You are required
to complete one course paper during the 8-week module; it will be due at the
end of Unit 7. Please note that
PRIOR to completing the course paper you will complete two other assignments
that are designed to help you write a successful course paper. These include:
1. Course paper resources
assignment due by Wednesday of Unit 4
2. Course paper
outline assignment due by Sunday of UNIT 5
These assignments
are designed to help you complete your paper in stages. You will be graded on these assignments and
receive feedback from your instructor so you will be comfortable that you are
on the “right track” to complete the course paper in UNIT 7.
The requirements
for your course paper are as follows:
·
Written in the
format of the most current (6th) edition of the APA manual.
·
This type of
research paper is similar to a literature review in that you will be discussing
what information is currently known about your topic.
·
Include a
discussion of psychological theory AND key research findings relevant to your
chosen topic (below). Your incorporation of theory and research should come
from the information you find through your reading of scholarly sources and
journal articles (from your course paper resources assignment due in UNIT 3).
·
Include specific
examples that support theory and research.
·
Please note that
this is NOT an opinion essay.
·
The body of the
paper must be five full pages in length,
not including APA style title page and References page.
·
Each paper must
be a Word document, double spaced with size 12 Times New Roman font and 1 inch
margins on all sides.
·
Please use
complete sentences, appropriate grammar, spelling, and a minimum of 4 SCHOLARLY references (you may
use your textbook as one reference). Please be sure to avoid using Internet
sources such as Wikipedia or other web-based resources that do not have strong
academic backing.
·
You will also be
required to use in-text references in your work in accordance with APA style to
avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism detection software will be used to scan each
paper.
Refer to the
rubric below for a guideline as to how your paper will be graded. Students are
strongly encouraged to use the writing center (writingcenter@post.edu) for assistance
with all assignments.
Each paper must
be submitted via Blackboard; emailed copies will not be accepted. Policies in
regard to turning work in late also apply to these assignments.
Course
Paper Topics:Please choose ONE of the following
topics below for your paper:
·
Compare and contrast humanistic and behavioral
approaches to psychology? Please be sure to use at least 4 scholarly research
examples to help demonstrate these principles.
·
Choose a topic (examples: aggression,
schizophrenia, depression, learning, conformity, media influence) in Psychology
you would like to study. How would YOU study this topic using the Scientific
Method? This should be your OWN design
and not a copy of a previously published study.
·
Describe four primary ethical principles
required for psychological research with human beings. Please be sure to use at least 4 scholarly
research examples to help demonstrate the principles.
·
Why does a course on psychology begin by
examining the structures and function of the nervous system? Give specific
examples from at least 4 research studies that demonstrate how the nervous
system influences behavior.
·
Compare and contrast classical conditioning
and operant conditioning. Explain real
world applications of these learning theory principles. Please be sure to use at least 4 scholarly
research examples to help demonstrate the principles.
·
Define reinforcement and punishment. Why do
psychologists prefer negative reinforcement to punishment as a way to shape
behavior? Be sure to share at least 4 scholarly research examples in your
discussion of the concepts.
·
Describe the effects of watching violent television
programs and movies on children. Please be sure to use at least 4 scholarly
research examples to help demonstrate these effects.
·
What are three harmful maternal behaviors that
can affect the developing child? Please be sure to use at least three scholarly
research examples to support your discussion.
·
Choose one aspect of development (cognitive,
personality, language, social/emotional) and discuss how nature and nurture
might interact to influence this aspect of development. Please be sure to use at least three
scholarly research examples to support your ideas.
·
How do cultural factors influence human
development? Please be sure to use at
least three scholarly research examples to support your ideas.
·
Choose a theorist (Freud, Piaget, Erikson, Skinner,
or Bandura). Explain the main features
of their theory and the relevance of their theory today. Please be sure to use at least four scholarly
research examples to support your ideas.
·
Choose a psychological disorder. Define the disorder, explain symptoms and
impact on the individual and family/society. Discuss potential causes, and
treatments. Please be sure to use at least four scholarly research examples to
support your ideas.
·
Explain how attitudes are changed through
persuasion, and describe how attitudes and behavior influence one another.
Please be sure to use at least four scholarly research examples to support your
ideas.
·
Define cognitive dissonance. Provide an
example of cognitive dissonance from your own experience. Explain why cognitive
dissonance can cause attitude change. Please be sure to use at least four
scholarly research examples to support your ideas.
·
Define social influence and conformity, and
describe the factors that influence conformity. Please discuss a recent example
from the news (global, national, or local) that helps demonstrate these
concepts. Also, please be sure to use at least four scholarly research examples
to support your ideas.
