DSE212 Exploring Psychology

Here’s four words I’ve always wanted to be able to say – “I’m a psychology student”.

Something about psychology always fascinated me when I was younger. Similar, I suppose, to the way that philosophy did. Much as I enjoy science and empirical proof, I love those subjects where interpretation is subjective and so changeable. I loved studying philosophy, hard as it was, for the fact that I could read something by Descartes and legitimately question his work (and/or sanity) without being ‘wrong’ and I think psychology is going to go a similar kind of route.

It’s early days in my DSE141 module of course, but so far it’s gone into depth about the psychological determinants which may cause someone to do harm to another – is it their inherent personality traits and/or characteristics or is it more to do with just following orders or imitating others (it discusses Nazi leaders and authoritarianism at length).

I’m loving it. Absolutely loving it. It’s the yang to my social policy yin and in fact I’m already so incredibly excited about getting to study DD307, as I started it once before and had to drop out, so I know how brilliant it is. Social psychology is a definite area of strong interest for me and it was part of the reason I chose to do this second degree in Criminology and Psychological Studies.

One of the ever endearing features of the OU for me was that I was able to study whatever I wanted and come out with a qualification – no set pathway, no modules I didn’t want to do or thought looked boring, I just cherry picked modules one at a time until I finished the degree. Well, despite not being able to do that now and actually having a set path to follow I must admit – it ain’t all that bad on this side!

'Five out of the six modules for this degree are set in stone and the remaining free choice is a no-brainer for me as it gets me another qualification in addition to this one but I don’t feel like I’m trapped in the qualification at all'

Five out of the six modules for this degree are set in stone and the remaining free choice is a no-brainer for me as it gets me another qualification in addition to this one but I don’t feel like I’m trapped in the qualification at all. Every one of the modules sounds interesting and worth studying and they’re exactly the kind of topics I’d have chosen myself anyway so this, for me, is like a dream degree! My only problem at the minute is which order to do them in to a) have them not overlap too horrendously with my MA, but b) get the degree finished as quickly as I can.

I’d rather not have anything overlap my MA at all but to qualify for the transitional arrangements I have no choice. It’s doable though, the worst time will be from next June through to October when I have to write my dissertation, however, it works out quite nicely that whichever module I study next will finish in June 2013 anyway and the next one won’t start until the October. Works out brilliantly doesn’t it.

Surely I can’t be the only student concerned with overlaps though? Am I the only person studying for more than one qualification at a time? Please, someone, tell me I’m not the only module masochist at the OU?


 

Psychology in the Pub in Sheffield returns on Thursday 21 June with Dr Gail Coleman on racicm in the mental health.

Does racism continue to play a role in our mental health system today and what is the impact of racism on the individual? Clinical
Psychologist Gail Coleman will explore these questions in a presentation looking at the historical roots and reality of racism in psychology and in British society today.

Dr Coleman will consider the way BME people have been pathologised by psychiatric/psychological professions. She will also reflect upon the impact on children, given that nearly 88,000 racist incidents were recorded in Britain's schools between 2007 and 2011. In conclusion, Dr Coleman will discuss what can we do to promote change in the NHS, in our education systems,in our families and in our communities today.

• Find out more about Psychology in the Pub
   

“Studying seems pointless when you think you’re dying of a terrible illness,” says OU student Ailsa Roddie. She’s working towards a psychology degree, in part to pursue a career in the field, and to help cope with the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and hypochondriasis she was diagnosed with as a child.

“I was diagnosed with OCD and hypochondriasis – an OCD spectrum disorder – at the age of five or six-years-old. At its peak, I used to stay up all night washing my hands, I refused to eat because I was afraid of being poisoned and I avoided ever swallowing because I was afraid of germs.”

Day to day, Ailsa engages in common OCD compulsions like unnecessarily checking if she’s locked the door and washing her hands too much, but she’s learned to reduce them from distressful symptoms to a mild nuisance.

“I experience more distressing symptoms episodically, maybe every couple of years, and these symptoms have evolved over time. True to my hypochondriasis, though, a few days or weeks after hearing about an illness in the media I may start to notice symptoms and become convinced that I have it. The unfortunate thing is that extreme anxiety actually produces real symptoms to the extent that the doctor is compelled to take me seriously. 

Distorted thinking
“I may also be troubled by ‘intrusive thoughts’. For example, if I go into a shop I may become terrified that I will shoplift and be unable to get the idea out of my mind, although this is not something I have ever done or would want to do. After I have paid, I still worry that there is something in the bag that I forgot to pay for and I half expect that security will appear and accuse me.

