Questions

Conduct a literature review (see Bem, 2016).  You will review and summarize relevant theory and research in order to defend a particular position (your thesis).  The topic of your literature review might come from the following list, or you may identify a different area of interest.  However, if you choose something other than the options below, you must obtain permission from your instructor prior to writing/submitting the paper.  It is up to the instructor’s discretion to allow/disallow alternative topics.  Here are some ideas you might choose to explore:

·         Accuracy of Proverbs

·         Example:  “Don’t judge a book by its cover” or “Beauty is a good letter of introduction”?  In other words, what can one conclude based on appearance alone?

·         Example:  “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” or “Out of sight, out of mind”?  In other words, do long distances or extended amounts of time strengthen relationship ties, or weaken them?

·         Example:  “Birds of a feather flock together” or “Opposites attract”?  In other words, are people attracted to similar or dissimilar others?

·         Impact of Titles/Labels

·         Example:  How do team mascots (such as the Redskins or Braves) impact Native Americans (self-esteem, stereotype threat, etc.)?

·         Example:  How do labels (such as smart/stupid, crazy or criminal, etc.) impact people’s mental processes and behaviors?

·         Altruism

·         Example:  Does true altruism exist?  What motivates people to help?

·         Explanatory Style

·         Example:  Do optimists experience better life outcomes than pessimists? 

·         Persuasive Appeals

·         Example:  How do political campaigns utilize various techniques?

·         Self-esteem

·          Example:  Is there a dark side? Can one be too confident?

·         School Size

·         Example:  Do students fare better in big schools or small schools?  Why?

·         Reactance

·         Example:  What is the theory behind “reverse psychology”?

·         Gender Differences

·         Example:  in aggression, sex, etc.

·         A Form of Prejudice

·         Example:  fat prejudice, racial prejudice, etc.

·         Psychology and the Law

·         Example:  jury behavior, etc.

·         Other: Must be approved by your instructor in advance!

The Final Paper

·         Must be at least 5 to 10 double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according toAPA styleas outlined in theAshford Writing Center.

·         Must include a separatetitle pagewith the following:

·         A header

·         Title of paper

·         Student’s name

·         Course name and number

·         Instructor’s name

·         Date submitted

·         Must begin with anintroductory paragraphthat has a succinctthesis statement.

·         Must utilizeacademic voice.

·         Must address the topic withcritical thought.

·         Must end with aconclusionthat reaffirms the thesis.

·         Must use at least five peer-reviewed scholarly sources.  Additional scholarly sources are encouraged.

·         Be sure tointegrate your researchsmoothly rather than simply inserting it.

·         In general,paraphrasematerial rather than using direct quotes.