61 intriguing psychology research topics to explore

Last updated

11 January 2024

Reviewed by

Brittany Ferri, PhD, OTR/L

Psychology is an incredibly diverse, critical, and ever-changing area of study in the medical and health industries. Because of this, it’s a common area of study for students and healthcare professionals.

We’re walking you through picking the perfect topic for your upcoming paper or study. Keep reading for plenty of example topics to pique your interest and curiosity.

  • How to choose a psychology research topic

Exploring a psychology-based topic for your research project? You need to pick a specific area of interest to collect compelling data. 

Use these tips to help you narrow down which psychology topics to research:

Focus on a particular area of psychology

The most effective psychological research focuses on a smaller, niche concept or disorder within the scope of a study. 

Psychology is a broad and fascinating area of science, including everything from diagnosed mental health disorders to sports performance mindset assessments. 

This gives you plenty of different avenues to explore. Having a hard time choosing? Check out our list of 61 ideas further down in this article to get started.

Read the latest clinical studies

Once you’ve picked a more niche topic to explore, you need to do your due diligence and explore other research projects on the same topic. 

This practice will help you learn more about your chosen topic, ask more specific questions, and avoid covering existing projects. 

For the best results, we recommend creating a research folder of associated published papers to reference throughout your project. This makes it much easier to cite direct references and find inspiration down the line.

Find a topic you enjoy and ask questions

Once you’ve spent time researching and collecting references for your study, you finally get to explore. 

Whether this research project is for work, school, or just for fun, having a passion for your research will make the project much more enjoyable. (Trust us, there will be times when that is the only thing that keeps you going.) 

Now you’ve decided on the topic, ask more nuanced questions you might want to explore. 

If you can, pick the direction that interests you the most to make the research process much more enjoyable.

  • 61 psychology topics to research in 2024

Need some extra help starting your psychology research project on the right foot? Explore our list of 61 cutting-edge, in-demand psychology research topics to use as a starting point for your research journey.

  • Psychology research topics for university students

As a university student, it can be hard to pick a research topic that fits the scope of your classes and is still compelling and unique. 

Here are a few exciting topics we recommend exploring for your next assigned research project:

Mental health in post-secondary students

Seeking post-secondary education is a stressful and overwhelming experience for most students, making this topic a great choice to explore for your in-class research paper. 

Examples of post-secondary mental health research topics include:

Student mental health status during exam season

Mental health disorder prevalence based on study major

The impact of chronic school stress on overall quality of life

The impacts of cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can occur at all ages, starting as early as elementary school and carrying through into professional workplaces. 

Examples of cyberbullying-based research topics you can study include:

The impact of cyberbullying on self-esteem

Common reasons people engage in cyberbullying 

Cyberbullying themes and commonly used terms

Cyberbullying habits in children vs. adults

The long-term effects of cyberbullying

  • Clinical psychology research topics

If you’re looking to take a more clinical approach to your next project, here are a few topics that involve direct patient assessment for you to consider:

Chronic pain and mental health

Living with chronic pain dramatically impacts every aspect of a person’s life, including their mental and emotional health. 

Here are a few examples of in-demand pain-related psychology research topics:

The connection between diabetic neuropathy and depression

Neurological pain and its connection to mental health disorders

Efficacy of meditation and mindfulness for pain management

The long-term effects of insomnia

Insomnia is where you have difficulty falling or staying asleep. It’s a common health concern that impacts millions of people worldwide. 

This is an excellent topic because insomnia can have a variety of causes, offering many research possibilities. 

Here are a few compelling psychology research topics about insomnia you could investigate:

The prevalence of insomnia based on age, gender, and ethnicity

Insomnia and its impact on workplace productivity

The connection between insomnia and mental health disorders

Efficacy and use of melatonin supplements for insomnia

The risks and benefits of prescription insomnia medications

Lifestyle options for managing insomnia symptoms

The efficacy of mental health treatment options

Management and treatment of mental health conditions is an ever-changing area of study. If you can witness or participate in mental health therapies, this can make a great research project. 

Examples of mental health treatment-related psychology research topics include:

The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for patients with severe anxiety

The benefits and drawbacks of group vs. individual therapy sessions

Music therapy for mental health disorders

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for patients with depression 

  • Controversial psychology research paper topics

If you are looking to explore a more cutting-edge or modern psychology topic, you can delve into a variety of controversial and topical options:

The impact of social media and digital platforms

Ever since access to internet forums and video games became more commonplace, there’s been growing concern about the impact these digital platforms have on mental health. 

Examples of social media and video game-related psychology research topics include:

The effect of edited images on self-confidence

How social media platforms impact social behavior

Video games and their impact on teenage anger and violence

Digital communication and the rapid spread of misinformation

The development of digital friendships

Psychotropic medications for mental health

In recent years, the interest in using psychoactive medications to treat and manage health conditions has increased despite their inherently controversial nature. 

Examples of psychotropic medication-related research topics include:

The risks and benefits of using psilocybin mushrooms for managing anxiety

The impact of marijuana on early-onset psychosis

Childhood marijuana use and related prevalence of mental health conditions

Ketamine and its use for complex PTSD (C-PTSD) symptom management

The effect of long-term psychedelic use and mental health conditions

  • Mental health disorder research topics

As one of the most popular subsections of psychology, studying mental health disorders and how they impact quality of life is an essential and impactful area of research. 

While studies in these areas are common, there’s always room for additional exploration, including the following hot-button topics:

Anxiety and depression disorders

Anxiety and depression are well-known and heavily researched mental health disorders. 

Despite this, we still don’t know many things about these conditions, making them great candidates for psychology research projects:

Social anxiety and its connection to chronic loneliness

C-PTSD symptoms and causes

The development of phobias

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) behaviors and symptoms

Depression triggers and causes

Self-care tools and resources for depression

The prevalence of anxiety and depression in particular age groups or geographic areas

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a complex and multi-faceted area of psychology research. 

Use your research skills to learn more about this condition and its impact by choosing any of the following topics:

Early signs of bipolar disorder

The incidence of bipolar disorder in young adults

The efficacy of existing bipolar treatment options

Bipolar medication side effects

Cognitive behavioral therapy for people with bipolar 

Schizoaffective disorder

Schizoaffective disorder is often stigmatized, and less common mental health disorders are a hotbed for new and exciting research. 

Here are a few examples of interesting research topics related to this mental health disorder:

The prevalence of schizoaffective disorder by certain age groups or geographic locations

Risk factors for developing schizoaffective disorder

The prevalence and content of auditory and visual hallucinations

Alternative therapies for schizoaffective disorder

  • Societal and systematic psychology research topics

Modern society’s impact is deeply enmeshed in our mental and emotional health on a personal and community level. 

Here are a few examples of societal and systemic psychology research topics to explore in more detail:

Access to mental health services

While mental health awareness has risen over the past few decades, access to quality mental health treatment and resources is still not equitable. 

This can significantly impact the severity of a person’s mental health symptoms, which can result in worse health outcomes if left untreated. 

Explore this crucial issue and provide information about the need for improved mental health resource access by studying any of the following topics:

Rural vs. urban access to mental health resources

Access to crisis lines by location

Wait times for emergency mental health services

Inequities in mental health access based on income and location

Insurance coverage for mental health services

Systemic racism and mental health

Societal systems and the prevalence of systemic racism heavily impact every aspect of a person’s overall health.

Researching these topics draws attention to existing problems and contributes valuable insights into ways to improve access to care moving forward.

Examples of systemic racism-related psychology research topics include: 

Access to mental health resources based on race

The prevalence of BIPOC mental health therapists in a chosen area

The impact of systemic racism on mental health and self-worth

Racism training for mental health workers

The prevalence of mental health disorders in discriminated groups

LGBTQIA+ mental health concerns

Research about LGBTQIA+ people and their mental health needs is a unique area of study to explore for your next research project. It’s a commonly overlooked and underserved community.

Examples of LGBTQIA+ psychology research topics to consider include:

Mental health supports for queer teens and children

The impact of queer safe spaces on mental health

The prevalence of mental health disorders in the LGBTQIA+ community

The benefits of queer mentorship and found family

Substance misuse in LQBTQIA+ youth and adults

  • Collect data and identify trends with Dovetail

Psychology research is an exciting and competitive study area, making it the perfect choice for projects or papers.

Take the headache out of analyzing your data and instantly access the insights you need to complete your next psychology research project by teaming up with Dovetail today.

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Psychology Research Paper Topics

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200+ Engaging Psychology Research Paper Topics for Students in 2024

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Choosing a good topic for a psychology research paper can be tough for students and researchers.

It's important because the topic of a research paper must not only capture their interest but also contribute meaningfully to the field.

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the potential topics in psychology. Plus, there's pressure to pick something new and important. This can leave you feeling stuck and unsure of what to do next.

You might be asking yourself questions like: 

  • What topics are worth studying? 
  • How do I pick something that interests me? 
  • And how can I make sure my research is meaningful?

Don't worry! Our blog is here to help with psychology research paper topics.

We've gathered a bunch of interesting psychology research topics to get you inspired. You can dive right in and start making discoveries.

Arrow Down

  • 1. Easy Psychology Research Topics For Students
  • 2. Criminal Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 3. Biological Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 4. Developmental Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 5. Forensic Psychology Research Topics
  • 6. Abnormal Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 7. Cognitive Psychology Research Topics
  • 8. Clinical Psychology Research Topics
  • 9. Positive Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 10. Social Psychology Research Topics
  • 11. Lifespan Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 12. History of Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 13. Interesting Psychology Topics for Presentation
  • 14. Psychology Research Topics on Social Media
  • 15. Psychology Research Topics Related to Human Development
  • 16. Psychology Research Topics Involving a Disorder or Type of Therapy
  • 17. Experimental Psychology Research Topics
  • 18. How to Select a Good Psychology Research Paper Topic
  • 19. How to Write a Good Psychology Research Paper? 

Easy Psychology Research Topics For Students

Whether you're a high school student seeking inspiration for a research project, or a college student looking for a compelling topic for your next paper, we've got you covered. 

In the following sections, we'll explore psychology research topics selected specifically for each academic level, ensuring that there's something for everyone to explore and engage with.

Psychology Research Topics for High School Students

  • Peer Pressure and its Influence on Decision-Making in Adolescence
  • Understanding Teenage Sleep Patterns and its Effects on Academic Performance
  • Examining the Effects of Parental Divorce on Teenagers' Emotional Well-being
  • Gender Stereotypes and their Impact on High School Students' Career Aspirations
  • Exploring the Link Between Nutrition and Mental Health in Adolescents
  • Teenage Rebellion: Causes and Consequences
  • The Role of Family Dynamics in Adolescent Behavior
  • Effective Strategies for Managing Test Anxiety in High School Students
  • The Impact of Extracurricular Activities on Teenagers' Mental Health
  • Mental Health Awareness and Support Programs for High School Students

Psychology Research Paper Topics for College Students

  • The Psychology of Procrastination: Causes and Solutions
  • Mental Health Stigma in College Settings: Breaking Down Barriers
  • Examining the Relationship Between Academic Stress and Performance Anxiety
  • The Impact of College Transition on Students' Mental Health
  • Understanding the Psychology of Imposter Syndrome Among College Students
  • The Psychology of Group Projects: Dynamics and Conflict Resolution Strategies
  • The Role of Identity Development in College Students' Psychological Well-being
  • Cultural Adjustment Challenges Among International College Students
  • Examining the Impact of Student Debt on Mental Health and Well-being
  • The Psychology of Career Decision-Making Among College Students

Research Topics in Psychology for University Students

  • The Influence of Personality Traits on Academic Achievement in University Students
  • Understanding the Psychology of Leadership: Traits and Behaviors
  • Psychological Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Factors and Interventions
  • Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Psychological Disorders and Treatment
  • The Impact of Technology on Human Interaction and Communication Patterns
  • Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan: Theories and Applications
  • Workplace Psychology: Organizational Behavior and Employee Motivation
  • Exploring the Link Between Emotional Intelligence and Success in University Students
  • The Psychology of Creativity: Processes and Influencing Factors
  • Stress Management Techniques for University Students: Mindfulness and Relaxation Strategies

Criminal Psychology Research Paper Topics

  • Understanding the Motives Behind White-Collar Crimes
  • Juvenile Delinquency: Risk Factors and Intervention Strategies
  • The Role of Psychopathy in Criminal Behavior
  • Psychological Effects of Wrongful Convictions on Innocent Individuals
  • The Influence of Media Portrayals on Perceptions of Crime and Criminality
  • Psychological Profiling in Criminal Investigations: Advantages and Limitations
  • The Relationship Between Substance Abuse and Criminal Behavior
  • Forensic Assessment of Competency to Stand Trial: Issues and Considerations
  • Gender Differences in Criminal Behavior: Biological and Sociocultural Factors
  • The Psychological Effects of Incarceration on Inmates and Their Rehabilitation

