History/Systems of Psychology

6.3 Assignment. Applying Critical Thinking

Getting Started

This assignment is a continuation of the journal entry from Workshop Five, where you were asked to apply your critical-thinking skills toward choosing a topic that you would then outline in this workshop. To help you with the outline, you will have access to a Word document that describes the specific parts of the outline you need to provide along with a worksheet that walks you through the steps.

It’s no surprise that many students do not feel confident in their research or writing skills. Some of this lack of confidence is driven by a myth that seems to shadow the act of writing. It is this: that to be an effective writer you must have the innate talent for writing; you either have it or you don’t. This myth has put fear and doubt into the minds of countless students who don’t believe they have this innate talent. But the truth is that effective writing is a learned skill. It develops from ongoing practice. You don’t have to develop your writing skill to the level of a best-selling author. You just need to learn to write clearly and organize your thoughts so you can lay out your points in a logical manner and be understood by the reader.

Outlining is one of the best tools to help you develop these learned skills. It forces you to think through each step of the content development process before you actually start writing. The proverbial image of the writer in the throes of writer’s block, who rewrites the first paragraph endless times, is in reality a writer who is not yet clear on what he or she really wants to say.

This assignment will help you avoid writer’s block, think through the content that is most important, and organize it all in a way that makes sense. By the time you finish the assignment, you will be well on your way to having the blueprint for the research paper you will write in the next course, PSY-535, Research Methods in Psychology.

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

· Create a detailed outline for a chosen research paper topic.

Resources

· File: The Basic Outline of a Paper (Word)

· Web Article: OCLS Introduction to Research Guide

· Website: OCLS Article Databases

· Website: OCLS Evaluating Sources Page

Background Information

In Workshops One and Five, you were thinking about which of the two specializations interested you more: Positive Psychology or Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

In your journal entry from Workshop Five, you chose one topic under the specialization you picked and apply critical-thinking skills to begin shaping the content of that topic.

In this workshop, you will outline that topic in greater detail. It’s important to note that you are not writing the actual research paper in this course, just creating a detailed outline. The intent is for you to sharpen your research skills in this course and create the outline you will use to then write the research paper in course PSY-535, Research. Use the document provided to guide you through the outline development process.

Instructions

1. Review the brief tutorial in  The Basic Outline of a Paper (Word)  on how to structure your outline, along with the accompanying worksheet that will help you fill out the contents of your outline. The completed outline is the deliverable for this assignment.

The Basic Outline of a Paper

This is the basic format for most academic papers. Papers typically should contain these three elements:

1. Introduction

1. Body

1. Conclusion

Here is what you should include in each of these sections:

1. Introduction

1. Start with an attention grabber: a short story, example, statistic, or historical context that introduces the paper topic.

1. Provide a brief overview of the subject.

1. Define key terms that are needed to understand the topic.

1. Highlight background information on the topic needed to understand the direction of the paper.

1. Conclude introduction with a thesis statement of one to two sentences that tells what the overall paper will focus on and the main points you intend to cover in the paper.

1. Body

1. Present the main points of the paper that correspond with your thesis.

1. Include strong examples, details, and explanations to support each main point.

1. Provide strong evidence from sources—paraphrases, summaries, and quotations that support the main points.

1. Conclusion

1. Restate your thesis from the introduction using different words.

1. Briefly summarize each main point found in the body of the paper.

1. End with a strong clincher statement: an appropriate, meaningful final sentence that ties the whole paper together.

Paper Topic: _________________________________________________________________

Target Audience: ______________________________________________________________

I. Introduction

Possible ideas for the introduction

____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Thesis Statement: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

II. Body (You can determine the number of main points; try to have at least three)

Main Point: ___________________________________________________________________

Examples/Details/Explanations:

a. ______________________________________________________________________

b. ______________________________________________________________________

c. ______________________________________________________________________

Main Point: ___________________________________________________________________ Examples/Details/Explanations:

a. ______________________________________________________________________

b. ______________________________________________________________________

c. ______________________________________________________________________

Main Point: ___________________________________________________________________ Examples/Details/Explanations:

a. ______________________________________________________________________

b. ______________________________________________________________________

c. ______________________________________________________________________

Main Point: ___________________________________________________________________ Examples/Details/Explanations:

a. ______________________________________________________________________

b. ______________________________________________________________________

c. ______________________________________________________________________

1. Conclusion

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. As part of the outline, you will need to identify sources that support your main points. Please provide references in correct APA format for these sources on a reference page at the end of the outline.

