controversial psychology essay topics

Controversial Psychology Topics | Example & Outline

Psychology is a field of study that is always evolving, and there are often new controversial topics emerging. In this article, we will explore some of the most controversial Psychology Topics, including social media addiction, the impact of nature vs. nurture, and the use of psychiatric medication.

Controversial Psychology Topics

1. Is intelligence determined by genes or environment? 2. Nature vs. Nurture: which is more important in determining human behavior ? 3. Can we truly know ourselves? 4. The power of positive thinking – is it all it’s cracked up to be? 5. Do our memories always reflect reality, or are they sometimes inaccurate? 6. Is there such a thing as “true love”? 7. Do people really change, or do they just stay the same? 8. Is there a link between mental illness and creativity? 9. Should psychological therapy be used to treat criminals? 10. Can psychology be used to “cure” homophobia? 11. Should psychologists be allowed to prescribe medication? 12. Is there a connection between violence and mental illness ? 13. Do we have control over our own destiny, or is everything predetermined? 14. Is psychology really a science, or is it more of an art form? 15. Do we only use a small percentage of our brain’s potential? 16. Are people born gay or do they become gay? 17. Can psychology help us to understand andtreat addiction? 18. Does our sexuality belong to us, or is it influenced by society and culture? 19. Is there a link between mental illness and genius? 20. Should psychological treatment be used to change someone’s religious beliefs? 21. Can therapy help people to deal with grief? 22. How much of our behavior is determined by our genes? 23. Is it possible to “repress” memories of traumatic events? 24. Do we all have a “type” when it comes to romantic relationships? 25. Is there such a thing as an “evil” gene? 26. Are some people predisposed to being serial killers? 27. Is it possible to rehabilitate psychopaths? 28. How does psychology affect our legal system ? 29. Can therapy help people with borderline personality disorder? 30. Is multiple personality disorder a real condition, or is it just made up for Hollywood movies?

Controversial Psychology Ideas

1. The power of the human mind – can we really control our thoughts and actions? 2. The nature of mental illness – is it all in our heads? 3. The definition of intelligence – how do we measure it? 4. The impact of genes on behavior – are we predetermined by our DNA? 5. The importance of early childhood experiences – can they shape our entire lives? 6. The role of memories in our lives – are they always accurate? 7. The influence of media and technology on our behavior – are we becoming slaves to screens? 8. The impact of sleep on our health and well-being – how much do we really need? 9. The dangers of stress – can it lead to physical and mental health problems? 10. The benefits of exercise – does it make us happier and healthier?

Unique Psychology Topics

When it comes to psychology, there are a lot of controversial topics. This is a list of thirty unique psychology topics that can be used for a paper or blog post.

1. The power of the subconscious mind. 2. The impact of nature vs. nurture. 3. The definition of mental illness. 4. The root causes of addiction. 5. How childhood trauma affects adulthood. 6. The role of genes in psychological disorders. 7. The efficacy of psychiatric medication. 8. The link between violence and mental illness. 9. Whether or not intelligence is genetic. 10. The existence of multiple personalities. 11. Dissociative identity disorder (DID) and false memories. 12 .The power of suggestion and hypnosis. 13 .How our memories can be biased and inaccurate . 14 .How first impressions are often wrong . 15 .The sunk cost fallacy and other decision-making biases . 16 .The importance of critical thinking skills . 17 .The placebo effect and the power of the mind . 18 .The dangers of confirmation bias

130 New Prompts for Argumentative Writing

Questions on everything from mental health and sports to video games and dating. Which ones inspire you to take a stand?

By The Learning Network

Note: We have an updated version of this list, with 300 new argumentative writing prompts .

What issues do you care most about? What topics do you find yourself discussing passionately, whether online, at the dinner table, in the classroom or with your friends?

In Unit 5 of our free yearlong writing curriculum and related Student Editorial Contest , we invite students to research and write about the issues that matter to them, whether that’s Shakespeare , health care , standardized testing or being messy .

But with so many possibilities, where does one even begin? Try our student writing prompts.

In 2017, we compiled a list of 401 argumentative writing prompts , all drawn from our daily Student Opinion column . Now, we’re rounding up 130 more we’ve published since then ( available here as a PDF ). Each prompt links to a free Times article as well as additional subquestions that can help you think more deeply about it.

You might use this list to inspire your own writing and to find links to reliable resources about the issues that intrigue you. But even if you’re not participating in our contest, you can use these prompts to practice the kind of low-stakes writing that can help you hone your argumentation skills.

So scroll through the list below with questions on everything from sports and mental health to dating and video games and see which ones inspire you to take a stand.

Please note: Many of these prompts are still open to comment by students 13 and up.

Technology & Social Media

1. Do Memes Make the Internet a Better Place? 2. Does Online Public Shaming Prevent Us From Being Able to Grow and Change? 3. How Young Is Too Young to Use Social Media? 4. Should the Adults in Your Life Be Worried by How Much You Use Your Phone? 5. Is Your Phone Love Hurting Your Relationships? 6. Should Kids Be Social Media Influencers? 7. Does Grammar Still Matter in the Age of Twitter? 8. Should Texting While Driving Be Treated Like Drunken Driving? 9. How Do You Think Technology Affects Dating?

10. Are Straight A’s Always a Good Thing? 11. Should Schools Teach You How to Be Happy? 12. How Do You Think American Education Could Be Improved? 13. Should Schools Test Their Students for Nicotine and Drug Use? 14. Can Social Media Be a Tool for Learning and Growth in Schools? 15. Should Facial Recognition Technology Be Used in Schools? 16. Should Your School Day Start Later? 17. How Should Senior Year in High School Be Spent? 18. Should Teachers Be Armed With Guns? 19. Is School a Place for Self-Expression? 20. Should Students Be Punished for Not Having Lunch Money? 21. Is Live-Streaming Classrooms a Good Idea? 22. Should Gifted and Talented Education Be Eliminated? 23. What Are the Most Important Things Students Should Learn in School? 24. Should Schools Be Allowed to Censor Student Newspapers? 25. Do You Feel Your School and Teachers Welcome Both Conservative and Liberal Points of View? 26. Should Teachers and Professors Ban Student Use of Laptops in Class? 27. Should Schools Teach About Climate Change? 28. Should All Schools Offer Music Programs? 29. Does Your School Need More Money? 30. Should All Schools Teach Cursive? 31. What Role Should Textbooks Play in Education? 32. Do Kids Need Recess?

College & Career

33. What Is Your Reaction to the College Admissions Cheating Scandal? 34. Is the College Admissions Process Fair? 35. Should Everyone Go to College? 36. Should College Be Free? 37. Are Lavish Amenities on College Campuses Useful or Frivolous? 38. Should ‘Despised Dissenters’ Be Allowed to Speak on College Campuses? 39. How Should the Problem of Sexual Assault on Campuses Be Addressed? 40. Should Fraternities Be Abolished? 41. Is Student Debt Worth It?

Mental & Physical Health

42. Should Students Get Mental Health Days Off From School? 43. Is Struggle Essential to Happiness? 44. Does Every Country Need a ‘Loneliness Minister’? 45. Should Schools Teach Mindfulness? 46. Should All Children Be Vaccinated? 47. What Do You Think About Vegetarianism? 48. Do We Worry Too Much About Germs? 49. What Advice Should Parents and Counselors Give Teenagers About Sexting? 50. Do You Think Porn Influences the Way Teenagers Think About Sex?

Race & Gender

51. How Should Parents Teach Their Children About Race and Racism? 52. Is America ‘Backsliding’ on Race? 53. Should All Americans Receive Anti-Bias Education? 54. Should All Companies Require Anti-Bias Training for Employees? 55. Should Columbus Day Be Replaced With Indigenous Peoples Day? 56. Is Fear of ‘The Other’ Poisoning Public Life? 57. Should the Boy Scouts Be Coed? 58. What Is Hard About Being a Boy?

59. Can You Separate Art From the Artist? 60. Are There Subjects That Should Be Off-Limits to Artists, or to Certain Artists in Particular? 61. Should Art Come With Trigger Warnings? 62. Should Graffiti Be Protected? 63. Is the Digital Era Improving or Ruining the Experience of Art? 64. Are Museums Still Important in the Digital Age? 65. In the Age of Digital Streaming, Are Movie Theaters Still Relevant? 66. Is Hollywood Becoming More Diverse? 67. What Stereotypical Characters Make You Cringe? 68. Do We Need More Female Superheroes? 69. Do Video Games Deserve the Bad Rap They Often Get? 70. Should Musicians Be Allowed to Copy or Borrow From Other Artists? 71. Is Listening to a Book Just as Good as Reading It? 72. Is There Any Benefit to Reading Books You Hate?

73. Should Girls and Boys Sports Teams Compete in the Same League? 74. Should College Athletes Be Paid? 75. Are Youth Sports Too Competitive? 76. Is It Selfish to Pursue Risky Sports Like Extreme Mountain Climbing? 77. How Should We Punish Sports Cheaters? 78. Should Technology in Sports Be Limited? 79. Should Blowouts Be Allowed in Youth Sports? 80. Is It Offensive for Sports Teams and Their Fans to Use Native American Names, Imagery and Gestures?

81. Is It Wrong to Focus on Animal Welfare When Humans Are Suffering? 82. Should Extinct Animals Be Resurrected? If So, Which Ones? 83. Are Emotional-Support Animals a Scam? 84. Is Animal Testing Ever Justified? 85. Should We Be Concerned With Where We Get Our Pets? 86. Is This Exhibit Animal Cruelty or Art?

Parenting & Childhood

87. Who Should Decide Whether a Teenager Can Get a Tattoo or Piercing? 88. Is It Harder to Grow Up in the 21st Century Than It Was in the Past? 89. Should Parents Track Their Teenager’s Location? 90. Is Childhood Today Over-Supervised? 91. How Should Parents Talk to Their Children About Drugs? 92. What Should We Call Your Generation? 93. Do Other People Care Too Much About Your Post-High School Plans? 94. Do Parents Ever Cross a Line by Helping Too Much With Schoolwork? 95. What’s the Best Way to Discipline Children? 96. What Are Your Thoughts on ‘Snowplow Parents’? 97. Should Stay-at-Home Parents Be Paid? 98. When Do You Become an Adult?

Ethics & Morality

99. Why Do Bystanders Sometimes Fail to Help When They See Someone in Danger? 100. Is It Ethical to Create Genetically Edited Humans? 101. Should Reporters Ever Help the People They Are Covering? 102. Is It O.K. to Use Family Connections to Get a Job? 103. Is $1 Billion Too Much Money for Any One Person to Have? 104. Are We Being Bad Citizens If We Don’t Keep Up With the News? 105. Should Prisons Offer Incarcerated People Education Opportunities? 106. Should Law Enforcement Be Able to Use DNA Data From Genealogy Websites for Criminal Investigations? 107. Should We Treat Robots Like People?

Government & Politics

108. Does the United States Owe Reparations to the Descendants of Enslaved People? 109. Do You Think It Is Important for Teenagers to Participate in Political Activism? 110. Should the Voting Age Be Lowered to 16? 111. What Should Lawmakers Do About Guns and Gun Violence? 112. Should Confederate Statues Be Removed or Remain in Place? 113. Does the U.S. Constitution Need an Equal Rights Amendment? 114. Should National Monuments Be Protected by the Government? 115. Should Free Speech Protections Include Self Expression That Discriminates? 116. How Important Is Freedom of the Press? 117. Should Ex-Felons Have the Right to Vote? 118. Should Marijuana Be Legal? 119. Should the United States Abolish Daylight Saving Time? 120. Should We Abolish the Death Penalty? 121. Should the U.S. Ban Military-Style Semiautomatic Weapons? 122. Should the U.S. Get Rid of the Electoral College? 123. What Do You Think of President Trump’s Use of Twitter? 124. Should Celebrities Weigh In on Politics? 125. Why Is It Important for People With Different Political Beliefs to Talk to Each Other?

50 Controversial Psychology Topics you need to know

Controversial Psychology Topics have long captivated the curiosity of scholars, practitioners, and the general public alike. Delving into the depths of the human mind and behavior, these topics spark intense debates, challenging conventional wisdom and pushing the boundaries of our understanding.

From contentious ethical dilemmas to hotly debated theories, Controversial Psychology Topics serve as a crucible for intellectual discourse, where perspectives clash and new insights emerge. In this article, we navigate the intricate web of controversies, shedding light on the complexities that define the realm of psychology.

What is Controversial Psychology?

Controversial psychology refers to areas within the field of psychology that provoke disagreement, debate, and differing opinions among scholars, practitioners, and the public. These topics often involve ethical dilemmas, conflicting research findings, or theories that challenge established norms or beliefs.

Also, controversial psychology encompasses a wide range of subjects, including but not limited to, the nature of consciousness, the validity of certain therapeutic approaches, the influence of genetics versus environment on behavior, the ethics of psychological experiments, and the classification and treatment of mental disorders.

In addition, engaging with controversial psychology requires critical thinking, open-mindedness, and a willingness to confront challenging questions about human nature and behavior.

Should Controversial Topics be avoided in Psychology

Controversial topics should not necessarily be avoided in psychology; rather, they should be approached with care, sensitivity, and a commitment to ethical practice. Controversies often arise in areas where there are conflicting opinions, incomplete understanding, or ethical implications, and addressing these topics can lead to valuable insights and advancements in the field.

However, it’s essential to consider the potential impact of discussing controversial topics. Some subjects may be emotionally charged or triggering for individuals, so it’s crucial to approach them in a respectful and empathetic manner, particularly when working with vulnerable populations or discussing sensitive issues such as trauma, abuse, or mental illness.

Furthermore, psychologists have a responsibility to adhere to ethical guidelines and principles when conducting research or providing therapeutic interventions. This includes obtaining informed consent, protecting participants from harm, and maintaining confidentiality.

In addition, when exploring controversial topics, psychologists must ensure that their work upholds these ethical standards and promotes the well-being of individuals and communities.

50 Controversial Psychology Topics

Psychology covers a wide range of topics, and many of them can be controversial due to differing opinions, ethical concerns, or societal implications. Here are 100 controversial psychology topics categorized with explanations for each:

Mental Health and Disorders:

Antidepressant Efficacy: The effectiveness and long-term consequences of antidepressant medications.
Borderline Personality Disorder Diagnosis: Controversies surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of borderline personality disorder.
Gender Dysphoria Treatment: Debate over appropriate treatments for individuals with gender dysphoria, including hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery.
PTSD and Veterans: The psychological effects of war and the controversies surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD in veterans.
ADHD Overdiagnosis: Concerns about the overdiagnosis and overmedication of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children.

Therapy and Treatment:

Conversion Therapy: Controversies surrounding the use of conversion therapy to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Psychedelic Therapy: The use of psychedelic substances in therapy, such as MDMA or psilocybin, and their potential benefits versus risks.
Repressed Memory Therapy: Debate over the validity and ethical implications of repressed memory therapy in treating trauma.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): Controversies surrounding the use of ECT in treating severe depression and other mental health conditions.
Online Therapy: The efficacy and ethical considerations of providing therapy services online.

Developmental Psychology:

Nature vs. Nurture: The debate over the relative importance of genetics and environment in shaping human behavior and development.
Early Childhood Education: Controversies surrounding the best practices for early childhood education, including issues like standardized testing and play-based learning.
Parenting Styles: Debates over the most effective parenting styles and their long-term effects on children’s development.
Childhood Vaccination and Mental Health: Controversies surrounding the association (or lack thereof) between childhood vaccination and mental health conditions like autism.
Adolescent Brain Development: Ethical considerations and controversies surrounding research on adolescent brain development, especially regarding decision-making and risk-taking behaviors.

Social Psychology:

Implicit Bias: Controversies surrounding the existence and impact of unconscious biases on behavior and decision-making.
Social Media and Mental Health: The effects of social media use on mental health, including debates over addiction, self-esteem, and cyberbullying.
Cultural Differences in Psychology: Debates over the universality of psychological phenomena versus cultural differences in cognition and behavior.
Stereotyping and Prejudice: Controversies surrounding the origins of stereotypes and prejudice, as well as strategies for reducing them.
Groupthink: The psychological phenomenon of groupthink and its implications for decision-making in organizations and society.

Cognitive Psychology:

Memory Accuracy: Controversies surrounding the reliability of human memory, especially in legal contexts such as eyewitness testimony.
Artificial Intelligence and Consciousness: Debates over whether artificial intelligence can achieve consciousness and the ethical implications of AI advancement.
Language Acquisition: Controversies surrounding theories of language acquisition, including the role of nature versus nurture.
Cognitive Enhancement: Ethical considerations surrounding the use of drugs or technology to enhance cognitive abilities, such as memory or attention.
Emotional Intelligence: Debate over the validity and importance of emotional intelligence as a concept distinct from traditional measures of cognitive ability.

Clinical Psychology:

Placebo Effect: Controversies surrounding the placebo effect and its implications for the effectiveness of psychological treatments.
Diagnostic Labeling: Ethical concerns regarding the labeling of individuals with mental health diagnoses and the potential consequences for stigma and self-fulfilling prophecies.
Self-Help and Self-Improvement: Debates over the efficacy and potential harm of self-help interventions and the self-improvement industry.
Insanity Defense: Controversies surrounding the use of the insanity defense in criminal trials and its implications for responsibility and punishment.
Psychological Profiling: Ethical considerations surrounding the use of psychological profiling in law enforcement and criminal investigations.

Neuroscience:

Neuroplasticity: Controversies surrounding the extent to which the brain can change and reorganize itself in response to experience or injury.
Brain-Computer Interfaces: Ethical considerations surrounding the development and use of brain-computer interfaces for communication or control.
Neurodiversity: Debates over the concept of neurodiversity and its implications for understanding and accepting neurological differences.
Neuroethics: Controversies surrounding ethical issues in neuroscience research and practice, such as cognitive enhancement or brain stimulation.
Free Will and Determinism: The debate over whether human behavior is determined by biological factors or if individuals have free will and personal agency.

Forensic Psychology:

Eyewitness Testimony Reliability: Controversies surrounding the reliability of eyewitness testimony and its impact on the criminal justice system.
False Confessions: Ethical considerations surrounding the phenomenon of false confessions and interrogation techniques that may elicit them.
Psychopathy and Criminal Responsibility: Debates over the relationship between psychopathy and criminal behavior, as well as issues of culpability and treatment.
Risk Assessment in Criminal Justice: Controversies surrounding the use of psychological assessments to predict future criminal behavior and inform sentencing decisions.
Mental Health in Prisons: Ethical considerations surrounding the treatment of mental illness in prison populations and access to mental health care.

Health Psychology:

Obesity Stigma: Controversies surrounding societal attitudes toward obesity and the impact of weight-based stigma on mental and physical health.
Alternative Medicine: Debates over the efficacy and safety of alternative and complementary medicine approaches for mental health conditions.
Medical Marijuana for Mental Health: Controversies surrounding the use of medical marijuana for treating mental health disorders, including risks and benefits.
Body Image and Media: Ethical concerns regarding the portrayal of body image in media and its impact on mental health, particularly among adolescents.
Psychological Factors in Chronic Illness: Debates over the role of psychological factors in the onset, progression, and management of chronic illnesses.

Industrial-Organizational Psychology:

Work-Life Balance: Controversies surrounding expectations for work-life balance and the impact of long work hours on mental health and well-being.
Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: Debates over strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace and their effectiveness.
Workplace Bullying: Ethical considerations surrounding workplace bullying and its effects on employee mental health and organizational culture.
Employee Surveillance: Controversies surrounding the use of surveillance technologies in the workplace and their impact on employee privacy and autonomy.
Performance Appraisal Systems: Debates over the effectiveness and fairness of performance appraisal systems in evaluating employee performance and productivity.

Controversial topics in psychology span a wide range of areas, from mental health and therapy to developmental, social, cognitive, clinical, neuroscience, forensic, health, industrial-organizational, and educational psychology. These topics often spark debate due to differing perspectives, ethical considerations, societal implications, and the complexity of human behavior and cognition.

Exploring these controversies not only deepens our understanding of psychological phenomena but also prompts critical reflection on ethical principles, societal norms, and the application of psychological research in various contexts.

196 Psychology Argumentative Essay Topics & Ideas

Icon Calendar 18 May 2024
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Psychology argumentative essay topics offer a rich range of subjects for writing papers, providing valid content to stimulate intellectual debate. These topics span from developmental psychology, exploring how nature and nurture shape human behavior, to the examination of the validity of various mental health diagnoses. In cognitive psychology, topics might argue about the influence of memory and perception on reality or investigate whether artificial intelligence can truly emulate human consciousness. Social psychology subjects can debate the impact of social media on mental health or dissect the cultural nuances of group behavior. Forensic psychology invites debates about the criminal mind, rehabilitation, and the ethics of profiling. These psychology-based argumentative essay topics provide a platform to critically analyze the current understanding of the human mind, societal influences, and the delicate balance between biology and experience.