Biological Psychology Research Paper Topics

  • The Role of Neurotransmitters in Mental Health Disorders
  • Brain Plasticity: Mechanisms and Implications for Learning and Memory
  • Genetic Influences on Behavior: Twin and Adoption Studies
  • The Neuroscience of Addiction: Understanding Brain Circuitry and Reward Pathways
  • Neuro Develop Mental Illness: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
  • The Role of Hormones in Aggression and Social Behavior
  • Neuroimaging Techniques in Studying Brain Structure and Function
  • Neurological Basis of Psychiatric Disorders: Insights from Brain Imaging Studies
  • Animal Models in Biological Psychology Research: Ethical Considerations and Validity
  • Epigenetics and Behavior: Interactions Between Genes and Environment

Developmental Psychology Research Paper Topics

  • Attachment Theory: Parent-Child Relationships and Emotional Development
  • Cognitive Development in Infancy: Piagetian and Vygotskian Perspectives
  • The Impact of Parenting Styles on Child Behavior and Personality Development
  • Language Acquisition in Children: Theories and Stages of Development
  • Socialization and Peer Influence in Adolescence: Effects on Identity Formation
  • Understanding the Long Term Effects of Divorce on Children's Developmental Outcomes
  • The Role of Play in Child Development: Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Benefits
  • Developmental Trajectories of Mental Health Disorders in Adolescence
  • The Influence of Early Childhood Education on Academic Achievement
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children: Diagnosis and Intervention Strategies

Forensic Psychology Research Topics

  • Eyewitness Testimony: Reliability and Factors Affecting Accuracy
  • The Psychology of False Confessions: Causes and Consequences
  • Competency to Stand Trial Evaluations: Legal and Ethical Considerations
  • Risk Assessment in Criminal Justice: Predicting Recidivism and Dangerousness
  • Criminal Responsibility and Insanity Defense: Psychological and Legal Perspectives
  • Psychological Autopsy: Investigating Psychological Factors in Criminal Cases
  • Jury Decision-Making: Biases and Influences on Legal Outcomes
  • Interrogation Techniques: Ethical and Psychological Considerations
  • Psychological Factors in Wrongful Convictions: Exonerations and Lessons Learned
  • The Role of Forensic Psychology in Child Custody Evaluations

Abnormal Psychology Research Paper Topics

  • Understanding the Spectrum of Mood Disorders: Depression, Bipolar, and Cyclothymia
  • Anxiety Disorders: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Approaches
  • Schizophrenia: Neurobiological, Psychological, and Social Factors
  • Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders: PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder
  • Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders: Understanding Obsessions and Compulsions
  • Dissociative Disorders: Identity, Amnesia, and Depersonalization
  • Sleep Disorders: Insomnia, Narcolepsy, and Parasomnias
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD
  • Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders: Assessment and Treatment Approaches
  • Gender Dysphoria: Understanding Gender Identity and Transgender Health

Cognitive Psychology Research Topics

  • Memory Processes: Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval
  • Problem-Solving and Decision-Making: Heuristics and Biases
  • Cognitive Development: Piagetian and Information-Processing Perspectives
  • Working Memory: Capacity, Function, and Individual Differences
  • Executive Functions: Inhibition, Shifting, and Updating
  • Cognitive Neuroscience: Brain Mechanisms of Cognitive Processes
  • Concept Formation and Categorization: Psychological and Neural Basis
  • Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Modeling: Applications in Psychology
  • Cognitive Rehabilitation: Strategies for Improving Cognitive Functioning
  • Metacognition: Monitoring and Regulating Cognitive Processes

Clinical Psychology Research Topics

  • Anxiety Disorders: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
  • Schizophrenia Treatment: Medications, Therapy, and Psychosocial Interventions
  • Couples Therapy: Approaches and Effectiveness in Improving Relationship Satisfaction
  • Substance Use Disorders: Prevention, Assessment, and Treatment Modalities
  • Trauma-Focused Therapies: EMDR, Prolonged Exposure, and Narrative Exposure Therapy
  • Group Therapy: Benefits, Process, and Techniques for Facilitating Change
  • Suicide Prevention: Risk Assessment, Intervention Strategies, and Postvention Support
  • Eating Disorder Treatment: Multidisciplinary Approaches and Relapse Prevention Strategies
  • Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Theory, Techniques, and Applications in Clinical Practice
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Skills Training and Effectiveness in Treating Borderline Personality Disorder

Positive Psychology Research Paper Topics

  • The Science of Happiness: Determinants and Measurement of Subjective Well-being
  • Resilience: Factors and Interventions for Building Psychological Strength
  • Gratitude and Well-being: Benefits of Cultivating a Thankful Mindset
  • Character Strengths and Virtues: Assessing and Enhancing Personal Qualities
  • Posttraumatic Growth: Thriving in the Aftermath of Adversity
  • Purpose in Life: Meaningfulness and Well-being Across the Lifespan
  • Empathy and Altruism: The Psychological Benefits of Helping Others
  • Strengths-Based Therapy: Utilizing Personal Strengths to Overcome Challenges
  • Humor and Laughter: Therapeutic Benefits for Physical and Mental Health
  • Positive Parenting: Strategies for Fostering Resilient and Happy Children

Social Psychology Research Topics

  • Conformity and Obedience: The Influence of Group Dynamics on Individual Behavior
  • Attitudes and Attitude Change: Theories and Applications in Persuasion
  • Prejudice and Discrimination: Causes, Consequences, and Interventions
  • Group Cohesion and Cooperation: Factors That Promote Effective Teamwork
  • Interpersonal Relationships: Attachment Styles and Relationship Satisfaction
  • Stereotypes and Stereotyping: Cognitive Processes and Implications for Behavior
  • Aggression and Violence: Biological, Psychological, and Sociocultural Factors
  • Prosocial Behavior: The Motivations and Benefits of Helping Others
  • Intergroup Relations: Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation Strategies
  • Social Perception and Judgment: Biases and Heuristics in Social Cognition

Lifespan Psychology Research Paper Topics

  • Prenatal Development: Influences on Fetal Growth and Maternal Health
  • Adolescent Identity Development: Exploring Identity Formation and Self-Concept
  • Adult Attachment Styles: Continuity and Change Across the Lifespan
  • Midlife Crisis: Myth or Reality? Examining Psychological Changes in Middle Adulthood
  • Retirement and Aging: Psychological Adjustment and Well-being in Later Life
  • Longevity and Health: Factors That Contribute to Healthy Aging and Quality of Life
  • Aging and Memory: Exploring the Effects of Aging on Memory Processes
  • End-of-Life Care: Psychosocial Factors in Palliative and Hospice Care Settings
  • Wisdom and Aging: Psychological Perspectives on Wisdom Development
  • Resilience in Older Adults: Coping Strategies and Adaptation to Life Transitions

History of Psychology Research Paper Topics

  • Origins of Psychology: Philosophical and Scientific Foundations
  • Structuralism vs. Functionalism: Early Schools of Thought in Psychology
  • Freud and Psychoanalysis: Contributions to Modern Psychology and Criticisms
  • Behaviorism: The Rise and Fall of Behaviorist Principles in Psychology
  • Gestalt Psychology: Insights into Perception and Cognitive Processes
  • Humanistic Psychology: The Person-Centered Approach and Self-Actualization
  • Evolutionary Psychology: Darwinian Perspectives on Human Behavior and Cognition
  • Feminist Psychology: Critiques of Traditional Theories and Gender Bias in Research
  • Psychobiography: Studying the Lives of Psychologists and Their Contributions
  • Development of Clinical Psychology: Evolution of Diagnosis and Treatment Approaches

Interesting Psychology Topics for Presentation

  • The Power of Nonverbal Communication: Body Language and Facial Expressions
  • The Psychology of Motivation: Understanding What Drives Human Behavior
  • Emotional Intelligence: The Key to Success in Relationships and Career
  • The Science of Happiness: Strategies for Cultivating a Fulfilling Life
  • The Psychology of Memory: How We Remember and Forget Information
  • Stress Management Techniques: Coping Strategies for Dealing with Chronic Pain
  • The Science of Sleep: Exploring the Importance of Rest and Recovery
  • The Psychology of Creativity: Unlocking Your Creative Potential
  • Understanding Personality Types: The Big Five and Beyond
  • The Psychology of Decision-Making: Strategies for Making Better Choices

Psychology Research Topics on Social Media

  • Social Media Addiction: Causes, Consequences, and Interventions
  • Cyberbullying: Prevalence, Effects, and Prevention Strategies
  • FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and Its Effects on Mental Health and Well-being
  • Influencer Marketing: Psychological Persuasion Techniques and Consumer Behavior
  • Privacy Concerns on Social Media: Trust, Control, and Online Safety
  • The Psychology of Viral Content: What Makes Posts Go Viral?
  • Online Social Support Networks: Benefits and Limitations for Mental Health
  • Social Media and Body Image: Comparisons, Ideals, and Self-Esteem
  • The Role of Social Media in Political Polarization and Echo Chambers
  • Digital Detox: Strategies for Balancing Screen Time and Real-Life Connections

Psychology Research Topics Related to Human Development

  • The Influence of Parenting Styles on Child Development: Authoritative, Authoritarian, and Permissive Approaches
  • Sibling Dynamics and Their Effects on Social and Emotional Development in Childhood
  • The Impact of Family Structure and Dynamics on Adolescent Mental Health and Well-being
  • Transitioning to Adulthood: Challenges and Opportunities in Emerging Adulthood
  • Gender Development: Biological and Sociocultural Influences on Gender Identity Formation
  • The Influence of Socioeconomic Status on Academic Achievement and Educational Attainment Across the Lifespan
  • Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma: Understanding the Effects of Historical and Familial Trauma on Development
  • Resilience in Childhood: Protective Factors and Coping Strategies in the Face of Adversity
  • Cultural Variations in Parenting Practices and Their Implications for Child Development
  • Aging Well: Promoting Healthy Aging and Quality of Life in Later Adulthood

Psychology Research Topics Involving a Disorder or Type of Therapy

  • The Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Treating Anxiety Disorders: A Meta-Analysis
  • Borderline Personality Disorder: Causes and Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches
  • Internet Addiction Disorder: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Strategies
  • Neurobiological Mechanisms of Depression: Insights from Brain Imaging Studies and Pharmacological Interventions
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Emotion Dysregulation: Skills Training and Mindfulness Practices
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Neurodevelopmental Profiles, Early Detection, and Intervention Strategies
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Multimodal Treatment Approaches
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Etiology, Symptomatology, and Exposure Response Prevention Therapy
  • Schizophrenia: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis, Social Skills Training, and Medication Management
  • Bipolar Disorder: Neurobiological Correlates, Mood Stabilization, and Psychoeducation Strategies

Experimental Psychology Research Topics

  • Memory Processing Mechanisms in Human Brain
  • Perception and Attention: Investigating Selective Attention and Visual Perception
  • Learning and Conditioning: Classical and Operant Conditioning Paradigms and Learning Strategies
  • Cognitive Processes in Decision Making: Heuristics, Biases, and Rational Decision Making
  • Social Cognition and Attitudes: Attitude Formation, Persuasion Techniques, and Implicit Bias
  • Sensation and Perception: Psychophysical Methods and Sensory Thresholds
  • Motor Control and Coordination: Motor Learning, Skill Acquisition, and Movement Analysis
  • Emotion and Affect: Studying Emotional Processing, Expression, and Regulation
  • Neuroimaging Techniques: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), Electroencephalography (EEG), and Event-Related Potentials (ERPs)
  • Psychometric Testing and Assessment: Developing and Validating Psychological Measures and Instruments

How to Select a Good Psychology Research Paper Topic

Selecting a good research paper topic is a crucial step in the paper writing process. It lays the foundation for your study and determines its scope and direction. 

