Key Point: Simply using the word “because” makes people more likely to agree to help you.

This study examined whether people would let a stranger cut in line at the copy machine. The big determinant of this decisions was not how compelling the person's reasons were, but instead the simple inclusion of a reason at all.

Key Point: In some ways, physical sensations and mental sensations are interchangeable.

The study described in this lesson shows how the physical feeling of "warmth" can bias your judgment such that you see more emotional "warmth" in a stranger. A bonus study considers the effects of actual fish smells on behavior.

Key Point: Praising someone for working hard is better than praising them for their ability.

In this fascinating study, 5th grade students show huge changes in their school performance and motivation simply because they received a compliment on their hard work instead of a compliment on their intelligence.

Key Point: Our expectations of others can be proven to ourselves because we unconsciously make them so.

This elegant study showed how one person's (baseless) expectations dramatically change the course of a conversation. When men thought they were talking to an attractive woman on the phone, they talked in a more friendly way, which made the real women (who didn't even look like the photo the men were given) act in a more friendly way in response, compared to when men thought they were talking to an unattractive woman.

Key Point: We judge our satisfaction by thinking about what could have happened.

Data that come from the 1992 Olympics shows how 2nd place winners are less satisfied than 3rd place winners even though their performance was objectively better. The reason is "counterfactual thinking"--or thinking about how things could have gone differently.

Key Point:We like people who like what we like.

(This is a bonus from my course on the psychology of attraction and likability.)

Special bonus lesson to celebrate 1,000 students. Let's get to 2,000!

Key Point: When we are focused on something about ourselves, we assume other people notice too.

In our final lesson for this course, I offer my parting words and an opportunity to continue learning about the amazing science of social psychology!