Living psychology: animal minds

This reading-and-activity course examines how psychologists study animal minds. Evolution, emotion, problem-solving and understanding other minds lead into questions about laboratory and natural settings. Examples involving different species help learners evaluate the evidence behind a claim rather than assume a familiar-looking behaviour has the same meaning as it does in humans.

What you will learn

• Compare evidence about animal cognition
• Examine emotion and problem-solving studies
• Evaluate research methods and alternative interpretations

Who this suits

Best for a learner interested in intermediate psychology and animal cognition who wants substantial reading and activities rather than a pet-training video sequence.

Before you enroll

OpenLearn lists 12 hours of study and intermediate level. The free statement of participation is not an academic award. The course is an adapted academic learning unit with its own structured outcomes; the parent university program is not counted as another course here. Research examples should be interpreted within their limitations.

OpenLearn provides the course materials free. An account is needed to track progress and obtain the free statement of participation. This record is not university credit or a professional certificate; check the current participation requirements on the course page.

Put it into practice

Choose a study discussed in the course and summarize its question, evidence and possible alternative explanation. Explain what the study suggests without extending the conclusion to every animal or setting.

Source and review

This overview is based on the provider's published information, checked on 13 October 2026. It is an editorial assessment, not a claim that we completed the resource. Time filters are approximate study ranges; projects and exercises can take longer.

Official course page, structured curriculum, workload, access and completion terms reviewed. Study workload includes reading, activities and assessments rather than video alone.

View the curriculum and current access options at OpenLearn.

How YellowCourse describes and checks learning resources.