Here are some key steps to consider when choosing a topic:

  • Identify Your Interests: Start by exploring areas of psychology that genuinely interest you. Whether it's cognitive, developmental, or social psychology, selecting a topic that aligns with your passions will make the research process more engaging and rewarding.
  • Consider Current Trends: Stay informed about the latest developments and trends in the field of psychology. Browse recent publications, attend conferences, and follow relevant journals to identify emerging topics and areas of research that are generating interest and attention.
  • Narrow Down Your Focus: Once you've identified a general area of interest, narrow down your focus to a specific topic or research question. Consider the scope of your study, the available resources, and the feasibility of conducting research within your chosen area.
  • Evaluate the Literature: Conduct a thorough review of the existing literature to gain insights into previous research findings, gaps in the literature, and areas that warrant further investigation. Look for unanswered questions, controversies, or areas where conflicting findings exist.
  • Consider Practical Implications: Think about the practical implications of your research topic and its potential relevance to real-world issues or applications. Consider how your findings could contribute to theoretical advancements, clinical practice, or public policy.
  • Brainstorm Potential Research Questions: Generate a list of potential research questions or hypotheses that align with your chosen topic. Consider the feasibility of addressing these questions within the constraints of your study, including time, resources, and ethical considerations.

How to Write a Good Psychology Research Paper? 

Writing a good psychology research paper can be a structured process if you follow these steps:

  • Select a Compelling Topic: Choose a research topic that interests you and is relevant. Ensure it's specific, researchable, and has a clear research question. 
  • Review Existing Literature: Conduct a thorough literature review to understand the current state of knowledge on your topic.
  • Formulate a Hypothesis: Based on your research question and literature review, create a clear and testable hypothesis.
  • Design Your Study: Decide on your research method (experimental, survey, observational, etc.) and create a detailed research design.
  • Collect Data: Execute your study, following your design meticulously. Ensure ethical considerations are met.
  • Analyze Data: Use appropriate statistical tools to analyze your data. Interpret the results in the context of your hypothesis.
  • Organize Your Paper: Follow a standard research paper outline or structure with sections like Introduction, Method, Results, and Discussion. Write clearly and concisely.
  • Cite Sources: Properly cite all sources using a recognized citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).
  • Edit and Proofread: Revise your paper for clarity, coherence, and grammar. Proofread to eliminate errors.
  • Seek Feedback: Have peers or mentors review your paper for feedback and suggestions.

Check out this video to learn how to write a research paper more in-depth!

Remember, a good psychology research paper is not just about the content but also the presentation. By following these steps and paying attention to detail, you'll increase your chances of producing a high-quality research paper that contributes to the field.

All in all, selecting a good topic for psychology research papers is an essential aspect of conducting meaningful and impactful research in the field of psychology. 

By choosing topics from the above list, researchers can ensure that their ideas are both engaging and academically practical.

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Home » 500+ Psychology Research Paper Topics

500+ Psychology Research Paper Topics

Psychology Research Paper Topics

Psychology is a fascinating field that encompasses the study of the human mind, behavior, and mental processes. It is a multifaceted discipline that has evolved significantly over the years, with new research shedding light on various aspects of human behavior and cognition. As a result, there are numerous research topics within the field of psychology that can be explored, providing a wealth of opportunities for students and scholars alike to investigate and learn. Whether you are interested in the workings of the brain, social dynamics, mental health, or other related areas, there is sure to be a psychology research topic that will pique your interest. In this article we will highlight some of the most interesting and relevant topics in the field of psychology today for Students and Researchers.

Psychology Research Paper Topics

Psychology Research Paper Topics are as follows:

  • The effects of social media on mental health and well-being.
  • The role of childhood trauma in the development of personality disorders.
  • The relationship between sleep deprivation and cognitive performance.
  • The impact of mindfulness practices on reducing anxiety and depression.
  • The psychology of addiction and its treatment approaches.
  • The influence of culture on the perception and expression of emotions.
  • The psychology of motivation and goal-setting.
  • The impact of bullying on mental health and social development.
  • The psychology of decision-making and risk-taking behaviors.
  • The effects of nature exposure on mental health and well-being.
  • The psychological factors contributing to substance abuse and addiction relapse.
  • The role of personality traits in predicting job satisfaction and success.
  • The psychology of creativity and innovation.
  • The impact of early attachment styles on adult relationships.
  • The psychology of prejudice and discrimination.
  • The relationship between stress and physical health.
  • The role of emotions in decision-making and problem-solving.
  • The psychology of learning and memory.
  • The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating anxiety and depression.
  • The influence of parenting styles on child development and mental health.
  • The psychology of humor: why we find things funny and how it affects our mental health.
  • The effects of childhood neglect on social and emotional development.
  • The psychology of procrastination and strategies for overcoming it.
  • The impact of digital technology on attention span and concentration.
  • The role of self-esteem in mental health and well-being.
  • The psychology of forgiveness and its effects on mental health and relationships.
  • The relationship between personality traits and political beliefs.
  • The effects of trauma on brain development and function.
  • The psychology of group dynamics and teamwork.
  • The role of exercise in mental health and well-being.
  • The psychology of attraction and romantic relationships.
  • The effects of technology addiction on mental health and well-being.
  • The relationship between diet and mental health.
  • The psychology of workplace diversity and inclusion.
  • The effects of music on mood and cognitive function.
  • The impact of childhood bullying on adult mental health and relationships.
  • The psychology of optimism and its effects on mental health and well-being.
  • The relationship between personality traits and leadership effectiveness.
  • The effects of social isolation on mental health.
  • The psychology of decision-making in group contexts.
  • The impact of social support on mental health and well-being.
  • The role of emotion regulation in mental health and well-being.
  • The effects of chronic stress on physical and mental health.
  • The psychology of risk perception and behavior.
  • The impact of exercise on cognitive function and brain health.
  • The psychology of altruism and prosocial behavior.
  • The relationship between spirituality and mental health.
  • The effects of childhood abuse on adult mental health and well-being.
  • The psychology of power and its effects on decision-making and behavior.
  • The impact of mindfulness on physical health and well-being.
  • The psychology of parenting and its effects on child development.
  • The effects of gratitude on mental health and well-being.
  • The psychology of grief and bereavement.
  • The impact of social media on social comparison and self-esteem.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping.
  • The effects of sleep on physical and mental health.
  • The psychology of happiness and well-being.
  • The relationship between personality traits and romantic relationship satisfaction.
  • The impact of social norms on behavior.
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and decision-making errors.
  • The effects of nature exposure on cognitive function and well-being.
  • The psychology of body image and its effects on mental health.
  • The impact of work-life balance on mental health and well-being.
  • The psychology of shame and guilt.
  • The effects of trauma on memory and cognition.
  • The role of empathy in mental health and well-being.
  • The psychology of cyberbullying and its effects on mental health.
  • The impact of aging on cognitive function and well-being.
  • The psychology of human sexuality.
  • The effects of mindfulness on social and emotional functioning.
  • The effects of social comparison on mental health and well-being.
  • The psychology of addiction and relapse prevention strategies.
  • The impact of social support on addiction recovery.
  • The psychology of motivation and self-determination.
  • The effects of trauma on attachment and relationship formation.
  • The psychology of bystander intervention in emergencies.
  • The impact of exercise on mood and anxiety.
  • The role of cultural values in mental health and well-being.
  • The psychology of moral decision-making.
  • The effects of video games on cognitive function and social development.
  • The psychology of burnout and work-related stress.
  • The relationship between personality traits and academic performance.
  • The impact of social identity on self-esteem and mental health.
  • The psychology of attachment in adult romantic relationships.
  • The effects of mindfulness on emotion regulation and impulse control.
  • The psychology of stress and coping strategies.
  • The impact of social media on self-esteem and body image.
  • The psychology of decision-making in romantic relationships.
  • The effects of childhood trauma on substance use and addiction.
  • The psychology of resilience and post-traumatic growth.
  • The impact of cultural stereotypes on cognitive function and performance.
  • The psychology of identity formation and its effects on mental health.
  • The effects of social support on academic success and well-being.
  • The psychology of change and behavior modification.
  • The impact of self-compassion on mental health and well-being.
  • The psychology of deception and lying behavior.
  • The effects of sleep on mood and emotion regulation.
  • The psychology of intergroup relations and prejudice reduction.
  • The impact of meditation on cognitive function and well-being.
  • The psychology of procrastination and time management.
  • The effects of cultural assimilation on mental health and well-being.
  • The psychology of body language and nonverbal communication.
  • The impact of nature exposure on stress reduction and well-being.
  • The psychology of forgiveness and its effects on relationship satisfaction.
  • The effects of social comparison on body image and eating disorders.
  • The psychology of motivation and goal-setting in academic settings.
  • The impact of cultural diversity on team dynamics and performance.
  • The psychology of self-disclosure in romantic relationships.
  • The effects of social support on health outcomes in chronic illness.
  • The psychology of human memory and its fallibility.
  • The impact of cultural values on mental health stigma.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping strategies in chronic illness.
  • The effects of social support on job satisfaction and performance.
  • The psychology of negotiation and conflict resolution.
  • The impact of social identity on health behaviors and outcomes.
  • The psychology of aggression and its effects on mental health.
  • The effects of mindfulness on cognitive aging and dementia prevention.
  • The psychology of attachment in parent-child relationships.
  • The impact of cultural diversity on intergroup relations.
  • The psychology of decision-making in medical settings.
  • The effects of social comparison on consumer behavior.
  • The psychology of success and achievement motivation.
  • The impact of technology on social skills and emotional intelligence.
  • The psychology of deception detection and its implications for criminal justice.
  • The effects of music on mood and well-being.
  • The psychology of gender identity and its effects on mental health.
  • The impact of social media on political attitudes and polarization.
  • The psychology of flow and optimal experience in work and leisure activities.
  • The effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive function and decision-making.
  • The psychology of leadership and its effects on organizational outcomes.
  • The impact of cultural values on body image and eating disorders.
  • The psychology of self-compassion and its effects on relationship satisfaction.
  • The effects of social support on postpartum depression and anxiety.
  • The psychology of attachment in foster care and adoption.
  • The impact of cultural values on parenting styles and child development.
  • The psychology of resilience and post-disaster recovery.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in LGBTQ+ individuals.
  • The psychology of motivation and performance in sports.
  • The impact of cultural values on coping with illness and disability.
  • The psychology of creativity and its relationship with mental health.
  • The effects of mindfulness on pain management and chronic illness.
  • The impact of social identity on job satisfaction and turnover.
  • The psychology of substance use disorders in older adults.
  • The effects of social comparison on academic motivation and achievement.
  • The psychology of decision-making in financial investments.
  • The impact of cultural values on mental health treatment-seeking behaviors.
  • The psychology of attachment in sibling relationships.
  • The effects of social support on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and decision-making.
  • The impact of cultural values on aging and end-of-life care.
  • The psychology of motivation and goal-setting in weight loss.
  • The effects of social comparison on social anxiety.
  • The psychology of group dynamics and its implications for teamwork.
  • The impact of cultural values on sexual identity and expression.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in high-stress occupations.
  • The effects of social support on recovery from traumatic brain injury.
  • The psychology of memory reconsolidation and its potential for trauma therapy.
  • The impact of cultural values on mental health in immigrant populations.
  • The psychology of gender stereotypes and their effects on behavior and attitudes.
  • The effects of social comparison on body dissatisfaction and cosmetic procedures.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in military veterans.
  • The impact of cultural values on mental health outcomes in refugees.
  • The psychology of goal-setting and its relationship with happiness.
  • The effects of social support on depression and anxiety in cancer patients.
  • The psychology of self-esteem and its relationship with social media use.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health treatment.
  • The psychology of attachment in teacher-student relationships.
  • The effects of social comparison on substance use and addiction.
  • The psychology of decision-making in environmental conservation.
  • The impact of cultural values on romantic relationships and marital satisfaction.
  • The impact of cultural values on mental health and illness stigma.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in exercise and physical activity.
  • The psychology of mindfulness and its effects on stress reduction and well-being.
  • The impact of technology on social comparison and body dissatisfaction in young adults.
  • The psychology of moral decision-making and its relationship with personality.
  • The effects of social comparison on academic self-concept and motivation in graduate students.
  • The psychology of sleep disorders and their effects on mental and physical health.
  • The impact of cultural values on parenting practices and child development.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in rehabilitation and physical therapy.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in refugees and immigrants.
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and their effects on decision-making.
  • The impact of technology on mental health treatment and therapy outcomes.
  • The psychology of motivation and performance in sports and athletic competition.
  • The effects of social comparison on academic self-concept and achievement in high school students.
  • The psychology of grief and its effects on mental and physical health.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward aging and age-related stereotypes.
  • The psychology of memory and its relationship with sleep quality and quantity.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in military veterans.
  • The psychology of addiction and its effects on relationships and social functioning.
  • The impact of technology on cognitive function and attention in older adults.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in diabetes management.
  • The effects of social comparison on body dissatisfaction and eating disorders in non-binary individuals.
  • The psychology of child development and its relationship with parenting practices.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health treatment seeking.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in cancer treatment.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in incarcerated individuals.
  • The psychology of personality traits and their effects on romantic relationships.
  • The impact of technology on social connectedness and loneliness.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in cardiac rehabilitation.
  • The effects of social comparison on academic self-concept and achievement in elementary school students.
  • The psychology of gender identity and its effects on mental health and well-being.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward substance use and addiction.
  • The psychology of self-esteem and its relationship with interpersonal communication.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.
  • The psychology of emotion regulation and its relationship with substance use.
  • The impact of technology on cognitive function and attention in children and adolescents.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in HIV/AIDS treatment.
  • The effects of social comparison on body dissatisfaction and eating disorders in individuals with physical disabilities.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with chronic pain.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward suicide and suicide prevention.
  • The psychology of attachment and its effects on emotion regulation and well-being.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with eating disorders.
  • The psychology of positive psychology interventions and their effects on well-being.
  • The impact of technology on social skills and social anxiety in adolescents.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in organ transplant recipients.
  • The effects of social comparison on academic self-concept and achievement in international students.
  • The psychology of depression and its effects on cognitive function and memory.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in religious communities.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with traumatic brain injury.
  • The psychology of motivation and performance in the workplace.
  • The effects of social comparison on body image and self-esteem in adolescence.
  • The psychology of forgiveness and its effects on mental health and well-being.
  • The impact of technology on attention and distraction.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in physical therapy.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic illness.
  • The psychology of decision-making in healthcare and medical treatments.
  • The impact of cultural values on adolescent identity development.
  • The psychology of self-efficacy and its relationship with academic achievement.
  • The effects of social comparison on academic self-concept and self-esteem.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in survivors of sexual assault and harassment.
  • The impact of cultural values on parental involvement in education.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in mental health treatment.
  • The effects of social comparison on body dissatisfaction and disordered eating.
  • The psychology of trauma and its effects on memory and emotional processing.
  • The impact of technology on sleep quality and quantity.
  • The psychology of motivation and performance in online learning.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic pain.
  • The psychology of personality and its relationship with career choice and success.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health stigma.
  • The psychology of attachment in peer relationships.
  • The effects of social comparison on academic achievement and motivation in college students.
  • The psychology of emotional intelligence and its relationship with workplace success.
  • The impact of technology on social skills and interpersonal communication.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in smoking cessation.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in older adults.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in survivors of natural disasters.
  • The impact of cultural values on sexual health and behavior.
  • The psychology of personality disorders and their effects on relationships.
  • The effects of social comparison on body image and eating behaviors in men.
  • The psychology of cognitive development in infants and young children.
  • The impact of technology on stress and anxiety.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in weight management.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in caregivers.
  • The psychology of emotion regulation and its effects on mental health.
  • The impact of cultural values on aging and cognitive decline.
  • The psychology of attachment in romantic relationships.
  • The effects of social comparison on academic performance and self-concept in middle school students.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with chronic illness.
  • The impact of technology on identity formation and self-esteem.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in addiction recovery.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with disabilities.
  • The psychology of creativity and its effects on mental health and well-being.
  • The impact of cultural values on social support networks.
  • The effects of social comparison on social anxiety and self-esteem in individuals with social anxiety disorder.
  • The psychology of parenting styles and their effects on child development.
  • The impact of technology on mental health and well-being in children and adolescents.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals experiencing homelessness.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic illnesses.
  • The psychology of attachment and its effects on social support seeking.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in marginalized communities.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in bariatric surgery patients.
  • The effects of social comparison on body image dissatisfaction in pregnant women.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with chronic kidney disease.
  • The impact of technology on cognitive function and attention in older adults with dementia.
  • The psychology of cognitive development and its relationship with educational pedagogy.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in pulmonary rehabilitation.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in Asian communities.
  • The psychology of decision-making and its relationship with impulsivity.
  • The effects of social comparison on academic self-concept and achievement in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  • The impact of technology on cognitive function and attention in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
  • The psychology of emotional intelligence and its effects on workplace performance.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with fibromyalgia.
  • The psychology of cognitive development and its relationship with language acquisition.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in African American communities.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in dialysis patients.
  • The effects of social comparison on body image dissatisfaction in individuals with eating disorders.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with chronic heart failure.
  • The impact of technology on cognitive function and attention in individuals with anxiety disorders.
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and their effects on problem-solving.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in amputees.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in Hispanic/Latino communities.
  • The psychology of decision-making and its relationship with risk-taking behavior.
  • The effects of social comparison on academic self-concept and achievement in individuals with dyslexia.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with chronic liver disease.
  • The impact of technology on cognitive function and attention in individuals with schizophrenia.
  • The psychology of cognitive development and its relationship with visual perception.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with bipolar disorder.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in spinal cord injury patients.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in Native American communities.
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and their effects on creativity.
  • The effects of social comparison on body image dissatisfaction in individuals with body dysmorphic disorder.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
  • The impact of technology on cognitive function and attention in individuals with substance use disorders.
  • The psychology of cognitive development and its relationship with attention span.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in organ donation recipients.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in Middle Eastern communities.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on team dynamics.
  • The effects of social comparison on academic self-concept and achievement in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with chronic autoimmune diseases.
  • The impact of technology on cognitive function and attention in individuals with depression.
  • The psychology of stress and its effects on workplace burnout.
  • The impact of social media on body image dissatisfaction in adolescents.
  • The effects of meditation on anxiety and depression in older adults.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in cancer patients.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in the LGBTQ+ community.
  • The psychology of cognitive development and its relationship with memory.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with traumatic brain injuries.
  • The psychology of addiction and its effects on family relationships.
  • The impact of music on cognitive function and attention in individuals with dementia.
  • The psychology of attachment and its effects on romantic relationships.
  • The effects of social comparison on body image dissatisfaction in individuals with physical disabilities.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.
  • The impact of technology on cognitive function and attention in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with rare diseases.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in individuals with HIV/AIDS.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in South Asian communities.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on leadership effectiveness.
  • The effects of social comparison on academic self-concept and achievement in individuals with learning disabilities.
  • The impact of technology on cognitive function and attention in individuals with postpartum depression.
  • The psychology of cognitive development and its relationship with spatial reasoning.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
  • The psychology of addiction and its effects on mental health.
  • The impact of mindfulness on cognitive function and attention in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
  • The psychology of attachment and its effects on child development.
  • The effects of social comparison on body image dissatisfaction in individuals with gender dysphoria.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in Eastern European communities.
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and their effects on interpersonal relationships.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with intellectual disabilities.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  • The impact of technology on cognitive function and attention in individuals with borderline personality disorder.
  • The psychology of cognitive development and its relationship with executive function.
  • The effects of social comparison on academic self-concept and achievement in individuals with anxiety disorders.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on romantic relationships.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with spinal cord injuries.
  • The psychology of addiction and its effects on criminal behavior.
  • The impact of technology on cognitive function and attention in individuals with bipolar disorder.
  • The psychology of attachment and its effects on social development.
  • The effects of social comparison on body image dissatisfaction in individuals with acne.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with chronic respiratory diseases.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in Middle Eastern and North African communities.
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and their effects on emotional regulation.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in caregivers of individuals with chronic illnesses.
  • The impact of trauma on attachment styles and romantic relationships.
  • The psychology of procrastination and its effects on academic performance.
  • The effects of mindfulness on stress and burnout in healthcare professionals.
  • The psychology of cognitive development and its relationship with theory of mind.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with autoimmune diseases.
  • The psychology of addiction and its effects on family dynamics in Asian American communities.
  • The impact of social media on self-esteem and body image in adult women.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with traumatic brain injuries.
  • The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety and depression in individuals with chronic pain.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on mental health stigma.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in Latinx communities.
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and their effects on stereotype formation.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in individuals with chronic kidney disease.
  • The impact of technology on cognitive function and attention in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with cancer.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in Indigenous communities.
  • The psychology of attachment and its effects on child behavior problems.
  • The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety and depression in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on romantic partner selection.
  • The impact of social support on mental health in individuals with substance use disorders.
  • The psychology of emotional regulation and its effects on interpersonal relationships.
  • The effects of social comparison on body image dissatisfaction in individuals with alopecia.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with heart disease.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in immigrant communities.
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and their effects on judgment and decision-making.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  • The psychology of motivation and adherence in individuals with diabetes.
  • The psychology of cognitive development and its relationship with moral reasoning.
  • The effects of social comparison on academic self-concept and achievement in individuals with visual impairments.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with chronic migraines.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in rural communities.
  • The psychology of attachment and its effects on infant sleep patterns.
  • The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety and depression in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on workplace conflict resolution.
  • The impact of social support on mental health in individuals with fibromyalgia.
  • The psychology of emotional intelligence and its relationship with job satisfaction.
  • The effects of social comparison on body image dissatisfaction in individuals with vitiligo.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with chronic arthritis.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in Caribbean communities.
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and their effects on interpersonal trust.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic kidney disease.
  • The impact of attachment styles on marital satisfaction.
  • The psychology of emotional regulation and its effects on academic achievement.
  • The psychology of cognitive development and its relationship with executive functioning.
  • The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety and depression in individuals with chronic kidney disease.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on job performance.
  • The impact of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic pain.
  • The psychology of emotional intelligence and its relationship with leadership effectiveness.
  • The psychology of cognitive development and its relationship with working memory.
  • The psychology of attachment and its effects on romantic relationship satisfaction.
  • The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety and depression in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on stress and coping.
  • The impact of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic migraines.
  • The psychology of emotional intelligence and its relationship with interpersonal conflict resolution.
  • The effects of social comparison on body image dissatisfaction in individuals with psoriasis.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in East Asian communities.
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and their effects on decision-making under uncertainty.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic heart failure.
  • The psychology of cognitive development and its relationship with attentional control.
  • The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety and depression in individuals with chronic migraines.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on emotional regulation.
  • The impact of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic back pain.
  • The psychology of emotional intelligence and its relationship with job performance.
  • The effects of social comparison on body image dissatisfaction in individuals with rosacea.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in LGBTQ+ communities.
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and their effects on creativity in the arts.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and anxiety.
  • The psychology of cognitive development and its relationship with problem-solving.
  • The psychology of attachment and its effects on parent-child communication.
  • The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety and depression in individuals with chronic heart failure.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on interpersonal communication.
  • The impact of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic migraines and anxiety.
  • The psychology of emotional intelligence and its relationship with conflict resolution in romantic relationships.
  • The effects of social comparison on body image dissatisfaction in individuals with eczema.
  • The impact of trauma on personality development.
  • The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on chronic pain management.
  • The psychology of motivation and its relationship with achievement in academic settings.
  • The impact of cultural values on the experience of shame and guilt.
  • The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety and depression in individuals with fibromyalgia.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on romantic relationship conflict.
  • The impact of social support on mental health in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
  • The psychology of emotional intelligence and its relationship with conflict resolution in work settings.
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and their effects on decision-making in politics.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and depression.
  • The psychology of cognitive development and its relationship with self-awareness.
  • The impact of technology on cognitive function and attention in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • The psychology of attachment and its effects on emotional regulation in adolescence.
  • The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety and depression in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on substance use and addiction.
  • The impact of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
  • The psychology of emotional intelligence and its relationship with effective communication in romantic relationships.
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and their effects on consumer behavior.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and insomnia.
  • The psychology of cognitive development and its relationship with social cognition.
  • The psychology of attachment and its effects on mental health in adulthood.
  • The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety and depression in individuals with chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on intimate partner violence.
  • The impact of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic kidney disease and depression.
  • The psychology of emotional intelligence and its relationship with effective leadership.
  • The effects of social comparison on body image dissatisfaction in individuals with scars.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and depression.
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and their effects on consumer decision-making.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and anxiety and depression.
  • The impact of technology on cognitive function and attention in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
  • The psychology of attachment and its effects on mental health in older adults.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on parenting styles.
  • The impact of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic pain and depression.
  • The psychology of emotional intelligence and its relationship with effective conflict resolution in work settings.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with chronic pain and anxiety.
  • The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on insomnia in individuals with fibromyalgia.
  • The psychology of attachment and its effects on emotional regulation in children.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • The psychology of emotional intelligence and its relationship with effective communication in the workplace.
  • The impact of social support on mental health in individuals with traumatic brain injury.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on work stress and burnout.
  • The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on depression and anxiety in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
  • The impact of technology on cognitive function and attention in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with chronic pain and depression.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in Muslim communities.
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and their effects on memory recall.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic pain and fibromyalgia.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on job satisfaction and turnover.
  • The impact of social support on mental health in individuals with spinal cord injury.
  • The psychology of emotional intelligence and its relationship with effective conflict resolution in romantic relationships.
  • The psychology of cognitive development and its relationship with attention.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic pain and anxiety and depression.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and anxiety.
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and their effects on perception.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic pain and arthritis.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on leadership styles.
  • The impact of social support on mental health in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
  • The psychology of emotional intelligence and its relationship with effective communication in families.
  • The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on depression and anxiety in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
  • The psychology of attachment and its effects on social influence.
  • The impact of technology on cognitive function and attention in individuals with traumatic brain injury.
  • The psychology of cognitive development and its relationship with emotion regulation.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic pain and inflammatory bowel disease.
  • The psychology of resilience and coping in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and depression and anxiety.
  • The impact of cultural values on attitudes toward mental health in Indian communities.
  • The psychology of cognitive biases and their effects on decision-making in healthcare.
  • The effects of social support on mental health in individuals with chronic pain and migraine.
  • The psychology of personality and its effects on stress and coping in medical students.
  • The impact of social support on mental health in individuals with multiple sclerosis and depression.
  • The psychology of emotional intelligence and its relationship with effective communication in friendships.