6.2 Discussion. The Benefits of Positive Psychology

Getting Started

Positive Psychology is a relatively new and emerging branch of psychology that attempts to distance itself from the problem-focused and diagnostic approach that characterizes most of traditional psychology. It, instead, focuses on a person’s strengths and the potential people have to better their lives.

Positive Psychology, as the name suggests, takes an optimistic orientation toward life. It focuses on helping people find happiness and hope, build resilience to challenges they might face, and find purpose in their work. The concept of mindfulness, which is popular today, is an extension of Positive Psychology.

After World War II, the practice of psychology mostly focused on treating abnormal behaviors and diagnosing mental illness. During this time, humanistic-based psychologists, such as Carl Rogers and others, attempted to shift the emphasis from the disease model to one that emphasized a person’s potential with a more positive approach to behavior and human nature. You can see this emphasis in Roger’s and Abraham Maslow’s concepts of self-actualization, which is another way of striving to reach your full potential.

Though the humanistic psychologists of the mid-twentieth-century can rightly be credited with starting the Positive Psychology trend, the founding father of modern Positive Psychology is typically considered to be psychologist Martin Seligman. In 1998, Seligman was elected president of the American Psychological Association and made Positive Psychology the central theme of his term.

Since that time, Positive Psychology has grown significantly. It is the basis for much of the life coaching that is popular today. Most degree programs in psychology offer at least one course in Positive Psychology; some even have entire degrees in Positive Psychology. And, as you know, Positive Psychology is one of the two specializations offered as part of this MA in Psychology program.

So, in this discussion, you have the opportunity to explore this exciting new branch of psychology that will undoubtedly continue to grow and flourish. While there are many inviting aspects of this theory, you also need to keep your critical thinking hat on as you discuss the ideas. Not all aspects of Positive Psychology necessarily coincide with a biblical worldview. As you share your thoughts and observations in the discussion, don’t be afraid to challenge another student’s ideas if you think they conflict with a biblical perspective. But, of course, do it with grace and respect.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Evaluate the advantages and potential disadvantages of Positive Psychology.

Resources

· Textbook:  A History of Psychology: The Emergence of Science and Applications

· Web Article: Positive Psychology

· Web Article: 7 Habits of Happy People

· Web Article: Spiritual Engagement and Meaning

Background Information

Before participating in this discussion, read Chapter 18 in the textbook and the three accompanying articles on Positive Psychology.

Instructions

1. Read Chapter 18, “Prospects for the Twenty-First Century,” in your textbook,  A History of Psychology: The Emergence of Science and Applications.

2. Read the following articles:

a. “ Positive Psychology ” on the GoodTherapy website

b. “ 7 Habits of Happy People ” on the Pursuit of Happiness website

c. “ Spiritual Engagement and Meaning ” on the Pursuit of Happiness website

3. Navigate to the discussion topic and respond to the following discussion questions:

a. What aspect of Positive Psychology do you find most interesting or helpful? Explain in detail.

b. What are the potential challenges associated with Positive Psychology given that it doesn’t emphasize problems or diagnoses? What weaknesses can you see in the Positive Psychology approach?

c. Which of the seven habits mentioned in the article “7 Habits of Happy People” has the most compelling scientific evidence that makes you want to know more? Explain.

d. How can you apply that particular habit mentioned in the previous question to your lifestyle values as a Christian?

4. Your initial post:

a. Should be 400 to 500 words.

Your postings should also:

a. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking.

b. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.

6.4 Assignment. Health Psychology for an Ailing Population

Getting Started

One of the newest and perhaps most important trends in contemporary psychology is health psychology. Health psychology is an emerging discipline concerned with promoting healthy living and the prevention of illness.

