Assignments: Instructions and Topics

Assignments: Instructions and Topics
Your assignments are a way to show your knowledge and understanding of a particular topic.
For more research use chapter 1 – 4
https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction
PART 1
● Assignment MUST be a paper
○ Utilize basic APA style (Cover page,12-point font, double-spaced, with
APA citations, no abstract!).
○ Minimum TWO pages in length, not including the cover and reference
page!
○ Minimum TWO different academic sources (one source may be our text
and the other could be an academic journal, professional website like the
CDC, Health and Human Services, etc).
○ Make sure you have a concluding paragraph that explains what you
learned
PART 2
● The other assignment can be whatever you want it to be! Podcast, YouTube
video, art with a clear explanation of what it represents, use your creativity and
imagination! If you aren’t sure, just ask me and we can talk about it. (CREATE A 4-
SLIDE PRESENTATION)
○ You must include at least two sources indicating where you got your
information. A website link, book title and author, Article title and
authors, etc. It does not need to be APA style.
● If you don’t want to do something different, you can write a second paper,
following the same guidelines for the paper assignment.
You may choose your topics from the six options below. You can post the link to a podcast or
video, attach a picture of your artwork with an explanation, etc. You can choose to do the paper
for Assignment #1 OR #2, it’s up to you!
Assignment Options (choose two – one for assignment #1 AND a different choice for #2):
1. Choose a psychological disorder discussed in the text
1. Explain what the disorder looks like
2. Describe the symptoms
3. Discuss treatment options
2. Discuss attachment theory
1. Compare/Contrast the different types of attachment styles
2. How do the different attachment styles impact future
relationships
3. Discuss associative learning
1. Compare/contrast positive reinforcement and negative
reinforcement
2. Explain how they differ from punishment.
4. Discuss the autonomic nervous system (ANS)
1. Specifically describe the interaction between the sympathetic
branch and the parasympathetic branch.
5. Choose an intelligence test
1. Give background, reliability, and validity information
2. Describe the uses and limitations of the test.
6. Some people believe that Sex Ed courses should be required of all students,
because the U.S. has the highest STI rate of all industrialized countries (WHO, 2015)
1. Do you support this belief? Why or why not?
1. IF YES, at what age should students be taught?
Why? What information should they receive? (try
looking up comprehensive vs abstinence only
education). Please be specific.
2. IF NO, justify and explain your reason for
believing Sex Ed should be left out of schools.
7. Choose a movie, TV show, or video game that depicts a psychological disorder
1. What symptoms of the disorder or shown? What symptoms are
NOT shown?
2. Do they discuss any treatment or show the character getting
treatment?
3. Does it do a realistic job portraying the disorder?

References

https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

Assigning research projects that explore psychology concepts can help students develop important skills while learning course material. Let me provide a brief response to your question about portrayals of psychological disorders in media.
Depictions of mental illness in movies, television shows, and other formats have the potential to both help and hinder public understanding. When done sensitively and grounded in facts, portrayals may give audiences glimp insights into life experiences they do not directly have. However, some worry that unrealistic or stigmatizing portrayals may spread misconceptions. A 2016 study published in Stigma and Health analyzed depictions of schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder in popular films from 2006-2010 (Schomerus et al., 2016). Researchers found that while some films showed characters receiving treatment, many emphasized symptoms like hallucinations or delusions without also showing recovery processes.
Portrayals have more potential to educate when they consult medical experts and present a balanced perspective that does not oversimplify the complex realities of mental illness. Showing characters actively managing their conditions through therapeutic strategies or medication, in addition to experiencing symptoms, can help break down stigma. It is also important for works of fiction to avoid equating mental illness with violent behavior, as research finds no causal link (Fazel et al., 2009). Overall, thoughtful and well-researched depictions may help audiences gain empathy, while unrealistic ones risk perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Does this perspective help provide some context for considering how psychological disorders are portrayed in media? Please let me know if you have any other questions.