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.
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
-
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 psychologyLevel: 1 Introductory
Copyright information
Publication details
Copyright information
Tags, Ratings and Social Bookmarking
Ratings
Ratings
Share
We invite you to discuss this subject, but remember this is a public forum.
Please be polite, and avoid your passions turning into contempt for others. We may delete posts that are rude or aggressive; or edit posts containing contact details or links to other websites.
Feeds
If you enjoyed this, why not follow a feed to find out when we have new things like it? Choose an RSS feed from the list below. (Don't know what to do with RSS feeds?)
Remember, you can also make your own, personal feed by combining tags from around OpenLearn.
For further information, take a look at our frequently asked questions which may give you the support you need.
Have a question?Other content you may like
Health, Sports & Psychology
Forensic psychology: Taking it further
Explore how the mind works, and discover how the limitations of the human brain can lead to major miscarriages of justice.
Health, Sports & Psychology
Critical Social Psychology
We live in a complex, fast changing and highly social world. One of the most compelling questions we face is how to understand ourselves and other people. The video tracks on this album introduce the four main theoretical perspectives in social psychology - cognitive, psychoanalytical, discursive and phenomenological. The album also explores interrogative themes that help in the understanding of key topics in social psychology. This material forms part of The Open University course DD307 Social psychology: critical perspectives on self and others.
Health, Sports & Psychology
The psychology of conspiracy theories
Why do people believe sometimes outlandish conspiracy theories? You need to look beyond the individual to start to understand, explains Jovan Byford.
Health, Sports & Psychology
An introduction to the fascinating work and career options open to people with a social psychology qualification
Where can social psychology take you? Here four psychologists tell us about their career journey and other work options open to people studying social psychology.
Society, Politics & Law
A dangerous kind of love
In this video, Meg Barker explains why society's preoccupation with a certain kind of romantic love over all other kinds can be damaging
History & The Arts
Hadrian: The Roamin' Emperor
Can you piece together strands of evidence to work out what motivated Hadrian to travel so extensively?
Education & Development
Social Science and Psychology Tasters
Is Social Science and Psychology for you? Dip into some of our tasters and find out!
Health, Sports & Psychology
Are you a super recogniser?
Super-recognisers have an above average ability to recognise faces. Do you? Try our quiz to find out.
Health, Sports & Psychology
Life or Death Decisions
Ever heard of advance care planning? Setting out what you’d want to happen to you if you became too unwell to make your own decisions doesn’t have to be morbid but can be incredibly helpful and give you peace of mind. Find out more in this interactive video simulation…