“If this kind of distorted thinking goes unchecked, and I am constantly worried about being terminally ill or guilty of a crime I might somehow have unwittingly committed, extreme anxiety becomes depression.”

'The idea of studying psychology was a direct result of my recent experiences with OCD. When I was experiencing a lot of difficulty, researching OCD and depression helped me to understand what was really going on and find ways to cope with it'

Ailsa, who’s in her early 20s and lives in Edinburgh, is studying towards a psychology degree with the OU, currently doing DSE212 Exploring psychology. She values the flexibility the OU offers, allowing her to cope with her illness, volunteer and follow her passion for theatre as well as working towards a future career clinical psychology, at her own pace.

“This course is a way for me to test my interest and aptitude. It is also the first step towards a degree that would make me eligible for the Graduate Basis Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society, which I would need to go on to study clinical psychology.”

Ailsa already has a BA in Economics and Theatre Arts from Cornell University, and is studying psychology part-time at the OU while also volunteering. The subject is helping her learn more about mental illness and how the brain works, but it can sometimes be an additional cause of anxiety.

“The idea of studying psychology was a direct result of my recent experiences with OCD. When I was experiencing a lot of difficulty, researching OCD and depression helped me to understand what was really going on and find ways to cope with it. It also turned out to be fascinating and in turn opened the door to other areas of abnormal psychology, which lead me to start reading about psychology in general.

Fear and focus
"Having said that, there is a surprising amount of overlap with my previous studies in economics and theatre, and I have always had an interest in the psychological aspects of these, for example, in behavioural economics and in the performance of identity.

“In a period of high anxiety, concentrating is difficult. Studying seems pointless when you think you are dying of a terrible illness, and it is difficult to focus on anything other than this fear. I now realise that it is more effective to take a step back and do whatever is necessary to feel well before trying to tackle studying sometimes. Spending time on it without getting anywhere is not only pointless but generates further anxiety.
 
“Another problem is that I find it difficult to read about illnesses of the brain, which are useful for understanding how the brain works and figure significantly in the course. I suppose this is not unlike the famous ‘medical student syndrome’ and I hope that with exposure it will pass. Exposure is a very useful tool in dealing with OCD.”

'It's inspiring to be around people who take their individual challenges in their stride and just don’t let anything stop them'

The OU offers support to students with disabilities and Ailsa has been up front about her diagnosis.

“I decided to declare OCD as a disability because I had to take a break from previous studies as a result of it and thought that maybe if I had been open about what problems I was having sooner, there might have been another way forward.
 
“The OU got in touch with me to clarify what they could do to accommodate me. I suggested that if a period of high anxiety were to cause me to fall behind I might receive help to catch up. The lady I spoke to, who was unbelievably kind and understanding, suggested that my tutor could take the initiative to get in touch with me if there appeared to be a problem and I agreed.”

Aside from studying, Ailsa volunteers to help get an insight into psychology careers and finds it “inspiring to be around people who take their individual challenges in their stride and just don’t let anything stop them”. She also blogs.

An honest approach
“I have created blog templates in the past but I never got around to actually updating them so my blog about mental illness is really my first. It definitely helps to focus my mind. If something is bothering me, I find it is easier to carry on with what I need to do once I have figured out exactly what it is, typed it up and sent it off into the ether.
 
"It has other functions too. For one, deciding to be honest about my experiences is my way of trying to let go of the shame that I carry with them. Secondly, it helps me to keep track of how I am thinking, which can change quite dramatically depending on whether I am anxious about something or not, and learn from it.”

Find out more:

• Study with the OU – Psychology
• Read Ailsa’s blog, It’s Psychosomatic
• Support for students with disabilities

 
 
 

 

An OU graduate has been awarded an MBE for his services to children and families – and says his psychology degree helped him get there.

It was a double accolade for Clive Cumming and his wife Sharon, from Bristol, who were both named MBEs in the New Year’s Honours list, having fostered 150 children over 35 years.

Clive graduated from the Open University in 2000 with a BA (Hons) in Psychology and says his OU studies helped him both in his job as a commercial manager with the Ministry of Defence and as a foster parent.

He said of his OU degree: “Aside from giving me a better understanding of human behaviour (particularly useful during commercial negotiations!) the main benefit has been in relation to the fostering work which my wife and I undertake.

“Many of the young people who come into our care have experienced emotional trauma in their early life. An understanding of how this affects their subsequent development helps us to understand behaviour which they may present whilst in our care.”

Clive started his OU student journey in 1993 with a social science foundation course and progressed with further studies to achieve graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.

He said he and his wife Sharon were delighted to be appointed MBEs and think of it as a reward and recognition for the good work that all foster carers do.

For more information read this story in the Bristol Evening Post.