Best Psychology Argumentative Essay Topics

Roles of Parental Attachment in Child Development
Importance of Dream Analysis in Understanding Subconscious Thoughts
Dangers of Prescription Medication Dependence for Mental Health Treatment
Cultural Influences on Perception and Behavior
Emotional Intelligence’s Contribution to Career Success
Roles of Art Therapy in Healing Trauma
Virtual Reality as a Tool for Phobia Treatment
Psychological Implications of Long-Term Remote Work
Influences of Subliminal Advertising on Consumer Behavior
Hypnosis as a Reliable Technique for Memory Retrieval
Ethical Concerns in Animal Experimentation for Psychological Research
Consequences of Prolonged Screen Time on Children’s Cognitive Development
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Nature vs. Nurture Debate
Stress Management Strategies: Which Are the Most Effective?
Impacts of Nature Exposure on Mental Well-Being
Gender Roles: Their Psychological Effects on Individuals
Positive Psychology’s Role in Fostering Happiness and Well-Being
Influence of Stereotypes on Individual Perception and Behavior
Psychopathy: Is It a Result of Genetics or Environment?
Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Its Relationship With Social Media
Psychoanalytic Theory: Its Relevance in Contemporary Psychology
Potential Effects of Meditation on Anxiety Disorders
Parenting Styles: How Do They Impact Child Development?
Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Is Society Encouraging Its Prevalence?
Music Therapy: An Effective Treatment for Anxiety and Depression?
Unconscious Bias: Its Effect on Decision-Making Processes
Efficacy of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Improving Mental Health

Easy Psychology Argumentative Essay Topics

Nutrition’s Impact on Mental Health: An Underexplored Relationship?
Conversion Therapy: Ethical Implications and Effectiveness
Sports and Mental Health: The Positive Connection
Emotional Abuse: Its Long-Term Effects on Mental Health
Addiction: A Disease or a Choice?
Influence of School Environment on Students’ Mental Health
Existential Crisis: Causes and Psychological Implications
Power of Placebo: Psychological Aspects of Healing
Triggers of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Military Personnel
Perfectionism: A Virtue or a Path to Mental Health Problems?
Effects of Peer Pressure on Teenage Decision Making
Color Psychology: Its Impact on Human Behavior and Emotions
Dementia: Coping Mechanisms for Caregivers
Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Functions
Stigma Surrounding Mental Health: Causes and Solutions
Social Isolation’s Impact on Elderly Mental Health
Behavioral Economics: The Role of Irrationality in Decision Making
Mindfulness: A Powerful Tool for Mental Health or Just a Fad?
Influence of Traumatic Events on Personality Development
Roles of Spirituality in Psychological Well-Being
Borderline Personality Disorder: Treatment and Management
Power Dynamics in Relationships: Psychological Implications
Eating Disorders: The Role of Body Image and Society
Personality Tests: Valid Psychological Tools or Oversimplified Stereotypes?

Interesting Psychology Argumentative Essay Topics

Do Subliminal Messages Truly Influence Behavior?
Laughter Therapy: Its Impact on Stress and Well-Being
Understanding the Psychological Aspects of Chronic Pain
Mind-Body Connection: The Role of Psychology in Physical Health
Animal Intelligence: Are We Underestimating Their Cognitive Abilities?
Relationship Between Intelligence Quotient and Emotional Quotient: Which Is More Crucial?
Stockholm Syndrome: Understanding Its Psychological Underpinnings
Social Comparison Theory: Its Impact on Self-Esteem and Happiness
Dark Triad of Personality: Understanding Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and Psychopathy
Roles of Gratitude in Improving Mental Health and Well-Being
Effects of Modern Lifestyle on Mental Health
Critical Evaluation of IQ Testing as a Measure of Intelligence
Neurofeedback: Its Effectiveness in Treating ADHD
Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health
Forensic Psychology: The Intersection of Law and Psychology
Hikikomori: Exploring the Phenomenon of Extreme Social Isolation
Emotional Labor: Unseen Burdens in the Workplace
Childhood Bullying: Its Long-Term Impact on Mental Health
Emotional Resilience: Can It Be Taught?
Consumer Psychology: The Power of Branding and Advertising
Attachment Theory: Its Significance in Adult Relationships
Internet Addiction: A Growing Mental Health Concern
Dissecting the Bystander Effect: Causes and Implications
Influence of Birth Order on Personality Traits
Empathy’s Role in Social Interactions and Relationships

Psychology Argumentative Essay Topics for High School

Roles of Nature vs. Nurture in Shaping Personalities
Contribution of Peer Pressure to Teenage Substance Abuse
Examination of Screen Time Effects on Children’s Development
Exploration of Mindfulness Practice in Reducing Student Stress
Impacts of Emotional Intelligence on Academic Success
Importance of Art Therapy in Promoting Mental Well-Being
Role of Parenting Styles in Shaping a Child’s Future
Analysis of the Attachment Theory in Early Childhood
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Anxiety Disorders
Effects of School Environment on Student Self-Esteem
Influence of Divorce on Children’s Psychological Well-Being
Roles of Positive Affirmations in Boosting Self-Confidence
Effectiveness of Mind-Body Techniques in Managing Chronic Pain
Influence of Family Dynamics on Adolescent Self-Image
Necessity of Mental Health Education in Schools
Exploration of Hypnosis as a Therapeutic Tool
Power of Music Therapy in Treating Emotional Disorders
Impacts of Bullying on a Victim’s Mental Health
Contribution of Gender Roles to Society’s Mental Health Issues
Effectiveness of Meditation in Reducing High School Students’ Stress
Correlation Between Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being
Impacts of Sleep Patterns on Adolescents’ Cognitive Function

Psychology Argumentative Essay Topics for Middle School

Influence of Diet on Mental Health in Teenagers
Importance of Emotional Support Animals in Mental Health Care
Roles of Stereotyping in Promoting Discrimination
Evaluating the Impact of Body Shaming on Teenage Self-Esteem
Impacts of Parental Addiction on Children’s Mental Health
Relationship Between Cyberbullying and Teenage Suicide Rates
Influence of Socioeconomic Status on Adolescents’ Academic Performance
Importance of Grief Counselling for Bereaved Adolescents
Roles of Spiritual Practices in Promoting Mental Health
Correlation Between Childhood Trauma and Adult Mental Health
Necessity of Sex Education for Adolescents’ Healthy Development
Roles of Life Skills Training in Promoting Mental Resilience
Evaluation of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Children With Autism
Analysis of the Psychoanalytic Theory and Its Relevance Today
Effectiveness of Laughter Therapy in Stress Management
Contribution of Childhood Obesity to Mental Health Issues
Roles of School Counsellors in Mental Health Promotion
Effects of Substance Abuse on Family Dynamics
Impacts of Parental Expectations on Children’s Academic Pressure
Role of Positive Psychology in Enhancing Students’ Well-Being
Influence of Peer Relationships on Adolescents’ Social Development
Importance of Play Therapy for Children’s Emotional Development
Roles of Self-Efficacy in Achieving Academic Success
Impacts of Chronic Illness on a Child’s Mental Health
Effectiveness of Drama Therapy in Treating Trauma

Psychology Argumentative Essay Topics for College Students

Influences of Advertisements on Consumer Behavior: Psychological Perspective
Impacts of Social Media Usage on Teenagers’ Mental Health
Significance of Emotional Intelligence in Academic Achievement
The Place of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Treating Depression
Does Early Childhood Education Impact Cognitive Development?
Influence of Stereotypes on Individual Self-Esteem
The Consequences of Divorce on Children’s Mental Health
The Effectiveness of Art Therapy for Trauma Patients
Neurological Changes in Adolescents During Peer Pressure
Parental Involvement’s Impact on Child’s Academic Performance
Perceptions of Beauty Standards: Impact on Women’s Mental Health
The Role of Motivation in Successful Learning
How Does Attachment Styles Affect Adult Relationships?
Gender Differences in Coping With Stress: A Psychological Analysis
Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Impact on the Quality of Life
Examining Psychological Implications of Chronic Illness
The Influence of Music Therapy on Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease
How Does Psychoanalysis Contribute to Understanding Human Behavior
Is Color Psychology Effective in Marketing and Branding?
Influence of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Functioning
The Psychology Behind Superstitious Beliefs: An Analysis
Effects of Multitasking on Productivity and Mental Health
Discussing the Link Between Creativity and Mental Illness
The Role of Psychologists in Law Enforcement Agencies

Psychology Argumentative Essay Topics for University

The Use of Psychotropic Medications in Managing Mental Disorders
Correlation Between Physical Activity and Mental Health
Influence of Childhood Bullying on Adult Depression
The Role of Pets in Improving Human Mental Health
Group Dynamics: Their Impact on Individual Behavior
Substance Abuse: Exploring Its Psychological Causes and Effects
Significance of Subliminal Messages in Consumer Perception
Eating Disorders: A Societal or Individual Problem?
The Role of Family Dynamics in Child Development
Emotional Resilience: Its Importance in Overcoming Life Challenges
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Challenges and Treatments
Stigmas Attached to Mental Health: How to Change Perceptions?
Effects of Procrastination on Students’ Academic Performance
Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Academic Achievement
Benefits of Psychological Counseling for University Students
The Impact of Parenting Styles on Child Behavior and Development
Bystander Effect: Psychological Reasons and Implications
Influence of Media Violence on Children’s Aggressive Behavior
Long-Term Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Mental Health
Childhood Trauma’s Long-Term Effects on Adult Life
Impacts of Workplace Environment on Employee Stress Levels
Effects of Social Isolation on Mental Health
Effectiveness of Mindfulness Techniques in Treating Anxiety

Psychology Argumentative Essay Topics for Master’s and Ph.D.

Analysis of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Effectiveness in Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Comparing Child Development in Single-Parent and Two-Parent Households
Examining the Psychological Impact of Long-Term Remote Work on Employees
Internet Addiction: Assessing Its Influence on Mental Health
Dissecting the Intersection Between Criminal Behavior and Mental Illness
Roles of Play Therapy in Enhancing Social Skills in Autistic Children
Emotional Intelligence: Its Impact on Workplace Success and Leadership
Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance: A Deep Dive
Understanding the Long-Term Psychological Implications of Childhood Abuse
Integration of Yoga and Meditation in Psychotherapy: A Revolutionary Approach or a Passing Trend?
Impacts of Nature Exposure on Mental Well-Being: A Critical Evaluation
Bullying and Its Correlation With Adolescent Suicide Rates
Roles of Art Therapy in Alleviating Depression Symptoms
Unveiling the Effect of the Digital Age on the Human Attention Span
Probing into the Power of Positive Affirmations in Mental Health Rehabilitation
Dementia Care: Assessing the Psychological Impact on Caregivers
Animal-Assisted Therapy and Its Efficacy in Treating Anxiety Disorders
How Do Childhood Experiences Shape Adult Relationships?
Mindfulness Practice and its Role in Reducing Stress Levels
Scrutinizing the Psychosocial Impact of Chronic Illnesses
Reevaluating the Concept of Masculinity in the Context of Mental Health
The Psychological Effects of Aging: A Comprehensive Analysis
Delving Into the Psychological Impact of Climate Change on Individuals
Does Neurofeedback Therapy Truly Enhance Cognitive Functioning?
Analyzing the Effectiveness of Group Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment
Bilingualism’s Impact on Cognitive Development: A Detailed Study

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5 Timeless Debates in Psychology

Even simple behaviors are complex at their core..

Posted January 24, 2021 | Reviewed by Matt Huston

The vast majority of human behaviors do not have one simple explanation.
Over decades of trying to understand human behavior, psychologists often return to five core debates, with "nature vs. nurture" being perhaps the most well-known.
Examining any behavior through the lens of these 5 debates can help uncover possible explanations for the behavior—but its true cause may still remain elusive.

Understanding human behavior is tricky business. We should be wary of anyone who claims to have it all figured out. To add to this complexity, note that across the history of the behavioral sciences, there have been consistent instances in which multiple explanatory concepts are completely at odds with one another. In a sense, the field of psychology is a field of contrasts. As is true with many intellectual areas, psychology is full of debate. This post is designed to put a face to five of the timeless debates in the field, to help people understand the many nuances that surround the science of psychology.

To explicate these debates, let's consider the following example:

Trevor is an average high school student who is hoping to make it into college and possibly be a pilot someday. In his biology class, he finds himself having no clue what the difference is between meiosis and mitosis. Fortunately for him, he has the definitions of these terms written on the palm of his left hand. Unfortunately for him, his teacher catches him cheating and reports him to the principal. His parents are called in and it turns into quite an ordeal.

The simple question from a behavioral science perspective is this: Why did Trevor cheat?

5 Core Psychological Debates

As summarized in my recent book Own Your Psychology Major! A Guide to Student Success , any question of behavior can be thought of through various lenses. Several of these lenses can be understood in terms of the following five long-standing debates in the field (adapted from Geher, 2019, pp. 27-28):

Nature vs. Nurture . This debate focuses largely on whether inherent, biological factors or developmental, “experiential” factors play the dominant role in shaping who people are and how they behave. Think about your own level of extraversion , or how outgoing you are. Someone who appeals to the "nature” side of this debate might cite evidence that genes play a role in determining levels of extraversion and argue that you were “born” to have a certain level of extraversion. Someone on the “nurture” side might point toward research on how one’s environment helps to shape levels of extraversion as well as other basic personality traits.
Materialism vs. Constructionism . Some academic psychologists focus on the physical (i.e., material) underpinnings of behavior, based on the idea that at the end of the day, behavior is nothing more than the result of neural activity. Constructionists, on the other hand, downplay material causes of behavior and instead focus on how psychological reality is ultimately found in the meaning that people give psychological concepts in social contexts. On this point, let’s consider the psychological attribute of emotional responsivity, or the ways that one responds to emotionally laden stimuli (Repacholi & Gopnik, 1997). A materialist might see someone’s high level of emotional responsivity as nothing more than a particular set of genes and a set of physiological structures, such as the reticular activation system, being set a certain way. On the other hand, a constructionist might see someone who is seen as highly emotionally responsive as having been shaped to behave in an emotional manner based on various social roles and social expectations in one’s community.
Person vs. Situation . There is often debate regarding whether factors within people themselves cause their behaviors or if situational cues play a more critical role. Dispositionists focus on internal causes of behavior, such as personality traits or emotional states. Situationists focus more on factors in situations that exert influences on behavior. For instance, suppose that Joe is watching a Little League baseball game and just yelled out that the ump doesn’t know what he’s doing. A dispositionist might look at Joe’s behavior and say that he has poor impulse control and an aggressive social style, while a situationist might ask more about the call that the ump made and about the behaviors of others in the crowd to examine how much the details of the situation may have affected Joe’s actions.
Consistency vs. Change Across Development . Whether people can change who they are across the life span is another hotly debated topic in psychology. Some argue that our personality becomes largely fixed during late childhood . Others argue that there is potential for change. Research into this issue is extremely intriguing, with some data suggesting that there is little change in one’s basic character across life and other data suggesting that there can be substantial change in personality over the long term.
Cultural Universals vs. Cultural Variability . Are people the same wherever you go? Some will say yes, and some will say no. To be sure, there are clearly ways that humans are the same across the globe. For instance, using a smile to express happiness seems to be a human universal. On the other hand, there seem to be important ways that one’s culture shapes behavior. This is why religious activities often look quite different from one another across religious groups. The question of behavioral universality vs. cultural variability is a hot one, and some of the best research being done by psychologists examines questions related to this particular debate.

So Why Did Trevor Cheat on His Biology Exam?

As you can see, answering the question of why Trevor cheated on his biology exam can become a bit complex. Here are different ways to think about this question in light of these five timeless debates:

Nature vs. Nurture. A nature perspective might argue that Trevor comes from a long line of cheaters and that the traits associated with cheating may actually have some heritable component. A nurture perspective might argue that Trevor has always gotten away and, in some sense, been rewarded for cheating. His environmental upbringing has encouraged and shaped such behavior.
Materialism vs. Constructivism . A materialist explanation of Trevor's cheating might suggest that brain mechanisms associated with impulse control are responsible. People vary on impulse control and such variability has been tied to various brain structures. On the other hand, a constructivist approach might look at the broader society surrounding Trevor. Perhaps Trevor plays video games and watches TV shows that tend to glorify cheating, thus shaping his behavior in a distal but profound sense.
Person vs. Situation . At his core, Trevor may just be something of a bad apple. He may score high on various dark personality traits (such as psychopathy , or having little concern about others' feelings) and cheating may simply be a standard behavior in his dispositional repertoire. On the other hand, there may have been simple situational factors that partly accounted for Trevor's cheating. Perhaps he sits in the back of the classroom behind a student with very big hair. As such, due to the particulars of the situation, he has been able to get away with cheating without getting caught all year long.
Consistency vs. Change Across Development . Maybe the traits that underlie cheating are learned early in life and set up a pattern of cheating that becomes deeply entrenched in one's behavior. Maybe Trevor has always been a cheater and always will be. On the other hand, maybe people really can change, and perhaps after the principal gives him a good talking to, he'll start to adapt his behavior to a more honest and hard-working approach. He is young, after all.
Cultural Universals vs. Cultural Variability . Perhaps Trevor identifies with a highly masculine sub-culture. And in his little world, cheating is considered highly desirable. Maybe people across any and all cultures in the world will engage in cheating behaviors under certain conditions. On the other hand, perhaps academic cheating is more encouraged in some cultures than in others. Maybe there are some cultures out there where Trevor's behavior would lead to a public flogging instead of a stern talking-to from the principal. In some ways, human behavior is the same across cultures. And in some ways, it varies quite a bit.

Bottom Line

In the field of scientific psychology, we work to develop concepts that help to explain behavior. This said, these concepts don't exist in a vacuum. Many concepts in the field can be thought of in terms of the five timeless debates that are presented here.

Any behavioral scientist who tells you that they have all the answers is necessarily wrong. Human behavior is complex and a solid education in the field comes with an understanding of the fact that our understanding of behavior itself is rooted in broad sets of assumptions, many of which are quite up for debate.

Why did Trevor cheat on that biology exam? The answer is anything but simple.

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Geher, G. (2019). Own Your Psychology Major! A Guide to Student Success. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Ekman, P., &. Friesen, W. (1975). Unmasking the face: A guide to recognizing emotions from facial clues. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Fawcett, C., & Markson, L. (2010). Children reason about shared preferences. Developmental Psychology, 46(2), 299-309.

Gopnik, A., & Wellman, H. (1992). Why the Child's Theory of Mind Really Is a Theory. Mind & Language, 7, 145- 171.

Hupbach, A., Gomez, R. L., Bootzin, R. R., & Nadel, L. (2009). Nap-dependent learning in infants. Developmental Science, 12(6), 1007-1012.

Kushnir, T., Xu, F., & Wellman, H. M. (2010). Young children use statistical sampling to infer the preferences of other people. Psychological Science, 21(8), 1134-1140. doi: 10.1177/0956797610376652

Lucas, C. G., Griffiths, T. L., Xu, F., Fawcett, C., Gopnik, A., Kushnir, T., … Hu, J. (2014). The child as econometrician: A rational model of preference understanding in children. PLoS ONE, 9(3), e92160. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0092160

Ma, L., & Xu, F. (2011). Young children’s use of statistical sampling evidence to infer the subjectivity of preferences. Cognition, 120(3), 403-411

Repacholi, B. M., & Gopnik, A. (1997). Early reasoning about desires: Evidence from 14- and 18-month-olds. Developmental Psychology, 33(1), 12-21.

Glenn Geher, Ph.D. , is professor of psychology at the State University of New York at New Paltz. He is founding director of the campus’ Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) program.

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50+ Topics for Psychology Research Papers

Categories Psychology Education

If you have ever had to write a paper for one of your psychology classes, then you probably know that choosing psychology paper topics can sometimes be tricky. Fortunately, there are plenty of great topics for psychology research papers to help you finish your assignment.

Keep reading to learn more about how to find topics for psychology research papers and find inspiration to help you get started.

Table of Contents

How to Choose Topics for Psychology Research Papers

If you are going to write a psychology paper, the first thing you need to do is pick a good topic. This is often easier said than done.

In some cases, your instructor might assign you topics for psychology research papers, or at least narrow your range of options by providing a general subject area on which to focus your paper.

But in many cases, choosing the topic of your psychology paper is entirely up to you—and that’s where things can get tricky. How do you choose a great topic? What if you pick something too specific and struggle to find sources? Or what if you go too broad and end up biting off more than you can chew?

Following a few simple steps can make the topic selection process a lot easier.

Choose a General Subject

Part of what makes picking a topic for a psychology paper so difficult is how overwhelmed you are by the information you feel. Make it easier on yourself by restricting your options to at least a general topic area.

Narrow Down to a More Specific Topic

Once you’ve chosen a general area, you can then narrow topics for psychology research papers down to something much more specific and manageable.

For example, you might start by deciding that you want to write your paper on a topic within a specific branch of psychology . From there you might further narrow your focus down to a much narrower subject area within that branch

So, imagine that you’re writing a psychology research paper in your general psychology course. Your instructor has given you free rein to select any topic you please, so you begin by deciding to write your paper on a social psychology topic.

Now that you have a general idea, you drill down further and decide to research and write your paper on how prejudice forms and ways to minimize it.

General Topics for Psychology Research Papers

Because general psychology classes cover such a wide range of topics, you have a very large selection of subject ideas to choose from. Start by choosing a general topic, and then narrow your focus down so that you can fully cover the subject.

Some ideas include:

An issue paper: Tackle one of the current issues in psychology, such as parity in mental health care or involving psychologists in military interrogations.
Profile a famous psychologist: Select a well-known psychologist and then write a profile exploring his or her life, theories, and career.
Explore a well-known psychology experiment: Write a paper on a classic psychology study, such as the Milgram Obedience Experiment or the Stanford Prison Experiment.
Write about a topic within personality psychology: Personality psychology focuses on the traits and dispositions that contribute to overall personality. This is one of the largest topics within psychology so there are plenty of fascinating research topics from which to choose. Some specific topics that might interest you include whether personality can change, different theories of personality development and the Big Five theory of personality.

Specific Topics for Psychology Research Papers

You might also want to choose topics for psychology research papers that are related to a specific branch of psychology. Some options that you might consider include:

Clinical Psychology

How effective is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating specific phobias?
What is the relationship between childhood trauma and borderline personality disorder?
How do medication and psychotherapy compare in the treatment of depression?
How does social media affect teen mental health?

Developmental Psychology

How do parenting styles influence child development?
What are the long-term effects of early childhood education?
What role does play have in cognitive development?
What effect does having siblings have on developmental outcomes?

Cognitive Psychology

How does sleep deprivation influence the memory consolidation process?
What impact does aging have on cognitive functioning?
How does exercise impact working memory?
Does learning a second language have cognitive benefits?

Social Psychology

What effect does discrimination have on self-esteem?
How does self-presentation online differ from self-presentation in real-world settings?
How do leadership styles influence productivity in groups?

Okay, let’s just imagine that you’re having a bad case of writer’s block. You understand the basic approach for picking a good topic, but nothing seems to be catching your interest. You’re looking for some more inspiration to get you started.

Here are just a few great topics for psychology papers that you might want to consider:

Controversial Topics for Psychology Research Papers

The history of psychology is not always positive, and if you enjoy writing about controversial topics, psychology’s history is rich with material.

