Do you need a topic for your psychology paper or research paper? Sometimes, it can seem like finding a great topic for your psychology paper is harder than actually researching and writing. There are many inspiring places out there. Below is a list of some suggestions to help you get started.
A solid topic is a key step in any paper. Writing a psychology essay or research paper can make it even more important. You need to be able to adequately cover psychology without being overwhelmed by information.
You might have been able to choose any topic within the broad scope of psychology in some cases. You might be required to write a paper on a specific topic, such as an abnormal psychology course.
Concentrate on one topic within a particular branch of psychology
It is important to choose a topic that you are able to concentrate on your subject without limiting the scope of your paper. However, it should not be too narrow that it becomes difficult to find resources or information.
Another approach is to focus your attention on a particular branch of psychology. A good example of this is a paper you write on social psychology. Then, you might narrow down your focus to the ways persuasion can influence behavior.
You might also be interested in other topics related to social psychology:
– Prejudice or discrimination (e.g. homophobia, sexism and racism).
– Examining how people interpret and respond to social situations
– Person perception
– Attitudes
– Social control, cults
Marketing, persuasion and propaganda
– Attraction and romance. Love
– Nonverbal communication
Acting in a way that benefits others
– Leadership
Write about a type of therapy or disorder
A psychology paper can be interesting in exploring a particular treatment method or psychological disorder. A few examples of abnormal psychology topics are:
– Eating disorders
– A state of low mood and aversion to activity
– Phobias
– Borderline personality disorders
– Seasonal Affective Disorder
– Schizophrenia
– Antisocial personality Disorder
– Profile a type (e.g., cognitive behavior therapy, group therapy and psychoanalytic Therapy)
Check out this list of psychological disorders
Select a topic related to human cognition
This area could include intelligence, reasoning, and thinking. You might also consider:
– Ambitions
– Fabricated recollections
– Pay close attention
The act of understanding or becoming aware of something.
What language?
– Speech disorders
– Problem-solving
– Making a decision
Take a look at a topic related to human development
This area could be focused on early childhood issues such as language, social learning or attachment. You might also choose to focus your attention on older adults such dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
You might also be interested in:
Harassment
Language Acquisition
– Media violence against children
– Learning disabilities
The roles and expectations of men and women in society.
– Child Abuse
– Prenatal development
– Different approaches to raising children
– Aspects in the Aging Process
Critique a Book or Academic Journal Article
A psychology critique paper is a paper that analyzes a book or article published in psychology. One example is Sigmund Freud’s Interpretation of Dreams. Another example is Philip Zimbardo’s The Lucifer Effect. Understanding how good people turn evil.
You can also find material for critique papers in academic and professional journals. You can browse through the university library’s collection to find titles that are related to your topic, and then you can look through recent articles to find the one that catches your eye.
Analyze a Famous Experiment
There have been many interesting and innovative experiments in psychology’s history. These can be used as a basis for term papers. Your paper might include a summary of the experiment, analysis of ethics and evaluation of the results. You might also consider the following possible experiments:
– Milgram Obedience Experiment
– Stanford Prison Experiment
An experiment in 1920s conducted by psychologist John B. Watson and his graduate student, Rosalie Rayner, called the Little Albert Experiment, was conducted to study the effects of classical conditioning on an orphaned child.
– The tests conducted by Pavlov concerning the conditioning of responses in animals
– The research conducted by Solomon Asch which examined people’s willingness to conform to a majority opinion.
– The research conducted by Harlow on Rhesus monkeys
Write a paper about a historical figure
It is easy to find a topic that interests you by choosing a historical psychologist and writing a paper on them.
Your paper could examine many aspects of the individual’s life including their biography, professional and psychological history.
This paper is historical, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Psychology is filled with fascinating figures, rich in stories and anecdotes. You can think of famous psychologists such as Harry Harlow, B.F. Skinner and Sigmund Junko.
Write about a specific career in psychology
A topic that you could write on is a specific career path within psychology. This will depend on which course you are taking. This paper is best if the topic you are interested in most is explored.
You might choose to examine the typical job duties of a psychology student, what salary they typically make, and the different options for employment.
Make a case study of a person or group of people
You might consider writing a case study in psychology about a certain individual or group. This paper will include a detailed analysis of the subject as well as a biographical sketch.
In general, you will also evaluate the person. This may include using major psychological theories like Erikson’s eight stage theory of human growth or Piaget’s stages in cognitive development. Not all papers should be about people you know.
Professors are often open to students writing case studies on fictional characters or historical figures from films, television or books.
Execute an analysis of existing material on a specific topic.
One way to make sure that you are well-prepared for your psychology course is to review the literature on a certain topic. A literature search involves gathering information from a variety sources and summarizing it.
Literature reviews are typically used to introduce psychology papers or journal articles. However, this analysis is also useful for larger psychology term papers.
Do a study or experiment
Many psychology courses require students in psychology to create or execute a psychological experiment. Students may simply design the study and imagine what might happen. You may have the chance to gather data, analyze them, and then write your results.
Finding the right topic to study can be difficult. However, there are lots of ways to get creative. Consider your interests and past studies.
You can find great topics to use in your psychology term papers and experiments by looking online, in books, newspapers, journals, or even in your class textbook. How to conduct psychology experiments.
A word from Verywell
This list shows that psychology is a broad subject. This variety allows you to choose the topic that is most interesting to you. However, for some students it can be difficult to pick a topic.
Ask your instructor if there are any suggestions.
