BSc (Honours) Psychology

As psychology is the study and science of human behaviour, it touches every aspect
of our lives. This degree explores key questions around why we do the things we do
and how we interact with others. You’ll explore how psychologists use research
evidence to contribute to debates on forensic science, mental health, relationships,
child development, employment and much more. You’ll gain knowledge and
understanding of different areas of psychology; develop valuable analytical and
communication skills; and enhance your ability to work both independently and
collaboratively. This will put you in a strong position when it comes to employment
opportunities.

Key features of the course

 Build your knowledge and understanding of a broad range of core topics in
psychology
 Options allow you to focus on child psychology, counselling, forensic
psychology, mental health, or sports psychology
 Can be the first step towards professional accreditation as a psychologist
 Gain valuable analytical and communication skills that will enhance your
employability

We also offer a Diploma of Higher Education in Psychology (W45) that is the same in
structure as the first two-thirds of this degree; similarly our Certificate of Higher
Education in Psychology (T22) corresponds to the first third.

Course details
This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

 At Stage 1 you can choose between an introduction to the social sciences or

childhood studies. You’ll follow this with your first core psychology module.
 At Stage 2, you’ll have a choice of optional modules covering a range of applied
psychology topics relevant to specific real-world issues and problems. You'll
complete this stage with a second core psychology module which covers key
psychological knowledge and both research and practical skills.
 At Stage 3 you can specialise in sports psychology, developmental psychology, social
psychology, or forensic and counselling psychology. Your final core psychology
module will include an independent research project.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

In Stage 1 you’ll be introduced to some of the big topics in psychology and the academic
skills for successful study. You’ll start with one of two options – a core social science module
covering criminology, sociology and other related areas; or a broad introduction to
interdisciplinary childhood studies. Both will set the scene for your first core psychology
module which explores the different ways that psychologists investigate how we think and
behave, and considers how academic research can be applied in real-life settings.
 Modules Credits

You’ll start your degree with one from:

Introducing the social sciences (DD102) 60

Introduction to childhood studies and child psychology (E102) 60

You’ll complete Stage 1 with:

Investigating psychology 1 (DE100) 60

Stage 2 (120 credits)

At Stage 2 you’ll begin to explore the areas of psychology that most interest you – choosing
from options such as child psychology, counselling, and sports psychology. You’ll complete
this stage with a compulsory module that draws on the four core areas of biological,
cognitive, developmental and social psychology to investigate how we understand others
and the world around us. You'll also learn about a wide variety of research methods used to
explore these issues and undertake your own supervised research projects.

Modules Credits

You’ll choose 60 credits from:

Counselling: exploring fear and sadness (D240) 30

Living psychology: from the everyday to the extraordinary (DD210) 60

Psychology of childhood and youth (E219) 60

Sport and exercise psychology: a case study approach (E233) 30

The science of the mind: investigating mental health (SDK228) 30

You’ll complete Stage 2 with:

Investigating psychology 2 (DE200) 60

Stage 3 (120 credits)

At Stage 3 you’ll choose from exploring the relationship between counselling and
forensic psychology; the psychology of sport and exercise; social psychological issues
such as gender, multiculturalism, immigration, global conflicts and work; and
research methods with children and young people. In the final module you'll further
explore the questions psychologists ask and the methods they choose to answer them,
and you’ll complete your degree with an independent research project.
 Modules Credits

You’ll choose one from:

Exploring psychological aspects of athletic development (E313) 60

Issues in research with children and young people (EK313) 60

Advancing social psychology (DD317) 60

Counselling and forensic psychology: investigating crime and therapy (DD310) 60

You’ll complete your degree with:

Investigating psychology 3 (DE300) 60

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this

page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change
over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as
possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable,
we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more
about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the
curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last
updated on 25 October 2018.

Accessibility

We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive

range of services to support all our students. The BSc (Honours) Psychology uses a
variety of study materials and has the following elements:

 studying a mixture of printed and online material – online learning resources may
include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online
quizzes
 using mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques
 working in a group with other students
 using and producing diagrams or screenshots
 undertaking practical work
 finding external/third party material online
 using specialist software (for example SPSS software for statistical analysis).

For more detailed information, see the Accessibility Statements on individual module
descriptions. If you feel you may need additional support with any of the elements
above, visit our Disability support website to find more about what we offer. Please
contact us as soon as possible to discuss your individual requirements, so we can put
arrangements in place before you start.
Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:

 Knowledge and understanding

 Cognitive skills
 Practical and professional skills
 Key skills

The level and depth of your learning gradually increases as you work through the
qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching
and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your
work; top quality course texts; e-learning resources like podcasts, interactive media
and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.

Read the detailed learning outcomes here

Credit transfer

If you have already studied at university level, you may be able to count it towards
your Open University qualification – which could save you time and money by
reducing the number of modules you need to study. At the OU we call this credit
transfer.

It’s not just university study that can be considered, you can also transfer study from a
wide range of professional or vocational qualifications such as HNCs and HNDs.

You should apply for credit transfer before you register, at least 4 weeks before the
registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where and when
and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.

For more details of when you will need to apply by and to download an application
form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

Classification of your degree

On successfully completing this undergraduate course, you'll be awarded the BSc

(Honours) Psychology degree. You'll have the opportunity to attend a degree
ceremony.

The class of degree (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) depends
on your grades at Stages 2 and 3.
Recognition in your country

If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake
further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended
qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Read recognition in
my country.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the
qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are
available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

 BSc (Honours) Psychology

On to 'Entry requirements'

Recognition in my country
An Open University degree has the same status as one from any top UK university,
and degrees awarded are comparable with those awarded by other UK universities.

Recognition outside the UK may differ, however.

We recommend erring on the side of caution: if you intend to use your Open
University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, then
check whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your
chosen career before you enrol.