The use of lobotomies to treat mental illness
The history of mental asylums in the United States
The use and effects of electroconvulsive therapy
Conversion therapy and its damaging effects
Attachment therapy
Controversial experiments such as Milgram’s obedience experiment or Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison experiment
The debate over the nature of intelligence
The impact of the eugenics movement on psychology
Controversies surrounding the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

Disorder Topics for Psychology Research Papers

Writing about the history, prevalence, and treatment of a specific mental condition can be an interesting topic for a psychology paper. Some options you might consider include:

Eating disorders
Anxiety disorders
Borderline personality disorder
Schizophrenia
Substance abuse and addictions
Developmental disorders

Psychology Argumentative Essay Topics: 30+ Interesting Ideas

psychology argumentative essay topics and ideas

The best psychology argumentative essay topics are the ones that challenge pre-existing beliefs, stimulate intellectual debates, and analyze the understanding of the human mind.

For example, you can focus your essay on:

The effect of human consciousness on artificial intelligence
Dissecting the cultural beliefs that affect human behavior
Understanding criminal mind and its effect on society
The impact of the social media era on human behavior

Given just how wide the study of the mind and human behavior is, there’s no limit to what you can write in a psychology argumentative essay .

Key Takeaways

Choose a topic that’s interesting and debatable. Usually, it’s easier to explore an area of psychology that piques your interest.
Your topic should have sufficient research materials from which you can draw references to support your stance.
Ensure the topic is easy to structure and write but still meet the requirements of what makes good topics .
If the topic allows you to challenge existing beliefs, contradictions, and issues in psychological science, go with it.

Need help to write a psychology argumentative essay because you don’t have enough time left? Pay for writing here , get 15% off on your first order, and benefit from the convenience of our custom writing. Our service guarantees same-day delivery, so you don’t have to worry about missing important deadlines.

30+ Psychology Argumentative Essay Topics to Explore

The following is a list of 30+ ideas from which you can pick a topic that you find interesting for your psychology argumentative essay assignment :

Clinical Psychology

Can individuals effectively cope with a wide range of acute and chronic diseases?
Do clinical and psychological factors play a significant role in the development and treatment of eating disorders?
Are clinical and psychological aspects influential in the formation of dependent behavior in women?
Can coping strategies effectively address mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia?
Does the psychology of surgical treatment have an impact on patients with severe obesity, and can it provide benefits and challenges?
Is therapy adherence crucial for managing chronic diseases, and are there potential barriers to adherence?
Can the internal picture of disease in patients with chronic skin conditions inform their treatment and support?

Abnormal Psychology

Do genetics and environmental factors interact to influence the likelihood of developing schizophrenia?
Do key factors contribute to the development of anxiety disorders?
Is there a connection between truth and lies from the point of view of psychology?
Does childhood trauma affect the development of borderline personality disorder?
Can we manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder through psychotherapy, medication, and other therapeutic interventions?

Controversial Psychology Argumentative Essay Topics

Should religious institutions embrace individuals of diverse genders?
Is it acceptable for educators to employ physical punishment for disobedient behavior in the classroom?
How do children cope with the effects of their parents’ divorce and what are the repercussions?
Are medications promoting cognitive development in children safe or potentially harmful?
Should parents engage in conversations about sexual changes with their children?

Development Psychology

Does marriage significantly influence an adult’s emotional well-being?
Can early childhood socialization have lasting effects on personality development?
Do motivation for learning, academic success, and well-being correlate in primary
Do childhood trauma and adversity have long-term consequences for mental health and well-being?
Does language development influence cognitive development in infants and children?
Does biological maturation significantly affect cognitive and personality characteristics in adolescents?
Do gender differences play a role in adolescents’ choice of self-expression methods?

Cognitive Psychology

Are there mechanisms that can influence and stimulate an individual’s activity?
Does attention play a role in influencing perception and memory during cognitive processing?
Can cultural background affect perception, memory, and problem-solving strategies?
Does the professional environment have an influence on the human psyche?
Do individual differences in cognitive processing styles affect learning and problem solving?
Are needs, interests, worldview, and beliefs significant components of personality orientation?

Sports Psychology Essay Topics

Can methods for managing an athlete’s functional state be effective?
Does visualization have an impact on an athlete’s performance?
Is “loneliness” in a new profession a problem for athletes going through reorientation?
Are there modern theories and methods of diagnosing motivation in sports psychology?
Can a crisis be a positive resource for an athlete’s professional and personal development?
Are there main directions for psychological work with high-level athletes?
Can sport psychology help athletes cope with injuries and setbacks?
Does sport psychology contribute to the development of mental toughness in athletes?

IB Psychology Argumentative Essay Topics

Does religion significantly affect the building of one’s personality?
Is there a direct connection between witchcraft and Satanism?
Does the environment influence the behavior and mental processes of individuals?
Can you assist children who have experienced parental divorce?
Can certain situations and things lead to the development of depression?

Forensic Psychology

Do trauma and mental illness play a role in forensic evaluations of criminal defendants?
Are there distinct psychological characteristics exhibited by various types of serial sex killers?
Can personal psychological factors determine an adolescent’s predisposition to deviant behavior?
Are there specific psychological characteristics associated with criminal personalities?
Do ethical considerations arise when using psychological assessments in forensic investigations?
Does personal immaturity affect juvenile delinquents within the framework of normal and abnormal personal development?
Does the use of digital evidence affect forensic psychology investigations?
Can psychological diagnostics predict the professional success of heads of internal affairs bodies?
Do convicted women with personality disorders face challenges in adapting to places of imprisonment?
Can forensic psychology help in understanding the motivations behind mass shootings?

Final Thoughts

Now that you have a list of more than 30 psychology argumentative essay topics, it should be easy to single out an interesting idea to focus your essay.

Controversial Psychology Topics | Example & Outline

September 10, 2022
Essay Topics and Ideas

Here's What You'll Learn

Controversial Psychology Topics

1. Is intelligence determined by genes or environment? 2. Nature vs. Nurture: which is more important in determining human behavior? 3. Can we truly know ourselves? 4. The power of positive thinking – is it all it’s cracked up to be? 5. Do our memories always reflect reality, or are they sometimes inaccurate? 6. Is there such a thing as “true love”? 7. Do people really change, or do they just stay the same? 8. Is there a link between mental illness and creativity? 9. Should psychological therapy be used to treat criminals? 10. Can psychology be used to “cure” homophobia? 11. Should psychologists be allowed to prescribe medication? 12. Is there a connection between violence and mental illness? 13. Do we have control over our own destiny, or is everything predetermined? 14. Is psychology really a science, or is it more of an art form? 15. Do we only use a small percentage of our brain’s potential? 16. Are people born gay or do they become gay? 17. Can psychology help us to understand andtreat addiction? 18. Does our sexuality belong to us, or is it influenced by society and culture? 19. Is there a link between mental illness and genius? 20. Should psychological treatment be used to change someone’s religious beliefs? 21. Can therapy help people to deal with grief? 22. How much of our behavior is determined by our genes? 23. Is it possible to “repress” memories of traumatic events? 24. Do we all have a “type” when it comes to romantic relationships? 25. Is there such a thing as an “evil” gene? 26. Are some people predisposed to being serial killers? 27. Is it possible to rehabilitate psychopaths? 28. How does psychology affect our legal system? 29. Can therapy help people with borderline personality disorder? 30. Is multiple personality disorder a real condition, or is it just made up for Hollywood movies?

Controversial Psychology Ideas

Unique Psychology Topics

When it comes to psychology, there are a lot of controversial topics. This is a list of thirty unique psychology topics that can be used for a paper or blog post.

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Controversial and Unethical Psychology Experiments

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Shereen Lehman, MS, is a healthcare journalist and fact checker. She has co-authored two books for the popular Dummies Series (as Shereen Jegtvig).

There have been a number of famous psychology experiments that are considered controversial, inhumane, unethical, and even downright cruel—here are five examples. Thanks to ethical codes and institutional review boards, most of these experiments could never be performed today.

At a Glance

Some of the most controversial and unethical experiments in psychology include Harlow's monkey experiments, Milgram's obedience experiments, Zimbardo's prison experiment, Watson's Little Albert experiment, and Seligman's learned helplessness experiment.

These and other controversial experiments led to the formation of rules and guidelines for performing ethical and humane research studies.

Harlow's Pit of Despair

Psychologist Harry Harlow performed a series of experiments in the 1960s designed to explore the powerful effects that love and attachment have on normal development. In these experiments, Harlow isolated young rhesus monkeys, depriving them of their mothers and keeping them from interacting with other monkeys.

The experiments were often shockingly cruel, and the results were just as devastating.

The Experiment

The infant monkeys in some experiments were separated from their real mothers and then raised by "wire" mothers. One of the surrogate mothers was made purely of wire.

While it provided food, it offered no softness or comfort. The other surrogate mother was made of wire and cloth, offering some degree of comfort to the infant monkeys.

Harlow found that while the monkeys would go to the wire mother for nourishment, they preferred the soft, cloth mother for comfort.

Some of Harlow's experiments involved isolating the young monkey in what he termed a "pit of despair." This was essentially an isolation chamber. Young monkeys were placed in the isolation chambers for as long as 10 weeks.

Other monkeys were isolated for as long as a year. Within just a few days, the infant monkeys would begin huddling in the corner of the chamber, remaining motionless.

The Results

Harlow's distressing research resulted in monkeys with severe emotional and social disturbances. They lacked social skills and were unable to play with other monkeys.

They were also incapable of normal sexual behavior, so Harlow devised yet another horrifying device, which he referred to as a "rape rack." The isolated monkeys were tied down in a mating position to be bred.

Not surprisingly, the isolated monkeys also ended up being incapable of taking care of their offspring, neglecting and abusing their young.

Harlow's experiments were finally halted in 1985 when the American Psychological Association passed rules regarding treating people and animals in research.

Milgram's Shocking Obedience Experiments

Isabelle Adam/Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

If someone told you to deliver a painful, possibly fatal shock to another human being, would you do it? The vast majority of us would say that we absolutely would never do such a thing, but one controversial psychology experiment challenged this basic assumption.

Social psychologist Stanley Milgram conducted a series of experiments to explore the nature of obedience . Milgram's premise was that people would often go to great, sometimes dangerous, or even immoral, lengths to obey an authority figure.

The Experiments

In Milgram's experiment, subjects were ordered to deliver increasingly strong electrical shocks to another person. While the person in question was simply an actor who was pretending, the subjects themselves fully believed that the other person was actually being shocked.

The voltage levels started out at 30 volts and increased in 15-volt increments up to a maximum of 450 volts. The switches were also labeled with phrases including "slight shock," "medium shock," and "danger: severe shock." The maximum shock level was simply labeled with an ominous "XXX."

The results of the experiment were nothing short of astonishing. Many participants were willing to deliver the maximum level of shock, even when the person pretending to be shocked was begging to be released or complaining of a heart condition.

Milgram's experiment revealed stunning information about the lengths that people are willing to go in order to obey, but it also caused considerable distress for the participants involved.

Zimbardo's Simulated Prison Experiment

Darrin Klimek / Getty Images

Psychologist Philip Zimbardo went to high school with Stanley Milgram and had an interest in how situational variables contribute to social behavior.

In his famous and controversial experiment, he set up a mock prison in the basement of the psychology department at Stanford University. Participants were then randomly assigned to be either prisoners or guards. Zimbardo himself served as the prison warden.

The researchers attempted to make a realistic situation, even "arresting" the prisoners and bringing them into the mock prison. Prisoners were placed in uniforms, while the guards were told that they needed to maintain control of the prison without resorting to force or violence.

When the prisoners began to ignore orders, the guards began to utilize tactics that included humiliation and solitary confinement to punish and control the prisoners.

While the experiment was originally scheduled to last two full weeks it had to be halted after just six days. Why? Because the prison guards had started abusing their authority and were treating the prisoners cruelly. The prisoners, on the other hand, started to display signs of anxiety and emotional distress.

It wasn't until a graduate student (and Zimbardo's future wife) Christina Maslach visited the mock prison that it became clear that the situation was out of control and had gone too far. Maslach was appalled at what was going on and voiced her distress. Zimbardo then decided to call off the experiment.

Zimbardo later suggested that "although we ended the study a week earlier than planned, we did not end it soon enough."

Watson and Rayner's Little Albert Experiment

If you have ever taken an Introduction to Psychology class, then you are probably at least a little familiar with Little Albert.

Behaviorist John Watson and his assistant Rosalie Rayner conditioned a boy to fear a white rat, and this fear even generalized to other white objects including stuffed toys and Watson's own beard.

Obviously, this type of experiment is considered very controversial today. Frightening an infant and purposely conditioning the child to be afraid is clearly unethical.

As the story goes, the boy and his mother moved away before Watson and Rayner could decondition the child, so many people have wondered if there might be a man out there with a mysterious phobia of furry white objects.

Controversy

Some researchers have suggested that the boy at the center of the study was actually a cognitively impaired boy who ended up dying of hydrocephalus when he was just six years old. If this is true, it makes Watson's study even more disturbing and controversial.

However, more recent evidence suggests that the real Little Albert was actually a boy named William Albert Barger.

Seligman's Look Into Learned Helplessness

During the late 1960s, psychologists Martin Seligman and Steven F. Maier conducted experiments that involved conditioning dogs to expect an electrical shock after hearing a tone. Seligman and Maier observed some unexpected results.

When initially placed in a shuttle box in which one side was electrified, the dogs would quickly jump over a low barrier to escape the shocks. Next, the dogs were strapped into a harness where the shocks were unavoidable.

After being conditioned to expect a shock that they could not escape, the dogs were once again placed in the shuttlebox. Instead of jumping over the low barrier to escape, the dogs made no efforts to escape the box.

Instead, they simply lay down, whined and whimpered. Since they had previously learned that no escape was possible, they made no effort to change their circumstances. The researchers called this behavior learned helplessness .

Seligman's work is considered controversial because of the mistreating the animals involved in the study.

Impact of Unethical Experiments in Psychology

Many of the psychology experiments performed in the past simply would not be possible today, thanks to ethical guidelines that direct how studies are performed and how participants are treated. While these controversial experiments are often disturbing, we can still learn some important things about human and animal behavior from their results.

Perhaps most importantly, some of these controversial experiments led directly to the formation of rules and guidelines for performing psychology studies.

Blum, Deborah. Love at Goon Park: Harry Harlow and the science of affection . New York: Basic Books; 2011.

Sperry L. Mental Health and Mental Disorders: an Encyclopedia of Conditions, Treatments, and Well-Being . Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood, an imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC; 2016.

Marcus S. Obedience to Authority An Experimental View. By Stanley Milgram. illustrated . New York: Harper &. The New York Times.

Le Texier T. Debunking the Stanford Prison Experiment . Am Psychol . 2019;74(7):823‐839. doi:10.1037/amp0000401

Fridlund AJ, Beck HP, Goldie WD, Irons G. Little Albert: A neurologically impaired child . Hist Psychol. 2012;15(4):302-27. doi:10.1037/a0026720

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Seligman ME. Learned helplessness . Annu Rev Med . 1972;23:407‐412. doi:10.1146/annurev.me.23.020172.002203

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Issues and Debates in Psychology (A-Level Revision)

Deb Gajic, CPsychol

Team Leader Examiner (A-Level Psychology)

B.A. (Hons), Social Sciences, Msc, Psychology

Deb Gajic is an experienced educational consultant with a robust history in the education and training field. She brings expertise in Psychology, Training, CPD Provision, Writing, Examining, Tutoring, Coaching, Lecturing, Educational Technology, and Curriculum Development. She holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Psychology from The Open University, a PGCE from Leicester University, and a BA (Hons) 2:1 from Warwick University. She is a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS).

Learn about our Editorial Process

Saul Mcleod, PhD

Editor-in-Chief for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester

Saul Mcleod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

On This Page:

What do the examiners look for?

Accurate and detailed knowledge
Clear, coherent, and focused answers
Effective use of terminology (use the “technical terms”)

In application questions, examiners look for “effective application to the scenario,” which means that you need to describe the theory and explain the scenario using the theory making the links between the two very clear.

If there is more than one individual in the scenario you must mention all of the characters to get to the top band.

Difference between AS and A level answers

The descriptions follow the same criteria; however, you have to use the issues and debates effectively in your answers. “Effectively” means that it needs to be clearly linked and explained in the context of the answer.

Read the model answers to get a clearer idea of what is needed.

Gender and Culture in Psychology

Gender bias.

Gender bias results when one gender is treated less favorably than the other, often referred to as sexism, and it has a range of consequences, including:

Scientifically misleading
Upholding stereotypical assumptions
Validating sex discrimination

Avoiding gender bias does not mean pretending that men and women are the same.

There are three main types of gender bias:

Alpha bias – this occurs when the differences between men and women are exaggerated. Therefore, stereotypically male and female characteristics may be emphasized.

Beta bias -this occurs when the differences between men and women are minimized. This often happens when findings obtained from men are applied to women without additional validation.

Androcentrism – taking male thinking/behavior as normal, regarding female thinking/behavior as deviant, inferior, abnormal, or ‘other’ when it is different.

Positive Consequences of Gender Bias

Alpha Bias :

This has led some theorists (Gilligan) to assert the worth and valuation of ‘feminine qualities.’
This has led to healthy criticism of cultural values that praise certain ‘male’ qualities, such as aggression and individualism, as desirable, adaptive, and universal.

Beta Bias :

Makes people see men and women as the same, which has led to equal treatment in legal terms and equal access to, for example, education and employment.

Negative Consequences of Gender Bias

Focus on differences between genders leads to the implication of similarity WITHIN genders. Thus, this ignores the many ways women differ from each other.
Can sustain prejudices and stereotypes.
Draws attention away from the differences in power between men and women.
Is considered an egalitarian approach, but it results in major misrepresentations of both genders.

Consequences of Gender Bias

Kitzinger (1998) argues that questions about sex differences aren’t just scientific questions – they’re also political (women have the same rights as men). So gender differences are distorted to maintain the status quo of male power.

Women were kept out of male-dominant universities.
Women were oppressed.
Women stereotypes (Bowlby).

Feminists argue that although gender differences are minimal or non-existent, they are used against women to maintain male power.

Judgments about an individual women’s ability are made on the basis of average differences between the sexes or biased sex-role stereotypes, and this also had the effect of lowering women’s self-esteem; making them, rather than men, think they have to improve themselves (Tavris, 1993).

Examples of Gender Bias in Research AO3

Kohlberg & moral development.

Kohlberg based his stages of moral development around male moral reasoning and had an all-male sample. He then inappropriately generalized his findings to women ( beta bias ) and also claimed women generally reached the lower level of moral development ( androcentrism ).

Carol Gilligan highlighted the gender bias inherent in Kohlberg’s work and suggested women make moral decisions in a different way than men (care ethic vs. justice ethic).

However, her research is arguably, also (alpha) biased, as male and female moral reasoning is more similar than her work suggests.

Freud & Psychosexual Development

Freud’s ideas are seen as inherently gender biased, but it must be remembered that he was a product of his time. He saw ‘Biology as destiny’ and women’s roles as prescribed & predetermined.

All his theories are androcentric , most obviously: -‘Penis envy’ – women are defined psychologically by the fact that they aren’t men.

But Freud’s ideas had serious consequences/implications. They reinforced stereotypes, e.g., of women’s moral Inferiority, treated deviations from traditional sex-role behavior as pathological (career ambition = penis envy), and are clearly androcentric (phallocentric).

Biomedical Theories of Abnormality

In women, mental illness, especially depression, is much more likely to be explained in terms of neurochemical/hormonal processes rather than other possible explanations, such as social or environmental (e.g., domestic violence, unpaid labor, discrimination).

The old joke ‘Is it your hormones, love?’ is no joke for mentally ill women!

Gender Bias in the Research Process AO1

Although female psychology students outnumber males, at a senior teaching and research level in universities, men dominate. Men predominate at the senior researcher level.
The research agenda follows male concerns, female concerns may be marginalized or ignored.
Most experimental methodologies are based on the standardized treatment of participants. This assumes that men and women respond in the same ways to the experimental situation.
Women and men might respond differently to the research situation.
Women and men might be treated differently by researchers.
Could create artificial differences or mask real ones.
Publishing bias towards positive results.
Research that finds gender differences more likely to get published than that which doesn’t.
Exaggerates the extent of gender differences.

Reducing Gender Bias in Psychology (AO3)

Equal opportunity legislation and feminist psychology have performed the valuable functions of reducing institutionalized gender bias and drawing attention to sources of bias and under-researched areas in psychology like childcare, sexual abuse, dual burden working, and prostitution.

The Feminist perspective

Re-examining the ‘facts’ about gender.
View women as normal humans, not deficient men.
Skepticism towards biological determinism.
Research agenda focusing on women’s concerns.
A psychology for women, rather than a psychology of women.

Learning Check AO2

This activity will help you to:

Identify gender biases in psychological theories
Discuss the impact of biased research on society
Critically assess gender-biased theories

Below are two examples of research that could be considered gender biased. Working in pairs or small groups, you need to do the following:

1. Identify aspects of the research that could be considered gender biased

2. Identify and explain the type of gender bias that is present

3. Suggest the impact that these research examples could have on society

You could look, for example, at how the research might uphold or reinforce gender stereotypes or be used to disempower women in society.

The Psychodynamic View of Personality and Moral Development

Freud and many of his followers believed that biological differences between men and women had major consequences for psychological development. In their view, ‘biology is destiny.’

Freud believed that gender divergence begins at the onset of the phallic stage, where the girl realizes that she has no penis, and starts to feel inferiour to boys (penis envy).

Penis envy becomes a major driving force in the girl’s mental life and needs to be successfully sublimated into a desire for a husband and children if it is not to become pathological.

This view of gender divergence in personality development has implications for other aspects of development. For example, Freud’s view of morality was that it was regulated by the superego, which is an internalization of the same-sex parent that regulates behavior through the threat of punishment.

In boys, immoral behavior is regulated through the mechanism of castration anxiety – men obey the rules because of an unconscious fear that their father will take away their penis.

In the Freudian view, the girl has already had to accept her castration as a fait accompli, which raises important questions about the relative moral strength of men and women.

The Biological View of Mental Illness

The biomedical view of mental illness, which approaches behavioral and psychological abnormality as a manifestation of underlying pathological processes on the biological level, dominates the discussion of mental illness.

In the biomedical view , illnesses such as depression can be explained in terms of chemical imbalances causing malfunction in the parts of the brain associated with emotion.

