1. Introduction to Human Behavioral Biology 

i've completed the full cycle of procrastination, going so far into the depths of not doing homework that i end up taking a stanford intro class on youtube

The fact that we can access this lecture without having to attend Stanford is mind-blowing. What a time to be alive!

For 11 years I've been coming back to this. It is still one of the most profound learning experiences available. Sapolsky its truly one of the finest human gems we had a chance to share time with on this planet.

I hope he’s still teaching. He is a wonderful professor, and I can tell he enjoys his work.

Lectures hit different when you’re not pressured by grades.

Just pointing put, someone wrote 57 minutes of subtitles for a lecture. Shout out to you my guy.

I’m not even really interested in biology or science in general but I’ve been watching random college lectures on RU-vid and I found this. Now I’m hooked. This guy is just so amazing and smart. When you aren’t worried or stressed about grades, you can truly focus on learning the content more. Especially if you have an exciting teacher like this. Using humor makes you remember stuff as well.

The book by him, which he didn't say the name of, is the Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers (he mentions it again in lecture 3)

when you procrastinate so much you start watching lecture videos💀

This just made me realize that I really haven’t had that many good teachers in my life

I'm Brazilian and I was feeling a little bit down for lacking money to study abroad using my university program. However, here I am watching this astonishing lecture. I loved this professor and I feel so excited to learn again🥺🤩

First of all, i can't properly express how grateful I am that I live at the age of moder technology - that I am able to attend such a great lecture while cooking in God forgotten country, to laugh along those students, to come to new approaches and views beside them. I really do hope that the professor knows that making this available to everybody is act of unbelievable kindness. Secondly, lectures like his make me remember why I love learning so much; why I always should stay curious about things around me even though my own college years are gone. And third thing? I am a teacher, too, and I aspire to be the same way this man is - full of humor, kind, knowledgeable and approachable, truly making people to want to seek the knowledge, to think. Once again, thank you, from the very bottom of my heart.

"yeah i took a class at stanford"

This is the thing that RU-vid needs to recommend more often and not about celebrities or bloggers babbling about their freaking stuffs.

Coming back on that lecture, you're an absolute gem Robert Sapolsky. I've discovered this video a year ago, searched my way through the infite possibilities of life, finally started my bachelor in psychology, and I head on becoming a researcher in evolutionary psychology or something like that if things go well and if I still like it. Hopefully I see you some day at Stanford University

This guy is a seriously gifted educator.

I'm not only in awe of his knowledge, but about his speaking skills as well. This was 1 hour of him constantly speaking without using any 'uuuhs', stopping words or hesitations in forming sentences...like he was reading out a book! Insanely good

you know a class is good when a 15 year old boy watches it voluntairily on his pc in his free time

Every human should listen to this entire series. It gives you so much insight into human anthropology, behavior etc. These videos are pretty old at this point but nonetheless pertinent. I think Sapolsky is still alive and there's absolutely nothing boring about listening to him, he keeps things moving right along, and a bit of humor gets thrown in here and there. I'm so thankful this series was conserved for humanity.

As someone who possessed neither the academic skills nor the financial means to attend a prestigious university as a young adult, it is not lost on me now at age 51 just how absolutely incredible it is that the entirety of the world's knowledge is available to me with just a few clicks. I will never not be in awe of it.

honestly, Its crazy how much easier information is retained when you voluntarily seek it. When i was in school i would have never listened to this and would have been dying to get out of there. Now that i have the ability to learn on my own time I retain and look for information on a much higher level. Incredible.

This lecture is an example of how you are drawn to certain subjects in school solely because of the way it was taught. One can develop interest in any discipline just by learning from the good teachers. God bless you for making these lectures publicly available.

As always, the difference between enjoying a subject and not enjoying a subject is the way it's presented, and whether or not it's presented with actual genuine passion. Clearly, Robert is doing a fantastic job here. Kudos and praise to him. Many thanks for making this publicly available, it's what all universities should do with all their subjects.

