analyze one scientific, peer-reviewed article in the discipline of psychology and discuss how the results of the study may benefit the surrounding community and/or society as a whole.

Objective: Write a 3-4 page college-level paper in APA format, in which you analyze one scientific, peer-reviewed article in the discipline of psychology and discuss how the results of the study may benefit the surrounding community and/or society as a whole.

CRITERIA FOR JOURNAL ARTICLE CRITIQUE

TOPIC
Article topics must be selected from topics within the discipline of psychology
More information on topic selection/assignment will be provided by your instructor.

SOURCE
The journal article…
must be current.
must come from professional, scientific journals.
must be a research article (MUST HAVE SECTIONS LABELED “METHODS”, “RESULTS” & “DISCUSSION”)

GUIDELINES
Specific guidelines are listed on the next page.
Any further details will be provided by your instructor.

FORMAT
You must use APA format. The format directions can be found on the following web site: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
APA format requirements include a cover page, reference page, in-text citations, etc.
PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. All information must be stated in your own words.

STRUCTURE OF JOURNAL ARTICLE CRITIQUE

Introduction (PURPOSE: to educate the reader on the topic/concept)
will define topic and other key terms
will include symptoms, statistics of occurrence and current information in the field
Main body (PURPOSE: to explain the research conducted in the article)
will state what you found in the journal article
HYPOTHESIS or PURPOSE:
What were the researchers trying to discover (i.e. what was the hypothesis or purpose)?
This is usually found at the beginning of the article. Usually the hypothesis or statement of a problem appears at the end of the review of the literature, most often in the last or next to last paragraph. The words that indicate that it is a hypothesis are, “We will examine. . .” or “Our hypothesis is . . .” In a statement of a problem, the researcher may say, “We plan to see if a relationship…,” “We proposed to observe…,” or “The problem we proposed to study…” (You must use your own words—do NOT use quotes).
METHODOLOGY:
How was the research conducted (research design or type of study)?
Is the research descriptive (case study, naturalistic observation, laboratory observations, surveys, tests), correlation, experimental, or developmental? For more information on research methods, refer to chapter 1 of your text.
When and where the research was conducted?
How long did the study take?
Who were the participants? (number [N], age, sex, criteria to be a part of study)?
RESULTS/DISCUSSION:
What did the researchers actually find in relation to their hypothesis/purpose?
ARTICLE MAY STATE: The researchers found that . . .
What limitations did the researchers reveal?
Summary/conclusion (PURPOSE: to show critical thinking in regards to the research)
How does the information in the article integrate with information from class discussion, the text, and/or other information in the discipline?
TIP: It is a good idea to use the subject index in your text to look up the topic in your text.
What is your opinion of the research findings?
EXAMPLE: was this research well done or not and why?
Why is this topic/research important? (relevance/benefits to community and/or society)
EXAMPLE: A conclusion to a study that suggests a new therapy/treatment for children with ADHD might help the child struggling to perform successfully in school, which then improves her confidence, her relationship with her parents, siblings, and classmates. Write about the implications of this new treatment.
In what ways does this topic relate to your own personal experience and how is your experience in agreement or disagreement with the outcome of this study?
How has your opinion of this topic changed since your review of the study?

REFERENCE PAGE – you will only reference the article you read for the assignment. That means that you will only have 1 reference.

Header with running head (in proper format) and page number.
“Reference” at the top, center of the page.
The reference should be formatted according to the instructions provided in the links above.

DESCRIBE THE MAIN FACTORS OF HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology developed in the U.S. from several different perspectives; the first was the acquisition of viewpoints from European perspectives. Gestalt psychology is based on understanding the whole behavioral phenomenon instead of analyzing the individual components of behavior. Psychoanalysis is a psychological theory initially developed by Sigmund Freud through inductive reasoning and qualitative analysis of case studies. Quantitative scientific support for psychoanalysis is lacking. Sigmund Freud spent much of his life developing a viewpoint of consciousness through his work in treating individuals with mental illness. American views of psychology emerged as a unique viewpoint; people like William James, John Dewey and James Cattell provided their own perspectives on psychology. Humanistic psychology also emerged as a school of psychology in part as a reaction to psychoanalysis and Behaviorism (we will cover in Week 5).