When explaining why twice as many women as men are diagnosed with depression, adherents of the biomedical view tend to suggest that this is due to hormonal differences and point to the existence of, for example, post-natal depression to show how fluctuations in female sex hormones can lead to abnormalities of mood.

Similarly, sex differences in hormonal processes can be used to explain the existence of disorders that are ‘gender bound,’ such as pre-menstrual syndrome.

Culture Bias

Culture can be described as all the knowledge and values shared by a society.

Cultures may differ from one another in many ways, so the findings of psychological research conducted in one culture may not apply directly to another.

General Background

In order to fulfill its aspiration of explaining human thinking and behavior, psychology must address the huge diversity in people around the globe. Each individual’s behavior is shaped by a huge number of factors, including their genes, upbringing, and individual experiences.

At the same time, people are affected by a range of factors that are specific to the cultural group in which they developed and within which they live. Psychologists should always attempt to account for the ways in which culture affects thinking and behavior.

However, this has not always been the case. Psychology is a discipline that evolved within a very specific cultural context.

Psychology is predominantly a white, Euro-American enterprise: – (i) 64% of psychological researchers are from the US; (ii) in some texts, 90% of studies have US Participants; (iii) samples are predominantly white middle class.

Consequently, it has incorporated a particular worldview (that of the industrialized West) into the ways it tries to understand people. This can have consequences. For example:

Psychologists may overlook the importance of cultural diversity in understanding human behavior, resulting in theories that are scientifically inadequate.
They may also privilege their own worldview over those that emerge from other cultures, leading to research that either intentionally or unintentionally supports racist and discriminatory practices in the real world.

We will be looking at how cultural bias can affect psychological theories and research studies and the sorts of things psychologists can do to avoid the worst effects of cultural bias.

Types of Theoretical Constructions for Understanding Cultural Bias AO1

An emic construct is one that is applied only to one cultural group, so they vary from place to place (differences between cultures).

An emic approach refers to the investigation of a culture from within the culture itself. This means that research of European society from a European perspective is emic, and African society by African researchers in Africa is also emic. An emic approach is more likely to have ecological validity as the findings are less likely to be distorted or caused by a mismatch between the cultures of the researchers and the culture being investigated.

Cultural bias can occur when a researcher assumes that an emic construct (behavior specific to a single culture) is actually etic (behavior universal to all cultures).

For example, emic constructs are likely to be ignored or misinterpreted as researchers from another culture may not be sensitive to local emics. Their own cultural ‘filters’ may prevent them from detecting them or appreciating their significance.

An etic construct is a theoretical idea that is assumed to apply in all cultural groups. Therefore, etic constructs are considered universal to all people and are factors that hold across all cultures (similarities between cultures).

Etic constructs assume that most human behavior is common to humans but that cultural factors influence the development or display of this behavior.

Cultural bias can occur when emics and etics get mistaken for each other.

Making the assumption that behaviors are universal across cultures can lead to imposed etics , where a construct from one culture is applied inappropriately to another. For example, although basic human emotional facial expressions are universal, there can be subtle cultural variations in these.

Bias can occur when emics and etics get mistaken for each other.

Ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism occurs when a researcher assumes that their own culturally specific practices or ideas are ‘natural’ or ‘right’.

The individual uses their own ethnic group to evaluate and make judgments about other individuals from other ethnic groups. Research that is ‘centered’ around one cultural group is called ‘ethnocentric.’

When other cultures are observed to differ from the researcher’s own, they may be regarded in a negative light, e.g., ‘primitive,’ ‘degenerate,’ ‘unsophisticated,’ ‘undeveloped,’ etc.

This becomes racism when other cultures are denigrated, or their traditions are regarded as irrelevant, etc.

The antidote to ethnocentrism is cultural relativism, which is an approach to treating each culture as unique and worthy of study.

Cultural Relativism

Cultural relativism is the principle of regarding the beliefs, values, and practices of a culture from the viewpoint of that culture itself.

The principle is sometimes practiced to avoid cultural bias in research, as well as to avoid judging another culture by the standards of one’s own culture. For this reason, cultural relativism has been considered an attempt to avoid ethnocentrism.

Culturally Biased Research AO3

Ainsworth’s strange situation for attachment.

The strange situation procedure is not appropriate for assessing children from non-US or UK populations as it is based on Western childrearing ideals (i.e., ethnocentric).

The original study only used American, middle-class, white, home-reared infants and mothers; therefore, the generalisability of the findings could be questioned, as well as whether this procedure would be valid for other cultures too.

Cultural differences in child-rearing styles make results liable to misinterpretation, e.g., German or Japanese samples.

Takashi (1990) aimed to see whether the strange situation is a valid procedure for cultures other than the original. Takashi found no children in the avoidant-insecure stage.

This could be explained in cultural terms as Japanese children are taught that such behavior is impolite, and they would be actively discouraged from displaying it. Also, because Japanese children experience much less separation, the SSC was more than mildly stressful.

IQ testing and Research (e.g., Eysenck)

An example of an etic approach that produces bias might be the imposition of IQ tests designed within one culture on another culture. If a test is designed to measure a European person’s understanding of what intelligence is , it may not be a valid measurement of the intelligence of people from other continents.

IQ tests developed in the West contain embedded assumptions about intelligence, but what counts as ‘intelligent’ behavior varies from culture to culture.

Non-Westerners may be disadvantaged by such tests – and then viewed as ‘inferior’ when they don’t perform as Westerners do.

Task: Try the Chittling IQ Test

Consequences of Culture Bias AO3

Nobles (1976) argues that western psychology has been a tool of oppression and dominance. Cultural bias has also made it difficult for psychologists to separate the behavior they have observed from the context in which they observed it.

Reducing Culture Bias AO3

Equal opportunity legislation aims to rid psychology of cultural bias and racism, but we must be aware that merely swapping old, overt racism for new, more subtle forms of racism (Howitt and Owusu-Bempah, 1994).

Free Will & Determinism

The free will/determinism debate revolves around the extent to which our behavior is the result of forces over which we have no control or whether people are able to decide for themselves whether to act or behave in a certain way.

Free Will suggests that we all have a choice and can control and choose our own behavior. This approach is all about personal responsibility and plays a central role in Humanist Psychology.

By arguing that humans can make free choices, the free will approach is quite the opposite of the deterministic one. Psychologists who take the free will view suggest that determinism removes freedom and dignity and devalues human behavior.

To a lesser degree, Cognitive Psychology also supports the idea of free will and choice. In reality, although we do have free will, it is constrained by our circumstances and other people. For example, when you go shopping, your choices are constrained by how much money you have.

It emphasizes the importance of the individual and studying individual differences.
It fits society’s view of personal responsibility, e.g., if you break the law, you should be punished.
The idea of self-efficacy is useful in therapies as it makes them more effective.
Free will is subjective, and some argue it doesn’t exist.
It is impossible to scientifically test the concept of free will.
Few people would agree that behavior is always completely under the control of the individual.

Determinism

The determinist approach proposes that all behavior is determined and thus predictable. Some approaches in psychology see the source of this determinism as being outside the individual, a position known as environmental determinism.

Others see it from coming inside, i.e., in the form of unconscious motivation or genetic determinism – biological determinism.

• Environmental (External) Determinism : This is the idea that our behavior is caused by some sort of outside influence, e.g., parental influence.

Skinner (1971) argued that freedom is an illusion. We may think we have free will, but the probability of any behavior occurring is determined by past experiences.

Skinner claimed that free will was an illusion – we think we are free, but this is because we are not aware of how our behavior is determined by reinforcement.

• Biological (Internal) Determinism : Our biological systems, such as the nervous system, govern our behavior.

For example, a high IQ may be related to the IGF2R gene (Chorney et al. 1998).

• Psychic (Internal) Determinism : Freud believed childhood experiences and unconscious motivations governed behavior.

Freud thought that free will was an illusion because he felt that the causes of our behavior are unconscious and still predictable.

There are different levels of determinism.

Hard Determinism

Hard Determinism sees free will as an illusion and believes that every event and action has a cause.

Soft Determinism

Soft Determinism represents a middle ground. People do have a choice, but that choice is constrained by external factors, e.g., Being poor doesn’t make you steal, but it may make you more likely to take that route through desperation.

Determinism is scientific and allows cause-and-effect relationships to be established.
It gives plausible explanations for behavior backed up by evidence.
Determinism is reductionist.
Does not account for individual differences. By creating general laws of behavior, deterministic psychology underestimates the uniqueness of human beings and their freedom to choose their own destiny.
Hard determinism suggests criminals cannot be held accountable for their actions. Deterministic explanations for behavior reduce individual responsibility. A person arrested for a violent attack, for example, might plead that they were not responsible for their behavior – it was due to their upbringing, a bang on the head they received earlier in life, recent relationship stresses, or a psychiatric problem. In other words, their behavior was determined.

Essay Question : – Discuss free will & determinism in psychology (16 marks)

Nature & Nurture

The central question is the extent to which our behavior is determined by our biology (nature) and the genes we inherit from our parents versus the influence of environmental factors (nurture) such as home school and friends.

Nature is the view that all our behavior is determined by our biology and our genes. This is not the same as the characteristics you are born with because these may have been determined by your prenatal environment.

In addition, some genetic characteristics only appear later in development as a result of the process of maturation. Supporters of the nature view have been called ‘nativists.’

Evolutionary explanations of human behavior exemplify the nature approach in psychology. The main assumption underlying this approach is that any particular behavior has evolved because of its survival value.

E.g., Bowlby suggested that attachment behaviors are displayed because they ensure the survival of an infant and the perpetuation of the parents’ genes. This survival value is further increased because attachment has implications for later relationship formation, which will ultimately promote successful reproduction.

Evolutionary psychologists assume that behavior is a product of natural selection. Interpersonal attraction can, for example, be explained as a consequence of sexual selection.

Men and women select partners who enhance their productive success, judging this in terms of traits that ‘advertise’ reproductive fitness, such as signs of healthiness (white teeth) or resources.

Physiological psychology is also based on the assumption that behavior can be explained in terms of genetically programmed systems.

Bowlby’s explanation of attachment does not ignore environmental influences, as is generally true for evolutionary explanations. In the case of attachment theory, Bowlby proposed that infants become most strongly attached to the caregiver who responds most sensitively to the infant’s needs.
The experience of sensitive caregiving leads a child to develop expectations that others will be equally sensitive so that they tend to form adult relationships that are enduring and trusting.
The problem of the transgenerational effect. Behavior that appears to be determined by nature (and therefore is used to support this nativist view) may, in fact, be determined by nurture! e.g., if a woman has a poor diet during her pregnancy, her unborn child will suffer.
This means that the eggs with which each female child is born will also have these negative effects. This can then affect the development of her children a whole generation later.
This means that a child’s development may, in fact, be determined by their grandmother’s environment (transgenerational effect). This suggests that what may appear to be inherited and inborn is, in fact, caused by the environment and nurture.

Nurture is the opposite view that all behavior is learned and influenced by external factors such as the environment etc. Supports of the nurture view are ‘empiricists’ holding the view that all knowledge is gained through experience.

The behaviorist approach is the clearest example of the nurture position in psychology, which assumes that all behavior is learned through the environment. The best-known example is the social learning explanation of aggression using the Bobo doll.

SLT proposes that much of what we learn is through observation and vicarious reinforcement. E.g., Bandura demonstrated this in his Bobo doll experiments. He found that children who watched an adult role model being rewarded for aggression toward an inflatable doll tended to imitate that behavior when later on their own with a Bobo doll.

This supports the idea that personality is determined by nurture rather than nature. This provides us with a model of how to behave. However, such behavior becomes part of an individual’s behavioral repertoire through direct reinforcement – when behavior is imitated, it receives direct reinforcement (or not).

Another assumption of the nurture approach is that there is a double bind hypothesis that explains schizophrenia. They suggest that schizophrenia develops because children receive contradictory messages from their parents.

Empirical evidence shows that behavior is learned and can be modified through conditioning.
Behaviorist accounts are all in terms of learning, but even learning itself has a genetic basis. For example, research has found that mutant flies missing a crucial gene cannot be conditioned (Quinn et al., 1979).

Conclusion (AO3)

Instead of defending extreme nature or nurture views , most psychological researchers are now interested in investigating the ways in which nature and nurture interact. It is limiting to describe behavior solely in terms of either nature or nurture and attempts to do this underestimate the complexity of human behavior.

For example, in psychopathology, this means that both a genetic predisposition and an appropriate environmental trigger are required for a mental disorder to develop. Therefore, it makes more sense to say that the difference between two people’s behavior is mostly due to hereditary factors or mostly due to environmental factors.

The Diathesis-stress model of Schizophrenia suggests that although people may inherit a predisposition to Schizophrenia, some sort of environmental stressor is required in order to develop the disease.

This explains why Schizophrenia happens in the late teens or early adulthood, times of considerable upheaval and stress in people’s lives, e.g., leaving home, starting work, forging new relationships, etc.

Essay Question : – Describe & evaluate the nature-nurture debate in psychology (16 marks)

Reductionism & Holism

Holism is often referred to as Gestalt psychology . It argues that behavior cannot be understood in terms of the components that make them up. This is commonly described as ‘the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.’

Psychologists study the whole person to gain an understanding of all the factors that might influence behavior. Holism uses several levels of explanation, including biological, environmental, and social factors.

Holistic approaches include Humanism, Social, and Gestalt psychology and make use of the case study method. Jahoda’s six elements of Optimal Living are an example of a holistic approach to defining abnormality.

Imagine you were asked to make a cake .

If I simply told you that you needed 3 eggs, 75 grams of sugar, and 75 grams of self-raising. Would that be enough information for you to make a sponge cake? What else would you need to know?

In this way, a cake is more than the sum of its parts. Simply putting all the ingredients into a tin and sticking them in the oven would not result in a sponge cake!

Looks at everything that may impact behavior.
Does not ignore the complexity of behavior.
Integrates different components of behavior in order to understand the person as a whole.
It can be higher in ecological validity.
Over-complicate behaviors that may have simpler explanations (Occam’s Razor).
Does not lend itself to the scientific method and empirical testing.
Makes it hard to determine cause and effect.
Neglects the importance of biological explanations.
Almost impossible to study all the factors that influence complex human behaviors

Reductionism

Reductionism is the belief that human behavior can be explained by breaking it down into smaller component parts. Reductionists say that the best way to understand why we behave as we do is to look closely at the very simplest parts that make up our systems and use the simplest explanations to understand how they work.

In psychology, the term is most appropriately applied to biological explanations (e.g., genetics, neurotransmitters, hormones) of complex human behaviors such as schizophrenia, gender, and aggression.

Such reductionist explanations can be legitimately criticized as ignoring psychological, social, and cultural factors.

Cognitive psychology, with its use of the computer analogy, reduces behavior to the level of a machine, mechanistic reductionism.

Behaviorist psychology sees behavior in terms of simple stimulus/response relationships. And finally, the psychodynamic perspective reduces behavior to unconscious motivation and early childhood experiences.

The use of a reductionist approach to behavior can be a useful one in allowing scientific study to be carried out. The scientific study requires the isolation of variables to make it possible to identify the causes of behavior.
For example, research into the genetic basis of mental disorders has enabled researchers to identify specific genes believed to be responsible for schizophrenia. This way, a reductionist approach enables the scientific causes of behavior to be identified and advances the possibility of scientific study.
A reductionist approach to studying mental disorders has led to the development of effective chemical treatments
The disadvantage is that it can be over-simplistic. Humans and their environments are so complex that the reductionist explanation falls short of giving the whole explanation of the behavior. Thus, it lacks ecological validity
Does not address larger societal issues e.g., poverty.

Reductionism in psychology is useful, as sometimes the simplest explanation is the best. Physiological approaches do tend to be reductionist, but as long as we bare these limitations in mind.

It is difficult, if not impossible, to take a completely holistic approach to psychology, as human behavior is so complex. Case studies come closest to taking a holistic approach.

Explaining behavior in a reductionist manner is seen as a low-level explanation, whereas more holistic explanations are high-level explanations.

Essay Question : – Discuss holism and reductionism in psychology (16 marks)

Idiographic & Nomothetic Approaches

Nomothetic approach.

The Nomothetic approach looks at how our behaviors are similar to each other as human beings. The term “nomothetic” comes from the Greek word “nomos,” meaning “law.”

Psychologists who adopt this approach are mainly concerned with studying what we share with others. That is to say, in establishing laws or generalizations. Tend to use quantitative methods.

Personality: – A Nomothetic Approach

The psychometric approach to the study of personality compares individuals in terms of traits or dimensions common to everyone. This is a nomothetic approach, and two examples are Hans Eysenck’s type and Raymond Cattell’s 16PF trait theories.

The details of their work need not concern us here. Suffice it to say they both assume that there are a small number of traits that account for the basic structure of all personalities and that individual differences can be measured along these dimensions.

The nomothetic approach is seen as far more scientific than the idiographic approach, as it takes an evidence-based, objective approach to formulate causal laws.
This enables us to make predictions about how people are likely to react in certain circumstances, which can be very useful, e.g., Zimbardo’s findings about how prisoners and guards react in a prison environment.
Predictions can be made about groups, but these may not apply to individuals.
The approach has been accused of losing sight of the ‘whole person.’

Idiographic Approach

The Idiographic or individual differences approach looks at how our behaviors are different from each other. The term “idiographic” comes from the Greek word “idios” meaning “own” or “private.” Psychologists interested in this aspect of experience want to discover what makes each of us unique. Tend to use qualitative methods.

Personality: – An Idiographic Approach

At the other extreme, Gordon Allport found over 18,000 separate terms describing personal characteristics. Whilst some of these are common traits (that could be investigated nomothetically), the majority, in Allport’s view, referred to more or less unique dispositions based on life experiences peculiar to ourselves.

He argues that they cannot be effectively studied using standardized tests. What is needed is a way of investigating them ideographically.

Carl Rogers, a Humanist psychologist, has developed a method of doing this, a procedure called the “Q-sort.” First, the subject is given a large set of cards with a self-evaluative statement written on each one. For example, “I am friendly” or “I am ambitious,” etc.

The subject is then asked to sort the cards into piles. One pile contains statements that are “most like me,” one statement that is “least like me,” and one or more piles for statements that are in-between.

In a Q-sort, the number of cards can be varied, as can the number of piles and the type of question (e.g., How I am now? How I used to be? How my partner sees me? How I would like to be?) So there are a potentially infinite number of variations.

That, of course, is exactly as it should be for an idiographic psychologist because, in his/her view, there are ultimately as many different personalities as there are people.

A major strength of the idiographic approach is its focus on the individual. Gordon Allport argues that it is only by knowing the person as a person that we can predict what the person will do in any given situation.
The idiographic approach is very time-consuming. It takes a lot of time and money to study individuals in depth. If a researcher is using the nomothetic approach, once a questionnaire, psychometric test, or experiment has been designed, data can be collected relatively quickly.

From these examples, we can see that the difference between a nomothetic and an idiographic approach is not just a question of what the psychologist wants to discover but also of the methods used.

Experiments, correlation, psychometric testing, and other quantitative methods are favored from a nomothetic point of view. Case studies, informal interviews, unstructured observation, and other qualitative methods are idiographic.

There are also broad differences between theoretical perspectives. Behaviorist, cognitive and biological psychologists tend to focus on discovering laws or establishing generalizations: – Nomothetic. The humanists are interested in the individual: – Idiographic.

As always, it is best to take a combined approach. Millon & Davis (1996) suggest research should start with a nomothetic approach and once general ‘laws’ have been established, research can then move to a more idiographic approach. Thus, getting the best of both worlds!

Essay Question : – Discuss idiographic and nomothetic approaches to psychological investigation (16 marks)

Ethical Issues in Psychology & Socially Sensitive Research

There has been an assumption over the years by many psychologists that provided they follow the BPS guidelines when using human participants and that all leave in a similar state of mind to how they turned up, not having been deceived or humiliated, given a debrief, and not having had their confidentiality breached, that there are no ethical concerns with their research.

But consider the following examples :

a) Caughy et al. 1994 found that middle-class children put in daycare at an early age generally score less on cognitive tests than children from similar families reared in the home.

Assuming all guidelines were followed, neither the parents nor the children that participated would have been unduly affected by this research. Nobody would have been deceived, consent would have been obtained, and no harm would have been caused.

However, think of the wider implications of this study when the results are published, particularly for parents of middle-class infants who are considering placing their young charges in daycare or those who recently have!

b) IQ tests administered to black Americans show that they typically score 15 points below the average white score.

When black Americans are given these tests, they presumably complete them willingly and are in no way harmed as individuals. However, when published, findings of this sort seek to reinforce racial stereotypes and are used to discriminate against the black population in the job market, etc.

Sieber & Stanley (1988) (the main names for Socially Sensitive Research (SSR) outline 4 groups that may be affected by psychological research: It is the first group of people that we are most concerned with!

1) Members of the social group being studied, such as racial or ethnic group. For example, early research on IQ was used to discriminate against US Blacks.

2) Friends and relatives of those taking part in the study, particularly in case studies, where individuals may become famous or infamous. Cases that spring to mind would include Genie’s mother.

3) The research team. There are examples of researchers being intimidated because of the line of research they are in.

4) The institution in which the research is conducted.

Sieber & Stanley (1988) also suggest there are 4 main ethical concerns when conducting SSR:

The research question or hypothesis.
The treatment of individual participants.
The institutional context.
The way in which the findings of the research are interpreted and applied.

Ethical Guidelines For Carrying Out SSR

Sieber and Stanley suggest the following ethical guidelines for carrying out SSR. There is some overlap between these and research on human participants in general.

Privacy : This refers to people rather than data. Asking people questions of a personal nature (e.g., about sexuality) could offend.

Confidentiality: This refers to data. Information (e.g., about H.I.V. status) leaked to others may affect the participant’s life.

Sound & valid methodology : This is even more vital when the research topic is socially sensitive. Academics are able to detect flaws in methods, but the lay public and the media often don’t. When research findings are publicized, people are likely to take them as fact, and policies may be based on them. Examples are Bowlby’s maternal deprivation studies and intelligence testing.

Deception : Causing the wider public to believe something, which isn’t true by the findings, you report (e.g., that parents are totally responsible for how their children turn out).

Informed consent : Participants should be made aware of how taking part in the research may affect them.