These lectures changed my life , I watched it three times now

The basic quality of a teacher is to provoke interest in his/her students on the subject if not it's their first failure, Here's one guy who really did that, absolutely riveting!

Whenever he starts to explain something and you dont fully get what that really means in real life, he goes „let me give you an example“ and thats just brilliant!

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 📚 The course starts by illustrating a scenario of abnormal behavior, highlighting the potential influence of genetics. 01:26 🧬 Genetic influence on sexual orientation, prenatal events affecting political opinions, and using biology to understand religious beliefs are discussed. 03:17 🌡️ Certain events, like having a period, brain tumors, junk food consumption, and steroid use, have been used as defenses in murder cases due to hormonal impacts. 06:34 💔 Body's physiological state can dramatically affect brain functions, and vice versa. 08:30 📊 Humans simplify complex problems by categorizing information, but this can lead to oversimplification and misunderstanding. 11:20 🎨 The example of colors and language differences demonstrates how categories affect perception and memory. 15:08 📞 Categorization affects our ability to accurately recall sequences, like phone numbers. 17:52 🐔 The example of subway stops shows how categories influence interpretation and prediction. 21:18 🧠 The course aims to explore the complex relationships between physiological processes and behavior, avoiding oversimplified explanations. 23:44 🔍 The course structure involves tracing behaviors back through various factors, including hormones, development, genetics, and evolution. 24:13 🧬 Behavior is influenced by biological factors such as hormones and genes, leading to the interaction of endocrinology and genetics. 25:35 🤔 Challenge: Avoid falling into categorical thinking while analyzing complex behaviors and influences. 27:02 🧠 Historical figures in psychology and biology exhibited flawed categorical thinking, underestimating the complexity of human behavior. 32:43 🌍 Human behaviors are characterized by their varying levels of similarity and uniqueness compared to other species. 36:59 🔄 Recognize moments when humans share ordinary physiology with other animals but use it uniquely for empathy, compassion, and stress response. 40:16 💬 Humans exhibit behaviors that are unparalleled in the animal kingdom, such as language use and complex sexual practices. 43:07 📚 The course is designed for students with diverse backgrounds, and additional catchup sections will be provided for those unfamiliar with certain topics. 45:31 🧠 Behavioral biology is relevant in various aspects of life, from decision-making to understanding mental health, making informed choices important. 46:00 ⏰ Weekly sections, midterm, and final exams will structure the course, with breaks provided during class for convenience. 46:29 📚 Two assigned books: One by the instructor (optional), another is "Chaos" by James Gleick. 47:23 🌪️ "Chaos" challenges reductionism; behavior is complex like a cloud, not a clock. 48:49 📖 Lectures on chaos and complexity, readings available online, varying levels of depth. 50:45 🖥️ Course materials online, lecture notes, Q&A, office hours, sections for different backgrounds. 52:39 🗂️ Utilize skilled TAs, regular and advanced sections, evolving sections for different needs. 53:07 ⏰ Class is five units due to heavy class time, taped lectures available online. 54:04 📆 Midterm on May 3rd (7:30 PM), final on June 4th (5:15 PM), multiple-choice format due to class size. 55:29 🧠 Midterm focuses on basic understanding, final emphasizes interdisciplinary thinking. 56:54 🕒 Final clarification on exam timings.

Amazing lecture. Whenever he listens to students giving answer he is paying all the attention. His passion to share what he loves and dedication as a teacher is what makes him incredible!!😍

I started watching this playlist some five years ago... I'm now a grad student... in neuroscience. Sapolsky... this very video, actually... was my first introduction to the field... that field became my life. Returning to this is a crazy experience.

stanford: really hard to get into and 70k per year. also stanford: giving out their most interesting course for free on youtube. people in 2021: we're bored so yeah we're here.

