General Psychology Paper: Psychological Science in Everyday Life
Paper Topic:
Brain injury and psychological processes. (What do injuries to certain portions of the brain teach us about the respective functions of that brain region? What does this information imply for how to protect individuals from such injury?)
Instructions
The paper is to be minimum 5 full pages long, in paragraph form. Full-sentences are expected, as are opening and closing paragraphs. Be sure to answer the question prompts fully. The paper should be written in APA style. At a minimum, this means it should include:
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Title Page
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Double-spaced, 12-pt Times-New Roman text. Remove extra space between paragraphs that is the default in MS Word.
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1” margins on all four sides
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References page (all references cited in the text, all citations included on the references page)
Grading information
The paper is worth 100 points. The grading turnaround for papers is one week (that is, you should expect to have a submitted paper graded by one week from the date of submission).
The point distribution for the papers is as follows:
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20 points: Writing
Criteria: appropriate grammar, appropriately edited for syntax and phrasing, complete sentences, structured in paragraph and essay form, meets page length requirements, uses APA style. -
20 points: Follows the prompt
All portions of the paper are complete. Answers fully address the questions in the prompt and address them in a sufficiently detailed way. -
20 points: Evidence
In each paper, you are required to support evidence for your written points, whether the evidence is specific detail from the modules, the internet, or your observations (and, in all cases, the evidence needs to be stated in your own words and not plagiarized). These sources should be appropriately cited. For example: (Scott, 2010) or (www.sciencedaily.com, “What is Keeping Your Kids Up At Night,” para. 2). Sufficient referencing and integration (without plagiarism) of other sources is necessary to achieve full points in this area. A reference page is also needed. -
20 points: Evaluation
In each paper, you are to include your own thoughts and evaluations. Each paper option involves you thinking further on a topic in psychology and making some evaluations and decisions about the topic. Your thoughts need to be described in sufficient detail and identified as your thoughts, compared to information that you may obtain elsewhere. Sufficient explanation is necessary to achieve full points in this area. -
20: Content
Accuracy of your written positions and appropriateness of content given the question prompts are necessary to achieve full points in this area. This is the heart of the papers — answering the questions correctly, accurately, and appropriately. In the cases of providing your opinions, these should still be grounded correctly in the theory or module topic that you are addressing.
Assignment Overview
One of psychology’s claims to fame is that psychological information can be applied to better understand and help people’s everyday lives. For this paper, you will have the opportunity to explore a topic in psychology that has such implications, research it in more detail, and consider how this information can be applied.
Instructions
1. Please choose one topic from the list below. Each topic is based on material discussed in the respective modules.
2. Research your topic. Start by reading the module content and note any references in the module. Then, find websites, articles, and/or books on your topic. Your research must include at least 4 articles or books. That is, websites can be very helpful and informative, but your final paper must include full articles (whether from the internet or elsewhere) or books on the topic. Sources should be reputable and consistent with what you learned in the module as well as other sources. GoogleScholar and PDF articles from the internet can be helpful resources.
Tips for finding sources:
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A Google search can be a helpful way to start. You can then see the scope and type of information available. After you’ve read up on the topic, you can then search more academic sources such as through GoogleScholar or academic websites (such as hospitals and research institutions) that might have articles and reports available.
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Each topic on the list does have information that you can find online as well as in print. If, for whatever reason, you have trouble locating this information, you may want to switch topics.
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Make sure you use good search terms when trying to find articles. You may want to start broad (for example, “Bystander effect”) and then narrow to your particular area.
3. Each topic has an application component. Some suggestions for application can be researched, but you will also need to come up with your own ideas. You may want to jot down notes as you research your topic so that you can come to your own conclusions.
4. Write the paper. Be sure to include all components from the questions above for your topic. The paper should be written in essay format (not an outline), in 12-point font, and double-spaced. Be sure to edit carefully before submitting the paper. Here is the format for writing the paper:
Format
Introduction
Introduce your topic and explain why this topic was of interest to you.
Body of paper
Fully address your topic and all the components of it. Support your points with your cited research. The topic should be explained in full. This section should be at least 3 pages long.
Application
Discuss your topic’s application component. Be sure to mention what applications are recommended by others and what you recommend. You must include your own views about what the application should be, and clearly state them and why. This section should be at least 1-2 pages
Conclusion
Conclude your topic with a wrap-up paragraph. Some suggestions for a good conclusion:
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End by summarizing what was learned about this topic;
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End by emphasizing a particular application of the information;
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End by suggesting where future research and discussion should go on this topic.