We mention this because official recognition of qualifications gained outside the

country in which you wish to work or study isn’t always straightforward.

For example, you might intend to use your Open University degree as a professional
qualification for finding work - but membership of a professional body or professional
status might also be required. In such cases, you’ll need to find out whether your
chosen degree will allow entry to the next qualifying stage.

You’re best advised to check your Open University study plan with the appropriate
professional body in the country where you intend to work, prior to enrolling.

Happily, many employers and organisations worldwide do employ Open University

graduates and understand that an OU degree is equal in academic standard to a degree
from any other British university. See what industry says.

For further guidance, read our leaflet about recognition (PDF 313kb) of The Open
University qualifications outside the UK.
Introducing the social sciences
Qualification dates

Start End

02 Feb 2019 Sep 2019

This key introductory OU level 1 module provides an ideal introduction to the social
sciences – psychology, social policy and criminology, geography and environment,
politics and international studies, economics and sociology. You’ll explore a wide
range of topics which shape the nature of contemporary UK society; from questions
of identity, inequalities and differences to consumerism and environment, and issues
of social order, disorder and governance. Using a blend of text, audio, video and
online materials, you’ll be equipped with a range of skills for independent study and
for your personal and working life.

What you will study

Introducing the social sciences provides an accessible and contemporary introduction
to the social sciences and the questions and issues that social scientists investigate and
explore. It is an ideal entry-level module for a range of social science and related
qualifications.

The module begins with The Life and Times of the Street as a window into a range of
social issues which social scientists are interested in exploring. In addition to
providing the starting point for the three questions that form the teaching strands to
this module, the street is regarded as a place that provokes questions and issues which
you will return to at various points during your study. By exploring the street, this
module aims to show you how social life is being made and remade in the
contemporary UK.

The three module-wide questions are:

 How is society made and remade? This asks how people make society in their
relations with one another and with the world around them, and how, in turn,
society shapes people.
 How are differences and inequalities produced? People making and being shaped by
society generate differences between and inequalities among groups and individuals
– you will discover where these come from and how they change
 How do we know? This sets out how social scientists investigate and answer
questions about society.

You'll explore social science answers to these questions by looking at the following
three strands of study:
Making lives
This addresses questions about how people make and remake their lives but not in
circumstances of their own choosing. Through a focus on consumerism and shopping,
power and markets, you will explore how social lives are made and remade, how
individuals’ identities and sense of self are shaped by their relationship with other
people and with objects. In addition, you will examine the constraints and
opportunities that impact upon people’s ability to belong to a consumer society.

Connecting lives
The second strand is about the various ways that individuals and their social lives are
made and remade through connections to, and disconnections from, other people and
places, plus how they see themselves, see others and where they live. A key focus will
be on the insights both psychologists and sociologists can bring to an examination of
questions of identity in relation to personal and social lives, issues of class, gender,
race and disability and issues around our connections to place and migration.

Ordering lives
The final strand explores some of the different ways in which social life is ordered
and governed through the rules, norms and expectations people have of one another in
day-to-day interaction. You will discover how these are made and remade; how does
social order and ordering vary in time and place; and how is social order contested,
challenged and sometimes broken. In this strand you will explore the relationship
between social order and disorder beginning at the level of the neighbourhood and
finishing with an examination of the role played by political authorities (governments
and states) in defining and attempting to govern order and disorder.

You will learn

You will learn:

 the nature of the social sciences and the ways they develop through a process of
questions, arguments, evidence and evaluation
 some key issues and debates at the centre of life in the contemporary UK.

You’ll develop an awareness of a range of different disciplinary approaches in the

social sciences and you will gain confidence and skills in:

 studying and accessing information from a range of sources

 constructing arguments
 reading, interpreting and evaluating evidence
 presenting and communicating ideas and information in a variety of formats
 managing your time
 communicating effectively
 learning from feedback
 reflecting on your own learning.

Entry requirements
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 modules at OU level 2.

Introducing the social sciences is available for standalone study and is an ideal
starting point if you are considering going on to study one of our qualifications in
social sciences. Its interdisciplinary approach to the social sciences and its integrated
teaching of key study and skills will give you a firm foundation for further study.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.

What's included
Two module text books, audio, video and online activities delivered via the module
website.

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.
Functionality may be limited on mobile devices.

Any additional software will be provided, or is generally freely available. However,

some activities may have more specific requirements. For this reason, you will need
to be able to install and run additional software on a device that meets the
requirements below.

A desktop or laptop computer with either:

 Windows 7 or higher
 macOS 10.7 or higher

The screen of the device must have a resolution of at least 1024 pixels horizontally
and 768 pixels vertically.

To participate in our online-discussion area you will need both a microphone and
speakers/headphones.

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 will have a tutor who will help you with the study materials and mark and
comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. If
you are new to the OU, you will find that your tutor is particularly concerned to help
you with your study methods.

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. In addition, there will also be the possibility of online tutorials and day
schools.

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.

If you have a disability

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and
this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying DD102 involves. You should use
this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about
how we can meet your needs.

Future availability
Introducing the social sciences starts twice a year – in February and October. This
page describes the module that will start in October 2018 and February 2019. We
expect it to start for the last time in February 2024.

« Back to BSc (Honours) Psychology description

Introduction to childhood studies and

child psychology
What influences children’s development? How is childhood changing? How
important are society and culture in understanding this change? This introductory
module offers a fascinating insight into the lives of children and young people. It
brings together approaches from anthropology, sociology and psychology, to provide
a complete account of some of the complex influences that shape children’s
experiences. You will investigate topics central to the lives of children and young
people, from birth to 18 years, and explore their emotional, physical, intellectual,
social and cultural development. You’ll be introduced to these thought-provoking
topics through audio, video and interactive online materials.
What you will study
This online module will be attractive to anyone with an interest in, and concern for
children and young people, including those who work with children and who want to
learn more about contemporary theories and research in this area. The module offers
an inter-disciplinary approach to study the lives of children and young people,
drawing on research and theories from childhood studies and child psychology. This
inter-disciplinary perspective is broader than mainstream psychology modules and is
designed to introduce you to different ways of understanding childhood and children’s
lives. The content is divided equally between sociology, anthropology, psychology,
social policy and core study skills. There are four blocks, each comprising 6 weeks of
supported study.