I'm Egyptian And I Think this course just changed the way I think about how my brain works Thank you, prof. Sapolsky and thank Stanford, for a moment I really hoped that I was born and raised in California and joined this university, but I'm grateful for finding out this course is free online

What a brilliant opening. Elaborates on a scenario and brings attention to the mystery of it's reasons. Then presents a number of interesting proposals in quick succession, establishing the kind of things that are to be discussed in the lectures and implicitly saying these are to be discussed later on. He executes it so well.

I'm not even taking this class and I'm stressed about the midterm

The fact that this is available to anyone who has an internet connection is what it means to be truly connected to the rest of the world and its knowledge. and also, this guy probably kills it at social gatherings.

I listened to this course twelve years ago when I was still a college student, he's really an awesome teacher.

Absolutely mind-blowing. What an incredible communicator this professor is. Thank you for sharing this freely with the world!

this guys looks exactly like what you'd expect a professor of human behavioral biology would look like

No “uh’s” or “um’s” from this guy. Brilliant speaker.

I watched I think all 24 or 25 of his lectures and even seen Robert on some fairly resent podcasts. He is very informative, intelligent, and has an entertaining style to teaching an interesting subject(s) that could be dry and boring if attempted by others. Great job!!!!!

The first time we get a glance at Prof. Robert Sapolsky's video teaching, there's no doubt we can't escape a feeling of stunned astonishment at his unusual look, especially in his hair style. So unlike the classical image we may have formed in our younger years of an austere, conservative competent academic in a prestigious university. The bushy mustache, the luxuriant beard, and the cocky ponytail in the back form a strikingly impressive appearance. One may wonder, what kind of microscopic vegetation may prosper in such a jungle-like beard. All this, while wearing what looks like some kind of tired open shirt more appropriate to home carpentry work than standing between a professorial desk and regular school blackboards. It's easy to jump to the conclusion that we're facing a truly eccentric character, a kind of hippie-style professor better tolerated on the West Coast than in the North-East. Surprisingly, Prof. Sapolsky's style is not as extravagant and unique as we initially thought. There's another distinguished lecturing scientist who operates with practically an identical style of facial hair configuration. This is Dr. Irving Finkel, a philologist, a specialist of the Ancient languages of Mesopotamia. This was a Middle East region now in modern Iraq, part of what is called the "Fertile Crescent". This area is one of the origins of human civilizations, where farming emerged through domestication of plants, and creation of crops. Thus permitting accumulation of reserves of food, a technical development of agriculture, the formation of primitive nations, with record-keeping, government, writing, etc.. the whole megillah. Dr. Irving Finkel operates at the British Museum, in the Dept of the Middle East. He lectures a the Royal Institute. He now is about 70 or 71, which makes him 6 years older than Prof. Sapolsky. The major contrast between both hairy scientists is that Finkel's beard, mustache and ponytail are all white, and thus project a much older look than Sapolsky, who still enjoys a vigorous frame of darker hair. Nonetheless, the resemblance of looks is uncanny. It is tempting to wonder if the two have ever been photographed together. This unusual resemblance suggests another question: Are there more scientists or academics sporting a similarly remarkable bushy frame of facial hair?

Imagine going to university and actually getting lecturers of this calibre

What a good lecturer. Tone changes, speed changes, jokes in interval, all while delivering succinct info

Thankful that this is posted for everyone to access. There's nothing like the feeling of hanging onto every word of an incredible lecturer, especially when we don't have to worry about taking notes or grades!

Deeply absorbing series of lectures by a master of exposition - thank you Stanford for sharing. RU-vid is an amazing resource and repository of knowledge; we are very lucky to have it.

The fact that the fall semester just finished and I was stressing out about school so happy it's finally over, then the next day I'm sat here voluntarily watching this whole thing speaks volumes to how good this professor is

I'm so grateful for living in an era where this kind of content is available like this. I'm from Brazil and I wouldn't be able to listen to this amazing classes if Stanford and professor Sapolsky weren't so kind to make it available online. Thank you.