Total paper length
3-5 pages
Paper Topic
From Module 2
Brain injury and psychological processes. (What do injuries to certain portions of the brain teach us about the respective functions of that brain region? What does this information imply for how to protect individuals from such injury?)
Grammar and Writing Guidelines
Helpful Punctuation Tips
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Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun.
Sample: That is a rough, narrow road. -
Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, and yet when they join independent clauses. An independent clause is a part of the sentence that can stand alone.
Sample: Many of us were at the game, but Cecil was at the store. -
Use a comma after introductory elements such as participial or gerund phrases.
Sample: Pausing for a moment in the doorway, the teacher smiled at the class. Or after a series of prepositional phrases.
Sample: Near the gate at the end of the lane, I watched the traffic pass by. -
Use commas to set off elements that interrupt the sentence.
Sample: He, of course, will not attend the meeting. -
Use a semicolon between independent clauses in a sentence if they are not joined by and, but, nor, for, or yet. Independent clauses are two sentences that can stand alone.
Sample: Making the vaccines more potent is probably not the answer; there would be a greater risk of more severe reactions to the inoculations themselves. -
Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by such words as for example, for instance, nevertheless, therefore, however.
Sample: Janie did as she was told; however, she was not happy about it. -
Use a colon to mean “note what follows.”
Sample: The equipment that you will need is as follows: warm clothes, food, blankets, and bedding. Note: Never place a colon after a verb. Incorrect: The equipment that you will need is warm clothes, etc. (You must include the phrase “is as follows”). -
Use underlining or italics to denote titles of books or plays. Crime and Punishment or Crime and Punishment. Never place the title of a book or play title in quotation marks. Incorrect: “Crime and Punishment.”
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Short stories and poems are placed in quotation marks: “Mending Wall” by Robert Frost.
Source: Warriner’s English Grammar and Composition
Helpful Tips for Writing Style and Grammar
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A singular subject must have agreement with a singular verb. In the same manner, a plural subject must show agreement with a plural verb.
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Maintain verb consistency throughout your paper. Stay within a chosen tense without shifting back and forth between tenses.
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Use the pronoun “who” to refer to people; use the relative pronoun “that” or “which” to refer to animals or inanimate things.
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Margins: Use 1-in (2.54 cm) margins on all sides of the page.
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Indent the first line of every paragraph 0.5 in. or use the tab key.
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Active and Passive Voice: In “active voice,” the subject of the sentence is presented first.
Sample: They picked the apples. In “passive voice” the object of the sentence is presented first. The apples were to be picked by them. (Note the use of “to be” which often denotes a passive voice. While both active and passive voice are accepted in APA, active voice is encouraged to present vivid language. -
Use of the words “not only” but also”: Correct: It is interesting not only that she was a nurse, but also that she had a degree in journalism.
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Continuity, which shows the easy flow (cadence)of the paper is essential to clear writing. The reader of the paper should be able to follow with ease the natural sequence of events developing in the writing.
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Be concise in your writing: state what needs to be said without going off the topic.
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Students should follow the guidelines for proper citations to avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism refers to the act of including the words of another that are not your own, original words. Since Portage Learning instructors use electronic scans to review papers and essays, this is easily identified and deteted. Refer to the Portage Academic Honesty Policy. Note: Submitting a paper that you wrote for another class is labeled as “self-plagiarism” and is not permitted in the writing courses at Portage.
Several of the suggested tips in the list are from this source: American Psychological Association (2020). Publication Manual: The official site to APA style.” (7th Edition)
Foundational Writing Steps
Step 1: Select and Narrow Your Topic
Step 2: Brainstorm Your Topic
Step 3: Outline Your Topic
Step 4: Write Your Research Questions
Step 5: Write Your Thesis Statement
Step 6: Write Your Introduction
Step 7: Write Your Content
Step 8: Write Your Conclusion
Step: 9 Create a “References” page if applicable
Best Writing Practice:
My best tip for writing research papers: If you are having trouble with the cohesiveness and fluidity of your paper, please follow these steps:
Create 4 research questions. These questions should be impactful and very focused. Follow this plan (schema) for writing your paper:
Introduction: First page and paragraph: Write the introduction that should include your thesis statement. Do not provide conclusive remarks in this opener.