 

  • What are the basic principles of Gestalt psychology, and why was it important in the early life of psychology? What areas do you think were the Gestalt principles and avenues of research best suited for in modern psychology? In your opinion, is there a place for Gestalt psychology in current psychological research and application? Why?
  • From a scientific perspective, psychoanalysis or psychodynamic views have very little validity. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Justify your answer. Why did Freudian psychoanalysis have such a seemingly dominant influence, not on U.S. psychology development, but on popular culture?
  • How did the perspectives of empiricism and structuralism lead to the development of American functionalism? Does American functionalism differ significantly from its European heritage? Why?
  • Describe the main factors of humanistic psychology. Compare and contrast their views with those of their contemporaries, such as psychoanalytic. In terms of application, what would make humanistic psychology appealing?

Justify your answers with appropriate research and reasoning. Comment on the postings of at least two peers. Provide an analysis of each peer’s postings while also suggesting specific additions or clarifications for improving the discussion question response.

 

To support your work make sure to utilize your course and text readings. When asked also utilize outside sources as well. As in all assignments make sure to cite your sources in your work and provide a reference for each citation utilizing APA format.

THE MAJOR THEORIES OF PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT, LEARNING, MEMORY, COGNITION, CONSCIOUSNESS, DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY.

In this assignment, begin by taking a retrospective look at your life history, to discuss which aspects of your personality have remained consistent and which aspects of your personality have changed over time. Then, analyze the roles of nature and nurture in shaping your personality. Subsequently, discuss possible sources of inaccuracy and bias in any retrospective analysis. Finally, discuss the reasons why systematic scientific studies are considered more valuable than individual accounts.

Write a three to four (3-4) page paper in which you:

  1. Reflect on your life history and discuss which aspects of your personality have changed over time and which aspects have stayed consistent.
  2. Based on your retrospective analysis, describe the roles of nature and nurture in shaping your personality. Reflect on your justification for distinguishing between nature and nurture.
  3. Discuss the possible sources of bias and inaccuracy whenever a person looks back on their past history. Be sure to discuss factors related to memory and factors related to cognition.
  4. Describe why the science of psychology places more emphasis on results based on scientific studies than it does on personal experience and anecdotes.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

  • Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA or school-specific format.  Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
  • To keep this essay short and manageable, your only sources for your paper should be your own experience and the Webtext. For this reason, APA citations and references are not required for this assignment.
  • Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date.  The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

 

  • Describe the major theories of personality development, learning, memory, cognition, consciousness, development and social psychology.
  • Use technology and information resources to research issues in psychology.
  • Write clearly and concisely about psychology using proper writing mechanics.

Explain why Pavlov’s experiments in reflexology were an important part in the development of psychology.

The science of psychology has steadily been moving more toward a biological basis during the early 20th century but researchers found that it really didn’t explain all the nuances of human behavior. One of the more famous experiments is the Pavlov dog experiment, which described unconditioned and conditioned responses. James Watson went one step further describing behavior from what then emerged as Behaviorism. It was B.F. Skinner that shaped Behaviorism into its current state, through research on operant conditioning. Behaviorism still didn’t provide all the answers; psychology continues to evolve into different areas such as cognitive psychology.

  • Explain why Pavlov’s experiments in reflexology were an important part in the development of psychology.
  • Describe behaviorism from Watson’s perspective; then, compare and contrast his viewpoints with operational positivism and the prevailing functionalism.
  • What are the major similarities and differences between Watson and Skinner’s behaviorism? From your understanding of psychological principles, which of them had a greater influence in the areas of both research and applied psychology?
  • Psychology seems to have emerged as a science, but with an eclectic view of how to understand behavior. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Is there a difference between the research aspect of psychology and the applied side of psychology in terms of theoretical perspectives?

To support your work make sure to utilize your course and text readings. When asked also utilize outside sources as well. As in all assignments make sure to cite your sources in your work and provide a reference for each citation utilizing APA format.

