What were the limitations that effected your efforts to research this topic/problem?

General Instructions:
Independent research allows each Psychology student the opportunity to explore a topic of personal interest, and delve into greater detail on the chosen topic than we would have time to cover as an entire class. This is to be submitted electronically, should be 2-3 pages typed, double-spaced with a font size of 12, not counting the cover page and references page. Your research should include a minimum of 5 references, with at least 2 references coming from either books or professional journal articles. If you have more to write on your topic, please do not feel bound by the page requirements. These are just the minimum requirements.
Your research papers are to be prepared in APA format, and as such should include:
1.1” margins all around
Title page centered horizontally and vertically
References within the document in APA format (NOT footnotes, but author and year in parenthesis).
4.References page after the body of the report (not numbered, but alphabetical by author’s last name – see examples below)
APA Format for References (fictitious samples, to show you the format):
For a professional journal article (as it would appear in the bibliography – alphabetically by author last name):
Freud, S. (1933). The interpretation of dreams. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 5(2), 144-148.
For a book: Erikson, E. (1958). Psychological and social development through the lifespan. (pp. 104-155). New York, NY: Hardcourt Brace.
In-paper citations (using these two examples).
Paraphrase the information, ending with the citation: “For many adults, unresolved issues from childhood may show up in the latent content of their dreams, when interpreted from a psychoanalytic point of view (Freud, 1933). In other cases, the difficulties may have more to do with their age and stage of development. In later adulthood, conflicts may arise from career difficulties, and the feeling that it has become too late to make major life changes (Erikson, 1958).”
There isn’t a limit on possible topics, however, I’ll include a list of suggestions down below. Don’t be afraid to get creative with this project! I want you to explore things that interest you!
Keep the following requirements in mind:
Give a brief background of the subject or problem.
Include a personal discussion of your thoughts, bias, feelings towards the subject or problem prior to the research you conducted.
What types of research methods (if any) have been used to study this topic/problem?
What is the significance of this topic/problem? Why is it important for people to understand? What areas of mental or physical health may it have an impact on?
What is already known about this topic/problem?
What were the limitations that effected your efforts to research this topic/problem? Are there things that currently limit what we know about this topic/problem?
APPLICATION: how can your research be applied? Address the various possible audiences: by psychologists? By other mental health and/or medical professionals? By individuals and/or families? By institutions, governments or societies?
Relevance: is your research important to work going on currently in the field of psychology? How? Be specific.
Conclusions: what answers did your research provide for you? What are the unanswered questions, and/or the areas where further research is needed?
Project Topics: Choose 1 Topic or Propose a Topic
You are not limited by the topics below, but please talk to your teacher to approve your topic before you start. We do not want doubles of the same topic in a single class. We do want you to explore the things that matter to you!
Addictions: which substance(s) most addicting? Which easiest/hardest to treat?
2. Role of the environment in the development of personality.
What do modern psychologists feel are the major weaknesses of Freud’s psychoanalytic theories.
Addiction: influences of genetics vs. peers/environment
Anxiety: Causes, Symptoms and Therapy
Attachment Theory: relationship to parenting style & psychological health as an adult
Research the literature on the psychological and physical benefits of laughter.
The effects of the circadian rhythms on human beings.
The effects of cognitive dissonance on behavior/values
The Nightly Dream Cycle and Sleep Deprivation: impact on mental health
The Validity of Psychological Tests: how established? Which tests more valid? Less valid?
Collectivist vs. Individualistic Cultures: impact on positive self-esteem/sense of self.
Interpersonal Attraction: causes, gender differences; is there an “ideal”?
Gender differences and the Brain – separating actual differences from stereotypes
Endorphins and Happiness: production, role, implications for mental health
Learned Optimism/helplessness: how each come about; implications for mental health
Genius: Criteria, Characteristics and Types.
The Internet: positive/negative effects on our psychological health
How has Abraham Maslow’s concept of self-actualization affected Psychology?
Trace the Development of Humanism from 1950 till now. Review of the Literature
Childhood Trauma: impact on personality/role in personality disorders.
Race and Intelligence: The Scientific View
Possible Causes of Childhood Autism
How is Intelligence Measured? Reasons for controversy/debate
The Dual Roles of Genetics and Environment on Intelligence
Inherited Behavior – The Latest Research
27.Compare and Contrast the Learning Theories of B. F. Skinner and Jean Piaget
Alzheimer’s Disease: causes, treatment & role lifestyle plays
Contact sports & degenerative brain disease
Workplace stress: environmental factors? Role of culture, of job type?
