Drawing on a wide range of studies and some classic pieces of psychological research, this OU level 1 module provides an accessible and engaging introduction to the study of psychology. You'll explore the different ways in which psychologists investigate the human mind and behaviour, and find out how psychological research addresses real-life issues with an opportunity to conduct a psychological study of your own. You'll be provided with two textbooks and access to a comprehensive website containing an online study guide, audio-visual material and interactive activities which are designed to help you develop your knowledge and skills.
What you will study
Investigating psychology 1 introduces the diversity and breadth of approaches in the discipline of psychology and the many different ways psychologists study the human mind and behaviour. The module is organised into three parts with an introductory four-week block.
In the introduction, you'll learn about the topic of intelligence, and the various successes and failures in the attempt by psychologists to measure and assess human intellectual functioning. Using research on intelligence as an example this opening block introduces the main themes of the module and sets the scene for the rest of your study.
Part 1 explores why people harm 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. What makes people change their behaviour? What is the basis of a child’s attachment to caregivers? How important is friendship, especially in childhood? These are just some of the intriguing questions answered in this part.
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?
Throughout the module you'll learn about a variety of different research methods used by psychologists, and you will have an opportunity to conduct a psychological study of your own.
Supporting study materials
The module is built around two textbooks, Investigating Psychology and Investigating Methods, and a website containing activities and audio-visual material that will form part of your core study time. There is also a booklet, Investigating Intelligence, which you will engage with in the first four weeks of the module. Throughout the module, you will be provided with an online study guide.
The online material will extend your understanding of the topics and issues discussed in the books in a number of ways, for example:
- the audio-visual material picks up on specific questions addressed in each chapter
- 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
- the online activities will help you develop the skills needed for your own learning.
The website also provides resources on how psychology is used in a range of workplaces and careers.
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
- managing your time effectively.
You will also have the opportunity to reflect on how these skills could be applied to a variety of different settings.
Entry
This is an 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 OU level 2 study. Although you may study this module on its own, we recommend that you start your studies with Introducing the social sciences (DD102).
To see a taster of some of the module content please go to our OpenLearn site.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying DE100 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
Study materials
What's included
You'll receive hardcopies of two textbooks and a module map. You’ll also have access to a module website, which includes:
- a week-by-week study planner and study guide
- online activities
- audio and video materials
- forums
- collaborative activities
- assessment guidance and assignments.
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 desktop or laptop computer with either:
- Windows 64-bit (10 or 11)
- macOS (Ventura or higher)
- 3GB 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 module websites comply with web standards and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.
Our OU Study mobile App will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It's not available on Kindle.
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 aim to provide online tutorials and recordings of these will typically be made available. While you’re not obliged to attend any of these tutorials, you are strongly encouraged to take part.
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 the facts box above.
You must use the online eTMA system to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs).
You must also submit your end-of-module assessment (EMA) online.
Future availability
Investigating psychology 1 starts twice a year – in February and October. This page describes the module that will start in October 2022 and February 2023 when we expect it to start for the last time. A replacement module is planned for October 2023.
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.