Researchers in health psychology attempt to understand how modern living patterns affect our health in three realms: 1) biological characteristics (genes); 2) behavioral factors (lifestyle choices, stress, and health beliefs); and 3) social influences (cultural forces, family relationships, and social support).

The history and evolution of health psychology is usually traced back to the 1960s and 1970s. It was during this time that the medical community recognized that chronic disease was being diagnosed in epidemic proportions in the larger culture. As a result, the medical and mental health professions began to explore how the psychosocial factors (emotions, social support, and mental stability) might relate to physical health and the dramatic rise in chronic illness.

It was also during this time that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a statement saying that “lifestyle choices” were believed to play a significant part in the ten leading causes of death. These lifestyle choices included what and how much people ate, whether they smoked or drank alcohol, how physically active they were, the amount of stress they experienced, etc. This formal statement put a major initiative in motion where funds were allocated for further research.

From this point, health psychology has been gaining momentum. It was officially acknowledged as a subdiscipline within the field of psychology in 1978 when the American Psychological Association formally created a division within their subspecialties for health psychology.

Today, many practitioners of holistic, functional, and alternative medicine incorporate principles of health psychology into their work, as well as a large number of mental health professionals. The body-mind connection is an important contribution of health psychology. This body-mind connection involves exploring the relationship between a person’s emotions and their behavior. For example, people who struggle with overeating might explore how emotions trigger an episode of binge eating.

With chronic disease affecting more than 50 percent of the American population, health psychology is poised to be a much sought-after way to improve the health of individuals and cut soaring medical costs in the coming years.

In this assignment, you will have the opportunity to explore more about health psychology and apply it to an actual health crisis that is ever-worsening: the obesity issue. You will then assess whether there are lifestyle changes you would like to make in your own life. The personal application of these principles may be the most important part of this assignment for you.

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

· Explain how health psychology approaches issues related to intervention and prevention.

Resources

· Video: A Brief History of Health Psychology

· Web Article: What Is Health Psychology?

· Web Article: OCLS Introduction to Research Guide

· Website: OCLS Article Databases

· Website: OCLS Evaluating Sources Page

Background Information

Before beginning this writing assignment, watch the video “A Brief History of Health Psychology” and read the article “What Is Health Psychology?” to obtain the necessary foundation. It may be necessary to do additional research outside of these two resources to adequately address the assignment questions.

Here are the three biopsychosocial realms that researchers in health psychology study and attempt to understand as they relate to how modern living patterns affect our health: 1) biological characteristics (genes); 2) behavioral factors (lifestyle choices, stress, and health beliefs); and 3) social influences (cultural forces, family relationships, and social support).

Instructions

1. Before beginning this assignment:

a. Watch the video “ A Brief History of Health Psychology .”  (Closed captioning is provided.)

b. Read the article “ What Is Health Psychology? ”

2. In a two- to three-page paper, respond to the following:

a. Which of the three biopsychosocial realms mentioned do you think has the greatest influence and impact upon a person’s individual health? Explain your answer in detail.

b. Consider this issue that is important to health psychology right now: the American obesity problem. Research the health dangers associated with obesity that continue to accrue while the rates of obesity are on the rise. What, in your opinion, is the reason we seem unable, on a large scale, to apply the information we have to improve our collective health in regard to the obesity problem?

c. Is there an area of your life where you see a need for change to improve your health? State what that is and make one concrete goal to begin addressing it in the next week.

3. You should use some outside sources in this paper to support your points. Strive for at least two from reliable sources; include in-text citations and list them in a reference page at the end of your paper in correct APA format.

6.3 Assignment. Applying Critical Thinking

Getting Started

This assignment is a continuation of the journal entry from Workshop Five, where you were asked to apply your critical-thinking skills toward choosing a topic that you would then outline in this workshop. To help you with the outline, you will have access to a Word document that describes the specific parts of the outline you need to provide along with a worksheet that walks you through the steps.