Block 1 introduces an interdisciplinary approach to the study of childhood by

comparing the different perspectives from childhood studies and child psychology.
The units will consider some of the complex influences that shape children’s lives and
the role of educational research with children.

Block 2 considers early social and emotional development with a focus on supporting
the lives of children. There is a particular focus on policies around parenting and
families, protecting and supporting children in a digital world and on promoting the
welfare of children in today’s challenging society.

Block 3 addresses issues around diversity and examines how children’s lives are
shaped by particular social and cultural ideologies. These units will introduce you to a
range of core issues which include ethnicity, religion, international childhoods and
disability and how these factors can impact on the lives of children and young people.

Block 4 discusses some of the tensions involved in becoming an adult and some of the
obstacles that many children face during this transitional period. These units include
the effects of commercialisation in the teenage years, issues around gender and
sexuality; supporting young people’s mental health and psychological wellbeing; and
the transition into adolescence.

In addition to the set text, there is a range of interactive online activities throughout
the module to support your learning and to develop your understanding of policy
issues. These focus on responses to critical issues in children and young people’s lives
and discuss topics around children’s rights, safeguarding children, parenting practices,
children’s psychological wellbeing and mental health. The audio and video resources
support the set text in a number of ways. They will provide further background to
some of the theoretical issues raised within the module as well as providing personal
accounts from experts, parents, children and young people themselves on a range of
important topics.

Entry requirements
There are no formal academic or experiential requirements to study this module.

If you're not sure you're ready talk to an adviser.

Preparatory work
If you would like to learn more about childhood studies, we highly recommend
reading Kehily, M. J., An Introduction to Childhood Studies (3rd edn, Open
University Press, 2015). This book gives an excellent and very accessible summary of
the field of childhood studies.

Investigating psychology 1
Qualification dates

Start End

26 Jan 2019 Sep 2019

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 will 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 will 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 will 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 Investigating psychology 1 and sets the scene for
the rest of your study.

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. 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 will learn also 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 different ways:

 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 requirements
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.

Counselling: exploring fear and sadness

Fear and sadness are the most common problems that people seek counselling for.
This module introduces you to the ways in which they have been understood: as
'mental health problems'; by different forms of individual therapy; and by approaches
that focus on the family, the social group, or society. While the module is primarily
academic, you’ll develop awareness of counselling skills, processes and techniques.
The main sections of the module cover: historical developments in understanding fear
and sadness; key individual counselling approaches; approaches that consider
relationships and cultural aspects of human suffering; and the practice and evaluation
of counselling.

What you will study

There has been tremendous growth in counselling since the late 1980s, with huge
numbers of people seeking help in individual counselling, in group therapy and
through related 'self-help' books. Fear and sadness (often classed as 'anxiety' and
‘depression’ if they are diagnosed) are the most common 'mental disorders' in Britain,
with a combined prevalence of 15 per cent diagnosed each year. In recent years, many
celebrities and authors have documented their own struggles with these difficulties,
decreasing some of the stigma that has surrounded them. Related to this, there has
been a significant growth in counselling over the last twenty years; this is likely to
continue with further recognition of the need for counselling across a number of
arenas (NHS, voluntary sector, education, business) and the current economic state of
the nation.

Counselling: exploring fear and sadness is designed to chart the relationship between
the counselling profession and the emotions of fear and sadness. It covers the ways in
which these types of human distress have been understood and treated in the past and
how they are currently conceptualised and worked with in the counselling profession.
The module traces the history of counselling and therapy from their origins in
industrialisation and secularisation, through the development of psychoanalysis, the
medical diagnosis and treatment of emotional difficulties, and the recent expansion of
the counselling profession and proliferation of approaches.

A story is woven through the main branches of individual therapy (psychodynamic,

humanistic/existential and cognitive-behavioural) to illustrate how fear and sadness
have largely been located in people's ways of viewing and thinking about the world.
You will be encouraged to build your own understanding of how these issues may be
best understood and worked with through comparing differing key approaches and
attempts that have been made to synthesise them. In addition, a critical stance towards
the 'individualisation' of problems in counselling is presented through consideration of
fear and sadness at the level of the relationship (such as the couple or family), the
group, and the society we live in. Key threads are drawn out such as explaining fear
and sadness as located in individual perceptions or in real-world social problems, and
understanding them at a psychosocial and/or biological level.

While this an OU level 2 module is primarily academic, you will be encouraged to

apply what you are reading to your own life, the lives of others and your own practice
(if appropriate) through the inclusion of reflective exercises and case studies to
demonstrate the similarities and differences between different approaches. You will
be taken through the process of counselling, the ways in which the relationship is used
within therapy, the balance between listening and offering interpretations in various
approaches, and the use of specific techniques. Through this material, and related
exercises, skills in counselling practice are further developed. Research evidence on
the outcomes and process of therapy is also introduced and discussed, along with
skills in understanding and interpreting research findings, encouraging you to
consider how counselling, and other common ways of treating fear and sadness, might
usefully be evaluated.

The module is taught primarily through a textbook and online via the module website.
Counselling skills are also introduced through specially produced audio-visual
materials and by practising self-directed activities. Tutorials are offered to further
support you in your learning.

Entry requirements
This is an OU level 2 module that provides core subject knowledge and study skills. It
builds on the themes covered in the OU level 1 module Introduction to counselling
(D171) (now discontinued), but it is not a requirement to study this OU level 1
module first. If you are new to study at university level, or haven't studied for some
time, we strongly recommend that you study an OU level 1 module first.