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Explore Psychology

Psychology Paper Topics: A List of Topic Ideas

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 to inspire your paper and help you finish your assignment.

In this article, find ideas that you can use for a psychology paper topic.

Table of Contents

How to Choose a Psychology Paper Topic

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 a topic, 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 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 your paper topic 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 Psychology Topics

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.

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:

Write About Psychology Controversies

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)

Write About a Mental Health Condition

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

More Psychology Paper Topics

Here is a sampling of topics that you might consider:

  • How attitudes form
  • How bullying affects children
  • How people use nonverbal communication
  • Factors that can affect prenatal development
  • How media violence influences children’s behavior
  • How parenting styles influence child development
  • How does intrinsic motivation influence learning
  • How does mindset impact academic achievement
  • What factors influence IQ and is it possible to increase IQ
  • Factors that influence self-actualization
  • Is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs still relevant today
  • How does perfectionism impact mental well-being
  • Different theories of personality
  • How different leadership styles influence the success of groups
  • Profile a specific career in psychology

As you can see, your options for psychology paper topics are really only limited by your own imagination (and the specific guidelines issued by your instructor, of course). Spend some time thinking about topics that really interest you, then narrow your focus in order to hone in on a specific idea.

Finally, always be sure to run your chosen topic by your instructor. He or she may be able to offer suggestions that can help you during your research and make it much easier to write an outstanding psychology paper.

Psychology Research Paper Topics

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In the list of psychology research paper topics below we have attempted to capture psychology’s vast and evolving nature in the 16 categories and more than 100 topics.

100+ Psychology Research Paper Topics

H istory of psychology.

  • History of Psychology
  • Psychology Before 1900
  • Psychology in the 20th Century
  • Psychology Into the 21st Century
  • Women and Minorities in Psychology

Mental Health

  • Agoraphobia
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa (Eating Disorders)
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder
  • Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Conduct Disorder
  • Dissociative Disorders
  • Mental Retardation
  • Mood Disorders
  • Narcissistic Personality Disorder
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Panic Attacks
  • Personality Disorders
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
  • Psychopathology
  • Schizophrenia
  • Sexual Disorders
  • Somatization and Hypochondriasis
  • Substance Abuse

Psychology Research and Analytic Techniques

  • Statistical Techniques and Analysis
  • Nonexperimental Research Methods
  • Experimental Designs
  • Single-Subject Designs
  • Qualitative Research
  • Ethics of Psychological Research

Neuroscience

  • Biological Psychology
  • Neurotransmission
  • Traditional Neuroscience Research Methods
  • Imaging Techniques for the Localization of Brain Function
  • Drug Addiction
  • Behavioral Pharmacology

Sensory Processes and Perception

  • Psychophysics
  • States of Consciousness
  • Somatosensory Systems

Evolution and Behavior

  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Evolutionary Perspectives on Mate Preferences
  • Animal Learning and Behavior
  • Animal Cognition
  • Comparative Psychology

Basic Learning Processes

  • Classical Conditioning
  • Recent Trends in Classical Conditioning
  • Taste-Aversion Learning
  • Operant Conditioning
  • Recent Trends in Operant Conditioning
  • Social Learning
  • Stimulus Equivalence

Individual Differences and Personality

  • Psychometrics
  • Testing and Assessment
  • Personality Development
  • Personality Psychology
  • Intelligence

Cognitive Psychology

  • Memory and Eyewitness Testimony
  • Repressed and Recovered Memory
  • Language and Language Development
  • Thinking and Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Artificial Intelligence

Developmental Psychology

  • Prenatal Development and Infancy
  • Childhood and Adolescence
  • Adulthood and Aging
  • Disabilities
  • Death, Dying, and Bereavement
  • Nature Versus Nurture

Social Psychology

  • Social Cognition
  • Attitudes and Attitude Change
  • Group Processes
  • Social Influence
  • The Nature of Love
  • Prejudice and Stereotyping

Health, Stress, and Coping

  • Health Psychology
  • Stress and Stressors
  • Coping Skills
  • Positive Psychology
  • Human Performance in Extreme Environments

Clinical Psychology

  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Ethics of Therapists
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders
  • Psychotherapy
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Pharmacotherapy
  • Forensic Clinical Psychology
  • Sexual Offending Behavior

Applied Psychology

  • Industrial and Organizational Psychology
  • Human Factors
  • Community Psychology
  • Sport Psychology
  • Environmental Psychology
  • Psychology and the Law
  • Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Organizational Behavior Management

Human Diversity

  • Gender and Sexual Orientation
  • Multiple Axes of Human Diversity
  • Psychology and Religion
  • Cross-Cultural Psychology and Research
  • International Psychology

Assessment and Psychotherapy

  • Assessment of Mental Health in Older Adults
  • Behavior Therapy
  • Behavioral Medicine
  • Biofeedback
  • Child Sexual Abuse
  • Classifying Mental Disorders
  • Clinical Assessment
  • Cognitive Therapy
  • Community Mental Health
  • Constructivist Psychotherapies
  • Coping with Stress
  • Couples Therapy
  • Depression—Applied Aspects
  • Domestic Violence Intervention
  • Meditation and the Relaxation Response
  • Personality Assessment
  • Premenstrual Syndrome Treatment
  • Psychoanalysis
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Sexual Dysfunction Therapy
  • Standards for Psychotherapy
  • Support Groups

Browse More Psychology Research Paper Topics:

  • Applied Behavior Analysis Research Paper Topics
  • Biological Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • Clinical Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • Cognitive Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • Community Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • Comparative Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • Consumer Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • Counseling Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • Evolutionary Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • School Psychology Research Paper Topics

Psychology Research Paper Topics

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For example, the early years of the 20th century witnessed the development and popularization of the now classic “schools of psychology” such as structuralism, functionalism, Gestalt psychology, and behaviorism. World War II and the Korean War spurred the development of modern clinical psychology. In the middle of the 20th century, individual schools rose to prominence and tended to dominate psychological research and theorizing. These dominant schools often clashed with clinical psychology. For example, disagreements between behaviorists and clinicians, which have their roots in the 1940s and 1950s, still persist.

Toward the end of the 1960s, the nature of the field began to change, and the face of modern psychology was forever altered. First, Ulrich Neisser’s 1967 book, Cognitive Psychology, ushered in the “cognitive revolution” and put behaviorism on the decline. Technological advances in computer technology, which allowed researchers to simulate human thought and memory processes and to create images of neurological processes, played an inestimable role in modern psychology’s metamorphosis. Likewise, advances in social concern and action increased psychologists’ awareness of psychology’s diversity and its ability to make significant contributions in these areas. To be sure, the face of contemporary psychology was changing drastically. In fact, in 1992 former American Psychological Association (APA) president George A. Miller believed that psychology had become “an intellectual zoo” (p. 40). Clearly, that situation has not changed, as psychology is evolving in the 21st century.

Psychology Research Paper Topics

We believe that our choice of traditional and cutting-edge research paper topics reflects contemporary psychology’s diverse nature. For example, the “traditional”  research paper topics include the following:

The cutting-edge research paper topics include the following:

  • Conducting Research on the History of Psychology

Browse examples of psychology research papers to find sample research papers on psychology topics. Whether the research paper deals with a traditional topic or a cutting-edge topic, you will find that it presents the materials in a decidedly contemporary manner. We hope that students will enjoy reading the research papers on different topics in psychology as much as we have enjoyed collecting them for you.

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good topic for psychology research paper

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Research Topics & Ideas: Psychology

100+ Psychology Topic Ideas To Fast-Track Your Research

Research topics and ideas in psychology

If you’re starting out on the dissertation or thesis journey for your psychology degree, the very first challenge you’ll face is finding a solid research topic . In this post, we’ll help get the topic ideation process started by providing a meaty list of research ideas, spanning a range of psychology sub-disciplines. We’ll also look at some examples from actual theses and dissertations to give you an idea of what these look like in the real world.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps (which we’ll explain a little later). Therefore, it’s important to recognise that this post is only the first step in finding a high-quality psychology-centred research topic. To develop a research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan of action to fill that gap.

If this all sounds a bit intimidating, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course , which covers the process of writing a dissertation or thesis from A-Z. You can also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to find a high-quality research topic. Alternatively, if you’d like hands-on help, have a look at our 1-on-1 coaching service .

Overview: Psychology-Related Topics

  • How to find a research topic (video)
  • Behavioural psychology
  • Clinical psychology
  • Cognitive psychology
  • Developmental psychology
  • Educational psychology
  • Forensic psychology
  • Social psychology
  • Sports psychology
  • Examples of actual dissertation topics
  • Free Webinar : Topic Ideation 101
  • Where to get extra help

How To Find A Research Topic

In the video below, we explain how to find suitable research ideas (in psychology or any field), and how to then refine those into well-articulated potential topics for your dissertation or thesis. We also discuss a few important evaluation criteria to help you make the right choice for your project.

Below you’ll find a list of research ideas to get your thinking started. Please note that these research topic ideas are intentionally broad and generic, so you will need to refine them a fair deal using the techniques we discussed in the video above.

We’ve grouped the topic ideas based on a few popular areas of psychology to make it a little easier for you to find something in your particular field of interest. That said, there is naturally some overlap between topics, so keep this in mind.

Research Ideas: Behavioural Psychology

  • Cultural variation in behaviour and mental health of adolescents during a disaster: a case study
  • The impact of parental drug use and risky behaviour on early child development
  • The effects of video game violence on aggressive behaviour among teenage boys in school
  • The relationship between adverse childhood experiences and adult risk-seeking behaviour
  • The impact of physical exercise on anxiety and health-harming behaviour
  • The relationship between personality traits and addiction behaviour
  • The effects of reinforcement schedules on decision-making and associative learning
  • The effects of daily mindfulness practice on stress and anxiety in middle-aged women
  • The use of behavioural interventions in the treatment of eating disorders in poorer communities
  • Understanding implicit cognitive processes involved in the over-consumption of fast food
  • The use of cognitive behavioural therapy for alcohol addiction treatment
  • The impact of extensive technology use in children on long-term attention and focus
  • The impact of social media on self-destructive behaviour and poor mental health outcomes
  • Exploring the role of sleep and sleep deprivation on healthy behaviours

Research topic idea mega list

Research Ideas: Clinical Psychology

  • The use of mindfulness-based approaches in the treatment of anxiety disorders among college students
  • The use of technology in the delivery of psychological services in war-torn countries
  • The effectiveness of dialectical behaviour therapy for borderline personality disorder
  • The use of virtual reality technology in the treatment of phobias and PTSD among war veterans
  • The role of childhood adversity on adult mental health in immigrant populations in the USA
  • The role of genetics and epigenetics in the development of bipolar disorder in Pakistani women: an integrative review
  • The effectiveness of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of social anxiety among hikikomori in Japan
  • The perception of healthcare workers and patients on the use of teletherapy for the delivery of psychological services
  • The impact of social support on mental health outcomes among single parents.
  • The effectiveness of integrative therapeutic approaches in the treatment of schizophrenia
  • The effectiveness of trauma-focused therapies on post-traumatic growth in domestic abuse survivors
  • The role and use of cognitive-behavioural therapy for depression among first-generation students
  • The effectiveness of family therapy in addressing childhood trauma and depression
  • The impact of cultural mistrust on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues in culturally-diverse populations
  • The effectiveness of group therapy on post-traumatic stress symptoms among survivors of sexual assault

Research Topic Kickstarter - Need Help Finding A Research Topic?