Justice & equitable treatment : Examples of unjust treatment are (i) publicizing an idea, which creates a prejudice against a group, & (ii) withholding a treatment, which you believe is beneficial, from some participants so that you can use them as controls. E.g., The Tuskergee Study which withheld treatment for STIs from black men to investigate the effects of syphilis on the body.

Scientific freedom : Science should not be censored, but there should be some monitoring of sensitive research. The researcher should weigh their responsibilities against their rights to do the research.

Ownership of data : When research findings could be used to make social policies, which affect people’s lives, should they be publicly accessible? Sometimes, a party commissions research with their own interests in mind (e.g., an industry, an advertising agency, a political party, or the military).

Some people argue that scientists should be compelled to disclose their results so that other scientists can re-analyze them. If this had happened in Burt’s day, there might not have been such widespread belief in the genetic transmission of intelligence. George Miller (Miller’s Magic 7) famously argued that we should give psychology away.

The values of social scientists : Psychologists can be divided into two main groups: those who advocate a humanistic approach (individuals are important and worthy of study, quality of life is important, intuition is useful) and those advocating a scientific approach (rigorous methodology, objective data).

The researcher’s values may conflict with those of the participant/institution. For example, if someone with a scientific approach was evaluating a counseling technique based on a humanistic approach, they would judge it on criteria that those giving & receiving the therapy may not consider important.

Cost/benefit analysis : If the costs outweigh the potential/actual benefits, it is unethical. However, it is difficult to assess costs & benefits accurately & the participants themselves rarely benefit from research.

Sieber & Stanley advise: Researchers should not avoid researching socially sensitive issues. Scientists have a responsibility to society to find useful knowledge.

They need to take more care over consent, debriefing, etc. when the issue is sensitive.
They should be aware of how their findings may be interpreted & used by others.
They should make explicit the assumptions underlying their research so that the public can consider whether they agree with these.
They should make the limitations of their research explicit (e.g., ‘the study was only carried out on white middle-class American male students,’ ‘the study is based on questionnaire data, which may be inaccurate,’ etc.
They should be careful how they communicate with the media and policymakers.
They should be aware of the balance between their obligations to participants and those to society (e.g. if the participant tells them something which they feel they should tell the police/social services).
They should be aware of their own values and biases and those of the participants.
Psychologists have devised methods to resolve the issues raised.
SSR is the most scrutinized research in psychology. Ethical committees reject more SSR than any other form of research.
By gaining a better understanding of issues such as gender, race, and sexuality, we are able to gain greater acceptance and reduce prejudice.
SSR has been of benefit to society, for example, EWT. This has made us aware that EWT can be flawed and should not be used without corroboration. It has also made us aware that the EWT of children is every bit as reliable as that of adults.
Most research is still carried out on white middle-class Americans (about 90% of research is quoted in texts!). SSR is helping to redress the balance and make us more aware of other cultures and outlooks.
Flawed research has been used to dictate social policy and put certain groups at a disadvantage.
Research has been used to discriminate against groups in society, such as the sterilization of people in the USA between 1910 and 1920 because they were of low intelligence, criminal, or suffered from psychological illness.
The guidelines used by psychologists to control SSR lack power and, as a result, are unable to prevent indefensible research from being carried out.

A-Level Psychology Revision Notes

A-Level Psychology Attachment

Psychology Memory Revision Notes

Social Influence Revision Notes

Psychopathology Revision Notes

Psychology Approaches Revision for A-level

Research Methods: Definition, Types, & Examples

A-Level Psychology

A-level Psychology AQA Revision Notes

Aggression Psychology Revision Notes

Relationship Theories Revision Notes

Addiction in Psychology: Revision Notes for A-level Psychology

Psychology Approaches Revision for A-level

113 Abnormal Psychology Topics & Essay Examples

Welcome to our list of abnormal psychology topics to research! In addition to abnormal psychology essay topics, you will also find here interesting ideas to talk about, titles for a presentation, and abnormal psychology topics for research paper.

🔝 Top 10 Abnormal Psychology Topics for 2024

🏆 best abnormal psychology topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 simple & easy abnormal psychology essay topics, 👍 good essay topics on abnormal psychology, ❓ abnormal psychology research questions, 🔍 abnormal psychology research topics.

Coping Mechanisms for People with PTSD
Types and Triggers of Anxiety Disorders
Cultural Influences and Eating Disorders
Suicide Risk Factors and Preventive Strategies
Schizophrenia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
The Swings between Mania and Depression in BPD
The Impact of Personality Disorders on Interpersonal Relationships
Unraveling Intrusive Thoughts and Compulsions in OCD Patients
The Interaction of Biology and Environment Substance Use Disorders
Childhood Disorders: Autism Spectrum and Developmental Challenges
Abnormal Psychology Case Study: General Anxiety Disorder Generalized Anxiety Disorder is one of the anxiety disorders caused by abnormalities in the functioning of brain chemicals such as neurotransmitters.
The Relationship Between Religion and Abnormal Psychology But whose judgment will we use to separate the two contrasting elements of the psychology of normal and abnormal behaviors? Some religious beliefs permit the use of alcohol and it’s considered normal, yet others find […]
Abnormal Psychology as a Scientific Discipline That is why, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the origins of abnormal psychology, to focus on challenges in classifying and defining abnormal and normal behaviors, to concentrate on the evolution of abnormal […]
Researching of Abnormal Psychology The process of picking or pinching the skin allowed Shaylynn to become distracted from the source of anxiety and brought her relief.
Abnormal Psychology and Abnormal Behavior Anxiety has been linked to the id which operates on “pleasure principle or the maximization of pleasure and minimization of competing tension” and “thought to be a source for sexual and aggressive thoughts and behaviors […]
Careers in Abnormal Psychology They research the kind of problems these people have and look for the best ways to help them. They treat people by teaching those with these disorders the acceptable behavior and its importance.
Abnormal Psychology: Nature of Fear There is a group of disorders which share obvious symptoms and features of fear and anxiety and these are known as anxiety disorders.
Abnormal Psychology and Behavioral Interventions Illnesses of the mind have been considered the battle between the good and the evil in the early 12th-14th centuries. The unfortunate insanity of people was seen as the downfall of the town.
Abnormal Psychology: NationalEatingDisorders Website Being a psychotherapist veteran of 31 years in the realm of eating disorders among teens, she has managed to produce the proper questions to be asked when contemplating if a child has a disordered eating […]
Abnormal Psychology and Humanism The supporters of humanism stress that cognitive and behavioral patterns confine human behavior and emotions to a set of stimuli and responses.
An Invariant Dimensional Liability Model of Gender Differences in Mental Disorders The validity and reliability of research depend on the methodology that a study uses in the study of a given phenomenon.
Abnormal Psychology and Therapy This is the basic role of abnormal psychology. One of the distinct features of normal psychology is the capacity to avoid generalizations.
Abnormal Psychology’s Historical Perspectives Biological psychology is a branch of psychology that tries to expose the biological aspect of behavior, i.e, the study of the brain I,n relation to the behavior.
Abnormal Psychology Essentials Therefore, the basis of this essay will be to explore the field of abnormal psychology with emphasis on the origins of abnormal psychology, how abnormal psychology has evolved into a scientific discipline, and the theoretical […]
Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology: Personality Disorder If a person had a history of ridicule and humiliation as a child, he or she may develop an excessive fear of the same in adulthood and will go through great lengths to avoid ridicule.
Abnormal Psychology: Fetishism, Transvestic Fetishism, Sadomasochism, Voyeurism, Exhibitionism, and Pedophilia The desires of individuals with this disorder are to gain sexual arousal through dressing in clothes of the opposite sex or cross-dressing.
Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology The concept of the connection between mind and body appreciates the fact that the two components are inseparable in the understanding of abnormal psychology.
Comparison of Normal and Abnormal Psychology In behavioral psychology, the word ‘normal’ basically means not to deviate from the standard norms, hence normal psychology entails the study of normal patterns of behavior, emotions, and mind. Also, both normal and abnormal psychology […]
Historical Perspective of Abnormal Psychology The field of abnormal psychology is therefore concerened with the study of abnormal behavior. The challenge that lies in the definition and classification of abnormal psychology is the issue of culture given that our cultural […]
Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology: Anxiety Disorders This paper has gone on to reiterate the fact that anxiety disorders are indeed a reality in life and as such, we should brace ourselves for their occurrences.
Abnormal Psychology: Legal Issues and Licensing The report focuses on the legal issues related to the licensed and unlicensed professionals in the field of abnormal psychology. Those who are in the field of abnormal psychology are mainly interested in investigating behavior […]
Abnormal Psychology: Mental Disorders Other common types of disorders are the eating disorders, which are related to weight and food. The basis of behavior and patterns of thoughts, are also related to certain disorders.
Abnormal Psychology: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In addition, some of this research indicates that the differences in the degree of the disorder are due to the varying nature of the trauma experienced by that individual.
Individual Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology
Differences Between Normal Psychology and Abnormal Psychology
Background and Perspective of the Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology and Major Depressive Disorder
Abnormal Psychology and Sociology of the Family Psychology
Abnormal Psychology and Three Clusters of Personality Disorders
Physical Illnesses and Disorders: Abnormal Psychology and Therapy
Psychopathology: Abnormal Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Approach
Abnormal Psychology in Pop Culture
Classification and Assessment of Abnormal Psychology
Mood Disorders and Abnormal Psychology
The Origin and History of Abnormal Psychology
Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Abnormal Psychology
Subnormal, Supernormal and Paranormal in Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology: Abuse, Addiction, and Disorders
Abnormal Psychology Conditions and Treatments
Dissociative Identity Disorder and Abnormal Psychology
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Abnormal Psychology
Legal and Ethical Issues Pertaining to Licensed and Unlicensed Professionals in Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology: Typical Signs and Symptoms
Adaptive and Maladaptive Behaviors in Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology Bipolar Disorder
Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Abnormal Psychology
Classification and Assessment of Abnormal Behavior in Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology and Two Types of Behaviors
Abnormal Psychology Problem: Excessive Use of Marijuana and Alcohol
Mental Disorders: Abnormal Psychology and Therapy
Clinical Psychology vs Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology: Rumination and Depression
Unipolar and Bipolar Depression and Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology and Life: A Dimensional Approach
Mental Health and Abnormal Psychology: Unusual Patterns of Behavior, Emotion and Thought
The Link Between Abnormal Psychology, Mental Disease, and Addictions
Anxiety Disorders: Social Anxiety, Panic, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology and Culture-Bound Syndromes
Abnormal Psychology and Multistage Analysis of Abnormal Human Behavior in Complex Scenes
Abnormal Psychology Study and Law Enforcement
Basic Theories and Techniques of Abnormal Psychology
What Are the Four D’s of Abnormal Psychology?
How Do Psychologists Diagnose a Disorder?
What Are the Three Defining Elements of Abnormal Behavior?
How Do Psychologists Define Abnormality?
What Is Danger in Abnormal Psychology?
How Do Cognitive Theories Explain Abnormal Behavior?
Is Abnormal Psychology the Same as Psychopathology?
What Are the Main Causes of Abnormal Behavior?
How Do Psychologists Decide What Behavior Is Considered Abnormal and May Be a Psychological Disorder?
What Are the Indicators of Abnormality?
Is Schizophrenia an Abnormal Psychology?
What Are the Six Models of Abnormality?
How Does Abnormal Behavior Relate to Criminality?
Which Approach Is Best for Studying Abnormality?
What Causes Abnormality in Psychology?
How Does the Humanistic Approach Explain Abnormal Behaviour?
What Are the Theories of Abnormal Psychology?
How Can Psychological Tests Help Individuals With Abnormal Behavior?
What Do Psychologists Use to Assist in Diagnosing Abnormal Behavior?
Is ADHD a Mental Illness or Disorder?
What Is the Difference Between Mental Illness and Mental Disorder?
Is Anxiety a Mental Illness or Disorder?
What Are the Different Approaches to Explaining Abnormal Behavior?
Is PTSD a Mental Illness or Disorder?
What Is the Behavioural Model of Abnormality?
Who Is the Father of Abnormal Psychology?
What Is the Difference Between Normal and Abnormal Behavior?
Which Personality Disorder Is the Most Controversial?
What Is Psychodynamic Theory of Abnormality?
Advancements in Early Diagnosis of ASD
The Relationship between Drugs and Psychosis.
Comorbidity and Treatment of Anxiety and Depression
The Role of Genetics in the Etiology of Bipolar Disorder
Sociocultural Influences on Eating Disorders and Body Image
Neurobiological Basis of Borderline Personality Disorder
The Impact of Childhood Trauma on the Development of Psychiatric Disorders
Dopamine Dysregulation as a Neurobiological Mechanism Underlying Schizophrenia
Implications of Cognitive Biases for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in OCD Patients
PTSD in Military Veterans: Therapeutic Approaches and Interventions
Cognitive Dissonance Research Topics
Postpartum Depression Paper Topics
Domestic Violence Paper Topics
Psychology Questions
Forensic Psychology Research Topics
Psychoanalysis Essay Topics
Neuropsychology Topics
Psychotherapy Paper Topics
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

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388 Hot Psychology Essay Topics for 2024 & Writing Tips

Make yourself comfortable. We are now entering a free unique ideas zone.

Jokes aside, in 2024, nearly every other person took a psychology course. Today, in the New Ethics era, it is necessary to know the fundamentals of psychology, right?

Branches of Psychology. Behavioral, clinical, cognitive, social, child, cultural, developmental, sports.

We are not going to teach you psychology. Instead, in this article, you will find a compilation of the greatest topics that can be used in various ways.

First, the list is for those who seek psychology essay topics to write about. We offer a vast range of topics on psychology subdisciplines; you can use them right away or as inspiration.

Second, it might seem unobvious, but those who have no clue about psychology can use our text to familiarize themselves with the discipline’s subfields . Read our topics attentively, and maybe you will find the sphere of life.

In the end, you can find tips on writing a good psychology essay and excellent psychology speech topics.

Let’s not waste a minute. We are starting right now 🏁

📍 Definition
2️⃣0️⃣ Top 20 Topics
🧠 Topics by Subfields
💡 More Essay Topics
🧨 Writing Tips
🗣️ Speech Topics

📍 Essay on Psychology. Definition

A psychology essay is a primary type of research that does not require you to develop new practical solutions to existing issues. Therefore, it is all purely theoretical. If you are curious to explore the characteristics of a psychology essay, read the list below attentively.

An essay is mainly about expanding knowledge , not finding solutions.
There is no need to take active steps since this type of research is theoretical and analytical.
Experts usually use scientific methods to collect and analyze data when it is required.

During this research, some scientific methods preserve objectivity, which is essential for adding to the scientific knowledge base.
There may be challenges because making predictions and assumptions in psychology is difficult due to individual differences.

2️⃣0️⃣ Top 20 Psychology Argumentative Topics

Here are examples of psychology essay questions that might help you get an idea of what area you would like to work on:

Can a sleeping schedule influence your ability to associate memories with emotions?
A case study of brain processes: how does the brain deal with sign language?
How to explain the compulsive use of social media and the Internet by teenagers?
What is the most popular legal psychoactive substance?
How can one bad experience with a dish make people refuse to try it ever again?
What are the positive effects of a low-meats diet on thinking skills in later life?
Should mothers with depression choose touch patterns with their babies, such as breastfeeding?
How does the synchronization of brain hemispheres affect the way we hear?
The main reasons why economic growth in developing countries does not boost citizens’ happiness.
Why doesn’t secure and happy childhood guarantee good mental health?
How do social interactions help individuals with food or tobacco addictions handle their cravings?
How is brain activity different when we use simple and complex grammar?
Is trauma-focused psychotherapy the best approach to treating patients with PTSD?
Why do we value friendship the most only when we know it may be highly needed or useful?
What causes procrastination, and can meditation techniques help get rid of that harmful habit?
What is the male bias regarding autism spectrum disorder?
Can behavior be passed through generations?
What is the role of fear and tension in childbirth?
Why do we experience twitches in various body parts while sleeping ?
The adverse effects of arguments and disagreement on the individual’s mental well-being.

🧠 Behavioral Psychology Argumentative Essay Topics

Behavioral psychology studies focus on the connection between our minds and behavior. The specialists in this area are trying to figure out what causes us to act in specific ways. Moreover, they keep discovering behavior patterns that may help predict how humans will behave. This way, there are more chances for us to build better social communities.

Which typical human traits can also be found in socially active animals?
The Cognitive Behavioral Family Therapy Concept .
How do family relationships affect behavior patterns in kids in various human development stages?
The Role of Mental and Physical Health in Eating Disorders.
The art of love: are there any typical mating activities that humans exhibit when they try to win their love interests?
Behavior Influence on Attitudes in Social Psychology.
How do marketing companies use human behavior patterns for their benefit , and do we know about it?
The secrets of cults: how do they involve people, and how do their minds work inside the organization?
Hormones and Behavior Interaction.
How does being in large groups of people affect our behavior?
The process of our reaction to danger: can we choose to ignore the escape or fight instinct?
Cognitive Dissonance Effects on Attitudes and Behavior.
The elements of nonverbal communication can be understood in various countries around the world. How do these mechanisms work?

The only unniversal body signs are facial expressions - anger, happiness, sadness, disgust, surprise and fear.

What causes culture clash, and how do people of mixed cultures behave in the new social environment?
Functional Behavior Assessment and Intervention Plan.
What is the correlation between the individual’s behavior patterns and self-esteem?
Religion and psychology: how do our religious beliefs dictate our behavior?
The Use of Behavioral Therapy.
What are the most common signs of depression that can help you recognize it immediately?

Clinical Psychology Essay Topics

Clinical Psychology is related to all mental illnesses and abnormalities. It is a beneficial study for people who suffer from mental health issues, especially if they are chronic or severe. This field of psychology is quite challenging but extremely rewarding.

Clinical Psychology: History and Nature .
Childhood trauma: the most effective therapies for helping children with behavioral disorders.
Intelligence Testing in Clinical Psychology .
Drug abuse: how does it affect other family members , and how can they participate in the treatment?
What are the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma, and how late in life can they show up?
The Mozart Effect Debate and Clinical Psychology.
The health risks of clinical depression and the preventative measures that can be used.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder vs. Attention Deficit Disorder.
Depression Screening Tool in Acute Setting.
What are the impacts of the individual’s anxiety disorders on their daily and social life?
Media violence appearing in TV and video games and its influence on kids.
Moderate Depression Symptoms and Treatment .
Pros and cons of using online therapy from the client’s point of view.
Bipolar Disorder’s Causes and Treatment.
Major Depressive Disorder in a Child.
What issues can social pressure from peers cause in adolescent mental health?
The particular concerns for aging patients with the mental disorder of your choice.
Postpartum Depression Educational Program Results.
Websites promoting eating disorders and the ways people can overcome their influence.
How do approaches in diagnosis and treatment differ for the two chosen disorders?
Narcolepsy: Description and Treatment Options.
How are different types of therapy developed and their effectiveness checked?
The impact of social media addiction on people’s behavior.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in War Veterans.

Cognitive Psychology Essay Topics

Cognitive psychology is about studying human cognition and how it is correlated with learning and behavior. Therefore, anything that has to deal with information processing, memory, attention, or perception falls under cognitive psychology research. In case it all sounds interesting, you are welcome to check out the following topics in this area.

Are positive emotions a result of happiness, or do they contribute to this state?
Cognitive Theory: History, Strength, and Weaknesses .
How can we be sure that some long-term memories are real and not created by our imagination?
Business and psychology: what learning strategies and processes prevail in successful entrepreneurs?
What Is the Role of Language in Cognitive Psychology?
Cognitive psychology: is the process of maintaining a habit stronger than the one that creates it?
What is the role of visual stimulation and smells in the process of positive memory creation?
Cognitive Behavioral Counseling.
Cognitive psychology and the digital age: the changes of children’s attention spans.

Excessive visual stimuli weakens a child's developing imagination. It is essential to play imaginative games.

Human Cognitive Development.
The differences between the genders in the perception of death and anxieties related to it.
Psychology of conspiracy theories: what are the main differences between the cases occurring nationwide and in individuals?
Current Experiment of False Memory .
Advantages and Disadvantages of Electronic Education.
What are the mechanisms behind selective attention behavior in kids and adults?
Is there something that stops us from achieving goals physically after emotional motivation is gained?
Improving Your Short-Term Memory .
Being mature adults from the perspective of cognitive psychology: why do some of us stay kids forever?
The Relationship between Age and Second Language Acquisition.
The differences between children and adults using arguments in a discussion.
What is the process of cognitive shifting , and what is the psychology behind it?
The Application of Trans-Cranial Magnetic Stimulation to Improve Memory.

Educational Psychology Essay Topics

The educational psychology branch specializes in the factors that affect learning. Therefore, professionals in this field are particularly interested in how people gain new information and why academic achievement differs for everyone. Writing an essay on one of the following psychology essay questions may be especially useful for high school and college students who want to know more about effective and efficient learning skills!

What makes a meaningful message from a mentor helpful and easy to remember?
Stress as the Main Cause of Students’ Academic Failure.
The most effective methods of support for students with autism spectrum disorder implemented in schools.
The critical aspects of academic success in exchange students coming from different countries.
How do harsh parenting and the absence of discipline at home affect school students’ performance?
Self-Efficacy and Self-Concept of Students in the Process of Acquiring Skills and Knowledge.
Different learning methods and capabilities of college students with the same academic achievements.
Practical learning approaches: should students learn by heart or build concepts while perceiving new information?
Effects of Sleep on Academic Performance .
How do various forms of bullying influence the academic achievements of high school students?
Educational psychology and sports: what is the role of educational psychology in training school athletes?
Importance of Motor Learning for Human Development .
Personal attributes in the class: how does attention-seeking behavior impact a child’s performance in the group?
Educational psychology : the correlation between the parents and child’s perceptions of homework.
The feeling of boredom and burnout at the workplace of choice: the main reasons.
Adult Learning and Cognitive Field Theories in Nursing.
Should all school teachers be assessed by their students , and what would be the effects?
Do special workshops for anxiety and stress management help medical staff and lawyers?

77% of respondents have experienced burnout at the current workplace.

Personality Psychology Argumentative Essay Topics

Personality is a fascinating topic in psychology. Specialists are interested in studying the individual’s way of thinking, typical acting, and feelings. Since personality is a pretty stable thing and usually does not change much with time, all the research in this area allows professionals to predict social behavior.