As this module can lead to a professionally recognised qualification in counselling,

and due to some aspects of the course content and activities, entry is only open to
students over the age of eighteen at module start date. To see some of the module
content please go to our OpenLearn site.

Although we support students in the learning of this subject, please note that your
tutor is not there to help with your own life or personal difficulties. This is not a
function that this module can fulfil.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.

Living psychology: from the everyday to

the extraordinary
This module draws on classic and contemporary theory and research in psychology
and applies them to a broad range of contexts. You will learn how psychologists have
studied both practical and theoretical issues, such as nationalism or sexuality, with a
particular emphasis on understanding and solving problems that directly affect
people’s lives. You will explore core academic areas of psychology as set out by the
British Psychological Society (e.g. social, cognitive, developmental) and applied
aspects of professional practice (e.g. clinical, forensic, counselling). You will also
develop your understanding of psychological research methods, along with other
useful academic and employability skills.

Please note that the real-world contexts explored in this module may involve issues
that are sensitive to you personally at time of studying. We recommend that you look
through the topics covered before registering for this module.

What you will study

Living psychology: from the everyday to the extraordinary approaches psychology as
a fundamentally applied discipline, firmly grounded in the real world.

Each study week takes a specific real-world topic and leads you through some of the
ways that psychologists have explored it, outlining key theories, findings, practical
issues, and research methods. Some of the real-world contexts explored in this module
may involve issues that are sensitive to you personally. The issues to be covered will
be outlined before the topic is presented, together with suggested ways in which you
might engage with it if it is personally relevant to you.

The module is structured into five blocks, with four topics in each.

Block 1 explores the theme of ‘understanding minds’. In this block you will learn how
people are able to understand each other’s thoughts and feelings, whether this ability
is shared by other animals, what happens when people have difficulty understanding
each other, and whether it might be possible to build an artificial ‘mind’ that would
think and feel like a human mind.

Block 2 moves on from the individual focus of Block 1 to consider how people relate
to others as social beings. In this block you will learn about the importance of self-
esteem and the effect that other people can have on it, how problems can arise and be
resolved in intimate relationships, how social interactions can affect creativity, and
how issues of nationality and migration can affect people’s identities, both as groups
and individuals.

Block 3 shifts the focus from the social world to people’s interactions with the
physical world. In this block you will learn about how psychologists have defined the
‘self’, including the role of the physical body on the sense of self. You will also learn
about the effect that the surrounding environment, both ‘natural’ and human-made,
can have on people’s physical and mental health, and how psychology can help to
address environmental issues such as climate change.

Block 4 considers how people make sense of the world around them. In this block you
will learn how people develop an understanding of the information provided by their
physical senses, and how that understanding can be both highly efficient and often
wrong. You will also learn why many people believe in things that seem
extraordinary, such as astrological predictions, psychic readings and conspiracy
theories.

Block 5 focuses on four important, and contemporary, issues that psychologists have
explored and problems that they have tried to help solve. In this block you will learn
about the psychology of extreme circumstances such as living through traumatic
events; you will explore historical and current psychological theories on human sex
and sexuality; you’ll find out about the growing area of internet psychology, including
problems such as trolling and cyber-bullying; and you’ll take an evaluative approach
to the ‘self-help’ industry.

Throughout the module, you will also learn about a wide variety of research methods
that have been used by psychologists to explore these issues. The methods covered
include surveys, interviews, experiments, clinical assessments, and case studies.

The module is built around a two-volume textbook Living Psychology: From the
Everyday to the Extraordinary and an extensive module website built around an
online study guide. The website contains further teaching to support the chapters in
the textbook, as well as additional topics taught entirely online. The teaching on the
website includes video and audio interviews with key psychologists featured in the
material, behind the scenes insights into the research process, and a variety of
interactive activities to help develop and consolidate your knowledge. You will also
spend some of your study time using online resources from The Open University
library.

You will learn

You will learn about:

 academic and applied areas of psychology, including aspects of cognitive,

developmental, social, clinical, counselling and forensic psychology
 the interaction between real-world issues and psychological theories and research.

You will develop skills in:

 accessing, interpreting and critically evaluating information from a variety of sources

 presenting information and arguments in response to academic and applied
questions.

Entry requirements
This is an OU level 2 module and you need to have the study skills needed for both
higher education and distance learning, obtained either through OU level 1 study, or
by doing equivalent work at another university. You are not expected to have any
special knowledge of psychology.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Psychology of childhood and youth
This module explores key themes in the development of children through the early
years, middle childhood and into adolescence, covering attachment, identity,
emotions, representation and communication. The module integrates a range of
approaches from developmental psychology and childhood studies, and makes
extensive use of audio and video material, including a number of specially made
documentary films. The module will be of interest to students of psychology, early
years, and childhood and youth, and any student interested in theories and
contemporary research in developmental psychology, including the influences of
family and culture.

What you will study

The module combines material on developmental psychology integrated with
childhood and youth studies, making it attractive across a number of discipline areas.

The module covers aspects of developmental psychology that are not available in the
core psychology qualification. It will appeal to a large proportion of students in that
programme, and in the Childhood and Youth Studies programme, who have an
interest in human development and the lived experiences of children and young
people, and the effects of adversity and differing life situations on life outcomes. The
module will also be attractive to students following the work-related Early Years
programme.

The module contents have been planned to give clear progression from
Investigating psychology (DE100) in the Psychology programme, from Introduction
to childhood studies and child psychology (E102) in the Childhood and Youth Studies
programme and Stage 1 study in Early Years. It will provide content and skills
development in preparation for further study at OU level 3 in all three programmes.

