The Psychology of Thrill Seekers (Coursera)

Offered by Emory University,
The Psychology of Thrill Seekers (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.

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

Syllabus

WEEK 1
What Is Thrill Seeking and Sensation Seeking?
In this week, we'll examine the curious beginnings of sensation-seeking research, discuss the four components that make up sensation seeking, and discuss the profile of a high sensation seeker.

WEEK 2
The Psychology and Neuroscience of Sensation Seeking
This week, we'll take a scientific approach to uncovering more about sensation seeking and focus on the fascinating biological processes and environment at play.

WEEK 3
The Habits and Hobbies of High Sensation Seekers
In this week, we'll look at the hobbies and travel and food preferences of high sensation seekers and discuss why they are so unique compared to the average person. We'll begin our exploration with a focus on emotional regulation and what that means for a high sensation seeker.

WEEK 4
How High Sensation Seeking Impacts Relationships
In this week, we get more personal and look at the challenges and rewards high sensation seekers face in regards to relationships and love.

WEEK 5
Is High Sensation Seeking a Superpower or a Super Problem?
In this week, we consider how to perceive high sensation seeking and look at the overall benefits and issues as well as how to keep high sensation seeking in check.

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

Related Courses

Psicología (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad de Palermo

Psicología (Coursera)

¿Qué estudia la psicología? ¿Qué hacen los psicólogos? ¿La conciencia, qué es? ¿Y el estrés? ¿Cómo aprendemos? La sensación y la percepción ¿son lo mismo? ¿El lenguaje depende de las ideas? ¿O será que nuestro pensamiento es dependiente del lenguaje que hablamos? ¿Querés conocer las respuestas a estos interrogantes? En este curso de Psicología podrás explorar sobre todo esto y mucho más. Al culminar su recorrido no solo vas a haber aprendido sobre las bases del cautivante mundo de la psicología, sino que contarás con herramientas que te permitirán conocerte mejor.

Nov 2nd 2026
4 Weeks
Social Psychology (Coursera) Coursera
Wesleyan University

Social Psychology (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. Ever wonder why people do what they do? This course—which includes more than $1,000 of video and reading materials—offers some answers based on the latest research from social psychology.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing (Coursera) Coursera
Yale University

Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing (Coursera)

Everyday Parenting gives you access to a toolkit of behavior-change techniques that will make your typical day in the home easier as you develop the behaviors you would like to see in your child. The lessons provide step-by-step instructions and demonstrations to improve your course of action with both children and adolescents.

Nov 2nd 2026
4 Weeks
Fundamental Neuroscience for Neuroimaging (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Fundamental Neuroscience for Neuroimaging (Coursera)

Neuroimaging methods are used with increasing frequency in clinical practice and basic research. Designed for students and professionals, this course will introduce the basic principles of neuroimaging methods as applied to human subjects research and introduce the neuroscience concepts and terminology necessary for a basic understanding of neuroimaging applications.

Nov 2nd 2026
4 Weeks
Psicología de la salud (Coursera) Coursera
Tecnológico de Monterrey

Psicología de la salud (Coursera)

En este curso aprenderás los fundamentos conceptuales de la Psicología de la Salud. Comenzaremos con los antecedentes históricos acerca del estudio de los componentes subjetivos y de comportamiento en el proceso salud-enfermedad y de la atención de la salud. Además, se conocerán los factores psicosociales relacionados en la calidad de vida y la promoción de la salud, la prevención de las enfermedades, la atención de los enfermos y personas con secuelas.

Nov 9th 2026
4 Weeks
Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills (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.

Oct 26th 2026
4 Weeks
Psychology of Popularity (Coursera) Coursera
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.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Intellectual Humility: Theory (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

Intellectual Humility: Theory (Coursera)

Faced with difficult questions people often tend to dismiss and marginalize dissent. Political and moral disagreements can be incredibly polarizing, and sometimes even dangerous. And whether it’s Christian fundamentalism, Islamic extremism, or militant atheism, religious dialogue remains tinted by arrogance, dogma, and ignorance. The world needs more people who are sensitive to reasons both for and against their beliefs, and are willing to consider the possibility that their political, religious and moral beliefs might be mistaken. The world needs more intellectual humility.

Oct 26th 2026
3 Weeks
The Brain and Space (Coursera) Coursera
Duke University

The Brain and Space (Coursera)

This course is about how the brain creates our sense of spatial location from a variety of sensory and motor sources, and how this spatial sense in turn shapes our cognitive abilities. Knowing where things are is effortless. But “under the hood,” your brain must figure out even the simplest of details about the world around you and your position in it.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Soul Beliefs: Causes and Consequences - Unit 3: How Does It All End? (Coursera) Coursera
Rutgers University

Soul Beliefs: Causes and Consequences - Unit 3: How Does It All End? (Coursera)

Throughout history, the vast majority of people around the globe have believed they have, however defined, a “soul.” While the question of whether the soul exists cannot be answered by science, what we can study are the causes and consequences of various beliefs about the soul and its prospects of surviving the death of the body. Why are soul and afterlife beliefs so common in human history? Are there adaptive advantages to assuming souls exist?

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks