AP Psychology Research Assignment
You will be writing three research papers on three different topics, 5-10 pages in length during this
semester. They must follow APA guidelines. You must use academic resources for your research.
Absolutely no Wikipedia, textbook or non-academic sites.
Due Dates:
Paper 1 – October 3rd
Paper 2 – October 26th
Paper 3 – December 2nd
Topic: Development
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Evolutionary Psychology and the explanation of universal behaviors
The effects of alcohol, tobacco and narcotics on the developing embryo and fetus.
Cognitive development in infants and young children.
Social development in children from birth to age 3.
Peer pressure and children between the ages of 10 and 16.
Co-sleeping as a practice for infants and children – a critical look at cultural differences
Adolescents and identity formation.
Raising “moral” children
Topic: Learning
1. Applied Behavior Analysis and the education of children with special needs
2. Behaviorism and its implications for child rearing practices and education
Topic: Personality
Choose one of the perspectives listed below. Describe the theory of personality developed by theorists
in this perspective. Be sure to mention differences among the theorists. Give your opinion of the validity
of the perspective.
Psychoanalytic perspective
Trait perspective
Humanistic Perspective
Social – Cognitive perspective
Topic: Psychological Disorders
Choose any of the disorders listed below. Write a 5-10 page research paper including:
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Definition (form DSM-IV)
Symptoms
Causes (where known)
Case studies (examples)
Treatments
Prognosis
Any other pertinent information
Schizophrenia, depression (any type), obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder,
dissociative identity disorder.
Be sure to cover thoroughly the different views held by different psychological perspectives of the
disorder you choose.
Topic: Therapy
Answer the following questions and complete the following tasks regarding therapy.
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Is psychotherapy effective?
Evaluate the relative effectiveness of different therapies (choose at least three)
Explain “alternative” therapies
Enumerate the commonalities among psychotherapies
How does culture affect therapy?