A strength of the module is a rich set of audio-visual assets, most of them specially
commissioned and including unique documentary materials. Each study week will
start with an introductory audio by an eminent researcher or practitioner, introducing
the week’s study theme. AV assets will include materials drawn from BBC archives
and from the OU/BBC series Child of our Time.

It is planned for 85% of study hours to be devoted to online and multimedia material
(with the remainder for student reflection and note taking offline.)

As the module is all online, students will need to have ready access to a computer and
to develop competence in ICT. Students will be encouraged to carry out a skills audit
in the first week of the module. Those who lack knowledge of, or confidence in, ICT
will be supported in acquiring the necessary skills. Students will be required to make
use of module and qualification websites, which will provide a repository for teaching
and learning. Online forums will also be available, to engage students, facilitate
contact with peers, share ideas and enable group discussion.
Students will begin each week by accessing an online study guide, located in the
relevant week of the study planner, and listening to an introductory audio for each key
theme. Students will then be directed to the corresponding chapter of an eBook, also
located on the website, which will contain the core teaching text. While reading the
eBook chapter, students will use the study guide to direct them through the various
elements of the module, such as methods and skills work, the audio-visual material,
the assessment materials and supplementary readings. All of these will be delivered
via the website.

You will learn

The module will cover the main areas of theory and research in the five thematic areas
of attachment, identity, representation, emotions and communication.

Entry requirements
There are no formal academic or experiential requirements to study this module.

If you're not sure you're ready talk to an adviser.

The science of the mind: investigating

mental health
To what extent can we understand mental wellbeing and treat mental health
conditions such as depression and dementia by focusing on the brain and its
functioning? This module presents and challenges the medical model of mental health
with its reliance on drug treatment, contrasting it with ideas in the field of health
psychology. You will learn from case reports of those who have a mental health
condition and those who care for them, as well as from relevant research studies. The
module has an emphasis on understanding different approaches within psychology, as
well as the nature of evidence for and against these approaches.

If you are considering progressing to Preparing for graduate practice (KYN317), you
must have normally completed Principles and skills for nursing practice (KYN237)
and Exploring perspectives on health and illness (KYN238), and either this module or
Human biology (SKYN277 or SK277).

What you will study

The module is structured as one introductory block, plus three additional topic blocks
covering material as described below. Each block comprises of a book and associated
multimedia in the form of video and audio excerpts, animations and activities with the
assessment linked throughout. All blocks contain case reports illustrating the mental
health or ill-health phenomena being studied, and all present evidence enabling you to
compare and contrast ways of thinking about mental health, mental ill-health and
mental health interventions.
In the introductory block you’ll explore the relationship between mind and body and
the idea that mental phenomena have a physiological basis in the brain. You will be
introduced to two models of studying and explaining mental health conditions. The
first is the biomedical model of mental health. Here, an understanding of brain
function is considered to be sufficient for understanding mental health conditions. The
second model, the biopsychosocial model, is where the functioning of the brain is
considered necessary but only as a factor that interacts with other psychological and
social factors.

The over-arching aim of the module is to illustrate how, and why, the biopsychosocial
model has emerged as a reaction to the limitations of the biomedical approach with
the development of the field of health psychology. Therefore all blocks demonstrate
how the biopsychosocial model can be applied to enhance our understanding of
mental health and ill-health, both in theory and in mental health care. Throughout all
blocks the role of preventive measures to guard against mental ill-health is discussed,
as well as the promotion of well-being. Consequently the module aims to achieve a
balance between a positive and a negative focus.

Block 1: Core concepts in mental health

This block introduces the concepts of mental health and ill-health, and develops your
understanding of the link between mind and body (or brain). A study of the biological
basis of psychological health and ill-health informs our understanding of the way that
drug treatments can be successful at alleviating symptoms. This requires some
knowledge of the brain and the way in which different parts of the brain and nervous
system communicate with one another. However, the block also presents the idea that
a full understanding can only be gained by a parallel consideration of subjective and
objective evidence. So both personal narratives and objective evidence are used to
gain insight into behavioural distress. At the beginning of the block a number of
people are introduced and aspects of their life stories are followed through the block.
Theoretical considerations are further augmented by consideration of how diagnoses
are made and the range of treatments – both chemical (drugs) and psychological – that
are available to those who seek the help of external agencies for treatment for their
distress.

Block 2: Mood and wellbeing

Stress, anxiety and depression are commonly experienced conditions that impact on
general well-being. They are frequently treated by biological (drug) forms of therapy,
which raises crucial issues on the nature of brain-mind interdependence. This block
explores this issue as well as discussing research into the factors that make us happy
and may protect against the development of mood disorders. Our moods vary daily
but some people seem to have a naturally sunny disposition while others find it much
harder to see the positives that life offers. ‘Life is unfair’, but social and psychological
inequalities do not explain every case where an individual moves down the continuum
from unhappiness to disabling depression. How might a biopsychosocial approach
inform our decision-making for preventing and treating these forms of mental
distress?

Block 3: Addictions
This block asks what we mean by the term ’addiction‘ and whether we can truly
consider it as a mental health condition. It explores the many forms that addiction can
take and asks if we could potentially become addicted to anything that is pleasurable
and why we classify certain substances as illegal and not others. The biological basis
of addiction illustrates that all forms of addiction activate similar brain pathways.
What is the link between the activation of these pathways and altered states of mind?
If the activated pathways are the same, why is the subjective experience of smoking
tobacco different from taking cocaine? Not everyone who takes addictive substances
or indulges in potentially addictive behaviour becomes an addict.

So this block considers the evidence for viewing addiction as a disease, examines the
effectiveness of pharmacological treatment strategies for addiction and looks at the
alternatives available. It then moves towards a more balanced view of factors
impacting on addictive behaviour and how a biopsychosocial viewpoint on addiction
(and its treatment strategies) may better inform public health practitioners and
policymakers.

