This module takes an integrative approach, focusing on the everyday questions that psychology can help us to answer. Why do we help one another? Do you see what I see? How do we know what’s right? Investigating how we understand others and the world around us, the module draws on biological, cognitive, developmental and social research in psychology to help you answer questions such as these. You'll also learn how to design and conduct your own research, covering a number of different methods for gathering and analysing evidence on psychological processes.
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03 Oct 2020 |
Jun 2021 |
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Registration closes 10/09/20 (places subject to availability) Click to register
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This module is expected to start for the last time in October 2024.
What you will study
This module draws on the four core areas of biological, cognitive, developmental and social research in psychology to investigate how we understand others and the world around us. Individual differences and conceptual and historical issues in psychology (CHIPS) will be taught throughout the module within the context of these four core areas. The module also provides training and practice in a variety of psychological research methods.
The interactive online study guide leads you, week by week, through a series of everyday questions such as: Why do we help one another? Do you see what I see? Why do I feel this way? How do we know what’s right? It is divided into three main blocks and is designed to take you on a journey through the four core areas mentioned above, exploring their distinctive and overlapping contributions.
Block 1 starts with some fundamental concepts in social psychology and leads to the cognitive approaches to understanding the social world.
Block 2 begins with cognitive investigations of perception and attention and takes you on to biological understandings of the brain and behaviour.
In Block 3, you'll begin with the basic biological processes at birth and move through the lifespan to learn about developmental approaches to psychology.
The module is designed to highlight work that crosses the boundaries between the four core areas; for example, by employing concepts or methods developed in one area of research to help us understand psychological problems that have been mainly studied in another.
You'll also learn how to design and conduct your own research, covering a number of different methods for gathering and analysing evidence on psychological processes. This module builds on the methods, knowledge and skills that you gained from the OU level 1 module Investigating psychology 1 (DE100). It will also prepare you for your independent project work in the OU level 3 module Investigating psychology 3 (DE300). Your understanding of various research methods will be widened and have opportunities to further develop your skills. There will be a strong focus on practical methods, including various approaches to data collection as well as analysis (e.g. using statistical software).
You'll conduct and write up two mini projects which will develop and assess your quantitative and qualitative research skills in experimental and text-based research methods. You will also be assessed through two interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs), a poster, a collaborative assignment and an integrative essay. The module finishes with a partly seen examination.
If you are considering progressing to Investigating psychology 3 (DE300), normally you should have completed this module.
Entry
This module is not available for standalone study; it can only be studied as part of a psychology qualification.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Qualifications
DE200 is a compulsory module in our:
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with an adviser before registering.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying DE200 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Study materials
What's included
You'll be provided with three text books, statistical analysis software (SPSS) and have access to a module website which includes:
- a week-by-week study planner
- module materials
- audio-visual content
- assessment guide
- online tutorials and forums
- links for further study.
Computing requirements
A computing device with a browser and broadband internet access is required for this module. Any modern browser will be suitable for most computer activities. Mobile devices and computing devices that do not meet the specs listed below, including Chromebook laptops or tablets running the Linux -based Chrome OS as its operating system, will not be able to install or run the SPSS statistics software required and thus are not suitable for parts of this module. Inability to use SPSS will prevent you from passing the module.
Additional software will be provided, including the SPSS statistics program. For this reason, you will need to be able to install and run this software on a device that meets the requirements below.
A desktop or laptop computer with either:
- an up-to-date version of Windows.
- Mac OS X 10.7 or higher operating system
- 2GB hard drive free space and 4GB of RAM
The screen of the device must have a resolution of at least 1024 pixels horizontally and 768 pixels vertically.
To join in the spoken conversation in our online rooms we recommend a headset (headphones or earphones with an integrated microphone).
Our Skills for OU study website has further information including computing skills for study, computer security, acquiring a computer and Microsoft software offers for students.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You'll be assigned a tutor who will give you advice and guidance throughout the module. They will help you with the study materials, as well as mark and comment on your written assignments. Your tutor will offer online group tutorials or day schools in which you are encouraged to participate. Your tutor will also support you with the activities and collaborative work.
Contact us 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 box above.
You must use the online eTMA system to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs).
Professional recognition
This is one of the core modules in our British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited degrees in psychology.
Students also studied
Students who studied this module also studied at some time:
Future availability
Investigating psychology 2 starts once a year – in October. This page describes the module that will start in October 2020. We expect it to start for the last time in October 2024.
How to register
To register a place on this module return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our
Student Policies and Regulations website.