Category: Psychology

Choose any topic you wish under the extremely broad heading of psychology. For topic ideas you could think about personal, leisure or career interests. Search for areas of overlap with psychology and subtopics within your subject of interest. Another way to start is to work with textbook chapter headings and subtopics within the text chapters. Find a chapter that interests you. Look for sub headings and references to previous research. The APA website as discussed in class may be a resource for topic ideas.
Additional sources for ideas will be discussed during class.
Find one peer review journal article and two additional sources relevant to the selected topic for a total of three sources. Additional sources can be any internet, magazine, or newspaper article, documentary, book, lecture, or film of a reputable nature. Identifying and finding peer review journal articles will be reviewed in class.
The writing assignment will consist of 3-4 pages summarizing and reacting to each source and a reference page. A good faith attempt to use APA formatting for in text citations and the reference page will be required. The reference page must include the peer review journal article and the two additional sources.
Any source discussed in the body of the text must be cited on the reference page and any source appearing on the reference page must appear in the body of the writing assignment.
Important: The writing assignment must conclude with an idea for additional research relevant to the topic, including a description of how your study might be conducted, or what an experiment might look like, incorporating concepts relating to research design from Chapter One. See note at the end of these instructions for where in Brightspace to find FAQ’s and tips for the conclusion.
The writing assignment must be typed-font size twelve, and double spaced. It will be graded based on content, which will include the relevance and appropriateness of sources, organization, grammar, and spelling. Grading is detailed at the end.
Suggested formats: Introduce your topic 1-2 paragraphs. Then devote 1-3 paragraphs per source summarizing the research from each source. Hold your reactions for the end. Your final page would include your reactions, ideas, thoughts, and study or experiment design as they relate to the research you found. Alternatively, react to each source as you go. Make sure to include the required idea for research at the end. You should expect to devote approximately two thirds of a page for each source.
Excluding the reference page, the writing assignment must be 3 pages, but NOT more than 4 pages.
See * suggestions for the peer review article summary on page 2.
Regardless of structure, the conclusion must include one idea for further study on this topic, and to the best of your ability, a brief description of how you might conduct a research study or experiment incorporating methods discussed in class and described in chapter 1 in the textbook.
The primary focus of the grade will be on your summaries, reactions, and idea for additional research, structure, grammar and spelling. The experiment or study design at the end only needs to reflect a basic understanding of the scientific method as applied to psychology research, and evidence of effort to apply some of the concepts discussed in class and described in chapter one.
It is recommended but not required that you submit a topic idea and information about a possible peer review article to insure you are on the right track with selections. Topics may be changed, but it is recommended that you check the new topic with your instructor. Suggested date by 3/14.
The writing assignment is due no later than 4/18.
Continued on page 2
Page 2 guidelines for the writing assignment Spring 2024
Writing assignments will be graded as follows:
content 60 points
required idea for a future study is considered part of the content, but is worth 10 additional points above the 60. Make sure you tie in your idea to sources reviewed and what you learned in class about psychological research.
sources used and effort to employ APA formatting for in text citations and the reference page 20 points. You must have one peer review -also called ‘scholarly’ – article and two additional sources.
structure 10 points
Note: these guidelines, FAQ’s, and tips for the conclusion will be posted in Brightspace. Go to content and then go to assignments.
*suggestions for summary of the peer review article
Why did you select this article?
What was the purpose of the study? What did the authors hope to learn?
What methods were used? Do the best you can with a summary. Specific details are not needed.
What were the conclusions? Note if any mention is made regarding possible variables that would need to be addressed in future studies. What did you think about the research?

Write a 450 word response to the following questions: What are some of the most important issues that clinicians need to assess when counseling gay and lesbian clients? How is this different from those who are heterosexual? What specific needs might gay and lesbian clients have that are different from some others? You will be expected to use APA format for your paper with the objectives outlined above as separate headings and subheadings where appropriate. Your document should be written in Times New Roman font and double spaced with a proper title page. Please refer to the APA Seventh Edition Manual for formatting. Include a minimum of 3 citations in your paper to detail your support above and beyond the text.