Block 4: Dementias

Dementias are a growing problem in our society as people live to a greater age. What
changes occur in our cognitive function and capacity as we get older? How can we
effectively distinguish normal ageing from the development of dementia? How can
we link degeneration of brain structures to cognitive and behavioural changes that
occur in various forms of dementia? How much is known about the causes of
dementias and, perhaps more importantly, about how to prevent or at least delay their
onset? What are the treatment possibilities and what are their theoretical
rationales? This block explores the efficacy of emerging psychological and social
therapies for dementia and draws direct contrasts with biological treatments, asking
whether a biopsychosocial viewpoint brings significant advantages compared to a
biomedical viewpoint.

This block also completes the module by returning to our initial idea that the mind has
a physiological basis. We ask you to reflect on where this thinking has lead in our
perception (and treatment) of mental health. In particular, we ask you to decide what
your answers would be to the following two questions:

 What more can we achieve in terms of mental well-being and the treatment of
mental distress if we think also of psychological and social factors in addition to
those that are biological?
 What evidence do we have that a biopsychosocial approach is critical?

This module will appeal to anyone who is curious about the link between mind and
brain. In particular to anyone who supports and cares for people with mental distress,
whether professionally or as family or a friend.

Professional recognition

This is a compulsory module in the Foundation Degree and Diploma of Higher

Education (DipHE) in Paramedic Sciences, which are expected to become a route to
professional recognition in a number of subjects allied to medicine.
Although this module is available for study by all OU students, if you are interested in
studying it as part of one of these qualifications, they are at present restricted to
students who are employed within a healthcare setting and are being supported in
their practice learning by their employer.

For further information, you or your employer should contact us.

Entry requirements
This is an OU level 2 module and you need to have study skills appropriate for this
level of study, obtained through OU level 1 study or by doing equivalent work at
another university.

If you are new to study at a higher education level, we recommend that you study one
of the following 60-credit OU level 1 modules – Introducing the social sciences
(DD102), Introduction to health and social care (K101), Science and health: and
evidence based approach (SDK100) or the discontinued module Exploring science
(S104) – before SDK228. OU level 1 study will provide you with the appropriate
skills for studying this OU level 2 module.

It is not essential to have a scientific background to study this module, although

clearly some knowledge of basic biology would be very useful.

The booklet Are You Ready For SDK228? can help you to decide whether you already
have the recommended background knowledge or experience to start the module or
whether you need a little extra preparation. Students who are appropriately prepared
have the best chance of completing their studies successfully.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.

Preparatory work
Because of the multidisciplinary nature of this module and the wide range of students
likely to be studying it, it is difficult to suggest preparatory work that will be
appropriate for all students. However, the following publications would provide some
sound background reading for the module. These are by no means compulsory and the
module does not assume prior knowledge in these areas.

Pilgrim, D. (2009) Key Concepts in Mental Health, 2nd edn, Sage.

Johnstone, L. and Rowe, D. (2000) Users and Abusers of Psychiatry: A Critical Look
at Psychiatric Practice, Routledge

Toates, F. (ed.) (2007) Pain, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Investigating psychology 2
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 will also
learn how to design and conduct your own research, covering a number of different
methods for gathering and analysing evidence on psychological processes.

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 will 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 will build on the methods, knowledge and skills that you will have
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). You will widen your understanding of a variety of research
methods 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 will 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.

Professional recognition

This is one of the core modules in our British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited
degrees in psychology.

Entry requirements
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.

Issues in research with children and

young people
Are you interested in how research can contribute to our understandings of children
and young people and learning more about their worlds? This module examines the
research process through studies with young children, children and young people
carried out in the fields of education, health and social care. It explores topics central
to the research process such as ethics, diversity, power and the responsibilities of
researchers. This is a project-based module with no exam and it will help you to
develop your own research and analytical skills using audio, video and online
materials.

What you will study

What do children and young people understand about their worlds? How can research
increase our understandings of the lives of children and young people in different
contexts? Are you concerned with the ethics of research, with participation and
power issues, and the responsibilities of researchers? Are you interested in where
research with children and young people has had an impact?

You’ll consider these, and other questions, in this module which focuses on research
with participants aged from birth to early adulthood in the fields of education, social
science, health and social care. It will prepare you for carrying out research with
children and young people. This is achieved by introducing you to a range of research
methods and approaches; alerting you to a number of important issues arising in
research with children and young people; and providing you with the opportunity to
reflect on specific research skills and their impact.
The module is divided into four blocks.

In Block one – Issues in research with children and young people – you’ll investigate
some of the issues faced by researchers conducting research with children and young
people today.

Block two – Research methods – looks at some of the approaches to research and
you’ll explore a range of issues raised by using these approaches.

Block three – The reality of research – provides some real life examples of research
carried out by researchers. You’ll go behind their research stories, finding out what
some of the difficulties and issues are.

Block four – Engagement, dissemination and impact – re-examines the context in

which research takes place and the impact of research with children and young people
on policy and practice, and the academic impact as well as the direct and indirect
influence on the lives of children and young people today.

The teaching is based around one module reader, together with associated audio,
video and online materials.

The audio and video materials support the print materials in a number of ways. For
example, they illustrate: different approaches to research with children and young
people and the issues that arise; the processes of identifying research questions;
collecting and analysing data; and the use of research by professionals. The online
materials include a Study Guide and links to our online research articles collection.

Entry requirements
There are no formal academic or experiential requirements to study this module.

If you're not sure you're ready talk to an adviser.

Advancing social psychology

Social psychologists study people as social beings, looking at their relationships and shared
experiences in context. This module focuses on contemporary UK society and life as a 21st
century person in a changing world. The module explores current issues, including gender,
multiculturalism, immigration, global conflicts and work. It also adopts a critical perspective
towards psychology itself. You will learn about recent research findings and different social
psychological theories and approaches. As preparation for future study, work and life
activities, you will develop the academic and communication skills you need to study
independently and follow your own interests.

