Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This free course explores psychological theory and research on the relationships we form with fictional characters. Throughout the course, you will hear from leading crime writers – Lin Anderson, Gordon Brown, Val McDermid, Sir Ian Rankin and Craig Robertson – who will talk about how they create and write about their characters.
The course involves interactive components designed to enable you to discover something about your own thinking and behaviour. You will learn about why fictional villains might be attractive to us, in a way that real villains are not. You will also learn about how the relationships we form with fictional characters can influence our psychological engagement with the real world around us.
Transcript media-podcast.open.ac.uk/feeds/3998_youtubeuploadsfriday/20250915T161224_Psychology-Fictional_villains.pdf
Study the free course on Introducing the psychology of our relationships with fictional villains at the Open University
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/health-sports-psychology/introducing-the-psychology-our-relationships-fictional-villains/content-section-overview?active-tab=description-tab
Study Q07 BSc (Honours) Psychology at The Open University
open.ac.uk/courses/psychology/degrees/bsc-psychology-q07
If you are contemplating using this Open University content, please visit the Copyright and Intellectual Property section of OpenLearn’s frequently asked questions
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/about-openlearn/frequently-asked-questions-on-openlearn
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality online degrees and distance learning, serving students across the globe with highly respected degree qualifications, and the triple accredited MBA. The OU teaches through its own unique method of distance learning, called ‘supported open learning’ and you do not need any formal qualifications to study with us, just commitment and a desire to find out what you are capable of.
Free learning from The Open University
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/
For more like this subscribe to the Open University channel
youtube.com/channel/UCXsH4hSV_kEdAOsupMMm4Qw
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This free course explores psychological theory and research on the relationships we form with fictional characters. Throughout the course, you will hear from leading crime writers – Lin Anderson, Gordon Brown, Val McDermid, Sir Ian Rankin and Craig Robertson – who will talk about how they create and write about their characters.
The course involves interactive components designed to enable you to discover something about your own thinking and behaviour. You will learn about why fictional villains might be attractive to us, in a way that real villains are not. You will also learn about how the relationships we form with fictional characters can influence our psychological engagement with the real world around us.
Transcript media-podcast.open.ac.uk/feeds/3998_youtubeuploadsfriday/20250915T161224_Psychology-Fictional_villains.pdf
Study the free course on Introducing the psychology of our relationships with fictional villains at the Open University
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/health-sports-psychology/introducing-the-psychology-our-relationships-fictional-villains/content-section-overview?active-tab=description-tab
Study Q07 BSc (Honours) Psychology at The Open University
open.ac.uk/courses/psychology/degrees/bsc-psychology-q07
If you are contemplating using this Open University content, please visit the Copyright and Intellectual Property section of OpenLearn’s frequently asked questions
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/about-openlearn/frequently-asked-questions-on-openlearn
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality online degrees and distance learning, serving students across the globe with highly respected degree qualifications, and the triple accredited MBA. The OU teaches through its own unique method of distance learning, called ‘supported open learning’ and you do not need any formal qualifications to study with us, just commitment and a desire to find out what you are capable of.
Free learning from The Open University
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/
For more like this subscribe to the Open University channel
youtube.com/channel/UCXsH4hSV_kEdAOsupMMm4Qw
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ouopenlearn
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/OUFreeLearning
#theOpenUniversity #literature
