Starting with psychology
On this page
Why do people behave in certain ways? What’s going on in other people’s minds? What influences our thoughts, feelings, abilities and behaviour? This course introduces key ideas in psychology. You’ll consider how aspects of our biology, ways of thinking, important relationships, and social identity combine to make us who we are; how psychologists gather their evidence; and the type of work that psychologists can do. This Openings course gently introduces you to OU study – ideal if you’re a beginner or returning to study. It also provides an opportunity to try out learning online; the perfect way to gain the basic computing skills you’ll need for the next step in your studies.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Psychology and Social Sciences.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | Y183 |
| Credits | 15 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| 1 Interactive computer-marked assignment (iCMA) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
What you will study
Starting with psychology introduces key psychological concepts and develops your knowledge of the way psychologists work. Whether you are thinking of further study in psychology or are simply interested in finding out about this fascinating and challenging subject, this course has much to offer.
A central feature of the course is its exploration of psychology from different viewpoints. Throughout the course, you’ll focus on the psychology of happiness, examining this topic from each viewpoint. The course uses interesting and varied examples to help you get to grips with the subject while at the same time developing the skills you need to become a confident learner.
How can investigating damaged brains increase our knowledge of healthy brain functioning? You’ll look at several case studies of people who have experienced some form of brain damage and consider any subsequent changes in their behaviour.
How do we think and how do we organise our thoughts? The way that we take in and manipulate information from the world about us can affect the way that we understand our world and can influence our feelings and behaviour.
How are we influenced by our relationships with people who are important in our lives? You’ll consider the impact of early relationships between babies and their main carers, and then the important features of later friendships and romantic partnerships.
How do the roles we play and the groups we belong to shape who we are? We play many roles throughout our lives and can belong to a number of different groups ranging in size from just a few people to large cultural groups.
You will complete your study of psychology with two more chapters on the website. You’ll look at what methods psychologists use to conduct their research, and how psychologists apply the knowledge gathered from their research in areas such as education, crime and work. You will also have the opportunity to gain skills such as working with podcasts, using online forums and searching the internet for information relating to the subject. This experience will provide you with a gentle introduction to using a computer to support your study, and will equip you with the basic computing skills you will need for the next step in your studies.
You only need to use a computer for the last part of the course once you've completed the book, so if you don’t currently have one you’ve plenty of time to make arrangements. You can use your own computer or one at a library or drop-in centre. Please note that you can study and pass this course if you don’t have access to the internet and a computer.
Entry
Like all Openings courses, this course is ideal if you’re a beginner or returning to study, and we will help you to develop your study skills and become a confident learner.
The study materials have been prepared with the needs of new learners in mind. No special knowledge or previous experience of studying is required. Taking examples from everyday life, this course enables you to use your general knowledge and interests and gradually build up to degree-level study. You will develop key study skills such as time management, note-taking, reading for study purposes and reflection on your own learning.
This course would be ideal preparation if you are interested in going on to study the 60-credit Level 1 course Introducing the social sciences (DD101).
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable 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 or foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. The printed study materials are available on audio in DAISY Digital Talking Book format. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you opt to do the online element of this course you will need to make use of a personal computer and the internet. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in operating a computer or have concerns about accessing the type of material outlined, talk to the Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering about the 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 publication Meeting Your Needs.
You can also find information about accessible study 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.
Study materials
What's included
Course books,DVD and a website where you can access the online resources.
Digital copies (PDFs) of most materials, and transcripts of the DVD can be found on the website. Transcripts are also available on the DVD itself if it is accessed through a computer.
You will need
Access to a telephone (preferably a landline) for contact with your tutor; and the equipment to play and watch a video DVD e.g. a television and DVD player or a personal computer with DVD-ROM.
You will need access to the internet and a computer if you study the last two chapters of this course or if you wish to receive and send email and use our online services.
Computing requirements
This course includes optional, online, computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
To take part in the online activities you will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2005 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 keep in touch by a combination of telephone, written correspondence and, if you want, email. There are no face-to-face tutorials; all tutorials are conducted between the individual student and their tutor on the telephone. Your tutor will help you to plan your work and to think about the ideas explored in the course. Your tutor will also comment on and help you with your written work. At the end of the course you will discuss your progress with your tutor, and you will work together to review your learning.
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) and end-of-module assessment (EMA) 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.
The iCMA (interactive computer-marked assignment) needs to be submitted online.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The course starts four times a year, in September, November, March and June. Each course lasts for a maximum of 20 weeks.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Psychology and Social Sciences.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | Y183 |
| Credits | 15 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| 1 Interactive computer-marked assignment (iCMA) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Student Reviews
An excellent course to start with. The topics are really interesting and I appreciated all the study skills help within ...
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I really enjoyed this course and was so glad I took it. The tutor support was brilliant which made the ...
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