Just love to hear this professor. Would have loved to have him when I was in college. He loves to teach and loves people, relates really well with his students. And highly intelligent and has a unique interesting personality.

The way he explains everything with humor and making sure even the slowest of students can get it right makes him one of the best teachers I have ever seen. I will have to watch the other 25 videos now lol

This guy gave a lecture at my high school. A decade later, I still vividly remember it. One of the smartest men I've ever heard speak.

“And you get a bagel with cream cheese” this man not only taught his class but he rewarded and fed them, now that’s a legend.

Love this series on the site. Thank you to Stanford for keeping these up. And THANK YOU Robert Sapolsky for sharing your knowledge to those willing to listen!

Phenomenal Professor. Taking the whole day to watch this and many other lectures.

I accidentally clicked on this, but I'm just going to act like I walked into this class, sat down and played it cool.

Can this guy teach everything? He is so concise, calm and articulated. He makes me want to go back to school.

I’ve watched a few of his lectures. I like him. Smart guy. He seems not just genuine and entertaining but friendly too. I wish there were more professors / teachers like this.

It could be fascinating how valuable information could be presented online, yet don’t look for it and so you don’t find it. Finally in the quest of looking for a proper question which resulted in finding this video. Thank you for sharing. You’ve got my focus.

I would turn up for every single one of Robert Sapolskys lectures. The guy is the definition of an engaging educator.

if all my professors were like this guy, i’d die happy.

This has popped up on my recommended since 2015 or so… and I never watched it until now. Wow… what a shame. This guy is great!

Published 10 years ago -- and it has just hit 10M views. Thank you to Dr. Sapolsky and Stanford for sharing the most valuable of knowledge with us.

I am a Stanford grad. Biology of Behavior with Sapolsky was my favorite class. High recommendation to "take" this class here on youtube. And you won't have to take notes or do the readings or take the exams either...just absorb the information.

This is awesome! Thank you for making it available to everyone!😊👍

Took me over a year to finish this course, read chaos and went down that rabbithole too! Best course I've ever done!!

Me in college: trying to get the hell out of there as soon as possible. Me, 15 years later: wishing I was in college, watching lectures on RU-vid for fun.

I have no idea why RU-vid has been recommending me this video for 5 years now but I'm finally watching it.

Thank you. Working through my own issues, and I really appreciate listening to your lecture. I really enjoyed listening.

Love the professor 😍👍👏👏 He is very stimulating and makes me want to sit in his classes for several subjects

I didn't even graduate high school, but I'm here attending at Stanford.

When you were just planning to have a quick look but you can't stop watching 🤓

I am listening to this lecture totally out of curiosity and I find the lecture extremely informative, and enlightening. His interesting delivery of the lectures made me think about why I haven't done my major in human behavioral biology! I find the topic extremely interesting and I am gonna finish listening to all the lectures in this lecture series. Thank you for making the knowledge easily accessible.

Omg genuinely EVERY lecture for this class is on this channel that’s genuinely amazing you can actually learn what people are paying thousands to learn just by RU-vid madness

I have been watching this video for 40 minutes right now. A: I do not study at Stanford B: I do not study anything related to biology C: I have a thermodynamics exam tomorrow

I am an extremely old senior citizen and did not have the $$$ to attend college. Now I can say I attended a class at Stanford As the saying goes it's never to late to learn something. I found this quite interesting. Thank you for being alive to learn something on the internet and U Tube.

shows the importance of great teachers. My mum has been a teacher for 30 years and the amount of red tape schools have to go through, often set out by people who have never taught, is outstanding and sometimes counterproductive.

This guy knows how to hold lectures with people actually listening and it shows is experties in that exact field

Good lord I wish I had a professor with his level of interest and teaching. I never thought I'd watch an entire lecture outside of my education.