Research Ideas: Cognitive Psychology

  • The impact of lifelong aerobic exercise on cognitive function in old age
  • The effects of evening screen use on cognitive development in preschool children
  • The impact of sleep deprivation on decision-making among graduate students
  • The use of neuroimaging to understand the neural basis of memory retrieval
  • The effect of conservative religious homes on social functioning in LGBT+ adolescents
  • The role of positive emotions in working memory among high school learners
  • The neural basis of decision-making and problem-solving during undergraduate statistic assessments
  • The neural basis of language processing among adults learning English as a second language
  • The role of technological tools in improving working memory in older adults
  • The role of attention in emotional face processing among adult males
  • The impact of depression on cognitive function during ageing The impact of daily meditation and mindfulness practice on cognitive function
  • The relationship between increased protein intake and improved cognitive function
  • The effects of stress on cognitive function among final-year learners

Research topic evaluator

Research Ideas: Developmental Psychology

  • The impact of maternal affection on cognitive, social, and emotional development
  • The effects of parenting styles on children’s executive function
  • The impact of late-night screen use on child development
  • The role of digital play on child development outcomes
  • Exploring the impact of poverty on early child development in Brazil
  • The trauma-informed care as moderating the impact of trauma on child development
  • Evaluating the relationship between peer relationship quality and child social development
  • The impact of child-targeted media and advertising on child behavioural development
  • The role of parental attachment in child resilience
  • The moderating impact of culture on bullying and child social development
  • The impact of single-parenting on child development in India
  • The impact of early educational interventions on child socio-emotional development
  • The impact of digital technology use on adolescent development and mental health
  • The impact of socioeconomic status on child executive function
  • The role of genetics and epigenetics on child neurodevelopmental outcomes linked to depression

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good topic for psychology research paper

Research Ideas: Educational Psychology

  • The relationship between self-regulated learning and academic performance in asynchronous versus synchronous learning environments
  • Exploring effective parental involvement strategies and their impact on student achievement
  • The role of intrinsic motivation in formative assessment in the classroom
  • The impact of classroom management and practice on student learning and behaviour
  • University students’ preference regarding online learning environments
  • The effects of gentrification on student achievement in traditionally poor neighbourhoods
  • The impact of teacher expectations and academic self-concept on K12 student mathematics performance
  • The use and effectiveness of game-based learning in a high school biology classroom
  • The impact of prejudice on the relationship between student motivation and academic performance among Black university students
  • The impact of culture on second language English student learning preferences
  • The effects of student self-efficacy and engagement on academic performance in secondary school mathematics
  • The role of metacognition in learning musicality in hip hop
  • The role of small group instruction on teacher efficacy and stress in early childhood education
  • The perception and use of multimedia among high school biology teachers in France
  • The use of augmented reality applications and its impact on student learning, motivation and attitude

Research Ideas: Forensic Psychology

  • The impact of trauma on the psychological functioning of police officers and first responders
  • Understanding cultural considerations during forensic psychological assessment and treatment of trauma
  • Ethical considerations of the use of AI in forensic psychology in the legal system
  • The psychological factors related to recidivism among white collar female offenders in the USA
  • The psychological factors related to false confessions among juveniles
  • Understanding the use of psychological assessment in the evaluation of eyewitness testimony in criminal courts in England
  • The impact of trauma on the reflective functioning of adult female sexual assault victims
  • The use and effectiveness of psychological interventions in reducing recidivism among non-violent criminals
  • The impact of domestic violence on the mental health and forensic evaluation of men
  • Exploring the ethical considerations and use of behavioural analysis in the study of criminal behaviour
  • The use and limitations of neuropsychological assessment in forensic evaluations
  • The use of social media forensics in evaluating criminal behaviour in violent crimes
  • The racialised use of psychological assessment in the evaluation of competency to stand trial in Canada
  • Exploring the use and availability of virtual reality technologies in forensic psychology in Spain
  • The impact of motivational interviewing-based interventions among criminalized drug users

Research Ideas: Social Psychology

  • The impact of prejudice and discrimination on social behaviour among African immigrants in South Africa
  • The impact of social networks on behaviour and well-being among young adult females
  • The effects of social identity on non-conformity in University students
  • The effects of group dynamics on risk-seeking behaviour in adult men
  • The impact of social media on the quality of interpersonal relationships among high school learners
  • The impact of parental emotional intelligence on pro-social behaviour in children and adolescents
  • The effects of conformity and deviance on social attitudes and behaviour during a global recession
  • The effects of Tik Tok on social comparison and self-esteem among teenage girls
  • Understanding gendered differences in social influence and algorithms on impulsive decision-making
  • The effects of social support on mental health among healthcare workers in the UK
  • The effects of gender roles on social behaviour among trans teens
  • The impact of perceived power and social status on the behaviour of social media influencers
  • The impact of social norms on prosocial behaviour among women
  • The effects of community participation on aggression and violence in middle-aged men
  • The impact of culture and gender on social behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic

Research Ideas: Sports Psychology

  • The moderating role of cultural factors on the relationship between mental health and sports performance in team sports
  • The role of mindfulness practice in addressing stress and anxiety in young national athletes
  • The relationship between team cohesion and performance in cricket teams
  • The effect of transformational leadership on female sports teams in Canada
  • The effect of positive self-talk on athletic performance and motivation among Olympic athletes
  • The use and perception of hypnosis in New Zealand team sports Understanding stress and burnout in University team athletes
  • The efficacy of personalised nutrition and diet on athletic performance among sprinters
  • Exploring mental preparation techniques and their effect on athletic motivation and resilience among team-sport athletes
  • Exploring the perception and understanding of goal-setting characteristics on athletic performance among team coaches
  • The effects of motivational feedback on the performance of female gymnasts
  • The perception and use of visualization and imagery among coaches as a means to enhance sport performance
  • The impact of sports injuries on mental health and recovery in high school athletes
  • The moderating role of sleep on mental toughness and sports performance in Olympic athletes
  • The use and perception of technology in sports training and performance in little league softball

Free Webinar: How To Find A Dissertation Research Topic

Psychology-Related Dissertations & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic in psychology, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together in practice.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various psychology degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

  • Effects of a Patient Question Prompt List on Outpatient Palliative Care Appointments (McDarby, 2022)
  • The role of affect and exercise goals in physical activity engagement in younger and older adults (Stojanovic, 2022)
  • Lay Theories about Whether Emotion Helps or Hinders Reasoning and Well-being (Karnaze, 2022)
  • The effects of blast-induced traumatic brain injury on two transgenic models of Alzheimer’s Disease (Gann, 2020)
  • Understanding the parental mind: Examining the stability of parental reflective functioning across the birth of a child and associations with maternal mind-mindedness (Pitzen, 2021)
  • An investigation of ineffective ally behaviours (Collier, 2019)
  • Response Inhibition-Related Beta Power: Distinguishing Cognitively Intact Elders by Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease (Evans, 2021)
  • Recognition Memory of Extremely High-Frequency Words (Miller, 2019)
  • The Relationship between Dementia Caregiver Burden and Caregiver Communications in a Memory Clinic Setting (Martin, 2021)
  • Examination of Maternal Versus Paternal Ratings of Child Pre-Injury Functioning in Predicting Child Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms (Sayer, 2021)
  • Electromyography As A Means of Predicting The Rubber Hand Illusion (Teaford, 2021)
  • Linking Diversity Climate and Feedback Seeking Through Interpersonal Processes and Race Effects (Flores, 2021)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are far more specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. This is an important thing to keep in mind as you develop your own research topic. That is to say, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

Fast-Track Your Topic Ideation

Still unsure about how to find the right topic for your research project? Check out our private coaching services , where we work with psychology students on a 1:1 basis to help them find the perfect topic.

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Topic Kickstarter: Research topics in education

10 Comments

Mariam Nakamanya

Great insight

Tom Byaruhanga

A very interesting site that offers a variety of options regarding research topics.

Derek Jansen

You’re most welcome

Aiman Kanwal

A good platform to get information

Chiemerie Lucy Okolo

Amazing and interesting options 👌

Mahwish Haris Awan

Very useful but had not any field of research in health psychology

Aishah

I feel honored going through this lovely stuff put together. Thank you so much

Olaniyan Olatunbosun

I need counseling psychology research topics

Fiso Ncube

very empowering and insightful presentations. Can I be assisted in crafting a school psychology-related research topic about African context

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Master the Art of Research: Topics and Tips for Your Psychology Paper

  • by Psychologs Magazine
  • May 14, 2024
  • 6 minutes read

psychology-research-paper

Writing a psychology research paper is a journey through the depths of human behaviour and mental processes. Therefore, choosing psychology research topics is crucial for a compelling paper. Before diving into your research proposal, a thorough investigation of journal databases like PsychInfo and ERIC can unveil a wealth of relevant studies. The importance of selecting the right topics for psychology research cannot be overstated. It sets the tone for the entire research paper, ensuring your work is grounded in innovative inquiry. A roadmap can be constructed by outlining your ideas of how to go about writing the paper in detail.

Topic Selection

It’s always best to identify general areas of interest in psychology such as cognition and social behavior or mental health. This broad area will help you to narrow down to more specific topics. Identifying gaps in existing research helps to identify areas of interest. This can provide a good foundation for your study and ensure a meaningful contribution to the field of mental health. 

It’s time to narrow down your broad interests to focus on a specific and manageable topic. Structure and organization become essential at this stage to follow. Just remember that the more a research question intrigues you the more it will help you to follow through with all the research phases. 

Also, when you are narrowing down your topic, it is important to select one which is not only in trend currently, but also well-researched. This will help you during the literature review phase of your research process. Lastly, it’s always best to keep in mind guidelines or criteria set by your research guide and educational institution. Your topic should meet academic standards and procedures.

Read More: 6 Reasons You Should Study Psychology

The Review of Literature 

When you begin conducting your literature review, you must refer to online databases like PsycInfo, Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), and Medline to search for relevant research literature.

Make sure to read the abstract, introduction, method, results, and discussion sections of each article. Discussion sections are also important since they highlight gaps in existing research. An Excel sheet must be made where you write down the summaries and key points of each research for your literature review. 

In your literature review, you must describe, compare and evaluate the research studies. The goal of evaluation is to identify gaps and inconsistencies in the literature, thus providing suggestions for solving the research problem. These tips help you develop a thorough literature review. It highlights significant studies as well as sets a foundation for your research paper.

Read More: The Depths of Indian Psychology: Traditions and Modern Insights

Adhering to APA Format

The general structure of the APA format includes the title page, abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion, and references.

The title page should have a running head, page number, title of the paper, author’s name, and institutional affiliation. The title should be concise including the key variables or the study’s focus. The abstract should be on a new page, limited to 120 words. It should summarize the research topic, methods, results, and significance. 

Your introduction should start with an exploration of your research question, including a brief history of the same. The introduction will also include a summary of the previous findings in the form of a literature review. Make sure to address gaps in the current research and how the current research will impact the field.

The method section describes in detail how the research was performed. It includes a description of the participants, the study design, the materials that were used, and the procedure of the study. It is essential to provide enough information for another researcher to duplicate your research.

The results section should describe the data that was collected through descriptive statistics as well as inferential statistics which is your t-test, ANOVA and other appropriate tests for your study. Your discussion has to interpret the results and address your research topic. It is essential to discuss the limitations and scope of future research surrounding your research. 

When referring to current research for your review literature, make sure to compile a list of all the sources . It’s also important to cite them throughout the paper wherever direct quotations are used. Refer to the APA format for in-text citations .

Read More; Do You Know About the Basic Principles of Psychology?

Analyzing Your Data

Descriptive statistics in research provide a summary of your data sets. Calculate the mean, median and mode of your data set. Thereafter, you calculate the dispersion of your data which includes variance, standard deviation and range to understand the spread of your data. 

Creating graphs and charts like histograms, bar charts and scatter plots helps visually present the data. Identify the skewness of your data to understand the asymmetry of your data distribution. Identify the techniques you will analyze your data with like t-tests, regression, or ANOVA. This analysis should help answer your research question. 

These tips help ensure that your data analysis is communicated which makes your findings understandable to other researchers and the psychology community. 