Body of the Paper- Point 1: Using the content of your first research question, write 1.5-2 pages of information on that specific question. Insert many sources. Do not progress to another point until all elements of that first research question have been addressed.
Body of the Paper- Point 2: After including a transitional word, move to the context and information of your second research question. Using citations for your research, write 1.5- 2 pages pertaining to that question. Do not move to another point before addressing all of the elements of that second question.
Body of the Paper- Point 3: After including a transitional word, move to the context and information of your third research question. Using citations for your research, write 1.5- 2 pages pertaining to that question. Do not move to another point before addressing all of the elements of that third question.
Body of the Paper- Point 4: After including a transitional word, move to the context and information of your fourth research question. Using citations for your research, write 1.5- 2 pages pertaining to that question. Do not move to another point before addressing all of the elements of that fourth question.
Conclusion: Conclude your paper with a summation of your points that refocuses on the thesis statement that you have provided. Note: Your conclusion must be based on the cited research and information that you have provided.
References: Include an alphabetized works cited pages that has 10-15 sources. These sources should have appeared in your essay/paper.
Information for the title page:
A title page is required for APA Style. Sample:
Page number 1
Running Head: Music Therapy and Autistic Children
Title: The Impact of Music Therapy on Children with Autism
Name/writer: Susan M. Smith
Affiliation: Department of English, Portage Learning and Geneva College
Course: English Composition 101
Instructor: Professor S. Vesolich
Date: October 20,2020
APA 7 Guidelines for Citing Sources
Supplemental Resources:
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APA Style website: https://apastyle.apa.org
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JARS website (journals): https://apastyle.apa.org/jars
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APA Style blog: https://apastyle.apa.org/blog
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The Purdue Writing Lab (OWL): https://owl.purdue.edu
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Academic Writer: https//digitallearning.apa.org/academic-writer
Reasons to use APA guidelines for citing sources:
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To present a paper with clarity and scholarly communication.
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To write in a methodical and uniformed manner.
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To establish academic integrity and honesty in acknowledging the writing of others.
Placement of Parenthetical (in-text citations) and Narrative Citations:
Any time that information is included that is not the original work of the student writer, an in-text citation must be placed next to this information. In academic writing, fact-based statements are essential in creating a paper of depth and substance.
For in-text citations, the author-date citation system is used: (Edden, 2019).
For a source without an author’s name, use this format for a book with no author: (Writing Research Papers, 2018). Note the use of italics with the title. For a magazine or article, use this format: “Writing an outline in a research paper,”2020). Note the quotation marks around the article title.
For a work with one or two authors, include the name of both authors (Samson & Thornton, 2020). But for a work with three or more authors, include the name of the first author with the words et al. This term et al is Latin for “and others.”
Sample: (Devin et al, 2020).
Never include an in-text citation in this format: (https://dol/org/10.10105
. More information must be included.
For narrative citations: When the author’s name appears in a running text, use this format: In 2015, Dawson stated that he would change his career plans. OR Dawson (2019) stated that he would change his career plans.
Abbreviations of names: The first time a group name is mentioned in the in-text citation, the name must be written in full context. Example: (The American Psychological Association, 2020). If this citation appears again in the text, an abbreviation may be used. Sample: (APA, 2020).
Guidelines for direct quotations: A direct quotation states the words of another author or document verbatim. It is suggested that you paraphrase using the guidelines for citations rather than overusing direct quotations. However, if a direct quotation enhances your paper, follow these guidelines:
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You must include a page number with a direct quotation. This is mandatory: (Atwin, 204, p219).
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For direct quotations fewer than 40 words, treat it as a short quotation that is enclosed with quotation marks. Place the parenthetical citation immediately after the quotation or at the end of the sentence.
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For direct quotations that are 40 words are more: treat it as a block quotation. Do not use quotation marks. Start a block quotation on a new line and Indent the block 0.5 inches from the left margin. Cite the source in parentheses after the quotation’s final punctuation.
Using direct quotations from websites that do not provide page numbers: It is always the best practice of writing to include a page number for a direct quotation, but if this is not possible to find, either use another source, or find another way of providing a means to locate this source. Examples: Provide a section name: (Dillon & Thomas, 2019, Arthritis Section). Provide a paragraph number: (Dillon & Thomas, 2019, para 2).