Self-Concept Development and Personality Evolution .
Is it true that people tend to pick their pets based on their personalities?
What is the correlation between personality type and the kind of preferred art?
The theory of Type A and Type B personalities : who is more successful?
The influence of personality type on the use of social media: extroverts vs. Facebook.
Personality Theory: Humanistic and Dispositional Methods .
Personality types in school: does lack of conscientiousness affect cheating rates?
Stress as a Psychological Factor of Physical Health.
Low and high self-esteem individuals: who is likely to be more competitive?
Certain personality traits that people who go into sports tend to develop.
Do people with the same personality types share their tastes in music, and why?
Birth order and personality of children : are firstborns more responsible than their younger siblings?
Dissociative Identity Disorder, Etiology, and Theories .
Marriage and personality psychology: do couples with similar personality traits tend to stay together longer?
What are the different personality assessment approaches, and what are the differences?
Prosocial behaviors and personality psychology: traits that are considered related to being selfless and heroic.
Managing Patients with Personality Disorders.
Different types of temperaments and their correlation with exhibiting creativeness.

Social Psychology Essay Topics

Social Psychology is the field of study that looks into people’s behavior within the social context. Therefore, it allows seeing how others influence our thoughts, beliefs, and feelings. There are many critical social issues in this area, and they cover stereotypes, discrimination, attribution theory, and others.

What is a halo effect , and what traits do we tend to assign to physically attractive people?
Social Psychology Theories: The Most Important and Useful Theories .
Social psychology and workplace: how does a halo effect influence our judgment during the hiring process?
Stereotypes about Physical Appearance – Gender Studies .
How does the way we dress affect the way people respond to us?
The changes in the attitude to the office workers wearing more casual outfits.
Sexual Minorities, Social Acceptance, and Mental Health.
Connecting with others online: does social networking help us spend more time with others in real life?
What is the correlation between the time spent online and time spent interacting in real life ?
The typical reaction of people who witness social norms being violated in your country.
Prejudice and Discrimination: Types and Causes .
Social psychology and marketing: what types of advertisements are the most effective nowadays?
Dependent Personality Disorder; Symptoms and Treatment.
What types of cognitive and persuasive techniques are typically applied in commercials?
Gender Inequality and Stereotypes in the Society .

What are the factors that affect people's ability to judge the facts and detect lies?

The factors that affect people’s ability to judge the facts and detect lies.
Forming Attitudes and Implicit Personal Biases Issues.
When nonverbal signals do not match verbal behavior, how do people react?
Intercultural Assumptions, Prejudices, and Viewpoints.
What are implicit attitudes , and why do they matter for our social behavior?
The surprising things about social behavior show that it is not as simple as we expected.
Cultural and Traditional Values’ Importance in Society .
How do social psychologists use neuroscience techniques to study stereotypes?
Application of social psychology in the study of conformity within behavioral finance research.

Cultural Psychology Essay Topics

Cultural psychology is all about how cultural practices and meanings affect us as humans. This study involves many specialists from other fields, such as linguists, anthropologists, and even philosophers. The main difference between cultural psychology and other branches is that the theories developed within it are considered very variable depending on the culture.

Family, Cultural Legacies and Identity Formation .
What are the relationships of cultural psychology with other subfields, and how are they different?
How are certain emotions interpreted differently in the chosen cultures from around the world?
Do start-ups and new businesses in big cities use cultural differences for their benefit?
Hispanic Population: Culturally Competent Care Delivery
How do specific local verbal and nonverbal insults spread and become internationally recognized ?
Can you use the same persuasion methods in different cultures, and why do they work or fail?
Gender Inequality: Cultural or Psychological Issue?
Why do some social media vary in popularity in different cultures, and what does it say about people’s personalities?
Socio-Cultural Contributions to Gender Roles .
What are collectivistic cultures , and how interdependent are people living in them?
Emotional disorders associated with cultural disintegration and the most common symptoms to notice.
Refugees and Socio-Cultural Barriers in Health Care.
How do cultural elements such as typical family traditions affect children from the early stages of development?

Family traditions help form stronger bonds.

Ethnocentrism and cultural biases as common yet harmful to mental health occurrences in countries with multiple ethnic minorities.
How do specific institutional structures in multicultural counties help people adapt faster and avoid cultural shock?
Intercultural Relationship and Communication.
Distinct cultural factors included in treating culture-bound disorders in a particular ethnocultural group.
Food Anthropology as the Study of Food in Diverse Cultures .

💡 More Amazing Psychology Essay Topics

Cross-cultural psychology essay questions.

Cross-cultural psychology is quite similar to the cultural sub-field. However, there are some differences. Instead of focusing on one culture at a time, the cross-cultural study juxtaposes and analyses the behaviors of people who grew up in distinct cultures. At the same time, it may be hard to distinguish them since this definition fits both areas.

How can the study of cross-cultural psychology help people around the world to solve universal education challenges?
Cross-cultural Differences and Interactions; Overview Essay.
Why are cultural patterns such as individualism and collectivism the focus of psychology now?
The applications of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions in optimizing the work of multicultural corporations.
Cross-Cultural Communication and Barriers .
Counseling and cross-cultural psychology: why is it vital for counselors to have multicultural competence?
What are the main issues of the five-factor model of personality , and is it a universal structure?
Cross-Cultural Psychology: Definition and Elements .

The crucial differences between treating negative emotions in American and Asian cultures.
Multicultural Competence and Cultural Identity.
Subjective well-being and cross-cultural psychology: how do people evaluate their life satisfaction in different countries?
Conflict management from a cross-cultural psychology perspective: why can the Japanese be considered the most skilled in resolving group conflicts?
The importance of gender roles across cultures and how do cultures shape the behavior of males and females?
What Are the Effects of Cross-Culture Communication in the Context of Chinese Culture?
Cultural environment as one of the main factors affecting child development in countries with active war zones.
Emerging Issues in Multicultural Psychology.
Cultural priming approach as the way to look into self-concept in bi-culture.

Media Psychology Topics

As more and more new technologies appear, the need to understand how we interact with them is also rising. It seems to be the main focus of media psychology . Even though this branch is relatively new, its relevance is on the top since most of the world’s population has contact with media and technology.

How is the study of media psychology used in creating engaging and compelling content?
Issues of Portraying Women in Advertisements and Media as Weak and Fragile.
The influence of various media on the development of interpersonal conflicts within social groups.
Media Psychology and marketing : how are some psychology approaches used to create a compelling brand story?
Why is it so essential to create the correct content on the right platform for a target audience?
Positive and Negative Effects of the Internet and Social Media Technology Use on the Family.
The phenomenon of emotional contagion showing in regular Instagram users and its effects on subjective well-being.
How serious is the issue of self-objectification among the youth and its relation to posting selfies?
The Representation of African Americans in Modern Media.
Media psychology and addictions: the influence of social media usage on alcohol consumption in adolescents.
The feelings of being rejected and ignored aggravated by a decrease in popularity on social media.
Media psychology: what tricks do food advertising campaigns use to trigger people to buy more and overeat?
What Is the Impact of Media Violence on the Social Behavior?
Promoting self-expression: what are the effects of the excessive spread of personalization on mental health?
Do media promote multi-tasking, and how does it influence our lives from psychology perspective?
Social Media Effect on Identity Construction .

Social Media Psychology Essay Topics

There is another subfield of psychology that deals with media, but this one is narrowed down to the influence of social networks on people. The development of new technology and social media has brought us broad opportunities to learn and connect with each other. However, there is also the other side of the coin, which disturbs psychologists quite a lot.

What makes a person write a post on social media but delete it before even publishing it?
How Does the Level of Students’ Concentration Correlate with Active Social Media Use?
Contagious behavior and social media psychology: do emotions published online spread the same way as offline?
How long does it take for a stranger to draw conclusions about you from your profile picture?
Social Media Usage and Impact on Society
The correlation between personality type and particular posting in social media.
How does sharing something on social media make us feel more worthy and connected?
How Does Social Media Use in the Corporate Space Affect the Relationship between Job Seekers, Employees, and Organizations Alike?
Why does content that triggers strong emotions tend to be shared more often?
Addiction to talking about ourselves leads to posting most of the content related to our direct experiences.
What is the correlation between the age of users and the average time spent on social media per day?
Abuse or opportunities: how are social media related to people’s reward systems from the point of view of psychology?
Violence in Social Media and Its Impact on Society .
What are the adverse effects of online social exclusion on the development of children and teens?
What Are the Positive Aspects of Teenage Use of Social Media?
Do people consider their physical and mental security when sharing content on social media?
Do children from the younger generations feel like their identities are being shattered by social media usage?
Social Media Addiction and Self-Esteem .
Is the fear of missing out one of the symptoms of social media addiction?

Sports Psychology Essay Topics

If other branches study how our environment influences our feelings and emotions, sports psychology mainly focuses on the opposite. Specialists learn how psychological aspects might affect athletes’ performance. Even though some of them are interested in showing how sports can improve our well-being, professional psychological help for athletes is getting more and more in demand.

Achievement Motivation Theory in Sports Psychology .
Does the approach of persuading oneself to succeed work for team sports players?
Sports Psychologist: Working With Athletes.
Giving an additional option that allows the athletes to quit is a way to help them work harder.
Sports Team Participation and Academic Performance of Students.
Sport psychology in the field: what are the different coaches’ methods of motivating athletes ?
The psychology of successful athletes: why is being mentally tough so important?
How does aging influence the mental state of professional athletes, and what might help them?
Does Participation in Youth Sports Play a Role in Character Formation?
Why do some athletes forget about the importance of balance in sports, and what does it cost them?
Using the help of Steve Jobs’ most famous quotes in motivating athletes.

If today were the last day of your life, would you want to do what you are about to do today? (Steve Jobs)

Why do accomplished athletes not plan ahead, and how do they still achieve their goals?
Teaching and Coaching Techniques Used by Coaches for Effective Athlete Behavior Management.
Addiction in sports psychology: how to tell that you are addicted to exercise and recover?
The difference between elite athletes and the rest from the perspective of sports psychology.
Sport Psychology: Biases and Influence of External Rewards.

Funny Psychology Argumentative Essay Topics

In case you do not intend to write a thesis in psychology, you might as well have some fun. Some topics for your psychology argumentative essay don’t make any sense but are still worth researching!

Why does it seem like food tastes better when someone else cooks it ?
Are there any legit psychological reasons why people want to squeeze anything cute?
Optimism in Building a Romantic Relationship.
Familiar smells and depression: the scent of your grandmother’s house and cooking as the way to treat a bad mood.
What do the differences between book-carrying styles in men and women reveal?
Laughter and Humor in Therapeutic Application.
The list of reasons why our brains make us lazy which are supported by psychology.
Our brains are not programmed to believe that long-term goals are important as the reason why we fail.
Why Hollywood Still Has a Great Cultural Influence ?
The theory of contagiousness of yawns and the ways it helps people connect and bond.
Why do we care more about the problems of an individual than about mass tragedies?
Do Chimpanzees Really Have a Culture?
How do we hold hands : what is the psychology behind men having the uppermost hand while holding hands with their partner?
Memory and psychology: why do we remember the intro and the end of the speech but not the central part?
Human and Animal Language .
The effect of believing you are excellent at multi-tasking while your brain says the opposite.
What is the optimism bias , and why do we keep believing that the future is bright?
Service Dogs and Emotional Support.

🧨 Tips for Writing a Good Psychology Essay

Let’s now take a little pause and look at some essential advice we want to give you about psychology essay topics.

It is not that hard to write an impressive essay on a psychology topic if you know our tips and tricks . Even though the rules for academic writing are generally the same, this type requires additional attention to some aspects.

Here is what you need to know to get the most effective results:

Narrow down the topic. Never pick a too general topic; most likely, it won’t be as relevant and exciting as the narrowed one.

Zimbardo’s Stanford prison experiment
How has the Stanford experiment changed the understanding of human behavior when it is under situational pressure?

Follow the structure. If you want to be coherent and sensible, follow the standard sequence of the essay structure. There should always be an introduction, main body, and conclusion .

Know your topic. Including a list of well-known and reliable sources can help you look more knowledgeable and respectable writer. Besides, it is a great chance to find and study even more information on the chosen psychology topic.

Double-check the facts. Even if it seems like a simple and well-known truth, every argument you make needs to be supported by relevant evidence from the literature of other reliable sources.

Authoritative sources:

Publicly accessible databases and documents
Recognized professional publications and experts of the field
Peer-reviewed publications and journals

Be specific . Try not to write generalized sentences and paragraphs. Going off the topic might cause the readers to lose interest and even your track of thought.

Pay attention to the quality of your writing. Proofreading and checking your grammar should be a significant step in your writing process.

Be mindful of the context. Some psychological aspects might be universal, but not all. It is always better to consider all the cultural, economic, and even superficial biological differences between people.

🗣️ Psychology Speech Topics

Psychology persuasive speech topics.

In general, while working on your persuasive speech, you need to remember a few things. First of all, it should sound trustworthy, so don’t forget to include reliable references. Then, it is good to use hook sentences to keep your audience in contact with your speech. And last but not least, just turn on your natural charisma. Your main goal is to make people agree with your opinion on some psychology topic!

The way our thoughts have a direct influence on our body by creating specific reactions in the cells.
Marketing used by IKEA and psychology: objects created or put together by ourselves as more valuable.
Physician-Assisted Suicide: Patient’s Right or Hippocratic Oath Violation?
The tendency to choose beach vacations when we need rest is the result of a psychological trigger.
What are the main reasons behind the spread of the hikikomori phenomenon in Japan?
Euthanasia Should Be Illegal Because of Its Harm.
A new reflex or mental disorder: why do we keep hearing our phones buzzing when they are not?
Depression treatment: therapy or medications, pros and cons of each method.
Juveniles Should Not Be Tried As Adults .
Media giants and psychology: how do social media use tricks to play our minds into keep using their network?
Why do we need to pay more attention to our mental health as the average levels of anxiety increase?
What Obligation Do We Have to Improve Ourselves?
Psychology of well-being: can people be trained to become more optimistic?
Long-term social isolation and its direct effects on our health.
Why should marijuana be legalized?
Teaching the basics of self-care in schools is the way to improve mental health in later life.
Hypnosis: Fake or Real?
Why is our brain the least helpful tool in judging fake facts on social media?
Implementing mandatory counseling as the way to deal with drug abuse in colleges.
Should People Have a Right to Own a Gun?
How can the excessive use of social media lead to eating disorders in adolescents?
What is the psychology behind becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Parental Divorce Has Negative Effects on Children .

Psychology Informative Speech Topics

While preparing for an informative speech topic, you don’t have a goal to persuade anyone. Your main aim should be just to deliver information and leave all the opinions behind. At the same time, it is still essential to use reliable sources while preparing for an informative psychology speech if you want to stay a respectable professional in your field.

Is there a need to reevaluate the standard of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs ?

Maslow's hierarchy of needs describes how human needs are divided into levels.

What are the reasons for people to believe that adolescence is the most challenging stage of development?
Bipolar Disorder Overview and Analysis.
The way short-term and long-term memory works and how can our brains hijack it sometimes.?
Anxiety Disorders, Their Definition, and Treatment.
The most potent external stimuli can cause temporary shifts in our usual behavior patterns.
What is the importance of emotional intelligence , and why is it more valuable than other skills?
Human and Ethics Relations Analysis.
The most effective persuasion techniques successful speakers tend to use.
How does meditation work, and what are the most powerful tools it uses for relaxation?
Substance Abuse Problem Overview.
Mental Health Services in the United States.
Why do eliminating biological and environmental factors fail to treat severe depression?
What Are the Major Issues in Interracial Adoption?
Teaching intercultural non-verbal communication in schools is a way to prevent the appearance of cultural biases.
Modern Theories of Motivation in Psychology.
Why is the fear of public humiliation stronger than the fear of death for most of the population?
Is it true that violence appearing in video games has a negative influence on child development?
Storming Stage of Psychotherapeutic Group Development.
Psychology of subjective well-being: does making more money help people feel happier?
Why are the wealthiest and most successful people so interested in charity and donations?
Case Study Analysis: Individual Psychology .
The most effective methods to treat childhood trauma used by counselors in schools.
What type of change should people make in their lives to keep progressing as personalities?

Weird Persuasive Speech Topics about Psychology

You might think that you have seen all of it. However, you are mistaken! Some really weird psychology essay questions are hard to justify. Most of them are just theories, of course, and you might try your luck and find reasonable arguments to support them.

Is there any correlation between negative thoughts and the growth of facial hair ?
Detecting which eye drops the tear first is how you check if the person is happy or upset.
Are Art, Music, and Dance More Effective in Therapeutic Treatment ?
The length of your tongue and the ability to lick your elbow as the way to determine your sexual preferences.
Putting a question mark at the end of your daily affirmations will make them more motivational.
Divorce and Remarriage: Why Is It Important ?
Why do governments make us commit more crimes when they implement stricter laws and policies?
Why would people rather look forward to something terrible happening than not know what to expect?
Wasting Time With Strangers Online: For What Purpose and for Whose Benefit?
Baby fever is a phenomenon related to the scarcity sensitivity of our brains.
Why do people try to look for human faces on the wallpapers while sitting in the toilet?
Why Reality Shows Are So Popular ?
Intuition or brain stimulation: the feeling of being right despite the lack of solid proof and evidence.
The psychology behind the fear of happiness due to the anticipation of unfortunate events following.
Why Facts Don’t Change Our Minds?
How do we know that the typical Internet troll can be either a psychopath or a narcissist?
Horsemeat Scandal in Professor Elliott’s Review .
The reasons you should see your psychologists if you think that a celebrity has a crush on you.

Child Psychology Speech Topics

As much as we would like to think that children are like tiny versions of adult humans, there are too many differences. It appears to be the exact aspect that specialists tend to study in child psychology . They look into all the psychological processes emerging and developing from infancy till adolescence.

What are the main reasons that may contribute to the child’s lack of sleep?
Gender Bias in Child Care and Child Health: Global Patterns .
Why is it more important to focus on teaching gratitude to children than encouraging grudges with punishment?
Time-out is the parenting technique that is not almighty: when should we use it?
Cognitive Abilities Development of Children and the Role of Communication.
Acknowledging the child’s feelings is the way to go over their emotional dependency.
The way that children process the reality of fears and the importance of parents’ support .
What Are the Traumatic and Positive Effects of Divorce on Children?
How to support and guide children the right way when they face footage of physical violence?
Siblings’ relationship and psychology: the influence of having fun with siblings on your sense of humor in adulthood.
Children’s Development and Domestic Violence .
What are the most correct and gentle ways to inform your child about a divorce?
Favorite toys and child psychology : when should parents start worrying about the strong attachment to comfort items?
Teaching children how to go through a challenge as a way to prepare them for school life.
How Does Playing Influence Children’s Development and Learning Skills?
The Role of the Father in the Child’s Life .
How to prevent your child from forming negative stereotypes resulting from your generalizations?
Why is it better to continue lying even though your children know the truth about Santa?
The Analysis of the School-Aged Children’ Needs.
The importance of normalizing children’s feelings and helping them to cope with death.

Speech Topics about Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychology studies how humans develop from the first seconds of their lives up until their final years. Therefore, it is quite a vast subject. You are welcome to get some inspiration from the speech topics on developmental psychology below.

Positive reinforcement strategy and developmental psychology: do tangible rewards work as a better motivation for students than social ones?
What are the effects of bullying from peers on students’ academic achievement?
Role Development in Professional Nursing Practice.
The correlation between the parenting styles and the level of child activity.
Developmental psychology and language: how does sign language influence the language acquisition process in infants?
Biopsychology: Attention and Perception Interactions .
Who are the laziest and the most productive children in the family – firstborns or their younger siblings?
Is it true that not skipping breakfast positively affects a child’s performance?
Child Observation with Piaget’s and Freud’s Development Theories.
The benefits and potential disadvantages of listening to music while doing homework for the student.
Infancy and Early Childhood Development.
Are children more motivated to eat healthy lunches if they are packed in a visually appealing way?
How do the explanations of the behavior alter with age: blaming internal aspects or external ones?
Erik Erikson’s Theories of Human Development.
The correlation between the level of self-efficacy and the state of memory in older adults.
Developmental psychology and adults: playing simple mental games and solving puzzles to keep cognitive skills working.
Emerging Adulthood: Cognitive Development.
What is the correlation between the limits of short-term memory and people’s age?
Child’s Language Development and Joint Attention .
Resilience and developmental psychology: when does it develop, and when is it better to start working on this ability?
The main internal and external factors that affect the changes of personality with time.
Classifications of Life-Span Development .
Do the mother’s mental health and stress levels influence the child’s cognitive development?

Interesting Psychology Topics

Are you struggling to find an engaging and thought-provoking essay topic for your psychology assignment? Look no further! Here are some topics that will spark your interest and provide many opportunities for in-depth exploration.

The role of empathy in building meaningful relationships.
The psychology of addiction and recovery.
“Digital detox” practices for managing screen time and mental well-being.
The psychology of procrastination and ways to overcome it.
The link between personality traits and career success.
The psychological effects of color and its influence on mood.
The effects of technology on cognitive abilities and attention span.
The psychology of love and different attachment styles.
The influence of online gaming on social skills and psychological resilience.
The psychology of conspiracy theories and their effects on individual and collective behavior.
The role of nostalgia in mental health and coping mechanisms.
The impact of urban noise pollution on stress levels and mental health.
How positive psychology fosters resilience and happiness.
The psychology of friendship and factors that influence close relationships.
Gender differences in cognitive abilities and decision making.

Psychology Presentation Topics

For your inspiration, we’ve collected intriguing presentation topics that delve into various aspects of psychology. Get ready to captivate your audience!

The relationship between childhood trauma and adult mental health.
The role of attachment theory in adult relationships.
The neurobiology behind substance abuse.
The influence of virtual reality on mental health.
The psychological effects of chronic stress on the body and mind.
The link between nutrition and mental health.
Effective study techniques and memory retention.
The impact of childhood poverty on cognitive development.
The psychological effects of chronic pain and illness.
Psychodynamic therapy in treating personality disorders.
The intersection of psychology and economics.
The psychological benefits of pet therapy and animal-assisted interventions.
The impact of meditation and mindfulness on brain function.
The relationship between emotional intelligence and success in the workplace.
The psychological impact of parental divorce on children and adolescents.

