OU News

News from The Open University

  1. Home
  2. Category: Psychology

Category: Psychology

Alone together – Mothering Sunday in the times of COVID-19

Alone together – Mothering Sunday in the times of COVID-19

In this piece psychology academics, including The Open University’s Dr Lisa Lazard and Dr Rose Capdevila look at how despite the social isolation brought about by the coronavirus, there are positive ways that people can think about connecting on social media with their mothers and loved ones on Mothering Sunday but also some of the […]

Read more about Alone together – Mothering Sunday in the times of COVID-19

How to spot a conspiracy theory when you see one

How to spot a conspiracy theory when you see one

Dr Jovan Byford, Head of Discipline & Senior Lecturer in Psychology at The Open University writes for The Conversation about spotting a conspiracy theory. Anyone who engages critically with the phenomenon of conspiracy theories soon encounters a conundrum. Actual conspiracies occur quite regularly. Political assassinations, scandals and cover-ups, terrorist attacks and a lot of everyday […]

Read more about How to spot a conspiracy theory when you see one

“I’ve just graduated at 40 and feel that the world has become more open to me”

“I’ve just graduated at 40 and feel that the world has become more open to me”

Twenty-two years ago, Rebecca Bungay, 40, started her journey to higher education like most students, but found the road well-travelled was not for her and left university after only six weeks. Years later, determined to achieve her lifelong goal, Rebecca embarked on a degree course with the OU. Last month, Rebecca received her degree in […]

Read more about “I’ve just graduated at 40 and feel that the world has become more open to me”

Man sitting on train looking out of the window

To say the OU changed my life is an understatement

OU student David Breakspear had been in the criminal justice system since he was a child. Determined to break the cycle, he began studying during his sentence and is now an active and passionate campaigner for criminal justice and social reform, using his experiences to help inspire and educate others. As one of the speakers […]

Read more about To say the OU changed my life is an understatement

‘Studying has helped me to better understand how my mind works’

‘Studying has helped me to better understand how my mind works’

In 2014, Liz suffered a breakdown that grounded her life to a halt – she struggled to leave the house, and completing everyday tasks became impossible. Support from friends, counselling and baking helped ease the symptoms of anxiety. Liz went on to build her cake-making into a business, and today BuBakes has featured in numerous magazines […]

Read more about ‘Studying has helped me to better understand how my mind works’

“Current mobile phone laws are outdated”

“Current mobile phone laws are outdated”

Tougher restrictions on driving while using a mobile phone and stricter enforcement of the law could prevent deaths and serious injuries from related crashes on the roads, says new House of Commons report. In Road Safety: driving while using a mobile phone, the Transport Committee says the evidence is clear: using a mobile phone while […]

Read more about “Current mobile phone laws are outdated”

In car technology in use

In-car technology: are we being sold a false sense of security?

From Alexa and Siri to intelligent speed assistance, there’s a lot of technology competing for our attention while driving,

Read more about In-car technology: are we being sold a false sense of security?

Karena Serdecka-Rhodes-Bell at work

From the West End to the OU – how study set Karena on a new path

As an Open University student turned Associate Lecturer, Karena Serdecka-Rhodes-Bell understands first-hand how education can help to open new doors. Karena previously worked as a professional actress, singer and musician, performing in the West End and on TV, film and radio, before her OU psychology degree inspired her to become an OU Associate Lecturer. “I […]

Read more about From the West End to the OU – how study set Karena on a new path

Witness identifying a suspect

Police photo lineups: how background colours can skew eye witness identification

Catriona Havard, The Open University and Martin Thirkettle, Sheffield Hallam University Identification parades can be powerful evidence in securing convictions in criminal cases. But eyewitness evidence is notoriously prone to errors – and organisations such as the Innocent Project have found out that 70% of wrongful convictions that were later exonerated had verdicts based on […]

Read more about Police photo lineups: how background colours can skew eye witness identification

Jane Green The Open University

From OU Student to Autism Campaigner

Jane’s story is one of resilience and of achieving against adversity. Despite her own deteriorating health, singlehandedly raising two sons with their own health conditions, homelessness and redundancy, Jane was determined to further her education and be a voice for others. Jane has won awards for her studying achievements and, although she can no longer […]

Read more about From OU Student to Autism Campaigner

Page 5 of 8