This is the guy in every natural disaster/apocalyptic movie that makes an earth-shattering discovery that no one pays attention to; everyone dismisses him because he's a philosophical lecturer with a hippie beard -- but then the main hero notices something off, investigates and finds him, and together they make up the brains/brawn duo that saves the day. Bada-bing bada-boom.

Been holding out on this one for a while. I see why this was recommended. This lecture is mind-opening.

I took this class two years ago and found myself rereading my notes from the class on my flight back home. Here I am watching the lectures again, this time not for a grade, but just as entertaining 🎉

mom would be so proud knowing me attended a Stanford (online) course, with 100% scholarship (bc it's free)

Limiting access to knowledge is how society breeds elitism. Thank you for posting this .

Ive watched his lectures for about 8 years. I am always reminded what a treasure the professor is.

I really enjoy watching this, he’s creative in his teachings. I hope there’s more instructors like you,

This would have to be the most appreciative comments section I have seen anywhere. Proof that most of us thirst for real knowledge because we are unsatiated by the daily sources of "knowledge". This professor nailed his role. Articulate, intelligent and witty while having an appearance that invites your attention. Best thing I have seen on RU-vid to date, solely for the good it passed on to so many people.

My dude gives stand up comedy routines and lectures simultaneously

While living and studying in North America, I was so lucky to have professors like Mr. Sapolsky. While I was working for HP, Stanford folks would come around regularly on our campus to offer many post graduate programs. I was too busy at work to take that on, but I was lucky enough to work with and work for some folks who had graduated from these programs. Some of the best people I ever worked with who had incredible level of understanding. The education system that makes such lectures possible makes a great nation, albeit with all it's short comings. I now live in South Asia and the quality of education is so poor it's beyond explanation. You have people who were 10 levels below mediocre, graduating and teaching at the same institution. It's pathetic.

I'd forgotten how much I love psychology and education. This is a wonderful course

Utterly astounding how he proceeds with his material as if it was prerecorded in his brain, and nonstop for one hour. I did also watch one of his lectures that went for 1 hour 22 minutes the same way. And he is very endearing because he is obliviously so brilliant yet I do not detect a large ego, only a sense of self confidence and gentle humor.

"If you can't explain something simply, that means you don't understand it yet." This guy can carry a conversation with an auditory tone, barely skipping a beat, and hold your hand the whole way without making you feel like you weren't listening. This is the best keynote speech of 'you're going to learn more about yourself than the text in the books provided' I've ever seen/heard.

I didn't have an opportunity to go to university but like the saying goes, he who wants to learn Will always find a teacher but in this matter the Stanford university has just given me the kindness that I didn't deserve but they only offered it for free.thank you so much from Zambia

This was a really good session zero. The approach makes sense and I'm convinced I'm going to enjoy this series.

"When you put up boundaries, you have trouble seeing how similar things are on either side of it" Damn

This is the best motivational speech I've heard in the last decade. "When you pay too much attention to boundaries, you don’t see the big picture. All you see are categories."

Thank you for sharing this content with people who were not lucky to attend those prestige colleges❤

This wonderfully articulates some points on empathy I preach that I have struggled to explain to others in the past. I’m definitely going to have to save the link to this; the next time I’m in a debate with someone trying to make the point to always lean towards the side of being kind to ourselves and others I’ll be sending them this :)

*me trying to watch something calm before sleep* The teacher: think about your death

If I had my ADHD diagnosis and a tutor with this passion 15 years ago, my life would be very different today.

What a great professor! Congratulations to you all that are able to attend his classes. You rock prof!!!

One of the most brilliant teachers I've ever heard and been privileged to listen to online keep up the good work these kind of things are going to help educate all of our young people I have kids and this is important for all of them 💯🧐🏁🙌🙏🥰😇😁

"Hippos would be repulsed by this" is my new favorite argument comeback