Wow! Did you read all of them?

Now. If you haven’t picked THE topic, you should have found a psychology subdiscipline that caught your attention.

Social psychology? Developmental psychology? Or clinical psychology?

Have some rest, read other articles on how to write a good psychology essay topic, and come back to our topics compilation.

And we are done here! Post any questions below in the comments section.

Good luck 🍀

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Education Related Topics

Controversial Topics in Psychology for Research Paper

Controversial Topics in Psychology for Research Paper: The realm of psychology is a dynamic landscape that frequently sparks discussions and debates on a wide range of controversial issues. These controversies often arise from the complex interplay of scientific research, ethical considerations, societal values, and diverse perspectives. Delving into controversial topics in psychology for research papers provides an opportunity to explore the boundaries of our understanding, challenge established norms, and engage in thought-provoking discussions that push the boundaries of human knowledge. These contentious issues captivate the attention of scholars, practitioners, and the public alike, offering a rich tapestry of subjects that invite critical analysis and exploration.

List of Controversial Topics in Psychology for Research Paper:

Nature vs. Nurture Debate: Investigate the ongoing debate surrounding the relative influences of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) on human behavior, personality, and development.
Ethical Implications of Psychological Research: Examine the ethical challenges posed by studies involving human subjects, animals, and emerging technologies, considering issues such as informed consent and research integrity.
Psychological Effects of Video Games and Media Violence: Explore the contested impact of video games, violent media, and screen time on behavior, aggression, and psychological well-being.
Parapsychology and Extrasensory Perception (ESP): Investigate claims of psychic phenomena, telepathy, precognition, and the existence of supernatural abilities from a scientific perspective.
Conversion Therapy and LGBTQ+ Identities: Examine the ethical considerations and psychological impact of conversion therapy practices aimed at changing individuals’ sexual orientation or gender identity.
Racial Bias in Psychological Research and Practice: Analyze historical and contemporary issues of racial bias in psychology, addressing the underrepresentation of diverse populations in research and potential implications for treatment.
The Validity of Repressed Memories: Explore the controversy surrounding the validity of repressed memories and their recovery in therapy, considering the potential for false memories and implications for legal cases.
Cognitive Enhancement and Neuroenhancement: Examine the ethical and social implications of using cognitive-enhancing drugs and technologies to improve cognitive performance and functioning.
Psychedelic Therapy and Medical Applications: Investigate the resurgence of interest in psychedelic substances for therapeutic purposes, examining potential benefits and risks.
Innate Human Morality vs. Cultural Relativism: Explore the philosophical debate between the existence of universal moral principles versus the cultural and situational influences on ethical decision-making.
Influence of Social Media on Mental Health: Analyze the contentious relationship between social media use, mental health outcomes, and the potential for addictive behaviors and cyberbullying.
Reparative Therapy for Gender Dysphoria: Examine the controversy surrounding reparative or conversion therapies aimed at changing gender identities, considering psychological well-being and identity affirmation.
Parenting Styles and Long-Term Outcomes: Investigate the debate over authoritative, permissive, and authoritarian parenting styles and their impact on children’s emotional development and behavior.
Human Intelligence and IQ Testing: Explore the critiques of intelligence testing, addressing potential cultural biases and implications for educational and occupational opportunities.
Psychological Profiling and Stereotyping: Examine the ethical concerns and accuracy of psychological profiling techniques, focusing on the potential for stereotyping and bias.
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in Psychological Suffering: Analyze the ethical dilemmas surrounding euthanasia and assisted suicide for individuals with severe psychological suffering, including depression and terminal mental illness.
Neurodiversity and the Medical Model of Mental Disorders: Explore the paradigm shift from viewing mental disorders as pathologies to recognizing neurodiversity and alternative approaches to understanding psychological differences.
Psychological Impacts of Social Isolation and Loneliness: Investigate the contentious effects of social isolation, loneliness, and the role of technology in shaping human interactions and well-being.
The Role of Religion and Spirituality in Mental Health: Examine the complex relationship between religion, spirituality, and psychological well-being, considering both positive and potentially harmful aspects.
Artificial Intelligence and Ethical Concerns in Psychological Applications: Analyze the integration of artificial intelligence in psychological assessments, interventions, and therapies, addressing concerns of privacy, bias, and human interaction.

These controversial topics in psychology for research papers offer a glimpse into the diverse and thought-provoking issues that stimulate discourse and intellectual exploration within the field. By delving into these topics, researchers engage in critical conversations that challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of psychological knowledge and practice.

Steve George is Blogger, a marketer and content writer. He has B.A. in Economics from the University of Washington. Read more about Mzuri Mag .

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Everything begins with an idea!

Controversial Psychology Topics

Psychology is the most interesting discipline of all since it deliberates on how humans respond in diverse situations. To write the best paper about the human mind, you should comprehend the fundamental theories of psychology. If the topic is arguable, you cannot write without understanding it. However, selecting an issue is the first step and the most significant part of the procedure. The controversy is essential to scientific development, and science is the confidence in the ignorance of specialists. We do not have to believe everything, but assumptions are open for additional study. Therefore, psychology studies continue to create controversy. Often the debate is about opinions about ethics or logic of ways, other times as results of differences of the consequences of the outcomes to the comprehension of human nature.

Psychologists have done numerous psychology experiments that seem inhumane, unethical, and controversial. As a result of these and other popular tests, guidelines, and rules to help conduct humane and ethical research are in place. Getting solid controversial psychology topic ideas is the most crucial stage in choosing what to write about in controversial psychology, but it’s not an easy task for starters. Psychology is a broad discipline, so you would like to choose a topic that will encompass all of your ideas, without overwhelming you with tones of information. Please select an item that is adequately narrow to permit you focuses on the issue, but not very tight such that it is hard to get material to write about. You need to narrow your focus to a point within a particular division of psychology. The following list is the theme proposal examples of controversial psychology topics.

Psychological characteristics of a typical perpetrator of child abuse
Child sexual abuse by the parent
Child sexual abuse by a caregiver
Child sexual abuse by an extended family member
Use of abusive language as a way of coping with past trauma
Effects of excessive watching of TV on the intellectual and emotional development of a child
Sexually and charms deviant behavior
Is having a child an individual willingness or societal pressure
An investigation of group dynamics psychological process in respect to the appearance of leaders
Are mental disorders the cause of homosexuality
Effects of negative parenting on child psychology
Psychological impact on negative attitudes on LGBT in society
Psychological effects of social media on teenagers
How culture influences our sexual orientation
How social media content affect teenagers sexual orientation
Lessons from Harlow’s pits of despair
Milgram’s shocking obedience experiments
Psychology lessons from Zimbardo’s simulated prison experiment
Seligman’s look into learned helplessness
How psychology is dependent on culture to define the term ‘normal.’
How the ancient belief of dementia and madness relate to current conceptions of mental illness
Is it ethical to stop treatment if the patient is not able to pay?
Are therapists susceptible to lawsuits
Is it ethical to have students as Facebook friends?
Are ‘victims’ always totally blameless, or do some bear the obligation for their bad luck
Are some men victims, or are they perpetrators of domestic violence?
Is it ethical for a naked therapist to attend to a patient
Is an affair a symptom of underlying problems in marriage?
Is it ethical to store records of texts and e-mails?
Are psychotherapists more authoritative than their patients?
It is ethical for a female therapist to tell, “I love you” to a male client during massage
Are ethics and risk management the same

Controversial psychology topics researches of current are mostly health issues in society. The findings are in-depth and give us a clue about what transpires in the human mind.

Have top experts do your papers.

Controversial Psychology Topics

Psychology controversial topics, controversial psychology topics , controversial topics in psychology, psychology debate topics, controversial topics in psychology for research paper.

Controversial Psychology Topics: Are you wondering what are the Current Controversial Psychology Topics? Or you are looking for controversial topics in psychology for a research paper? Psychology-related Debates can be interesting and can relate to clinical psychology, forensic psychology, marriage and family psychology, child psychology, etc.

Continued study in psychology generally leads to the development of better theories and more controversies. Controversies are vital in scientific development because they lead to further research that eventually a better understanding of the human mind.

Below are research topics in clinical psychology, forensic psychology, child psychology, social psychology, etc.

1. Has Covid 19 accelerated the development of mental health apps?

2. Effects of abortion on a woman’s risk of developing depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

3. Is it true we intend to ignore those people who adore us and pay attention to people who ignore us?

4. Role of psychology in helping Covid 19 patients.

5. Effects of divorce or break up on someone’s mental stability.

6. Is it true that when you hear something over and over you begin to believe it is true?

7. How psychological intervention can help people battling suicidal thoughts?

Read: Psychology Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

8. How does COVID-19 influence the brain and what scientists can do to avert long-term damage?

9. Is marital unfaithfulness an indication of underlying problems in a marriage?

10. Is it true firstborns are more responsible than lastborns?

11. Is it ethical to record one telephone conversation?

12. Do genes have a role in personality disorders?

13. Are mentally smart people likely to succeed in life?

14. Can psychological problems affect the efficacy of Covid 19 vaccines?

Read: Controversial Topics to Write About

1. Is it true the longer one holds to a negative thought the less likely they will be happy?

2. Is sleep therapy important in healing traumatic brain injury?

3. Is psychological research important in helping humans prepare for the next pandemic?

4. Are eating disorders affected by a one-family background?

5. How do learning incapacities of one family member affect the Parents?

6. What are the psychological effects of Covid 19 on school-going kids?

7. Has social media has led to more negative effects on mental health?

8. Is the role of psychology important in modern-day law enforcement?

9. Can reflections on past success help one overcome future challenges?

10. Is the development of Mental health apps leading more people to counseling sessions?

11. Which one is better emotional intelligence or social intelligence?

12. Are psychological interventions important in handling racial discrimination?

13. Are people exposed to psychological matters less likely to develop fewer emotional problems?

14. Can the consumption of more than two cups of coffee during pregnancy lead to impaired fetus

development?

Read: Controversial Argumentative Essay Topics

15. Do certain smells trigger memories based on previous experience?

16. At some point in life economic growth does not affect one well-being in people.

17. What is the importance of parent-child relationships in preventing drug use and abuse?

18. What are the psychological effects of divorce on young children, adolescents, and young adults?

19. What role does family play in the recovery of mentally ill patients?

20. Consequences of violence and abuse on the family.

21. What are the psychological effects on parents of autistic children?

22. Can past trauma lead to abusive language?

23. Effects of social media on a child’s mental growth.

1. Do implied attitudes influence how we respond to others?

2. Which mode of communication do people respond to easily, verbal or nonverbal?

3. Does online social networking make people more or less likely to interact with people in “real life”?

4. Does personal appearance affect how people respond to us?

5. Is homosexuality a result of a mental disorder

6. What is the psychological impact of being raised by a gay couple?

Read: Controversial Topics for Teenagers

7. What are the impacts of internet bullying on one’s self-esteem?

8. Impact of teenage pregnancy on the emotional life of a young mother?

9. Effects of child abuse on a child’s psychology?

10. Do intelligent people consider themselves lesser intelligent?

11. Does the type of music you listen to affect how you view the world around you?

12. Is it true when you hear something through your ears, your brain expects to see something similar through your eyes?

13. Does thinking in your second language help you make rational decisions?

14. Does singing reduce anxiety?

15. Why does social rejection hurt?

1. Have mental health conditions been on rising since 1950?

2. Is negativity inherited through our genes?

3. Are some people genetically predisposed to negativity?

4. Can sarcasm improve your mental abilities?

5. Can sunlight improve mood swings?

6. Are people with fewer summer days gloomy than those with long summer days?

7. Do social media trigger the release of dopamine in your brain?

8. Does sleeping too much cause have the same effects as not sleeping at all?

9. Does happiness improve your overall body health?

10. Is it ethical for a hospital to deny one treatment just because they cannot pay for it?

11. What are the psychological effects of racial discrimination?

12. What are the mental challenges of a man undergoing marital abuse?

Read: Controversial Technology Topics

1. Social aspects of committed relationships between same-sex partners to those of heterosexual partnerships.

2. Effects of sharing private information on social media on one’s personality.

3. Between a counseling patient and a counselor who has more authority?

4. The mental health of a person abusing children.

5. Personality study of perpetrators of child sex abuse.

6. The connection between crime and a history of mental trauma?

7. How does continued exposure to television affect a child’s emotional and intellectual development of children?

8. Psychological impacts of online dating on teenagers.

9. Role of Psychological Science in reducing anxiety.

10. For a proper psychological environment, should the rights of LGBT people be heard in the workplace?

11. Is it true that opposites attract couples with personality disorders?

12. Could there be a strong association between the increase in advertising for non-nutritious foods and the increased number of obese children?

13. Effects on cyberbullying on one’s mental stability

Read: Cheap Online Psychology Degrees

Conclusion: Controversial Psychology Topics

A look at the above Controversial Psychology Topics will give you a hint on the best topic to select. If you are writing an essay be sure to bring out the important point you want to emphasize. If you are debating to emerge on top, research well the selected topic. Have facts and outline the pros and cons of each idea you write down.

Betty is a qualified teacher with a Bachelor of Education (Arts). In addition, she is a registered Certified Public Accountant. She has been teaching and offering part-time accounting services for the last 10 years. She is passionate about education, accounting, writing, and traveling.

Home — Blog — Topic Ideas — 200 Ethical Topics & Questions to Debate in Essay

200 Ethical Topics & Questions to Debate in Essay

Ethical topics and questions are essential for stimulating thoughtful discussions and deepening our understanding of complex moral landscapes. Ethics, the study of what is right and wrong, underpins many aspects of human life and societal functioning. Whether you're crafting an essay or preparing for a debate, delving into ethical issues allows you to explore various perspectives and develop critical thinking skills.

Ethical issues encompass a wide range of dilemmas and conflicts where individuals or societies must choose between competing moral principles. Understanding what are ethical issues involves recognizing situations that challenge our values, behaviors, and decisions. This article provides a thorough guide to ethical topics, offering insights into current ethical issues, and presenting a detailed list of questions and topics to inspire your writing and debates.

Ethical Issues Definition

Ethical issues refer to situations where a decision, action, or policy conflicts with ethical principles or societal norms. These dilemmas often involve a choice between competing values or interests, such as fairness vs. efficiency, privacy vs. security, or individual rights vs. collective good. Ethical issues arise in various fields, including medicine, business, technology, and the environment. They challenge individuals and organizations to consider the moral implications of their actions and to seek solutions that align with ethical standards. Understanding ethical issues requires an analysis of both the potential benefits and the moral costs associated with different courses of action.

⭐ Top 10 Ethical Topics [2024]

Climate Change Responsibility
Data Privacy in the Digital Age
Genetic Engineering
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
Corporate Social Responsibility
AI and Automation
Animal Rights
Freedom of Speech vs. Hate Speech
Healthcare Accessibility
Human Rights in the Age of Globalization

Ethics Essay Writing Guide

Writing an ethics essay involves more than just presenting facts; it requires a thoughtful analysis of moral principles and their application to real-world scenarios. Understanding ethical topics and what constitutes ethical issues is essential for crafting a compelling essay. Here’s a guide to help you address current ethical issues effectively:

Choose a Clear Topic: Select an ethical issue that is both interesting and relevant. Understanding the definition of ethical issues will help you narrow down your choices.
Research Thoroughly: Gather information from credible sources to support your arguments. Knowing what ethical issues are and how they are defined can provide a solid foundation for your research.
Present Multiple Perspectives: Show an understanding of different viewpoints on the issue. This will demonstrate your grasp of the complexity of current ethical issues.
Use Real-world Examples: Illustrate your points with concrete examples. This not only strengthens your arguments but also helps to explain ethical topics in a relatable way.
Structure Your Essay: Organize your essay with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. A well-structured essay makes it easier to present your analysis of ethical issues.
Provide a Balanced Argument: Weigh the pros and cons to offer a well-rounded discussion. Addressing various aspects of current ethical issues will make your essay more comprehensive.
Conclude Thoughtfully: Summarize your findings and reflect on the broader implications of the issue. This is where you can discuss the impact of ethical issues on society and future considerations.

By following this guide, you will be able to write an ethics essay that not only presents facts but also offers a deep and nuanced analysis of ethical topics.

Selecting the Right Research Topic in Ethics

Choosing the right research topic in ethics can be challenging, but it is crucial for writing an engaging and insightful essay. Here are some tips:

Relevance: Ensure the topic is relevant to current societal issues.
Interest: Pick a topic that genuinely interests you.
Scope: Choose a topic with enough scope for research and debate.
Complexity: Aim for a topic that is complex enough to allow for in-depth analysis.
Availability of Sources: Make sure there are enough resources available to support your research.

What Style Should an Ethics Essay Be Written In?

When writing an ethics essay, it is essential to adopt a formal and objective style. Clarity and conciseness are paramount, as the essay should avoid unnecessary jargon and overly complex sentences that might obscure the main points. Maintaining objectivity is crucial; presenting arguments without bias ensures that the discussion remains balanced and fair. Proper citations are vital to give credit to sources and uphold academic integrity.

Engaging the reader through a logical flow of ideas is important, as it helps sustain interest and facilitates a better understanding of the ethical topics being discussed. Additionally, the essay should be persuasive, making compelling arguments supported by evidence to effectively convey the analysis of moral issues. By following these guidelines, the essay will not only be informative but also impactful in its examination of ethical dilemmas.

List of Current Ethical Issues

The impact of social media on privacy.
Ethical considerations in genetic cloning.
Balancing national security with individual rights.
Privacy concerns in the digital age.
The ethics of biohacking.
Ethical considerations in space exploration.
The ethics of surveillance and data collection by governments and corporations.
Ethical issues in the use of facial recognition technology.
The ethical implications of autonomous vehicles.
The morality of animal testing in scientific research.
Ethical concerns in the gig economy.
The impact of climate change on ethical business practices.
The ethics of consumer data usage by companies.
Ethical dilemmas in end-of-life care and assisted suicide.
The role of ethics in the development of renewable energy sources.

Ethical Issues in Psychology

Confidentiality vs. duty to warn in therapy.
Ethical dilemmas in psychological research.
The use of placebo in psychological treatment.
Ethical issues in the treatment of vulnerable populations.
The ethics of involuntary commitment and treatment.
Dual relationships and conflicts of interest in therapy.
The use of deception in psychological experiments.
The ethics of cognitive enhancement drugs.
Ethical considerations in online therapy and telepsychology.
Cultural competence and ethical practice in psychology.
The ethics of forensic psychology and assessment.
The impact of social media on mental health and ethical practice.
The use of emerging technologies in psychological treatment.
Ethical issues in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
The role of ethics in psychological testing and assessment.

Ethical Debate Topics

Is capital punishment morally justified?
Should organ donation be mandatory?
The ethics of artificial intelligence in warfare.
Is euthanasia ethically permissible?
Should human cloning be allowed?
The morality of animal rights vs. human benefit.
Is it ethical to use animals for entertainment?
Should there be limits on free speech?
The ethics of genetic modification in humans.
Is it ethical to have mandatory vaccinations?
The morality of government surveillance programs.
Should assisted reproductive technologies be regulated?
The ethics of using performance-enhancing drugs in sports.
Should healthcare be considered a human right?
The ethical implications of wealth inequality and redistribution.