Use statistical software to create, interpret, and analyze two histograms in a Word document.
Instructions, scoring, resources, explanation video attached. Data file on Dropbox:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/lvbsipkmdnvepdauvag7h/cf_grades.jasp?rlkey=i56089rvj9sf4t0uxp5lsjklo&dl=0 

Write a professional development briefing paper focused on how theories, principles, and evidence-based best practices related to problem-solving and creativity, decision-making and reasoning, and human and artificial intelligence can be applied in the context of a selected professional specialization.
Introduction
As a professional psychologist, you will need to review theory and research and use it as the basis to develop best practices. For this assessment, you will focus on the following topics:
Problem-solving and creativity.
Decision-making and reasoning.
Human and artificial intelligence.
Note: This assessment will be a briefing paper, not a presentation.
Scenario
Imagine you are now a professional psychologist working in the specialization that you aspire to. You are charged with creating professional development for an interdisciplinary team of professionals in your workplace on how theories, principles, and evidence-based best practices of cognitive and affective psychology can be used to help people in your work context.
Preparation
The third assessment focuses on problem-solving and creativity; decision-making and reasoning; and human and artificial intelligence. For context on these topics, read:
Introduction to Problem Solving and Creativity [PDF].
Introduction to Decision Making and Reasoning [PDF].
Introduction to Human and Artificial Intelligence [PDF].
As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or broaden your viewpoint. You are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community. Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or submitted as part of your assessment.
What are obstacles and aids to problem-solving?
What strategies guide human decision-making and reasoning?
What is deductive reasoning? What facilitates and impedes its use?
What is inductive reasoning? What facilitates and impedes its use?
What other forms of reasoning are there?
How does expertise develop?
To what degree is human intelligence influenced by inherited or environmental factors?
What is groupthink? How does it affect decision-making, reasoning, and creativity?
How and to what extent does brain physiology and neuroscience help explain normality and abnormality in relation to decision-making and reasoning? Does this science point toward interventions that improve performance in decision-making and reasoning? What is creativity and how can it be enhanced?
How do emotions impact with problem­-solving, creativity, or intelligence?
What ethical issues might arise for a psychologist in connection with problem-solving, creativity, or intelligence?
Instructions
For this assessment, you will write a briefing paper focused on the following topics:
Problem-solving and creativity.
Decision-making and reasoning.
Human and artificial intelligence.
The following resource is required to complete the assessment.
APA Paper Template [DOCX].
You will complete this assessment by replacing all instructional and sample text with your own words. (An abstract is not required for this assessment.)
Remember, your briefing paper is for an interdisciplinary team, so it will be important to communicate in a manner that can be understood by a those not trained in psychology. Be sure to include plain language definitions of psychological terms used in the paper.
Contents of the Paper
TITLE PAGE
On the title page, enter the following:
A descriptive title of approximately 5–15 words. It should stir interest while maintaining professional decorum.
Professional development for [enter the type of institutional context your paper is designed for].Your name.
Your specialization.
Course number and title.
Capella University.
Faculty name.
Note: If this paper was written for an actual professional context, the entries under your name would be replaced by your job title, the name of your organization, and your contact information.
INTRODUCTION
Briefly discuss in very general terms that how the three topics relate to each other and how they can be used to help people in your work context.
TOPIC SECTIONS
The briefing paper will have three sections, each dedicated to one of the three topics. Within each section:
Analyze briefly the origins and evolution of each theory that you will reference in relation to the topic.
Explain how theories, principles, and evidence-based best practices related to the topic can be used to explain behavior and help people. Remember, these factors should be relevant to the context. For each of these:Analyze how and to what extent brain physiology or neuroscience can provide an explanation of relevant phenomena.
Analyze how affective manifestations may impact cognitive performance.
Explain how theories and principles related to at least one of the topics in your paper apply to culturally diverse populations.
Explain one or more ethical issues that might arise in the application of theories and principles related to problem-solving, creativity, reasoning, or intelligence.Cite the APA Code of Ethics or another code of ethics if it is more relevant to your area.
CONCLUSION
Conclude your paper with a succinct statement that sums up the utility of what you have written.
REFERENCES
Cite references using current APA style and formatting guidelines.
Requirements: 5-6

I have attached the instructions and the paper fromwhere you will transfer the information to the 
PowerPoint. 

Can you please help me rewrite this and feel free to make changes. I really want to get accepted into this program and I need a personal statement indicating my interest in psychology being influenced by my professional experience (medical assistant and ophthalmic technician) also my academic journey in the sciences. I am currently graduating with my BA in Biology but I want to pursue a career in psychology because I enjoy mentoring and understanding, in addition to helping individuals with coping mechanisms.
Thank you.
The instructions: Write then upload a Personal Statement (500-700 words) that addresses your personal motivation for applying to the program, what you want to accomplish, and why this matters. Statements should demonstrate clarity of expression, capacity for complex thought, writing skills commensurate with this level of study, and a developed rationale for wanting to pursue this field of study. 