Rational Emotive Theory: development & modern uses
Aging: changes to brain; implications, opportunities & challenges
Theories of Forgetting – explanation & implications for better memory
Does money buy happiness? Psychological health & socioeconomic status
Theories of Intelligence (Spearman vs. Gardner): implications for schools
The Theory of Persuasion – why works/doesn’t work (psychology behind it)
Bullying: causes, who gets bullied; what can parents/teachers do to stop it?
The Effects of Over Crowding on Human Beings
Subliminal Messages and How They can be Used to Influence Thought and Behavior
Current Experiments in Thought Control
The Psychological Effects of Torture
The Psychological Effects of War
How are Children Affected by War.
The Theory of Memory Storage in the Human Brain: is there a physical basis? What happens to it?
How to Motivate Children to Achieve
The Function of Play in psychological health/well-being
Reality Therapy: origins, modern uses
The Psychological Benefits of Pets & Pet Therapy
Psychological Problems of Paraplegics
The Emotional Effects of Solitary Confinement
Behavior Patterns of Hyperactive Children – biological vs. environmental roots
The Stages of Grief According to Elizabeth Kubler-Ross: implications for coping with loss
Attractiveness & bias: are the attractive treated differently? (convictions, hiring, perceptions)
Habits: How are they Formed and How They Can Be Changed?
The Effects of Color on Mental States
The Savant: origins; contrast with normal intellectual functioning
The Theory of Boredom: mental/emotional determinants
Managing Interpersonal Conflict: psychology of mediation
Divorce: causes, psychological impact
Shyness in Adults: causes, consequences
The Principles of Primal Therapy: origins, modern uses
How Children Develop Gender Identification
Typical Mother-Daughter Conflicts in Modern America: causes, solutions
The Psychological Aspects of Obesity
The Psychological Profile of a Terrorist
The Clinical Uses of Hypnosis – risks vs. benefits
Significant Findings from Recent Research on Identical Twins
The Psychological Profile of a Mercenary Soldier
Abusers: A Profile – early psychological history of a future abuser
Eating Disorders: why are they so resistant to treatment? Role of gender? Brain changes?
Hate Crimes: impact on victims & on communities
Brain Damage and Behavior
Dreams & dream interpretation: why they occur? Are interpretations valid?
The Limits of Artificial Intelligence
Compare and Contrast the Training, Scope, and Functions of Psychiatrists and Psychologists.
The Rorschach Test (ink blots): How is it Administered and Evaluated?
The Psychological Problems of the Homeless.
How does social anxiety disorder effect the routine life of a person?
Cyber bullying: psychological impact and recommended responses
ADHD: Latest research and recommended treatment
The link between exercise and emotional health
Anger management: what makes psychological treatment effective?
Psychology of Flow: implications for workplace satisfaction
Psychological characteristics of long-lasting marriages
Creativity and Intelligence: what makes kids creative, and is it measured by intelligence tests?
US Cultural and Marketing Trends: do they threaten children’s physical and mental health?
Violence in the Media: psychological effects on children
Tools of Sports Psychologists: how they can also promote mental health in the workplace
Birth Order: Does it affect personality? First-born vs. middle child vs. youngest?
Psychological profile of the serial killer: what do they have in common – neurologically? Personalities? Family history?
Depersonalization/derealization Disorder: causes, symptoms and treatment.
Antisocial Personality Disorder: influences of nature vs. nurture; prominence in the criminal justice system
Brand New Mental Disorders: describing the disorders first appearing in the DSM 5 – implications for psychology?
Brain Mapping: dispelling myths & updating accuracy based on the newest maps. What really happens where?
Psychology Behind Attraction: how marketing professionals influence consumer choices.
Key parenting strategies for raising children with healthy self-esteem.
What is emotional intelligence and how does it relate to success and life satisfaction?
The psychological benefits of forgiveness.
Optimism versus pessimism: impact on physical and psychological health.
The psychopath’s brain: is it structurally different from the normal brain?
The most widely believed MYTHS in psychology.
Do we inherit or create our personalities? A review of the evidence.
The frequent selfie-taker: the social psychology behind social media use.
Near Death Experiences (NDE): explain, explore how they are similar, and the psychological impact on those who experience them
Dissociative disorders: causes, treatments and controversies
Psychotic disorders: causes, treatment and challenges
Ekman’s Theory of Emotions: are emotions universal or learned?
Psychology of Diversity: explaining the challenges from individual, institutional and cultural perspectives
Grit and Resiliency: are they better predictors of academic success than IQ?
Online Therapy (Cybertheory): can it be effective? Limitations?
The Psychology of Altruism: don’t the benefits contradict the definition? Is it selfish? Is it cooperation?
Causal Thinking/Attribution Error: how does this relate to our beliefs, our superstitions, our evolution as thinking beings
The psychological risks of chronic health conditions in childhood and adolescence.
Music Therapy: origins, effectiveness in treating psychological disorders

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