



Image Src: “Volunteer Duty” Psychology Testing by Tim Sheerman-Chase