Medical Ethics Topics

Ariel Case Study: a Comprehensive Analysis
The Case for and Against Daylight Saving Time
Technological Advancements in Medical, Educational & Other Fields
The Language of Medicine
Medical Ethics: Beneficence and Non-maleficence
Overview of What Sonography is
The Use of Steroids and HGH in Sports
Media and The Scientific Community Treat People Like Tools
Informative Speech for Organ Donation
Medicine in Our World
The Origin of Medical Terminology
Preserving Sight: My Journey to Becoming an Optometrist
Case of Dr. Eric Poehlman's Ethical Violation
Should The NHS Treat Patients with Self-Inflicted Illnesses
My Education as a Medical Technologist

Ethics Essay Topics on Business

Ethics Report on Panasonic Corporation
Case Study on The ACS Code of Morals
Differences in Business Ethics Among East Asian Countries
Business Ethics in Sports
Business Ethics in Different Countries, and Its Importance
Selfless Service and Its Impact on Social Change
Challenges in Doing Business Across The Border
The Importance of Ethics in Advertising
Ethical Issues that Businesses Face
Profitability of Business Ethics
The Law and Morality in Business
How Ethnic Variances Effect Worldwide Business
The Ethical Practices in The Business Sector in the Modern Economy
Key Responsibilities and Code of Ethics in Engineering Profession
Analysis of The Code of Ethics in Walmart

Ethics Essay Topics on Environment

Understanding The Importance of Keeping Animals Safe
The Importance of Treating Animals with Respect
CWU and The Issue of Chimpanzee Captivity
The Process of Suicidal Reproduction in the Animal World
Analysis of The Egg Industry to Understand The Causes of The High Prices in Eggs
The Dangers of Zoos
Importance for Animals to Be Free from Harm by Humans
Should Animals Be Killed for The Benefit of Humans
Reasons Why Genetic Engineering Should Be Banned
What I Learned in Ethics Class: Environmental Ethics
Nanotechnology and Environment
Review of The Environmental Protection Act
How The Idea of Preservation of Nature Can Benefit from Environmental Ethics
The Relation and Controversy Between American Diet and Environmental Ethics
Green Technology

Work Ethics Essay Topics

The impact of workplace surveillance on employee privacy.
Ethical considerations in remote work.
Discrimination in the workplace.
An Examination of Addiction to Work in The Protestant Work Ethic
The Work Ethic of The Millennials
My Understanding of The Proper Environment in the Workplace
Social Responsibility & Ethics Management Program in Business
The Maternity Benefits Act, 1961
The Issue of Stealing in The Workplace
Chinese Work Management and Business Identity
Ethical Issues of Using Social Media at the Workplace
The Teleological Ethical Theories
Learning Journal on Ethical Conflicts, Environmental Issues, and Social Responsibilities
Social Media at Workplace: Ethics and Influence
Ethical Issue of Employees Stealing and Whistleblowing

Ethics Essay Topics on Philosophy

A Critical Analysis of Ethical Dilemmas in Education and Beyond
Overview of What an Ethical Dilemma is
The Implications of Exculpatory Language
Ethical Dilemmas in End-of-life Decision Making
What I Learned in Ethics Class: Integrating Ethics in Aviation
Doing What is Right is not Always Popular: Philosophy of Ethics
An Analysis of Public Trust and Corporate Ethics
Ethical Concerns of Beauty Pageants
Simone De Beauvoir’s Contribution to Philosophy and Ethics
The Impact on Decision-making and Life Choices
Importance and Improvement of Personal Ethics
Personal Ethics and Integrity in Our Life
Analysis of The Philosophical Concept of Virtue Ethics
Understanding Moral Action
How to Become a Gentleman
A Call for Emphasis on Private Morality and Virtue Teaching
A Positive Spin on Ethical Marketing in The Gambling Industry
An Overview of The Ethical Dilemma in a Personal Case
Bioethical Principles and Professional Responsibilities
Ethical Considerations in Counseling Adolescents
Ethical Dilemma in College Life
Ethical Theories: Deontology and Utilitarianism
Issues of Fraud, Ethics, and Regulation in Healthcare
Navigating Ethical Dimensions in Education
The Ethical Landscape of Advanced Technology
Research Paper on The Ethical Issue of Publishing The Pentagon Papers
The Trolley Problem: an Ethical Dilemma
Analysis of "To The Bitter End" Case Study
Ethical Theories: Virtue and Utilitarian Ethics
Feminist Ethics: Deconstructing Gender and Morality
Is Deadpool a Hero Research Paper
My Moral and Ethical Stance
The Concept of Ethics and The Pursuit of Happiness
The Ethics of Graphic Photojournalism
The Quintessence of Justice: a Critical Evaluation of Juror 11's Role
The Wolf of Wall Street: Ethics of Greed
The Importance of Ethics in Our Daily Life
Analysis of The Envy Emotion and My Emotional Norms
The Topic of Animal Rights in Relation to The Virtue Theory

Ethics Essay Topics on Science

The Cause of Cancer as Illustrated in a Bioethics Study
Bioethical Issues Related to Genetic Engineering
Ethical Issues in Stem Cell Research
The Role of Ethics Committees in Biomedical Research
The Legal and Bioethical Aspects of Personalised Medicine Based on Genetic Composition
The Ethics of Clinical Trials: Ensuring Informed Consent and Patient Safety
Ethical Challenges in Neuroethics: Brain Privacy and Cognitive Liberty
Gene Therapy: Ethical Dilemmas and Social Implications
Overview of Bioethics The Trigger of Contentious Moral Topics
The Progression of Bioethics and Its Importance
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Medical Ethics
The Drawbacks of Free Healthcare: Economic, Quality, and Access Issues
Bioethical Issues in My Sister’s Keeper: Having Your Autonomy Taken to Save Your Sibling
The Ethics of Biotechnology in Agriculture: GMOs and Food Safety
Ethical Considerations in Organ Donation and Transplantation

List of Ethical Questions for Students

Exploring ethical topics is crucial for students to develop critical thinking and moral reasoning. Here is a comprehensive list of ethical questions for students to discuss and debate. These topics cover a wide range of issues, encouraging thoughtful discussion and deeper understanding.

Good Ethical Questions for Discussion

Is it ethical to eat meat?
Should parents have the right to genetically modify their children?
Is it ever acceptable to lie?
Should schools monitor students' social media activity?
Is it ethical to use animals in scientific research?
Should companies be allowed to patent human genes?
Is it right to impose cultural values on others?
Should the government regulate internet content?
Is it ethical to have designer babies?
Should wealthy countries help poorer nations?
Is it ethical to keep animals in zoos?
Should there be limits to freedom of speech?
Is it right to use artificial intelligence in decision-making?
Should we prioritize privacy over security?
Is it ethical to manipulate emotions through advertising?

Moral Questions to Debate

Is genetic modification in humans ethical?
Should vaccinations be mandatory?
Is government surveillance justified?
Is it ethical to use performance-enhancing drugs in sports?
Is wealth inequality morally acceptable?
Should education be free for everyone?
Is it ethical to allow autonomous robots to make life-and-death decisions?

Ethical topics and questions are a rich field for exploration and discussion. Examining these issues, we can better understand the moral principles that guide our actions and decisions. Whether you're writing an essay or preparing for a debate, this comprehensive list of ethical topics and questions will help you engage with complex moral dilemmas and develop your critical thinking skills.

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Everyday Examples of Classical Conditioning in Psychology

This essay about classical conditioning explains how we learn to associate different stimuli, leading to changes in behavior. Starting with Pavlov’s famous experiment with dogs, it explores various real-life examples, such as the development of phobias, advertising techniques, and taste aversions. The essay also highlights how classical conditioning is used in education, parenting, and therapy. By understanding these examples, we gain insight into how associative learning shapes our actions and responses in everyday life. The essay emphasizes the broad impact of classical conditioning on human and animal behavior.

How it works

Classical conditioning stands as a pivotal tenet within the realm of psychology, delineating the process by which we assimilate two stimuli, thereby precipitating a shift in behavior. This paradigm, initially propounded by Ivan Pavlov, serves as a linchpin in deciphering an array of behavioral paradigms observed in both human and non-human entities. Pavlov’s empirical endeavors with canines laid the foundation for this construct, and delving into real-world instances facilitates a deeper comprehension of the multifaceted ramifications of classical conditioning in our quotidian existence.

Pavlov’s seminal work with canines arguably constitutes the quintessential exposition of classical conditioning. His observations unveiled that canines would salivate upon encountering sustenance, an instinctual, unconditioned reaction to an unconditioned stimulus (i.e., the food). Subsequently, Pavlov commenced ringing a bell in anticipation of presenting the food. Following numerous iterations, the canines began salivating in response to the bell alone, even in the absence of sustenance. Thus, the erstwhile neutral stimulus, the bell, metamorphosed into a conditioned stimulus, eliciting a conditioned response (salivation) subsequent to its association with food. This experiment not only elucidated the rudimentary tenets of classical conditioning but also paved the way for further exploration into associative learning.

An instance of classical conditioning pervading everyday existence lies in the genesis of phobias. Envision an individual undergoing a traumatic episode, such as being bitten by a dog, concomitant with the auditory cue of barking. Initially, the bite instigates fear and anguish, constituting unconditioned responses to the unconditioned stimulus (i.e., the bite). However, if the sound of barking (a neutral stimulus) consistently accompanies the traumatic episode, the individual may begin to correlate the auditory cue with fear and agony. Subsequently, the mere sound of barking (now a conditioned stimulus) can evoke trepidation and disquietude (conditioned responses), even sans any tangible threat. This exemplar underscores how classical conditioning elucidates the genesis of irrational fears and phobias, which can significantly impinge upon an individual’s existence.

Another domain where classical conditioning finds pervasive application is in advertising. Marketers frequently juxtapose their commodities with stimuli eliciting positive emotional responses. For instance, contemplate a commercial for a novel automobile featuring euphonious melodies, picturesque landscapes, and aesthetically pleasing individuals. The positive sentiments evoked by these stimuli (unconditioned stimuli) can become intertwined with the automobile (conditioned stimulus). Consequently, consumers may cultivate a favorable disposition towards the automobile, notwithstanding any direct encounters. This stratagem harnesses classical conditioning to engender positive brand connotations and sway consumer comportment, thereby underscoring the formidable influence of associative learning in marketing endeavors.

Within the educational sphere, classical conditioning assumes a consequential role in sculpting students’ conduct and attitudes. Educators frequently deploy accolades and incentives to fortify desirable conduct. For instance, a pedagogue may consistently extol a pupil for punctually submitting assignments. The commendation (unconditioned stimulus) invariably begets sentiments of elation and accomplishment (unconditioned responses). Over time, the act of completing assignments (conditioned stimulus) becomes enmeshed with these affirmative sentiments, galvanizing the student to perpetuate the behavior. This modus operandi accentuates how classical conditioning can foster constructive habits and motivation within educational environs, fostering a nurturing learning milieu.

Taste aversion furnishes another commonplace manifestation of classical conditioning, serving as a protective mechanism forestalling organisms from deleterious substances. If an individual partakes of a particular victual and subsequently succumbs to illness, they may develop an aversion to said sustenance. The malaise (unconditioned response) precipitated by a toxin (unconditioned stimulus) becomes inextricably linked with the flavor of the sustenance (conditioned stimulus). Henceforth, the mere sight or aroma of the victual can incite nausea or revulsion (conditioned responses), notwithstanding its harmlessness. This variant of classical conditioning evinces remarkable resilience and may manifest following a solitary adverse encounter, thereby underscoring its evolutionary import in safeguarding organisms from perilous substances.

Classical conditioning also finds application in the medical domain, particularly in the amelioration of certain maladies. For instance, exposure therapy for phobias entails gradually juxtaposing the dreaded object or scenario (conditioned stimulus) with relaxation techniques (unconditioned stimuli) to assuage anxiety (conditioned response). By recurrently exposing the individual to the dreaded stimulus under controlled circumstances, the nexus between the stimulus and fear is attenuated, thereby illustrating the precepts of classical conditioning in therapeutic contexts. This approach facilitates patients in surmounting their fears by supplanting the anxiety response with a more equanimous or affirmative reaction, thereby epitomizing the pragmatic applications of classical conditioning in mental health intervention.

Beyond these instances, classical conditioning permeates sundry facets of daily existence. Contemplate the sensation of encountering a specific melody that conjures reminiscences of a particular event or epoch in one’s life. The melody (conditioned stimulus) becomes intertwined with the emotions and experiences of that juncture (unconditioned responses), thereby engendering a conditioned response of nostalgia or analogous sentiments upon subsequent auditions. This phenomenon illustrates how classical conditioning establishes linkages between sensory stimuli and emotional retorts, configuring our reminiscences and perceptions.

Within the realm of child-rearing, classical conditioning methodologies are frequently deployed, sometimes unwittingly, to foster desirable conduct in progeny. For instance, progenitors may institute a reward system to reinforce commendable conduct, such as bestowing a treat upon a child for completing chores. The gratification (unconditioned stimulus) begets contentment (unconditioned response), and over time, the chore itself (conditioned stimulus) becomes interwoven with the affirmative sentiments elicited by the reward, motivating the child to persist in the conduct. This stratagem illustrates how classical conditioning can serve as an efficacious instrument in behavior modulation and cultivation.

Classical conditioning further impinges upon our interpersonal interactions and affiliations. For instance, if an individual consistently receives affirmative feedback and succor from a specific individual, they may commence associating said individual with sentiments of felicity and solace. The affirmative interactions (unconditioned stimuli) invariably yield these sentiments (unconditioned responses), and in due course, the mere presence of the supportive individual (conditioned stimulus) can evoke analogously affirmative emotions (conditioned responses). This correlation serves to fortify social bonds and facilitate the formation of meaningful relationships.

In summation, classical conditioning embodies a seminal psychological construct elucidating the modus operandi by which we assimilate disparate stimuli and engender novel conduct. From Pavlov’s seminal explorations with canines to real-world applications spanning advertising, education, therapy, and quotidian experiences, classical conditioning furnishes invaluable insights into the mechanics underpinning learning and conduct. By discerning the instances of classical conditioning in our daily routine, we can more profoundly apprehend how our experiences mold our retorts and comportment, thereby augmenting our cognizance of the labyrinthine processes governing human and animal behavior.

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Debunking misinformation failed. Welcome to ‘pre-bunking’

Election officials around the world are adopting “prebunking” campaigns, as AI and other threats jeopardize voting.

Election officials and researchers from Arizona to Taiwan are adopting a radical playbook to stop falsehoods about voting before they spread online, amid fears that traditional strategies to battle misinformation are insufficient in a perilous year for democracies around the world.

Modeled after vaccines, these campaigns — dubbed “prebunking” — expose people to weakened doses of misinformation paired with explanations and are aimed at helping the public develop “mental antibodies” to recognize and fend off hoaxes in a heated election year.

In the run-up to next month’s European Union election, for example, Google and partner organizations are blanketing millions of voters with colorful cartoon ads on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram that teach common tactics used to propagate lies and rumors on social media or in email.

One 50-second animation features a fake news campaign in which “visiting tourists” are blamed for a “litter crisis.” The example is meant to educate voters about “scapegoating,” a disinformation technique that places unwarranted blame for a problem on a single person or group.

Google has no plans to launch such a campaign in the United States, where former president Donald Trump and his allies are spreading falsehoods about widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, laying the groundwork to cast doubt on the results of Trump’s rematch with President Biden in November.

Instead, humbler campaigns are springing up in locations across the nation, including Arizona’s Maricopa County, where election officials are enlisting local celebrities such as the Phoenix Suns basketball team to promote voting and explain the procedures.

Federal agencies are encouraging state and local officials to invest in prebunking initiatives, advising officials in an April memo to “build a team of trusted voices to amplify accurate information proactively.”

“Communicate early and transparently about the elections process to the American people,” said Cait Conley, an election security expert at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which has conducted dozens of practice runs with local officials that include misinformation scenarios.

The moves come after nearly a decade of floundering initiatives to stem voting misinformation , leading researchers to a sobering conclusion: It is nearly impossible to counter election misinformation once it has taken root online.

Since the revelations that Russia tried to undermine the 2016 elections by stoking divisions on Facebook and other social networks, the most prominent tactics to battle misinformation largely have been reactive. But even fact-checking social media posts has become more difficult as major tech companies pull back resources for labeling false claims about voting on their platforms.

In a year when law enforcement officials are warning that artificial intelligence could supercharge election threats, election officials say prebunking could be their best hope.

“By the time the disinformation is out there, we’re really not going to be able to convince a lot of people,” said Riley Vetterkind, a public information officer for Wisconsin’s small, bipartisan Elections Commission. “That’s why prebunking has become so much more important.”

Prebunking draws inspiration from “inoculation theory,” which was developed by the social psychologist William J. McGuire in the 1960s. McGuire posited that you could prepare people to reject a misguided argument by first exposing them to a weakened form of that argument, along with a strong refutation of it — sort of like a vaccine for the mind. Then when people encounter that argument in the wild, the theory goes, they recognize it and are less likely to fall for it.

The tactic has attracted fresh interest in recent years as a way to fight online misinformation. Sander van der Linden, a social psychology professor at the University of Cambridge who worked with Google on prebunking techniques, is among the researchers who have found promising results in experiments, including with the online game “Bad News.” In the game, users play the role of a fake news tycoon, amassing followers by exploiting people’s emotions and gaining credibility by impersonating real news sources.

Academics who study misinformation are divided over how effective such inoculation is. Teaching people to mistrust any message conveyed emotionally, for instance, could lead them to doubt true claims, too. Reliably spotting falsehoods is a complex and time-intensive skill, which probably can’t be learned just by playing an online game or watching a brief YouTube video. And even if it could, the people who are willing to learn and apply it “probably aren’t the ones you’re worried about” spreading election lies, said Gordon Pennycook, a professor of psychology at Cornell University.

“There aren’t really any actual field experiments” showing that it can change people’s behavior in an enduring way, Pennycook said.

Still, such proactive strategies saw success in Taiwan, where officials launched a campaign ahead of the January election to educate the public about the rise of AI-manipulated videos and audio. Despite a disinformation campaign linked to the Chinese Communist Party, the island elected Lai Ching-te, a candidate the Chinese government fiercely opposed.

In the United States, a polarized political environment could complicate such efforts. Court rulings have chilled collaboration between tech companies and the federal government to combat misinformation amid a conservative legal campaign, which alleges the coordination amounts to government censorship in violation of the First Amendment.

But a patchwork of initiatives is emerging as state and county election officials cobble together their own programs without significant aid from the federal government or social media companies.

In Michigan, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has established “voter confidence councils,” groups of faith, labor and community leaders that are given accurate voting information to spread. And many states — including crucial swing states such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — are maintaining fact-checking websites that aim to dispel common election-fraud narratives.

As states rush to invest in such initiatives, some researchers worry that prebunking’s transformative impact is being oversold.

Vetterkind, the Wisconsin commission’s only full-time spokesman, said he spends a disproportionate amount of time tackling claims of fraud individually. For example, he said he has responded to numerous queries about undocumented immigrants using driver’s licenses to register to vote. (In the past eight years, state officials have been made aware of just four alleged instances of election fraud related to citizenship.)

“We would like to do more,” he said. “But it becomes more of a capacity issue.”

The stakes have never been higher: New artificial intelligence tools have made it cheaper and easier to craft audio, photos and videos of events that never happened. Operatives affiliated with China are increasingly stoking controversial U.S. political issues online, joining Russia in sowing discord.

“We have to predict the narratives,” Věra Jourová, vice president of the European Commission, said during a recent visit to Washington. “Up until now, we were always in a defensive position.”

Twitter is a prime example of what has befallen efforts to control election disinformation in the United States. Before Elon Musk’s takeover, prebunking was one of several strategies the company deployed to fight misinformation, along with fact-checking conspiracy theories and labeling debunked claims. In the weeks leading up to the 2020 presidential election, Twitter placed advisories in U.S. Twitter users’ feeds saying that voting by mail is safe and that there could be a delay in announcing the election results — an effort to inoculate voters against some of the most common false claims made during the race.

But Twitter, now called X, might be less willing to take similar action this election cycle, said Edward Perez, Twitter’s former product director for civic integrity, whose job included overseeing its election policies.

Twitter has eliminated or cut drastically its curation team, a group of policy and communications experts tasked with monitoring emerging narratives in digital and traditional media that might need to be addressed by the company. In recent years, Meta also has changed its approach to labeling and debunking misinformation.

“The things that in the past made these early efforts even a possibility — they are no longer there,” Perez said. “There is a philosophical resistance to the importance of this stuff.”

In addition to its work in the European Union, Google worked with a popular local influencer to run prebunking ads ahead of Indonesia’s elections in February. But one of the company’s partners said Google has been hesitant to launch a similar effort in the United States, where Republican lawmakers including House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (Ohio) argue that the companies are censoring conservative viewpoints.

“It’s a political risk for them. They don’t want to get used,” said van der Linden, the Cambridge professor. If Google makes unskippable YouTube ads with warnings about misinformation, he said, “they are going to get complaints. It’s going to stir up some members of Congress.”

Election officials who were on the front lines of dispelling common fraud narratives in the 2020 election are eager to stay ahead this time around. In the tumultuous days after the 2020 vote, Republican Philadelphia City Commissioner Al Schmidt appeared on CNN to dispel “fantastical” claims on social media that the city was counting votes cast by deceased residents. Minutes later, Trump himself responded — prompting threats against Schmidt and his family.

Four years later, Schmidt is responsible for securing the 2024 elections as Pennsylvania secretary of state. He said his office is maintaining a website of common election myths and working with voter education nonprofits and the media to ensure accurate information about voting reaches a wide audience.

“It isn’t so much about going back and forth and fighting against every lie that one might see on social media,” Schmidt said in an interview. “It is a matter of being mindful of what misinformation is being spread so that we can make sure to target our messaging.”

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Controversial Psychology Topics
Unique Psychology Topics. When it comes to psychology, there are a lot of controversial topics. This is a list of thirty unique psychology topics that can be used for a paper or blog post. 1. The power of the subconscious mind. 2. The impact of nature vs. nurture. 3. The definition of mental illness. 4. The root causes of addiction. 5.
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1798 words. 9 min read. Psychology argumentative essay topics offer a rich range of subjects for writing papers, providing valid content to stimulate intellectual debate. These topics span from developmental psychology, exploring how nature and nurture shape human behavior, to the examination of the validity of various mental health diagnoses.
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Topics of Psychology Research Related to Human Cognition. Some of the possible topics you might explore in this area include thinking, language, intelligence, and decision-making. Other ideas might include: Dreams. False memories. Attention. Perception.
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Controversial Topics for Psychology Research Papers. The history of psychology is not always positive, and if you enjoy writing about controversial topics, psychology's history is rich with material. The use of lobotomies to treat mental illness. The history of mental asylums in the United States. The use and effects of electroconvulsive therapy.
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Controversial Psychology Essay Topics. The Ethics of using placebos in clinical trials. The Validity of repressed memories in Therapy. The controversy surrounding conversion therapy. The debate over the existence of multiple personality disorder. The controversy surrounding the use of medication to treat ADHD.
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The best psychology argumentative essay topics are the ones that challenge pre-existing beliefs, stimulate intellectual debates, and analyze the understanding of the human mind. For example, you can focus your essay on: The effect of human consciousness on artificial intelligence. Dissecting the cultural beliefs that affect human behavior.
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Psychology Essay Topics. From self-analysis and obedience to nonverbal communication and various mental disorders, most subjects may seem interrelated and reflective of each other. ... Controversial Experiment in Psychology History; Psychology Development in Mexico; Applications of Positive Psychology in Healthcare; Developing a Psychology ...
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The 10 Most Controversial Psychology Studies Ever Published. Controversy is essential to scientific progress - here we digest ten of the most controversial studies in psychology's history. 19 September 2014. By Christian Jarrett. Controversy is essential to scientific progress. As Richard Feynman said, "science is the belief in the ignorance ...
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Issues and debates" in psychology refers to the discussions around key topics such as nature vs. nurture, free will vs. determinism, individual vs. situational explanations, reductionism vs. holism, and the ethics of psychological research. They inform and shape the theories, methodologies, and interpretations in the field.
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Abnormal Psychology: Fetishism, Transvestic Fetishism, Sadomasochism, Voyeurism, Exhibitionism, and Pedophilia. The desires of individuals with this disorder are to gain sexual arousal through dressing in clothes of the opposite sex or cross-dressing. Comparison of Normal and Abnormal Psychology.
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💡 More Amazing Psychology Essay Topics Cross-Cultural Psychology Essay Questions. Cross-cultural psychology is quite similar to the cultural sub-field. However, there are some differences. Instead of focusing on one culture at a time, the cross-cultural study juxtaposes and analyses the behaviors of people who grew up in distinct cultures.
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ProCon.org has over 100 topics complete with pro and con arguments, quotes and statistics from experts, historical information, and other pertinent research. Abortion - Should abortion be legal? Alternative Energy - Can alternative energy effectively replace fossil fuels? American Socialism - Should the U.S. become socialist?
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