UNISON Ulearn Northern Ireland

Targeted at: Any member
Duration: 20 weeks but no regular class
Qualification: Open University 10 credits

The Course

Starting with psychology introduces some of the key ideas and ways of thinking involved in studying the broad subject of psychology. You’ll be exploring several different areas of psychology including how we are shaped by our biology; thinking; important relationships; and social identity. You’ll also consider some of the ways that psychologists gather their evidence and the type of work that psychologists can do.

Starting with psychology is suitable if you are a beginner or returning to study. The course will also help you to develop your study skills and become a confident learner.

Are you interested in why people behave the way they do? Are you curious about what is going on in other people’s minds? Would you like to know more about the main influences on our thoughts, feelings, abilities and behaviour? Starting with psychology is a wide-ranging course that considers how aspects of our biology, ways of thinking, important relationships, and social identity combine to make us who we are.

A central feature of the course is its exploration of psychology from different viewpoints.

How can investigating damaged brains increase our knowledge of healthy brain functioning? You’ll look at several case studies of people who have experienced some form of brain damage and consider any subsequent changes in their behaviour.

How do we think and how do we organise our thoughts? The way that we take in and manipulate information from the world about us can affect the way that we understand our world and can influence our feelings and behaviour.

How are we influenced by our relationships with people who are important in our lives? You’ll consider the impact of early relationships between babies and their main carers and then the important features of later friendships and romantic partnerships.

How do the roles we play and the groups we belong to shape who we are? We play many roles throughout our lives and can belong to a number of different groups ranging in size from just a few people to large cultural groups.

Throughout the course, you’ll focus on the psychology of happiness and examine this topic from each viewpoint

Starting with psychology introduces key psychological concepts and develops your knowledge of the way psychologists work. No previous knowledge of the subject is needed. Whether you are thinking of further study in psychology or are simply interested in finding out about this fascinating and challenging subject this course has much to offer.

This is a new Open University course which begins in November 2007. If you are interested in this course, please download an expression of interest form.