Coursera

Psychology of Popularity (Coursera)

Offered by University of North Carolina,
Psychology of Popularity (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.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Syllabus

Week 1
How is Popularity Affecting Your Life as an Adult?
We will review how popularity is changing your social information processing and DNA expression.

Week 2
How Do We Study Popularity Scientifically?
We will discuss the ways that we have identified different subgroups of kids and adults who have different popularity profiles.

Week 3
Why are Some People More Popular Than Others? (Part 1)
We will discuss what behaviors popular people engage in, and what types of specific behaviors make people unpopular almost immediately. Implications for adult relationships will be discussed.

Week 4
Why are Some People More Popular Than Others? (Part 2)
We will review why facial and body attractiveness plays a role in popularity and how parents can make their children more popular.

Week 5
How Does Popularity Change Our Mood, Feelings, and Behaviors? (Part 1)
We will discuss recent findings regarding the links between popularity and psychopathology.

Week 6
How Does Popularity Change Our Mood, Feelings, and Behaviors? (Part 2)
We will review why popular people really do have better skills and life outcomes compared to others.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Dopage : Sports, Organisations et Sciences (Coursera) Coursera
University of Lausanne

Dopage : Sports, Organisations et Sciences (Coursera)

Social Sciences

L'objectif du cours est de permettre une compréhension distanciée du dopage. C’est pour atteindre cet objectif que le cours s’appuie sur une approche pluridisciplinaire qui constitue une opportunité d'observer comment diverses disciplines abordent un même objet, selon différents angles et de manière complémentaire. Il s'agit également de donner des repères permettant d'appréhender le dopage dans sa complexité.

Jun 22nd 2026
4 Weeks
Health Sports Organizations
Details
Health for All Through Primary Health Care (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Health for All Through Primary Health Care (Coursera)

Health & Society Medicine & Pharmacology

This course explores why primary health care is central for achieving Health for All. It provides examples of how primary health care has been instrumental in approaching this goal in selected populations and how the principles of primary health care can guide future policies and actions. Two of the most inspiring, least understood, and most often derided terms in global health discourse are “Health for All” and “Primary Health Care.”

Jun 28th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Health Healthcare Patient Care
Details
Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills (Coursera)

Health & Society Social Sciences

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.

Jun 22nd 2026
4 Weeks
Health Psychology Communication
Details
Introduction to the Biology of Cancer (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Introduction to the Biology of Cancer (Coursera)

Sci: Biology & Life Sciences Health & Society

Over 500,000 people in the United States and over 8 million people worldwide are dying every year from cancer. As people live longer, the incidence of cancer is rising worldwide and the disease is expected to strike over 20 million people annually by 2030. This open course is designed for people who would like to develop an understanding of cancer and how it is prevented, diagnosed, and treated.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Health Biology Cancer
Details
How Music Can Change Your Life (Coursera) Coursera
University of Melbourne

How Music Can Change Your Life (Coursera)

Film & Audio

Did you ever wonder how music works? This course provides free video, audio and journal resources that explain six basic principles about how music can influence individual and community health and wellbeing. From biology and neuroscience, to psychotherapy and politics, the ways we engage with music can make all the difference. Music has always played an integral role in the lives of individuals and communities all around the globe.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Health Music Wellbeing
Details
Chemicals and Health (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Chemicals and Health (Coursera)

Health & Society Sci: Chemistry

This course covers chemicals in our environment and in our bodies and how they impact our health. It addresses policies and practices related to chemicals, particularly related to how they get into our bodies (exposures), what they do when they get there (toxicology), how we measure them (biomonitoring) and their impact on our health. Most examples are drawn from the US.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Health Public Health Toxicology
Details
A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment (Coursera) Coursera
Indian School of Business - ISB

A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment (Coursera)

Health & Society Social Sciences

What are the determinants of a happy and fulfilling life? This is surely one of life’s biggest questions, and a question that has interested many of our ancestors. Buddha famously gave up his kingdom in search of happiness. Several Greek philosophers (from Aristotle to Epicurus and Plato to Socrates) had their own views on what it takes to be happy. And of course, we all have our own theories about happiness too.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Health Psychology Plato
Details
Diabetes - a Global Challenge (Coursera) Coursera
University of Copenhagen

Diabetes - a Global Challenge (Coursera)

Health & Society Medicine & Pharmacology

Diabetes and obesity are growing health problems in rich and poor countries alike. With this course you will get updated on cutting-edge diabetes and obesity research including biological, genetic and clinical aspects as well as prevention and epidemiology of diabetes and obesity. All lectures are provided by high-profile scientists from one the world's leading universities in diabetes research.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Medicine Health Diabetes
Details
HPV-Associated Oral and Throat Cancer: What You Need to Know (Coursera) Coursera
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

HPV-Associated Oral and Throat Cancer: What You Need to Know (Coursera)

Sci: Biology & Life Sciences Health & Society

This course, offered by the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is designed to inform primary care physicians and otolaryngologists (general and head and neck surgeons), as well as medical students, residents, nurses, physician assistants, medical assistants, about HPV-associated oral and throat cancers. It is also applicable to individuals who wish to broaden their knowledge and vernacular about this disease process, especially those who may have been diagnosed with HPV and/or HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Health Cancer Prevention
Details
An Introduction to the U.S. Food System: Perspectives from Public Health (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

An Introduction to the U.S. Food System: Perspectives from Public Health (Coursera)

Food & Nutrition Health & Society

A food system encompasses the activities, people and resources involved in getting food from field to plate. Along the way, it intersects with aspects of public health, equity and the environment. In this course, we will provide a brief introduction to the U.S. food system and how food production practices and what we choose to eat impacts the world in which we live. Through several case studies, we will discuss some key historical and political factors that have helped shape the current food system and consider alternative approaches from farm to fork.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Health Nutrition Food
Details
Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions (Coursera)

Social Sciences

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

Jun 22nd 2026
4 Weeks
Psychology Emotions Positive Psychology
Details