Discovering psychology
On this page
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | 1 Interactive computer-marked assignment (iCMA) |
| End-of-course assessment | No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
How much influence does personality have on the actions we take and beliefs we hold? How does personality work together with the world around us to shape our behaviour? How do other people affect our behaviour? What goes on in the brain when we use language or attend to the world around us? This course will introduce you to the different ways in which psychologists investigate these and other questions, and will show you how psychological research addresses real-life issues. You will be provided with a course book and also engaging with audio-visual material and numerous interactive, online activities.
Course content
Discovering psychology introduces the diversity and breadth of approaches in the discipline of psychology and the many different ways psychologists study human behaviour. You will find that it also offers an ideal preparation for Level 2 study, whether this is in psychology or another discipline.
The course is organised into three blocks. The first three chapters of the course book, Discovering Psychology, make up the first block. It uses the example of ‘aggression’ to explore how human behaviour may be influenced by personality and situational factors, and the ways in which learning also plays a role.
The second block, and next three chapters of the book, focuses on what determines human behaviour more widely, including the role of evolution and the importance of social relations.
The third block, made up of the final three chapters, centres on the internal processes of the brain. It considers the relationship between the brain and language, the processes involved in attention and the limitations of human memory.
The course website contains activities and audio-visual material that will form part of your core study time. It also features an online study guide which will guide you through the course. The material on the course website will extend your understanding of the topics and issues discussed in the book in a number of different ways. Firstly, it allows you to access relevant audio-visual material that picks up on specific questions addressed in each chapter. Secondly, on the website you will find interactive exercises that will develop your understanding of psychological research methodology and that will help you consolidate your understanding of key psychological concepts. Finally, the website contains activities that will help you develop the skills needed for your own learning. The website also provides guidance on further study, and resources on how psychology is used in a range of workplaces and careers.
The course materials are specially designed to help you grasp basic psychological concepts, build your knowledge of research methods and develop your study skills.
You will need to study for about eleven to fifteen hours a week for this six-month course.
You will learn
You will learn about:
- some of the topics that psychologists investigate
- how the research process develops from asking questions, through collecting evidence to evaluating the findings.
You will develop skills in:
- accessing and interpreting information
- constructing arguments
- presenting and communicating information.
You will develop the skill of managing your time effectively by organising your work to meet a schedule. You will also have the opportunity to plan a study pathway leading to personal and/or career goals.
Entry
Level 1 courses provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help you progress to courses at Level 2.
You are strongly advised to start your OU studies with a Level 1 course. This course has been designed to be taken after the 30-point course Introducing the social sciences - part one (DD131) (or the 60-point course Introducing the social sciences (DD101), or alternatively the 30-point science course Introducing health sciences: a case study approach (SDK125).
If the BSc (Honours) Psychology (B07) is your study goal, we strongly recommend that you take Discovering psychology as part of your Level 1 study.
If you have not studied before or you studied a long time ago, there is an Openings course, Starting with psychology (Y163). This Openings course has lots of support and no exams, giving you a gradual introduction to psychology and the world of studying. You may want to consider doing this course before taking any of the Level 1 combinations suggested above.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
DSE141 is an optional course in our
- BA/BSc (Honours) Social Sciences (B06)
- BA/BSc (Honours) European Studies (B10)
- BA (Honours) Childhood and Youth Studies (B23)
- BA (Honours) Philosophy and Psychological Studies (B43)
- BA (Honours) Politics, Philosophy and Economics (B45)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Criminology and Psychological Studies (B48)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Social Policy and Criminology (B57)
- Certificate of Higher Education in Social Sciences (C95)
- Certificate of Higher Education in Humanities (C98)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Social Sciences (E50)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and scientific, diagrammatic and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the printed course materials can be provided on request. Other alternative formats of the course materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
This course includes a website and the use of tools such as online activities and audio-visual files. If you use specialist software or hardware to assist you in using a personal computer or the internet and have any concerns about accessing this type of material you are advised to talk to the Student Registration & Enquiry Service about support which can be given to meet your needs.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course book, other printed materials and course website containing an online study guide, audio-visual material and activities.
You will need
As part of this course you will need to watch short online videos, listen to audio files and participate in online activities. For this reason we recommend broadband access to the internet (a 512kbps service is adequate). However, you can study this course if you use dial-up (56kbps), but you will need to be patient when watching video or listening to audio. Alternatively, you can request a DVD/CD of the video and audio files via StudentHome – we will provide more details when you register.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We will offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. You will be notified by your national or regional centre about your tutor and available tutorials. We will also offer online tutorials that you are encouraged to participate in.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You can choose whether to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) on paper or online through the eTMA system. You may want to use the eTMA system for some of your assignments but submit on paper for others. This is entirely your choice.
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in November 2010 and May 2011. We expect it to be available twice a year, in May and November.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Psychology and Social Sciences.
Study explained
- Course
- - a module of study that can count towards a qualification.
- Credit points
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
- Level
- - indicates how difficult a course is. Undergraduate study starts at Level 1.
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
Got a question?
Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90
Browse the prospectus
Request a print prospectus
Share
This PageThe University wishes to emphasise that, while every effort is made to regularly update this site, the material on it is subject to alteration or amendment in the light of changes in regulations or in policy or of financial or other necessity.