Read more: 10 Job Roles in the Field of Psychology

The importance of selecting engaging and significant topics, conducting comprehensive literature reviews, and adhering to the standards of APA format thus far has been highlighted. Researchers ensure their work helps in the understanding of human behaviour. The journey from topic selection to data presentation has its challenges, however, research papers tend to influence the scholarly community and societal perceptions of psychological phenomena. We encourage aspiring researchers to continually seek out new avenues for inquiry and adopt a critical yet open-minded stance toward their findings. The pursuit of knowledge in psychology research helps formulate interventions and policies that can help human well-being. 

1. What are the top topics for conducting Research in psychology? 

To select a psychology research topic, consider areas such as psychotropic medications for mental health, disorders like anxiety , depression , and bipolar disorder , schizoaffective disorder, accessibility of mental health services, the impact of systemic racism on mental health, and mental health concerns within the LGBTQIA+ community.

2. What are some essential tips for writing an effective psychology research paper? 

When writing a psychology research paper, ensure to support your arguments with solid evidence from scientific studies. Adhere to the appropriate academic format.

3. Where can I get extra help with APA style for my research?

You can find support online and offline to improve your understanding of APA style. The APA Publication Manual is a key resource for guidance on formatting, citations and other important aspects. 

  • Chiang, I. A., Jhangiani, R. S., & Price, P. C. (2015, October 13). Generating good research questions . Pressbooks. https://opentextbc.ca/researchmethods/chapter/generating-good-research-questions/
  • Paré, G., & Kitsiou, S. (2017, February 27). Chapter 9 Methods for literature reviews . Handbook of eHealth Evaluation: An Evidence-based Approach – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK481583/
  • Ratan, S. K., Anand, T., & Ratan, J. (2019). Formulation of research question – Stepwise approach. Journal of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons , 24 (1), 15. https://doi.org/10.4103/jiaps.jiaps_76_18
  • Chiang, I. A., Jhangiani, R. S., & Price, P. C. (2015, October 13). American Psychological Association (APA) style . Pressbooks. https://opentextbc.ca/researchmethods/chapter/american-psychological-association-apa-style/
  • Chiang, I. A., Jhangiani, R. S., & Price, P. C. (2015, October 13). Conducting your analyses . Pressbooks. https://opentextbc.ca/researchmethods/chapter/conducting-your-analyses/
  • Chiang, I. A., Jhangiani, R. S., & Price, P. C. (2015, October 13). Expressing your results . Pressbooks. https://opentextbc.ca/researchmethods/chapter/expressing-your-results/
  • San José State University Writing Center, & Tablas-Mejia, I. (n.d.). Conclusion section for research papers. Fall 2021 . https://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/docs/handouts/Conclusion%20Section%20for%20Research%20Papers.pdf
  • P, B. (2024, March 27). Learn how to write a psychology research paper here . https://www.sharkpapers.com/blog/research-paper-writing-guides/psychology-research-paper

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200 Plus Psychology Research Paper Topics for Students

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Psychology research holds an extraordinary power to unravel the human mind’s and behavior’s complexities. The key to unlocking this power lies in selecting the right research topic. It’s like picking up a topic that can lead to remarkable discoveries and profound insights. Speaking of which, this blog post presents over 200 awe-inspiring psychology research paper topics for students and researchers alike. Of course, a Best  Affordable writing service  can help, but these topics will allow you to handle your assignment independently. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Best Techniques for Choosing a Perfect Psychology Research Paper Topic

Here are some of the best techniques to help you in selecting the perfect psychology research topic:

Personal Interest

Think about what sparks your interest in psychology. Pick something that intrigues you, and you’d like to learn more about. This way, the research will be much more enjoyable and motivating for you to dig deeper.

Literature Review

Do a thorough search of the psychology literature to get a sense of all the research that has been done. See what questions have been answered, what hasn’t been answered, and what new and interesting trends have emerged. That’ll help you hone in on a topic that could be meaningful for the field.

Brainstorming

Try having some brainstorming sessions to come up with ideas for research topics. Jot down any thoughts that come to mind, even if they initially seem a bit out there. Look into different parts of psychology that interest you, like different theories or applications.

Consult with Professors and Peers

See if you can get advice from experienced teachers or mentors who know their stuff and can give you helpful tips and advice. Talking to other people in the same field as you can also help to give you new ideas and help you figure out what to research.

Feasibility and Resources

Consider whether you have the resources, data, and time for your chosen topic. Ensure you have the right research materials, data-gathering techniques, and ethical issues figured out for your topic.

Relevance and Impact

Think about how important your research topic is. Does it tackle a big problem or add something new to the field of psychology? Consider the effects and implications of your research to ensure it makes a real difference.

Narrowing Down

Once you’ve got some ideas for potential topics, look at them and see how they match up with factors like the amount of research you’d need to do, how realistic it is, and whether it fits with the goals you have for your studies. Pick something specific enough to get into it but broad enough that there’s a lot to explore.

200 Unique and Impressive Psychology Research Topics

Here’s the list of impressive psychology research topics:

Clinical Psychology Research Paper Topics

Clinical psychology is a fascinating science branch, even though it can be complicated. When it comes to picking research topics, students can find themselves stuck. But this list is the answer.

  • Clinical Contributions to the Psychology
  • Psychological and emotional processes of revenge
  • Compare two different psychological disorders
  • Comparison and contrast between two different types of therapy.
  • How people’s lives are affected by anxiety disorders
  • Disorder diagnosis and clinical treatment
  • Symptoms and effects of long-term childhood trauma
  • Impact of trauma-based disorders on daily life functioning
  • Emotional and sexual abuse, differences, and symptoms
  • Use and Effectiveness of online therapy in  clinical psychology
  • Most effective treatments for treating childhood behavioral disorders
  • Influence of the aging process on mental illness
  • Psychological trauma due to fear of war
  • The trauma of living in a war
  • Identification and Early Intervention of Victims of recent trauma

Cognitive Psychology Research Paper Topics

If you are into cognitive psychology, check out this list of  great research topics .

  • Choice behavior: Analytical Study
  • Speech perception and communication
  • Sentence processing and language acquisition
  • Short-term and long-term memory: Psychology of forgetting
  • Retrieval from memory, nature, and analysis
  • Visual and auditory imagery: Mechanisms and behaviors
  • Control and dynamics of the Memorial system
  • Reading and Understanding
  • Conceptual representation and categorization
  • Visual perception and optical behaviors
  • Speech and auditory recognition and characterization
  • Focus and division of attention
  • Cognitive processing
  • Collective and individual obedience–psychological explanation
  • Reasoning process – Study in comparison between adults and children
  • Why do some people stay young and some age prematurely
  • The ability to read and spell in children with disabilities

Developmental Psychology

Here’s another list of fascinating topics on the interesting subject of psychology.

  • Do the kids who eat breakfast do better in school than those who don’t?
  • Impact of parenting style on Children’s physical activity level
  • How lack of involvement or authoritarian parents’ behavior impacts their children’s activity level
  • Are bullied students more likely to have lower grades than their non-bullied peers?
  • Impacts of Bullying on a Child’s academic progress
  • Changes in short-term memory as we age
  • Do brain games like word searches, sudoku, and word matching help older adults sharpen their cognitive skills?
  • Does birth order have an impact on a child’s behaviour regarding  procrastination ? Are firstborns less likely to procrastinate?

Evolutionary Psychology Research Paper Topics

Being a psychology student, you must know how the field has evolved. Here you go with the list:

  • History and Foundations of Psychology
  • Socio-family deprivation and institutionalization of minors
  • Pyschopedagogical study of gifted children
  • Authority and consequences as determining criteria for understanding and remembering stories of socio-conventional content
  • Personality and functions of the teacher according to non-directive orientations
  • Qualitative analysis: concept and possibilities through graphic language
  • Motivation, interest, and aptitude of the mentally handicapped toward sport
  • Assessment of thinking skills in situations of social interaction
  • Conditioning Dimensions in the Practice of school integration
  • Associative Competition in human learning
  • Students conceptions and conceptual change
  • A longitudinal study on the knowledge of the digestive process in Primary Education
  • Self-esteem and achievement Motivation of schoolchildren

Forensic Psychology Research Paper Topics

If forensic psychology is your interest, you can go with a topic from this list.

  • Juridical and Legal Psychology
  • Forensic Psychopathology
  • Advice and experts in the judicial field
  • Evaluation and Intervention in Separation and divorce processes
  • Evaluation and treatment of victims (domestic violence, sexual abuse, head injuries, etc.)
  • Evaluation, treatment, and Prognosis of Adult and juvenile delinquents
  • Assessment of Psychic Damage
  • psychology of testimony
  • Evaluation of Civil and labor capacity
  • Court internment.
  • Research and Training in Forensic Psychology
  • Guardianship and Custody of minors (capacity of the spouses)
  • Establish visiting regime and monitoring of it
  • Adoption and guardianship of minors.
  • The psychological effect of Separation or Divorce
  • Nullity processes
  • Deprivation of parental authority

Health Topics for Psychology Research Paper

Health and psychology are pretty much interrelated. Find out more about these research topics before you proceed to create a psychology  research paper outline . 

  • Health promotion and disease prevention
  • Reproductive Health
  • Children’s Health and the Role of Psychology
  • Health of adolescents
  • Patient care and Intervention with aesthetic requests
  • Historical evolution of the causal interpretation of the health-disease process
  • The Psychology of Health: the construction of a Field
  • Health Psychology: background, definition, and Perspectives
  • Health psychology: conceptual and historical aspects
  • Health psychology perspectives in the United States
  • Psychology and collective health
  • Psychological pathologies and their social dimension
  • Stress and social support
  • Psychological care for chronic patients
  • Overt disease at diagnosis
  • Risk factors. Stress. Personal variables
  • Adaptation and adjustment to the disease
  • Psychology of Death and Coping with Death

Neuropsychology Topics for Paper

Here you go with another list of hot psychology research topics related to neuropsychology:

  • Concept and History of Neuropsychology
  • Biological bases of higher mental processes
  • Diagnostic and evaluation techniques in Neuropsychology
  • Memory disturbances: Amnesia
  • Agnosia’s: Deficits in object recognition
  • Aphasias: Language disorders
  • Apraxia: Movement control disorders
  • Alternatives that you can currently use to maintain a healthy mind
  • Symptoms and treatment of motion sickness
  • The Intervention of virtual reality in Neurorehabilitation
  • Causes of acquired brain damage
  • Sleep Disorders and the Intervention of Neuropsychology
  • The effects of alcohol on the brain
  • Elastic epilepsy and its way of affecting the patient
  • Causes, symptoms, and treatments of Gelastic Epilepsy
  • Neuroeducation and its implementation in the classroom
  • Benefits of neuropsychological exercises in Patients and Society
  • Disorders in the Development of Oral and written language
  • Post-stroke depression and the Impact it leaves on the patient
  • The Mozart Effect and its Intervention in the Brain

Occupational Psychological Topics to Research

This one is a mildly touched area regarding psychology research. It means you have a greater chance of surprising your professor by choosing a topic from here.

  • Anxiety and its Impact on work performance
  • Work efficiency parameters from an emotional approach
  • Emotional effects of work stress
  • Variables of the personality of an individual with emotional disorders
  • Behavior and organizational development of a Worker
  • Perspectives of the Quality of working life and its effective organizational relationship
  • Methodology designed to promote the comprehensive development of personnel in a government company
  • Action plan to improve relations between senior managers and subordinates
  • Emotional marketing strategies to increase employee confidence
  • Sexual harassment at work: Causes and measures of prevention
  • Diversity, inclusion, and equity: How does it impact labor organizations
  • Work well-being and its influence
  • How to encourage employee motivation
  • Psychometric Evaluations in the Workplace
  • Measures to control work stress
  • Work Stress in Pakistan
  • Proposal of strategies for the selection, evaluation, and training by competencies
  • Incidences of psychosocial risks that affect the work performance of the subordinates

Analytical Psychology Research Paper Topics

What’s the Role of Analytics in Psychology? Find out this and more by researching a topic from this list.

  • Articulation of psychic opposites
  • The Individual process of naturalness of growth
  • The deployment of the self
  • Psychic transformation
  • Psychic functions in opposition
  • Jung as an Analytical psychologist
  • The Jungian Creative Unconscious
  • Opposites and self-regulation of the psyche

Applied Psychology Topics for Research

Research these topics and learn how psychology can do wonders for human beings.

