Professor Peterson’s Psychology Classroom

Behind the Numbers: Hypotheses, Errors, and What Statistics Really Tell Us

This episode introduces core quantitative methods in psychology: descriptive vs. experimental approaches, independent and dependent variables, null and alternative hypoth

Unlocking Stats: From Questions to Conclusions

Dr. Curtis Peterson introduces the role of statistics in scientific and applied settings, explains the scientific method and hypothesis types, and contrasts descriptive (

From Means to Methods: A Beginner's Guide to Statistical Analysis

Professor Peterson reviews measures of central tendency and variation, then walks through the scientific method and how hypotheses guide data analysis. He explains quanti

Inside Psychology Research: From Clinic to Lab

This episode explains how psychologists design and carry out research: starting with a research question, reviewing literature, forming hypotheses, and using clinical and

Fight-or-Flight Unpacked: How Your Nervous System Runs the Show

Professor Peterson explains the nervous system as a whole—central vs peripheral, and somatic vs autonomic branches—highlighting how the sympathetic and parasympathetic sy

Designing Safe, Effective Substance Use Prevention: 3 Essential Elements

This episode explains how to create community-based prevention programs using three core elements: accurate information, low ecological cost, and identity safety. It give

Inside the Thinking Brain: How Lobes Shape Perception and Emotion

Dr. Curtis Peterson breaks down the major brain lobes and their roles: the temporal lobe for hearing and language (Broca's and Wernicke's areas), the occipital lobe for v

Neurons to Nuance: How the Brain Builds the Mind

Dr. Curtis Peterson explores brain structure and development, from neurons and glial cells to the limbic system and cerebral cortex. He explains how different lobes suppo

The Little Brain: How the Cerebellum Coordinates Speech and Movement

Dr. Curtis Peterson explains the cerebellum — the "little brain" connected to the limbic system and cortex — and its key role in coordinating movement, balance, and coher

From Survivor to Self: How Process Groups Reclaim Identity

Dr. Curtis Peterson explains how process groups help people who have experienced trauma shift from an identity defined by abuse to a fuller sense of self. He outlines the

From Psychoeducation to Process: Rebuilding After Trauma

This episode explains what a process group is, how it differs from psychoeducational and treatment groups, and why trained facilitators are essential. It covers the grou

Inside Treatment Groups: How Therapy Targets Symptoms

Dr. Curtis Peterson explains how treatment groups focus on concrete symptom reduction—addressing PTSD, anxiety, depression, and addiction—through skill-building, rehearsa

Inside Psychoeducational Support Groups: Healing Through Education

In this episode Dr. Curtis Peterson outlines psychoeducational support groups: who can facilitate them (peer-led or professional) and the three core steps—emotional check

Group Therapy Unpacked: Psychoeducation, Treatment & Process

Dr. Curtis Peterson explains three group therapy modalities: psychoeducational support groups that normalize shared trauma and build community, treatment groups that use

Unlocking Group Therapy: Psychoeducation, Treatment, and Process Groups

Dr. Curtis Peterson outlines the three main clinical group processes—psychoeducational/support groups, treatment groups, and process groups—and explains how they ideally

Inside the Emotional Brain: The Limbic System Explained

Dr. Curtis Peterson breaks down the brain’s most basic, evolutionarily shared structures, explaining how the brainstem supports life functions and how the limbic system d