It’s no surprise that many students do not feel confident in their research or writing skills. Some of this lack of confidence is driven by a myth that seems to shadow the act of writing. It is this: that to be an effective writer you must have the innate talent for writing; you either have it or you don’t. This myth has put fear and doubt into the minds of countless students who don’t believe they have this innate talent. But the truth is that effective writing is a learned skill. It develops from ongoing practice. You don’t have to develop your writing skill to the level of a best-selling author. You just need to learn to write clearly and organize your thoughts so you can lay out your points in a logical manner and be understood by the reader.

Outlining is one of the best tools to help you develop these learned skills. It forces you to think through each step of the content development process before you actually start writing. The proverbial image of the writer in the throes of writer’s block, who rewrites the first paragraph endless times, is in reality a writer who is not yet clear on what he or she really wants to say.

This assignment will help you avoid writer’s block, think through the content that is most important, and organize it all in a way that makes sense. By the time you finish the assignment, you will be well on your way to having the blueprint for the research paper you will write in the next course, PSY-535, Research Methods in Psychology.

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

· Create a detailed outline for a chosen research paper topic.

Resources

· File: The Basic Outline of a Paper (Word)

· Web Article: OCLS Introduction to Research Guide

· Website: OCLS Article Databases

· Website: OCLS Evaluating Sources Page

Background Information

In Workshops One and Five, you were thinking about which of the two specializations interested you more: Positive Psychology or Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

In your journal entry from Workshop Five, you chose one topic under the specialization you picked and apply critical-thinking skills to begin shaping the content of that topic.

In this workshop, you will outline that topic in greater detail. It’s important to note that you are not writing the actual research paper in this course, just creating a detailed outline. The intent is for you to sharpen your research skills in this course and create the outline you will use to then write the research paper in course PSY-535, Research. Use the document provided to guide you through the outline development process.

Instructions

1. Review the brief tutorial in  The Basic Outline of a Paper (Word)  on how to structure your outline, along with the accompanying worksheet that will help you fill out the contents of your outline. The completed outline is the deliverable for this assignment.

The Basic Outline of a Paper

This is the basic format for most academic papers. Papers typically should contain these three elements:

1. Introduction

1. Body

1. Conclusion

Here is what you should include in each of these sections:

1. Introduction

1. Start with an attention grabber: a short story, example, statistic, or historical context that introduces the paper topic.

1. Provide a brief overview of the subject.

1. Define key terms that are needed to understand the topic.

1. Highlight background information on the topic needed to understand the direction of the paper.

1. Conclude introduction with a thesis statement of one to two sentences that tells what the overall paper will focus on and the main points you intend to cover in the paper.

1. Body

1. Present the main points of the paper that correspond with your thesis.

1. Include strong examples, details, and explanations to support each main point.

1. Provide strong evidence from sources—paraphrases, summaries, and quotations that support the main points.

1. Conclusion

1. Restate your thesis from the introduction using different words.

1. Briefly summarize each main point found in the body of the paper.

1. End with a strong clincher statement: an appropriate, meaningful final sentence that ties the whole paper together.

Paper Topic: _________________________________________________________________

Target Audience: ______________________________________________________________

I. Introduction

Possible ideas for the introduction

____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Thesis Statement: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

II. Body (You can determine the number of main points; try to have at least three)

Main Point: ___________________________________________________________________

Examples/Details/Explanations:

a. ______________________________________________________________________

b. ______________________________________________________________________

c. ______________________________________________________________________

Main Point: ___________________________________________________________________ Examples/Details/Explanations:

a. ______________________________________________________________________

b. ______________________________________________________________________

c. ______________________________________________________________________

Main Point: ___________________________________________________________________ Examples/Details/Explanations:

a. ______________________________________________________________________

b. ______________________________________________________________________

c. ______________________________________________________________________

Main Point: ___________________________________________________________________ Examples/Details/Explanations:

a. ______________________________________________________________________

b. ______________________________________________________________________

c. ______________________________________________________________________

1. Conclusion

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. As part of the outline, you will need to identify sources that support your main points. Please provide references in correct APA format for these sources on a reference page at the end of the outline.