What you will study

The module discusses social psychology's insights into life and people in a
contemporary globalised world. It explores the new developments and
interdisciplinary boundaries of social psychology today. The study programme is
divided into an introduction, five main blocks and a conclusion, with additional weeks
for review and revision.

The first block, Social psychology for a contemporary society, asks: How are we
changed by our changing world? What can social psychology tell us about life today,
and contemporary people? What do social psychologists contribute to discussions of
‘big issues’, like globalisation, new media and surveillance technologies, mobility and
migration, political change and economic crises? The block also considers the power
of psychology itself, looking at ways that psychological knowledge has impacted on
our daily lives. The areas of social psychology covered in this block include:

 critical social psychology

 critical social research
 social psychology linked to theories of the subject.

The second block, New encounters across cultures in a globalised world, explores
the relationships between individuals and cultures in modern diverse societies.
Looking at the encounters between people in a world of increased mobility, the block
asks: What happens when different cultures meet? What are the potential barriers?
Can intercultural dialogue be achieved? You will study how new encounters can lead
to both conflicts and positive cultural mixing. The block also asks: What are the
politics of identity and difference in today’s mobile society? The approaches covered
include:

 sociocultural psychology
 social representations theory.

The third block, Social psychology and participation: understanding and effecting
change, looks at how people ‘get involved’ as members of society or citizens. It
studies the ways that they join together to produce social change. These include
everyday actions, such as voting, as well as more extreme forms of political action,
for example, in contexts of conflict and uprising. The block asks: What drives people
to join large scale protest movements? And how is their participation affected by
social media? The block also investigates how social psychology itself has
contributed to social action and change. The approaches covered include:

 political psychology
 liberation psychology
 the social identity approach

The fourth block, A contemporary subject, centres on the idea that the person studied
by psychologists is socially produced. This again raises questions about similarity and
difference, and how free we are to choose who we want to be. The block asks how
huge recent changes in work and employment have impacted on our lives and
identities, comparing the ‘good’ workers of today with workers of the past. It
discusses gender, looking at research on ‘new’ femininities and masculinities in
contemporary society. It discusses happiness and suggests that the goal of being
happy is more complicated than it appears! The approaches covered include:

 social constructionism
 critical discursive psychology
 'a psychology of the second order'
 positive psychology.

The fifth block, Threats and fears, centres on one of the most famous areas of
psychology, the theories of psychodynamics and psychoanalysis which originated in
the work of Sigmund Freud. The block considers these not in relation to therapeutic
practice but for their application to society more generally. It offers psychoanalytic re-
interpretations of classic psychological topics like bystander behaviour. You will read
accounts of ongoing conflicts (like Israel-Palestine) and explanations of people’s fears
and responses to contemporary threats. The areas covered include:

 psychoanalysis
 psychodynamics
 psychosocial studies.

This module delivers this content through blended tuition including online material
and two textbooks. Assessment is through assignments and an exam. You will read
the module's own textbook chapters and other published material. You will watch
videos and listen to interviews with leading international scholars, do online activities
and participate in forums. You will develop your academic and communication skills.
You will also spend time working independently, for example, to search for more
information about the areas of social psychology that you find especially interesting.

You will learn

From studying this module you will learn about:

 continuing developments in key theories and approaches in social psychology

 applications of social psychological knowledge to contemporary socio-political issues
in global societies
 new social psychological and interdisciplinary research.

Entry requirements
This is an OU level 3 module. OU level 3 modules build on study skills and subject
knowledge acquired from previous studies at OU levels 1 and 2 with the OU. They
are only intended for students with recent experience of higher education in a related
subject.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Counselling and forensic psychology:
investigating crime and therapy
This module draws on recent theoretical debates and research to critically explore the
fascinating relationship between counselling and forensic psychology. You will learn
about media representations of crime and therapy and the role of sociocultural issues
in both forensic and therapeutic work. You will be introduced to the most common
and effective therapeutic approaches for working with offenders/victims of crime, and
explore therapeutic and forensic aspects around sex and sexuality. You will develop
an understanding of the dichotomies and emerging themes in this area and the
challenges of providing therapy in a forensic setting.

What you will study

This module will provide a comprehensive introduction to the fascinating relationship
between counselling and forensic psychology in general, and mental health problems
and crime more specifically. The module is divided into five blocks and you'll study a
new topic each week:

Block 1 sets the scene for the module. You will look at the tensions between
therapeutic and forensic settings. In addition, you will learn how mental health
treatments have developed over time and how prisons developed from places
designed to hold prisoners before trial to become facilities used as a form of
punishment, and the development of forensic mental health. This block will also
examine media depictions of crime, forensic psychology and therapy, and discuss
whether they are factually based. For the last week in this block you will look at the
diagnosis and categorisation of mental health problems and how being diagnosed or
labelled can affect individuals.

Block 2 explores ‘mad or bad’ identities. You’ll find out about the role of race in how
people are seen and treated by mental health and criminal justice services. You’ll
learn about how gender influences the ways offenders and victims and clients are seen
and treated in the criminal justice system and in the therapy room and mental health
services. You’ll study the impact age has on the perception and treatment of offenders
and victims/counselling clients, as well practices for different age groups in both
counselling/mental health and the criminal justice system. You’ll also explore the
central place of social class in understanding reasons for pathologisation and
criminalisation, including the key theoretical debates and research studies to explain
class disparities in mental health and crime.

Block 3 explores how the issues of sex and sexuality are covered in forensic and
counselling psychology. You’ll find out about sexual assault and abuse involving
adults and children, and about how perpetrators and survivors are treated within
therapeutic and criminal justice contexts. You’ll cover sex in the therapy room: how
counsellors can talk about sex and sexuality with their clients, and also the issues
around consent and abuses of power when therapists step over the line and have
sexual contact with clients. You’ll study how counselling and forensic psychologists
have drawn lines between normal sex and abnormal sex or ‘paraphilias’. You’ll also
explore sex work from both a forensic and counselling perspective: how and why has
this form of work been regarded as a crime over the years.