Purpose: This assignment will help you apply your family background and childhood to theories of child development and family systems. Genograms provide a multi-generational picture of a family or system. Helpers must first be aware of their own culture, beliefs, bias, and prejudices before they can effectively help others.  
For this assignment you will construct a three-generation genogram of your family (either biological or chosen) and reflect on selected themes in a paper. See figure 13.6 on page 446 of the Child Development textbook for examples as well as this student-generated genogram Download genogramexample.
Genogram drawings must be presented on one sheet of paper and submitted as a picture or PDF. The following information should be represented for all family members: sex/gender, ages, living status, and siblings in birth order. If you choose to describe a chosen family or system, you may include when individuals entered or left the group. 
You will also submit a 5-8 page APA formatted paper that discusses the themes and your reflection of how they have shaped how you see the world and childhood.  Choose three of the following themes to include in your drawing and reflection. 
Social and emotional relationships
Marital and cohabitation configurations
Patterns of functioning such as hostility and closeness
Dates of major transitions/exits/entrances
Indication of triangles, alliances, and estrangements
Beliefs about religion and faith
Beliefs about race and ethnicity
Beliefs about equality and privilege
Beliefs about sexuality
Beliefs about wealth and social class

https://pdx.cdn.nv.instructuremedia.com/originals/o-d7pkWVWnb18PwSCbNAGYadUhhET9dU9/transcodings/t-eRocm3735ME9ySQ3QqFQxutTXL7QxJK.mp4?response-content-disposition=attachment%3B+filename%3D%22PSY41.WA1%2520Video.mp4%22&Expires=1715910868&Signature=WYayFbFtfkJv-Be9yRZHk1igh6d8M47dY81Pe8MICB0~q6p7ndFKyhikzmj5cppU27QjTJyU1uwXnBlTz-PJMIP544QVoek5f~xhhjk2Tj89OxwsgyZMSQDO4RRAPoKZK2Rb7~Zzrb-IHYIbwx8wNjqLpZecualWmSrxPi2bR~yBgaTdr4XyOW5ZXYzcR2pBs-hncAaNSWPsEiE7EBi3-aWHCPzdnTSqhkoNxaGQ34b783SzIZGJmWUOdZOuuTKFVErZL3E5K2OpF3Z-Ma9VH97Tjf6jqur7shc3QmZUBQOLe0rgGgfZyIKcMBYARIb0daFa6uTAc2lZoavkx73dZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLP4NHW7VFATZNDQ
these are the instructions to the assignment
in the video above . I uploaded the assignment prompt and a assignment sample . I also uploaded the rubric
the book that is needed is
Santrock, J. W. Essentials of Life-Span Development (7th edition). McGraw-Hill: New York.

