Why do we do what we do? This question has fascinated thinkers and researchers for millennia. This six-session course evaluates viewpoints of the past 100 years, from Freud’s theory of unconscious drives to contemporary neuroscience. Explore the puzzle of the multiple influences on behavior, including biology, personality, upbringing, and society’s expectations. Assess generational and cultural differences. Consider how theory and research provide insights into everyday life and our understanding of ourselves and others in a complex world.

Our goals are to understand major perspectives on human behavior, examine how multiple influences interact, and apply theory and research to everyday life. Sessions combine presentation, discussion, and examples from adult life. Participants will be encouraged to share their observations and perspectives. No background in psychology, required readings, or assignments. By the end, participants should be better able to identify major influences on behavior and compare alternative explanations of why people behave as they do.