Block 4 looks at treatment. You will be introduced to four common approaches in

working therapeutically with offenders and victims of crime. You will explore
attachment based approaches and their notion of different attachment styles dependent
on early relationship experiences. You will examine how strategies and techniques
from cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can be employed to work with diverse
forensic populations and problems, with a specific focus on trauma-focused CBT.
You’ll study systemic concepts and how they are used in working therapeutically with
young offenders and their families in the community and in secure in-patient settings.
You will also explore mindfulness and how ideas and concepts from this approach
can be utilised in counselling and forensic settings.

Block 5 looks at four different topics that explore areas of tension between therapy
and the criminal justice system. In this block you will explore the controversial topic
of repressed memories of childhood sexual abuse that are recovered during therapy
sessions as an adult, and look at the challenges this poses in terms of criminal
evidence and prosecution. You will learn about suicide and self-harm, and where
‘offender’ and ‘victim’ are often one and the same person. You will find out about
how therapy is conducted within a prison or secure unit, including a discussion of
therapeutic prisons. At the end of this block you will look at the prevention, rather
than treatment, of mental health issues and offending behaviour.

Looking at all the different topics covered in this module you may have noticed that a
few of the real-world contexts explored in the module involve issues that some people
may find personally emotive or currently sensitive. Individual content warnings will
be given before such material is presented, outlining the issues to be covered and
suggesting ways in which you might engage with it if it is personally relevant to you.
Before signing up we invite you to look through the topics covered (as described
above) and to consider whether this is the right time to undertake this module.

Supporting study materials

The module is built around a textbook entitled Mad or Bad: A critical approach to
counselling and forensic psychology and an extensive module website built around an
online study guide. The website contains further teaching to support the chapters in
the textbook. The teaching on the website includes video (e.g. of therapeutic
approaches in action) and audio interviews with a number of psychologists,
counsellors and criminologists, and a variety of interactive activities to help develop
and consolidate your knowledge. You will also spend some of your study time using
The Open University Library’s extensive collection of online resources.

Entry requirements
This is an OU level 3 module. Prior to studying this module you should have obtained
the necessary study skills to study at OU level 3, either by completing relevant OU
level 2 study (e.g. in a social science), but you are not expected to have any special
knowledge of psychology.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.

Investigating psychology 3
This module builds on Investigating psychology 2 and takes a critical and creative
approach to methodology in psychology, with a substantive empirical project.
Experimentation, survey methodology and text-based qualitative analyses (discourse
analysis and phenomenological analysis) are explored through the topics of memory,
language, creativity, personality, child development, emotions, and relationships.
These topics are also used to present research in the core domains of biological,
cognitive, developmental individual differences and social psychology. In addition,
quantitative and qualitative methods are taught. Students can express a preference for
the method to be used in their independent project: text-based analysis,
experimentation, or survey.

What you will study

Investigating psychology 3 gives you the opportunity to carry out an independent
research project with specialist supervision. To facilitate this students are strongly
encouraged to engage with an online activity that outlines the broad options available
for the independent project. This takes place before the module begins and is designed
to help you decide on your preferences. At the start of the module you will have the
opportunity to record these preferences and we will use them in allocating you to an
appropriate tutor.

During the first half of the module the interactive online study guide leads you, week
by week, through an exploration of the key methods used in psychological research,
investigating how the diversity of methods originated, and the way that psychology
relates to both social and natural sciences.

In Block 1, you will go on to examine how experimentation, survey and text-based

methods are used and consider the kind of psychological knowledge that each method
generates. The use of experimentation in memory research and how it relates to
biological methods, such as brain imaging, will also be reviewed.

You’ll explore the theoretical and practical difficulties in applied research, particularly in eye-
witness testimony. Then you will look at how experimentation has also been used to tease
out the relationship between the way that we think and the language that we speak.

Our discussion then turns to the use of surveys and explores how attitudes and beliefs
about the way children learn and develop relate to our practices in child rearing and
education. We review the use of surveys as a method in personality research and in
assessing creativity.

Experiments and surveys produce data that can be analysed using statistics and this
module builds on the statistical techniques introduced in Investigating psychology 1
and 2. The methods also lend themselves to the use of software and you will be
introduced to professional grade packages that allow you to produce experimental
procedures and questionnaires as well as to collect data in a straightforward and
accurate manner.

Block 2 considers text-based, qualitative research in psychology. You will begin with
phenomenological analysis, the way we explore our experiences of the world and
ourselves. The topics covered include jealousy, close relationships and our experience
of emotion.

You’ll then turn to discourse analysis which explores how we use language to create
our world. We explore how this method helps us to understand the social construction
of health-related issues such as ADHD and also how we talk about our life story. This
returns us to memory research but using a different methodology. Throughout this
first part of the module you will be encouraged to think critically about the methods
of data collection and analysis and how they are used.

The second part of the module is your opportunity to carry out your own
psychological investigation. Under the close supervision of your tutor you will design
and build a study, considering procedural and ethical issues. You will then collect
your data, carry out the appropriate analyses and report your findings as a poster and
research report. You’ll also participate in your fellow students’ projects which will
deepen your appreciation of how psychological data are generated.

Throughout this process you will be very well supported, but we stress that this is
your project and you will be expected to take responsibility for it. In our experience
many students find the independent project is the most satisfying part of the whole
psychology degree.

Professional recognition

This is one of the core modules in our British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited
degrees in psychology.

Entry requirements
This module is not available for standalone study; it can only be studied as part of a
qualification. Normally, you should have successfully completed Investigating
psychology 2 (DE200) before you study this module.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.