Skip to content
Health, Sports & Psychology
Featured content
Free courses
All content
Author:
  • Activity
  • 15 mins

Investigating Psychology

Updated Monday, 3rd February 2020

Investigate the conceptual and historical issues in Psychology with this interactive feature.

Investigating Psychology is a tool to enable you to explore the development of psychological thinking not only across time, but also within the context of social, conceptual and historical changes; the development and application of different perspectives and methods; and through chains of influence between researchers.

Please note, the dates included in this interactive are relevant to a key moment in the individual's career and not necessarily their date of birth.

Note: some information given here about Hans Asperger and Asperger syndrome is now out of date. You can find more current information in Week 1 of our badged course Understanding autism.

Instructions

For best results, use a modern web browser. Upgrade to the latest version of Internet Explorer or try a free alternative like Google Chrome, Firefox or Safari.

Playing on a tablet or mobile device?

Play in full-screen mode, select the 'Start Investigating Psychology' link and open the feature in a new browser tab.

What are we missing?

It is our hope that the Investigating Psychology resource will continue to grow over the years, so if there is a person, context, perspective or method that you feel should be included, please email us with a description and the reasons for its inclusion. Thank you.

Try a free course

  • Copyrighted image Icon Used with permission
    Starting with psychology

    Starting with psychology

    The most 'important and greatest puzzle' we face as humans is ourselves (Boring, 1950, p. 56). Humans are a puzzle, one that is complex, subtle and multi-layered, and it gets even more complicated as we evolve over time and change within different contexts. When answering the question 'what makes us who we are?' psychologists put forward a range of explanations about why people feel, think and behave the way they do. Just when psychologists seem to understand one bit of 'who we are' up pops some new evidence to show a different side! It is not easy to pin down all the many influences. This free course, Starting with psychology, makes a start.

    Learn moreStarting with psychology

    Free course

    5 hours

    Level: 1 Introductory

Related content

Become an OU student

Copyrighted image Icon Copyright: Dreamstime
BSc (Honours) Psychology free course icon

Health, Sports & Psychology 

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.

OU course
Copyrighted image Icon Copyright: rawpixel
BSc (Honours) Social Psychology free course icon

Health, Sports & Psychology 

BSc (Honours) Social Psychology

In this degree you'll consider how social psychology can be applied to contemporary life. You'll explore psychology more broadly, gaining insights into people's behaviour. Why do good people do bad things? What role do digital technologies play in our relationships? Has globalisation made people across the world more similar, or do old differences persist? How have gender identities changed? What does it mean to be a good citizen? You'll examine these and many other important psychological questions about the relationship between individual psychology and the complex social world. You'll see how social psychologists use evidence from research to contribute to debates on a wide range of social issues including discrimination and equality, conflict resolution, migration, happiness and well-being. You'll also explore how psychology is critical to understanding employment, mental health, and relationships.

OU course
Investigating psychology 1 free course icon Level

Health, Sports & Psychology 

Investigating psychology 1

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.

OU course

More like this

Copyrighted image Icon Copyright: BBC
Are We All Love Junkies? article icon

Health, Sports & Psychology 

Are We All Love Junkies?

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson really buys into the idea of love for sale – she’s always falling for the images of love used in advertising and magazines. But she wonders if it’s natural to be a love junkie - or if she’s being exploited by cynical admen. Ever Wondered sends her to find out

Article
Copyrighted image Icon Copyright: The Open University
Children and the Internet video icon

Health, Sports & Psychology 

Children and the Internet

What impact has the internet had on children’s lives? How has the arrival of the internet changed children’s exposure to media? As a reflection of society, the web exposes children to many of the same issues they encounter in everyday life but its easy accessibility means that this is amplified. Along with being an incredible resource with numerous benefits come concerns about its long term effects on child psychology.

Video
40 mins
Copyrighted image Icon Copyright: Production team
Buzan on speed reading article icon

Health, Sports & Psychology 

Buzan on speed reading

Tony Buzan shares his tips on speed reading - can you skim and still feel well read?

Article
Creative commons image Icon Steve Jurvetson under CC-BY licence under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
Oliver Sacks: article icon

Health, Sports & Psychology 

Oliver Sacks: "You are in the hands of a master storyteller"

The writer Josh Bernoff hails Oliver Sacks' ability to engage readers from the start.

Article
 

Become

Author

Ratings

Share

Related content (tags)

Copyright information

For further information, take a look at our frequently asked questions which may give you the support you need.

Have a question?