What you will study
Discovering psychology introduces the diversity and breadth of approaches in the discipline of psychology and the many different ways psychologists study the human mind and behaviour.
Discovering psychology has 30 weeks of study and two weeks set aside for holiday. The study weeks commence from the above start date, and you will need to set aside between eleven and fifteen hours of study time for each of these weeks.
The module is organised into three parts:
Part 1 explores why people do harm to others. Using this as an example, you’ll look at how human behaviour may be influenced by personality and situational factors, and the ways in which learning also plays a role.
Part 2 focuses on what determines human behaviour more widely, including the role of evolution and the importance of social relations. The topics you will cover include: What makes people change their behaviour? What is the basis of a child’s attachment to its caregivers? How important is friendship, especially in childhood?
Part 3 centres on a key question in psychology – how can we study psychological processes that cannot be directly observed, such as language, attention or memory?
The module is built around a textbook Investigating Psychology and a website containing activities and audio-visual material that will form part of your core study time. There is also an online study guide which will guide you through your studies.
The online material will extend your understanding of the topics and issues discussed in the book in a number of different ways:
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the audio-visual material picks up on specific questions addressed in each chapter
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the interactive exercises will develop your understanding of the research methods used in psychology and will help you consolidate your understanding of key psychological concepts
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the online activities 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.
You will learn
You will learn about:
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some of the topics that psychologists investigate
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how the research process develops from asking questions, through collecting evidence to evaluating the findings.
You will develop skills in:
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accessing and interpreting information
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constructing arguments
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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 reflect on a study pathway leading to personal and/or career goals.
Entry
This is a key introductory OU level 1 module. OU level 1 modules provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help you progress to level 2 study.
Although you can study this module on its own, it is designed to follow on from the 30-credit module Introducing the social sciences – part 1 (DD131). These two modules will be available for the last time in February 2014.
If your study goal is a degree in psychology, we strongly recommend that you start your studies with the 60-credit module Introducing the social sciences (DD102), which is currently the first module students study for that degree. This will prepare you for further studies in psychology, including our new 60-credit OU level 1 module Investigating psychology (DE100) available from October 2014.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
If you have a disability
This module 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.
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. Paper versions of the online study materials are available on request via the regional office. Also, audio CDs and a DVD of the audio and video materials can be ordered via a link on the StudentHome page.
Study materials
What's included
Textbook, other printed materials and website containing an online study guide, audio-visual material and activities.
You will need
As part of this module 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. Alternatively, you can request a DVD/CD of the video and audio files via StudentHome after the module start date – we will provide more details when you register.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study 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 module. 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 module 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.
The end-of-module assessment (EMA) must be submitted online via the eTMA system.