there is a wide range of mental health challenges people can experience in our society today. All can be viewed from a psychological perspective. Some potential explanations include problems with cognitive development, learning, motivation, stress, trauma, the effects of stigma, the genetic and medical causes of mental illness, etc.
A 5-6 page double spaced Word document will be turned in to the instructor (the 5-6 pages should be the narrative portion and does not include a cover page or works cited page).
You must use the template provided. Please avoid pulling a research paper from the internet and passing that it in.
With regard to the research portion, you should use the APA style to quote the research sources you are referencing in the body of the paper. You also must list any sources you used for the project in the works cited page.
Here is more discussion regarding the questions you’ll respond to but remember to use the template!
1) The mental health issue/diagnosis/illness you chose to address. Note: try to avoid a broad topic like “eating disorders”. You can narrow your focus to Bulimia, Anorexia Nervosa, or Binge Eating Disorder, for example. Also, anxiety disorders could be broken down to phobias (there are many), or Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, etc.
2) The psychological theories/concepts that may help to explain some of the causes of the illness/diagnosis. What theory (or theories) speak to you the most in regard to the diagnosis you have chosen? For example, is it possible one of the causes of the illness is learned behavior, or does the biological perspective best explain it?
3) Describe the various psychological symptoms (what would it be like to live with the illness). For example, would your sleep, concentration, eating patterns be impacted? Think creatively.
4) What impact could this illness have on someone’s social relationships (family, friends, and intimate partners)? Think creatively.
5) What impact could this illness have on someone’s vocational aspirations (career, education)? Think creatively.
6) What do you think could help to address this issue (from a psychological perspective)? What are the current treatments for the illness? Are there new treatments on the horizon?
7) How is this mental health issue/diagnosis/illness understood in a sociocultural context?
8) Describe why you chose this diagnosis/illness over others?
9) What are your 3 main takeaways from this research project?
You are also encouraged to share your views on the illness/diagnosis you choose; citing or repeating someone else’s opinion or findings is not enough. Critical thinking is the key.
Preparation: You will have opportunities and seek guidance from me throughout the semester. I believe this project can help to reinforce what you’re learning during the semester but also allow you to explore a mental health issue that may be of interest to you.
Please note: if you chose a diagnosis that we’ve already covered in some detail (or will cover by the time the project is due), my expectation if that you will share more information about the diagnosis.
Most important, be creative!
Remember the 5-6 page narrative portion must be presented as a typed, double spaced Word document, and must be turned during the last week of class. Late papers will not be accepted!
**Be sure to list your sources as well, for example, the textbook, American Psychological
Association, NAMI, etc. in the “work cited” section of the template, for when you are quoting thoughts/concepts/terms that are not yours.
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