Answer

The New Psychology and Literature

“The New Psychology and Literature,” please read the excerpt from Kafka’s short story, “The Metamorphosis.”  Consider Gregor’s metamorphosis from human to insect in light of the time period of Kafka’s life (1883-1924).  Think about how his relationships to his mother and father, his employer, and society in general during a time of modernism, industrialism, and war, may have led to his non-human transformation.  The New Psychology and Literature,

What does his metamorphosis say about the pressures and expectations of modern society – about Kafka’s (or his character’s) lonely search for the meaning of individual existence in a meaningless or indifferent world?  Consider the Existentialist attitude — living with a sense of disorientation and confusion in the face of an apparently meaningless or absurd world. How can an individual artist find meaning and fulfillment?

Please address the above questions in the first half of your response (approximately 125 words).  For the second half (approximately 125 words – for a total of 250 words for the entire post), please pretend that you are Gregor.  What will you do?  Write an ending to your story as Gregor!  Even if you are familiar with the entire story and ending, please create your own ending!  Have fun, but also consider your choices in ending the story.  Justify in your own mind a happy or sad, fantastic or realistic ending.  Use your creative skills and be original!

Influence of Gestalt Psychology

Influence of Gestalt Psychology

Influence of Gestalt Psychology

Gestalt psychology made many important contributions to the history of psychology. Today, very few courses cover Gestalt psychology as most of its thoughts are being integrated into other theories. However, Gestalt psychology has greatly impacted the understanding of perceptions and holistic approaches to psychology.  Gestalt psychology can also be applied to other realms besides visual understanding. For example, your previous knowledge may influence the way you interpret new information or your worldview impacts how you see and understand the world.

How does your belief system and worldview impact the way you see the world and your understanding of psychology?

2Social Influences on Behavior Paper Prepare a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper in which you examine fundamental concepts of human interaction from the perspective of social psychology. Describe at least two examples of how human behavior changes based on social situations. In your description be sure to address the following: • Describe the specific behaviors and the context in which they occurred. • Using social psychology concepts, provide an analysis of possible precursors and consequences of the behaviors. • Identify any associated phenomenon with your selected behaviors, such as social facilitation, social loafing, or groupthink. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

ABOUT THE EVOLUTION OF PSYCHOLOGY THROUGHOUT HISTORY.

Assignment 1: LASA2: Historical Context

Every generation of psychologists seems to engage in practices that the next generation looks back upon with concern and regret. Many of the former treatments for the mentally ill are now viewed as unethical.

  • Reflect back on what you have learned throughout this course about the evolution of psychology throughout history.
  • Research a form of treatment used with the mentally ill during a particular decade in the 20th century. Include information about the key historical events that were happening around the time this treatment was being used, as well as identifying the popular culture of the time.AAbout the evolution of psychology throughout history.
  • How might the psychological theories of the time have influenced attitudes fostering discrimination of people with mental illness?
  • Analyze the themes and perspective(s) that underlie the rationale for this treatment.
  • Explain how all of the above (i.e., historical events, culture, and the underlying rationale for this treatment) related to the popular psychological theory at that time.
  • Conclude your presentation with a question raised about a current treatment that may be parallel to your findings.

Create a PowerPoint Presentation, using information you learned in your textbook and at least 1 peer-reviewed article to support your response.  You can use relevant Web sites or journal articles as sources for your presentation, but make sure that they are from reputable web and print sources such as the AU online library, or information from.org, .net, or .edu sites as opposed to .com. Please avoid Wikipedia.

 

Assignment 1 Grading Criteria
Maximum Points
Reflected back on lessons about the evolution of psychology throughout history.
32
Researched a form of treatment used with the mentally ill during a particular decade in the 20th century.
32
Included information about the key historical events that were happening around the time this treatment was being used and identified the popular culture of the time.
32
Described how the psychological theories of the time might have influenced attitudes fostering discrimination of people with mental illness.
36
Analyzed the themes and perspective(s) that underlie the rationale for this treatment.
36
Explained how all of the above (i.e., historical events, culture, and the underlying rationale for this treatment) related to the popular psychological theory at that time.
36
Concluded the presentation with a question raised about a current treatment that may be parallel to the findings.
32
Style (8 points): Tone, audience, and word choiceOrganization (16 points): Introduction, transitions, and conclusion

Usage and Mechanics (16 points): Grammar, spelling, and sentence structure

APA Elements (24 points): In text citations and references, paraphrasing, and appropriate use of quotations and other elements of style

64
Total:
300