Writing references at the end of your paper: This page is essential for providing and identifying all sources that were used in the paper. There are four main elements when a writer lists entries on the “References” page: 1) The author/authors. 2) The date of publication. 3) The title of the work. 4) The place to retrieve this work. Formatting of the “References” page includes the following:
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Begin the “References” list on a new page after the text.
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Place the section label “References” in bold at the top of the page, centered.
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Arrange the reference list alphabetically by author (last name first), followed by author’s initial of first name.
Samples:
Book reference: Sanders, K. (1999). Music therapy and children with autism. Standard Publications.
Report Reference: American Psychological Association. (2020). Differentiating between active and passive voice. https: www.apaorg/writing techniques
Journal article: Etters et al. (2002). PTSD and Veterans. Cleveland Clinic. 340-349. https://dol.org/10.1015/0163
.
You Tube video: PBS. (2013, April 7). Environmental changes impacting our parks.
You Tube.https://www.youtube,com/watch?v=fDZl-4udE
Blog post: (reliable Blog post): Allen, D. (2019, December 5). Christmas in Vermont. Tourism in Vermont. http://bit.ly/2D6ux8u
Online sources: In APA citations, online sources often include DOIs (digital object identifiers). If a DOI is available, it is used in place of a URL. The DOI is frequently found on the first page of an online source. APA generally cites author, date, page title, site title, available page numbers, and a URL (Uniform Resource Indicator) or DOI. The date of access should also be included if there is no publication or date. If the page’s author is not listed, start with the title instead. Sample:
Tuscan white bean pasta. (2018, February 25). Budgetbytes. Retrieved March 18, 2020, from https://www.budgetbytes.com/tuscan-white-bean-p
(example from Purdue Online Writing Lab).
Encyclopedia: Dylan, M. (Ed.) (2019). The Stanford encyclopedia of poetry. (Fall 2019 ed.). Stanford University. https://thomas.standor.edu.archives/fall/2019
Religious Work: The Torah: The Five Books of Moses (3rd ed.) (2015). The Jewish Publication Society. (Original work published in 1962). or King James Bible (2018) King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/
original work published in 1769. Note: samples of religious work taken from APA Publication Manual, 7th edition)
Work in an anthology: Stevens, L. (2018). Group analysis on paradoxes in literature. In M Goldstein (Ed.) The complete list of literary techniques (pp 299-324). https://doi.or/10/10419-010
(original work published in 1951).
Journal article with a DOI: Menson T & Tremain, L. (2020). Idiosyncrasies in English grammar rules. English Today. 129-140. https:/doi.org/10.1037/rev0000125
Newspaper article: Green, S. (2014, October 10). Responding to Covid. The New York Times, C1.
Webinar: Tindale, S. (2020). Resources for Veterans with PTSD. American Psychiatric Association. https://psychiatry.or/Users/ProudctDetails.aspx?activitylD
Note: For more samples and answers to specific citation questions, refer to the resources suggested at the beginning of this document.
Sample of APA 7 “Reference” page
Sample of APA 7 “Reference” page
American Psychological Association (2020). Publication Manual: The official site to APA style. (7th Edition).
References
Acterberg. J(1985). Imagery in healing. Shambhala Publications.
American Psychological Association (2017). Stress in America. The state of our nation.
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2017/state-nation.pdf
Bernstein, D.A. & Borkovec, T.D. (1973). Progressive relaxation training: A manual for the helping professions. Research Press.
Cunningham, A.J. & Tocco, E.K. (1989). A randomized trial of group psychoeducational therapy for cancer patients. Patient Education and Counseling, 14 (2) 101-114.
Hardy K. (2007, October 8). Mindfulness is plentiful in “The post -traumatic insomnia workbook.” Veterans Training Support Center. http://bit.ly/2D6u8U
Jacobson, E. (1938). Progressive relaxation. (3rd ed.) University of Chicago Press.
Lange, S. (1982, August 23-27). A realistic look at guided fantasy. [paper presentation]. American Psychological Association 90th Annual Convention, Washington, DC.
Utay, J. & Miller M. (2006). Guided imagery as an effective therapeutic technique: A brief review of its history and efficacy research. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 33 (1),40-43.
Yalom, I.D. & Leszcz. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (5th ed.) Basic Books.