Learning Objectives
Critically evaluate through a biological lens a chosen issue from your own life, or made up, presented in a therapy session.
Describe how the counsellor developed aspects of the primary focus of factors both biologically and psychologically.
Discuss how the counsellor developed the therapeutic relationship.
Synthesize your understanding of the biological and psychological lens: What facilitated, what contributed, and what maintained the issue being presented.
Demonstrate a clear and effective understanding by communicating through a narrative format using APA 7th ed style.
Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to assist students to comprehend what it is like to be a client presenting their issue and be assessed from the BioPsycho lens within the therapeutic process. It is important for counsellors to understand the aspects of biology and psychology in the therapy session with a client.
Instructions
This assignment is structured to allow you, the student, to be the client. As you become the client, write from a client’s perspective (your own personal experiences), using first person pronoun where applicable, throughout the whole paper, the expectation is for the You to recognize what the experience is like to disclose personal information and the value of what a trained counsellor brings to the experience: understanding the professional counsellor in this assignment will be your reading materials as they inform you of your topic and therapeutic relationship. The assignment is to promote your own understanding of biological and psychological aspects and their impact on you personally.
Structure
Required components: The assignment is to be a five-page paper consisting of a title page, brief introduction (purpose statement of the paper and the client’s brief story and issue presented), page three is one page dedicated to writing the biological factors presented and the counsellor’s building of the therapeutic relationship, the fourth page is one page dedicated to the writing of the psychological factors presented and the counsellor’s building of the therapeutic relationship. One page, or more, of references with a minimum of six references within the past seven years.
Length of Assignment: The text body of paper (i.e., not including references, title page,) should be three double-spaced typed pages, Times New Roman font size: 12 or APA 7th ed).
Format: Please, format your assignment in Word Doc (files with extension .doc or .docx), or Rich Text Format (files with extension .rtf). No PDFs.
References: six minimum within the last seven years.
Imagine that you are the client and will bring forth a topic to apply the weekly readings. The list below may be used to help you select a primary focus. Examples that can be used for this self-analysis project:
Communication
Stress management
Procrastination
Sleep issue
Work-Life Balance
Self-esteem
Family dynamics in the relationship
Anxiety
If you have a topic that is not on this list, then please reach out to your primary instructor for approval.
** Please be mindful not to over-disclose. Do not select anything that personally elicits strong emotional responsiveness, such as addiction, substance abuse, significant grief/loss, or trauma (i.e., violent incidents, abuse, sexual assault, etc). **
See the diagram to explain what is meant by factors!
What did the counsellor identify as biological aspects of the primary focus selected above to you?
How did the counsellor build the therapeutic session for you to disclose and be respected?
Identify at least 3 biological factors, explain what makes them biological factors and link them to the issue you presented.
Identify at least 3 psychological factors, explain what makes them psychological factors and link them to the issue you presented. 
How did the counsellor build the therapeutic session for you to disclose and be respected? (minimum of two concepts for each topic).
Support your assessment with literature from your course readings and at least one outside resource.
What do we mean by Biological and Psychological Factors:
Biological — Genetic, hormonal, glands, developmental factors (neurotransmitters), pregnancy impact of chemical or hormones, medication impact on glands, hormones, other neuron activity, toxins and the impact biologically, physical environmental factors in nature that impact us biological, for example pollen.
Psychological — Cognitive, thinking, perception, self-talk, emotion/mood/feelings, behavioural, self-regulation, personality style. Developmental internal constructs from experiences in life (development of beliefs about self and self-talk that shape us). For example, Self-esteem is not a psychological factor, how I think/feel about myself or how I think/feel others perceive me would be the psychological factor.  Self-esteem is developed from your internal thoughts/feelings.
Therefore you need:
1 – title page (one page)
2- introduction (second page)
3 – discussion of biological factors, through the biological framework, and how the therapist built the session for you (third page)
4 – discussion of psychological factors, through the psychological framework, and how the therapist built the session for you (fourth page)
5. reference page(s). You may have more than one page of references (fifth, and sixth page)
No conclusion is required for this assignment.
Task: This paper is to apply the two approaches examined so far in this course (biological and psychological) to you personally and your personal life.
Purpose: As a student we want you to gain self-awareness and to reflect in an elaborative manner – and more deeply – about how life domains are influenced by biological and psychological factors. 
Objective: This assignment, consistent with Course Outcomes is to offer students the opportunity to think and conceptualize about life experiences multi-theoretically, from a biopsychological framework. To also reflect on what a client (you) would experience in the counselling session.
Factors Explained: What factors facilitate, what factors contribute, what factors maintain, the primary focus or issue.
How to examine each BPS/CRSJ Factor:
The goal is to examine each lens and how these factors produce or maintain the presenting problem in the client’s situation. For example, take the biological perspective, what has biologically facilitated the existence of the presenting problem? 
See the visual below of what to avoid (i.e., symptoms have been created as a result of its presence).
What to avoid for Assignments: 
Exploring symptoms or consequences that are a result of the presenting problem is more in line with diagnostic assessments. It does not help the counsellor explore BPS/CRJS understanding. Please avoid this thinking or discussion in your assignments.
