Psychological Research Response Pieces

Psychological Research Response Pieces

 

Throughout the course, you will be required to read 4 original psychological articles. This gives you the opportunity to gain an understanding of psychological research straight from the source (rather than through the filter of a textbook). Some of these writings are classic work from early researchers, and others are more contemporary work. All are aimed at giving you an understanding of how psychological research is conducted and reported.

To enhance your understanding of these pieces, you are required to write a response piece about two of these articles. These are NOT summaries. You will not pass the assignment if you simply summarize the article. These response pieces require you to critically evaluate the article and apply its concepts to your everyday life and the material we are discussing in the class.

 

Grading

Briefly summarize the theory and/or hypotheses of the paper

Note: Not all of the papers are studies that have hypotheses                   20 points

 

For empirical studies, explain what methodology they used to test

their hypotheses. Do you think this methodology was appropriate?

Why or why not? For literature review papers, explain what type of

methodology you think they might use to conduct research in the

area being discussed. Why would you suggest this method?                  15 points

 

What are the results of this study? Or what are the main

conclusions of the literature review? What are some limitations

of these results? (generalizability? Problems with methods? Etc.)         15 points

 

How does this article relate to your own life? How can this be

applied in everyday life?                                                                              15 points

 

What is one criticism you have about this paper? Be as detailed as

possible. Focus this on the theory, methods, or conclusions.

(Criticisms  about length or writing style are not acceptable). Does

this criticism affect the validity of the paper? Why or why not?             15 points

 

After reading this paper, what conclusions can you draw about the

phenomenon of interest? Did the author(s) draw an appropriate

conclusion based on the research? Why or why not?                              15 points

 

Spelling, grammar, formatting (double-spaced, 12-point font,

3-5 pages)                                                                                                      5 points

 

Total:                          100 points

Schedule

 

You will submit two papers in total (one from each section of the class). In each pairing of articles, you only need to write about ONE of the articles. You may decide which one to write about, but you must read both of them. The paper is due on PSY101’s by 11:59 pm the day the paper is due. Late papers will be penalized 5 points per day late.

 

 

Response Piece 1: Due Sunday March 19th

Select ONE from:

Skinner (1948)

  • Some of Skinner’s original writings on how superstitious behavior can be conditioned

MacNeill & Bradley (2016)

  • Discusses temperature effects on accuracy of a polygraph test

 

 

Response Piece 2: Due Friday April 28th

Select ONE from:

Patterson (2006)

  • Discusses research findings on psychosocial adjustment of children raised by homosexual parents

Darley & Latane (1968)

  • Classic study on the effect of presence of other people on helping behavior in emergency situations