Use the course readings and one outside source for Biological discussion, and the course readings and one outside source for the Psychological discussion. Be sure the references are within the last seven years. Be sure to use the course materials in your citations. 
Course Readings & Materials:
MACP Skills Learning Lab (Yorkville University) ( login details provided in word doc)
Pinel, J. P. J., & Barnes, S. J. (2021). Biopsychology (11th ed.). Pearson. ( for book access look through doc using login and link provided)
Shebib, B. (2022). Choices: Interviewing and counselling skills for Canadians (8th ed.). Pearson Canada. (for book access look through doc using login and link provided)
Slay-Westbrook, S. (2017). Respect-focused therapy: Honoring clients through the therapeutic relationships and process. Routledge. ISBN:9781138906907 https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=nlebk&AN=1360445&custid=s7439054 ( login details provided in word doc- this book is prvided free in course library seaarch for it once you login)
Resources
Any sources used to support your written narrative should be cited, in text, using the correct APA format. Although Wikipedia can be a useful starting place to gather very general information no Wikipedia references will be accepted as scholarly citations.
Use the Yorkville University Library and the EBSCO tool for academic search. It is important to select credible sources for assignments. This resource will assist students in determining which sources are credible: https://myyu.ca/ask/credible-source-guide/
Submission Notes
Please do not email your submissions to your professor, either before or after the due date; all coursework should be submitted through the online course (Moodle).
The system will not allow you to resubmit after the due date. In the event of an emergency situation preventing, you from submitting within this time frame, special permission must be obtained from your professor prior to the deadline. Documentation substantiating emergency is required. In such a circumstance, if the extension is granted, the professor will reopen the submission function for you on an individual basis.
Evaluation
The following rubric indicates those areas you should be focusing on in preparing your assignment, and how the professor will weigh these components relative to one another.
Criteria
% of Final Grade
Introduction purpose statement, introduction of the primary focus and appropriate selection from the list.
/10
Demonstrate your understanding of course readings/outside readings by discussing biological factors, explaining what makes them biological factors and linking to your issue through the biological framework. A minimum of three factors.
Discussion of the counsellor’s ability to develop a therapeutic relationship. 
/27
/8
Demonstrate your understanding of course readings/outside readings by discussing psychological factors, explain what makes them psychological factors, and link them to your issue, through the psychological framework. 
Discussion of the counsellor’s ability to develop a therapeutic relationship. (different from concepts above)
/27
/8
Clear organization/structure/general formatting (logical sections & subsections). Correct grammar, punctuation, clarity, and fluency of style, Canadian English spelling required. 
/10
Compliance with the APA style guidelines for citations and references.
/10
TOTAL
Read Case of Jane (Part 1) as an example of how to apply biological concepts (this is to give you insight for your first assignment).
In Study Section Case of Jane (Part 1):
Jane (she/her) comes in for her first appointment and begins to address her primary issue:
“I work at the City in the horticultural department, primarily a male population, with just a few of us women there. I am anxious in life and worried about what people think of me all the time. The guys at work often comment on what I wear or how I look, and often those comments are very degrading. I am not going to go to my superior as I don’t want to look like a child. It reminds me of when I was a child growing up and my mother always straightened my sweater, gave me a “cold look” of disapproval, told me I looked like a hussy, or my dad would criticize my figure. I just want to please my family, boss, and colleagues. My anxiety is through the roof, I find myself not sleeping, eating more, and just lying around. I am so disappointed in myself.”
How do we examine “biological factors” with the case of Jane?
To begin, counsellors must be open-minded and hear what the client is saying without judgment. Slay-Westbrook (2017) suggests that our ability to allow the client to express and not be judged or shut down is one of the first principles toward building a respectful therapeutic alliance. We want to avoid any possible judgment. For example, when the client states that she is concerned about what people think about her, a counsellor would not ask her why that is so important or express surprise that she would worry about something like that. Instead, we would remain open and allow her to express her thoughts and experiences in order to build the relationship. The client’s primary issue may be self-esteem. 
Example of Understanding Biological Factors. 
The client also expresses that she is not sleeping well (circadian rhythm or perhaps adrenal gland), not eating well (research what happens to our neurons/transmitters/other hormones when we do not eat well), and has a loss of energy (thyroid or adrenal gland) (these would be biological factors (neurons, transmitters, glands, circadian rhythm to mention a few). They are pre-existing, they tend to facilitate or contribute to or maintain the primary issue in the client’s life). Pinel and Barnes (2021) discuss the importance of neural activity and how the brain functions best when we take care of it. It is important to determine the disruption of sleep, eating, and energy levels. We could also listen to what happens to the client when she experiences little sleep, appetite, and has lower energy. Therefore, we could start by focusing on one area, such as sleep, and explore paths to better address this biological factor and its impact on the primary issue. 
/100

– Explain what led you to describe to pursue a degree in Psychology.
– Describe any leadership roles and/or community/volunteer experiences you have engaged in.
– How did these experiences help shape who you are today?
– Discuss a situation in which you overcame a hardship or obstacle. What enabled you to succeed, despite this adversity?
– Describe If you have the opportunity to engage in research, discuss any specific plans to acquire research experience.
– Describe your educational goals beyond the baccalaureate degree (B.S.inPsychology).