  • How some background music in a work environment can contribute to higher productivity
  • What kind of prompts will inspire people to volunteer their time to charities
  • Strategies that work best to motivate workers
  • Research to find the treatment approach is most effective in reducing anxiety.
  • A program for the development of prosocial behaviors in kindergarten children
  • Collaborative episodes regulated by an academic peer in problem-solving
  • Functional analysis of the behavior
  • The economy from inter behaviorism
  • Inter behavioral analysis of contingencies (perspective)
  • Analysis of reading adjustment of deaf students

Behavioral Psychology Research Paper Topics

It’s very important to know what impacts people’s moods.

  • Psychological effects produced by the pandemic
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Mood disorders
  • Couple’s therapy
  • Youth Child Therapy
  • Innovative Technologies to Apply in Psychology
  • Internet addiction
  • Third generation therapies
  • Psychological evaluation
  • Statistics and psychometrics

Community Psychology Topics for Research

How important is psychology for the well-being of a community? Research on these topics and get to know them.

  • The benefits of putting a psychologist in Community Social Services
  • State of development, progress, and obstacles for the communal healing
  • The Psychology of Social Intervention as a conceptual framework
  • Definition and institutional background of the System of Social Services
  • Background and analysis of the insertion process of psychologists
  • Analysis of the policy construction process
  • The tension generated by care models and palliatives used in social policies
  • Tension regarding strategies participatory and empowering

Consumer Psychology Topics

There’s also a science behind a consumer preferring one product or one seller over the other. Find that out with these consumer psychology research topics.

  • Consumer behavior
  • A Strategic Model of Economic and Social Networks
  • Social network theory
  • Communication and power
  • Personal influence: the individual in the process of mass communication
  • Networks and groups: models of strategic formation
  • Structural Investigation of Supply Networks
  • The evolving brand logic: A service-dominant logic perspective
  • Consumer Co-creation in New Product Development

If you want to make a big splash in the field of psychology research, it all starts with choosing the right topic. Hopefully, this blog post was helpful in letting you know about some interesting topics for your psychology research. If you are still in sixes and sevens about how to write a psychology research paper, just count on the professional expertise of  our writers  to get you through.

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Research Paper Guide

Psychology Research Topics

Last updated on: Dec 19, 2023

Psychology Research Topics - 170+ Ideas for Your Paper

By: Nathan D.

17 min read

Reviewed By: Jacklyn H.

Published on: Feb 10, 2023

Psychology Research Topics

Choosing psychology research topics is not as easy as one might think. If you have to write a good research paper, choosing a good topic is the foremost step. You may have several ideas in your mind while thinking of a topic for the research paper.

Good  research paper writing  needs a good topic. If you have chosen a broad topic, you will have to do a lot of research and background study. It is better to choose a narrow topic to focus on a particular subject while researching and writing.

Psychology is a vast subject that discusses different multidisciplinary issues and brings together a wide range of topics.

You can conduct analysis and research before deciding your topic. This is the reason that it is better to go for a narrow topic. It is also easier for the researcher to research the topic in psychology and conduct analysis with proper details.

Psychology Research Topics

On this Page

How to Choose a Topic?

You can choose a topic from any social branch of psychology. You can also select a topic that is related to some sort of mental illness or mental disorder.

The topic may be complex and require a lot of research and analytical study. But the writer can cover all the aspects of the specific topic.

Choosing a good topic is the essential step when you start writing a research proposal. An interesting and new topic is what catches your teacher’s attention. And it gets your idea accepted, apart from, of course, a well-written proposal itself.

Studying some good psychology topics for your papers is the first step when conducting research. Once you have selected the topic, the next step is writing the research paper.

Topic Generator

Discover Captivating Topics in a Click!

Psychology Research Topics For High School Students

High school students often explore psychology through research as a great way to learn more. With so many interesting topic, it can be hard to decide which one to study. 

Here are some ideas for psychological research topics that may help narrow down your search.

  • How does color affect human behavior?
  • Examine the mental health of children with disabilities
  • Analyzing the effects of racism on an individual's mental health 
  • The role of technology in student learning
  • Investigating the correlation between depression and social media usage 
  • Is there a connection between video games and violence?
  • Understanding the impact of childhood trauma on adult behavior 
  • Exploring gender identity in adolescence 
  • How does sleep deprivation affect mental health?
  • Examine the psychological effects of media consumption on teenagers

Psychology Research Topics for College Students

If you are a psychology student struggling to develop a topic for your research, the following ideas will be helpful. The professional writers of 5StarEssays.com have gathered some exceptional topics to help college students draft compelling papers.

  • The social identity theory of Tajfel and Turner.
  • Significance of strong self-perception?
  • REM phase and continuous sleep disruption.
  • How does the brain function when a person is in love?
  • Differences in the functioning of the brain of a man and woman.
  • How do different forms of amnesia damage brain activity?
  • Can PTSD lead to Alzheimer’s disease?
  • Impact of yoga on human psychology.
  • An autistic brain under MRI.
  • Causes and effects of sleep paralysis
  • How to treat multiple personality disorders?
  • Symptoms and treatment of ADHD
  • Social factors that trigger panic attacks.
  • Symptoms, causes, and treatment of dementia
  • Similarities and differences among midlife crises of a man and a woman.

Research Topics In Psychology For University Students

Psychology allows us to explore the depths of human behavior and gain insight into why people think, feel, and act the way they do. For university students interested in exploring this area further, there are many interesting research topics to choose from. 

Here are some options to consider:

  • The Role of Genetics in Mental Health
  • How Technology Impacts Mental Health Outcomes
  • The Psychological Impact of Racism
  • Cyberbullying Prevention Strategies
  • Sleep and Memory
  • The Influence of Social Media on Adolescents’ Self-Esteem
  • The Effects of Music on Emotion
  • Mental Health Stigma in the Workplace
  • The Role of Gender in Mental Health
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a Treatment for Stress

Criminal Psychology Research Paper Topics

  • The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Criminal Behavior 
  • Examining the Impact of Poverty and Socioeconomic Disadvantage on Crime Rates 
  • Exploring the Role of Technology in Modern Day Crime 
  • Investigating Media Portrayals of Criminals and their Effectiveness 
  • Analyzing Trends and Patterns in Juvenile Delinquency 
  • Examining the Effectiveness of Drug Abuse Treatment Programs on Criminal Behavior 
  • Understanding the Relationship between Mental Illness and Crime 
  • Exploring Effective Strategies for Rehabilitating Criminals in Prisons 
  • Investigating the Impact of Religion on Criminal Mindsets 
  • Examining Gender Differences in Criminal Behavior 

Biological Psychology Research Paper Topics

  • The Role of Neurotransmitters in Emotional Regulation 
  • Brain Development and the Impact of Early Childhood Experiences 
  • Exploring Neural Network Connectivity and Its Role in Behavior 
  • How Do Cortical Mechanisms Contribute to Cognitive Processes? 
  • The Effects of Stress on Memory Formation 
  • The Impact of Social Interactions on the Development of Mental Illness 
  • Examine the Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Functioning 
  • Investigating Neuroplasticity in Response to Environmental Stimuli 
  • Exploring Hormone-Induced Changes in Brain Activity  
  • The Role of Neurotransmitters in Addiction 
  • Exploring Sex Differences in Brain Circuitry and its Impact on Behavior.

Social Psychology Research Topics

  • Racism and its effects
  • What is Homophobia?
  • Social issues involving or related to culture
  • What is social depression?
  • What is social cognition?
  • How does social anxiety affect people?
  • Gender roles in our society
  • Gender discrimination and its causes
  • How does peer pressure affect teenagers?
  • Effect of marital disputes on children
  • How do violent video games affect children and their brain development?
  • Effect of violent cartoons on children's behavior and mental state
  • How does divorce affect the emotional development of a child?
  • Social anxiety and social depression on an introverted child
  • How does bullying affect the social interaction of teenagers in high school or college?

Cognitive Psychology Research Topics

  • What are the effects of attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder on the development of a child?
  • Discuss the effects of Autism.
  • How is color psychology effective in cognitive development studies?
  • What is the attention span, and how to measure it?
  • Memory loss and different ways to recover it
  • How do memories affect the behavior of individuals?
  • Which factors can help improve problem-solving abilities in children?
  • What is a speech disorder, and how does it affect cognitive development?
  • What is critical thinking, and how to measure its ability in cognitive psychology?
  • How can subconsciousness affect decision-making ability?
  • Increasing violence among teenagers and children
  • What causes bullying behavior among children?
  • Factors that can contribute to delay in the mental development of a child.
  • The effect of romantic movies on a child
  • Is single parenting suitable for a child’s mental development?

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Controversial Psychology Research Paper Topics

  • The influence of video games on aggression in teenagers
  • Gender roles in society: An analysis of stereotypes
  • The impact of race and ethnicity on mental health
  • The effects of television violence on children’s behavior
  • Attitudes towards death penalty: Should it be abolished?
  • Causes and effects of anxiety disorders
  • The effectiveness of psychotherapy in treating depression
  • The role of media in promoting body image dissatisfaction among youth
  • Is intelligence determined mainly by genetics or environment?
  • Impact of poverty on psychological development
  • Workplace bullying and its consequences for employees’ mental health 

Cultural Psychology Research Paper Topics

  • Analyzing the Role of Social Communication Platforms in Shaping Culture 
  • Examining the Impact of Cultural Diversity on Mental Health 
  • Exploring Linguistic Influences on Cognitive Development 
  • Investigating How Media Portrayal Affects Cultural Expectations and Ideologies 
  • Assessing the Influence of Different Cultural Values on Identity Development 
  • Studying the Relationship between Cultural Practices and Gender Roles 
  • Examining Intergenerational Transmission of Culture through Family Dynamics 
  • Analyzing the Effects of Political and Economic Structures on Cultural Beliefs and Behaviors 
  • Understanding How Social Norms Impact Moral Decision Making 
  • Investigating the Impact of Religion on Cultural Attitudes and Practices 

Developmental Psychology Research Topics

  • Bullying and its effect on mental development.
  • The role of media and cartoons in increasing violence.
  • How violent video games and cartoons can make children violent?
  • Underlying causes that can create a serial killer
  • Causes of increase in the psychopathic behavior of teenagers and youth
  • Stereotypes and gender roles in our society
  • Abusive parents and child development
  • Effects of child abuse on the mental development of a child
  • Factors that can accelerate the aging process
  • Is psychology related to the aging process?
  • Long term effects of mental health issues
  • How can drugs affect our youth’s mental health in the long run?
  • The effects of medication on your mental health
  • Effects of postpartum depression on mental health
  • How does sleeping disorder lead to other mental illnesses?

Found a topic to write about but don’t know how to start? Here’s an informative video on how to write your research paper.

Abnormal Psychology Research Topics

  • What are the causes of the increasing anorexia rate in children?
  • Causes of anorexia in adults
  • Causes of anxiety disorder and how to overcome it
  • Why is there an increase in eating disorders among the youth?
  • What are the factors that contribute to an eating disorder?
  • Is lying related to the psychology of a person?
  • Causes of the rise in teenage suicides
  • Is asexuality related to the psychology of a person?
  • Psychology and suicidal thoughts
  • How to control anxiety and depressing thoughts regarding death?
  • What factors can cause multiple personality disorders?
  • Violent video games are a cause of mood disorders among children.
  • Reasons for phobias and how to deal with them
  • Causes of PTSD in offices or workplace
  • Is stalking considered a psychological disorder?

Clinical Psychology Research Topics

  • Psychology can be used to get control of chronic pain.
  • Recent studies suggest that anxiety and panic attacks can be treated using cognitive therapy.
  • Is behavioral therapy effective in treating criminals?
  • Antidepressants can be addictive, and their usage should be avoided.
  • Factors that contribute to post-traumatic stress disorder
  • What are the therapy practices effective in dealing with depression?
  • Effect of an abusive relationship on the psychology of the victim
  • Are antidepressants effective as a remedy for therapy?
  • Insomnia – How to treat it in a clinical scenario?
  • Which therapy practices are effective in treating addictions?
  • Panic attacks and anxiety disorder - How to treat them through therapies?
  • Psychological disorders and their clinical treatments
  • Causes of Social anxiety and how to treat them?
  • Phobias and Paranoias - Treatment through medication and therapy.
  • Schizophrenia and the recommended therapies.

Child Psychology Research Topics

  • Describe the legal, ethical, and psychological aspects of adoption.
  • Negligence of parents is the main cause of childhood obesity. Agreed?
  • What are the reasons behind the rising depression in children?
  • Explain the introvert personality. What are the consequences of being an introvert, especially in children?
  • What are the psychological effects of child abuse? Explain the preventive and remedial measures of childhood abuse.
  • What are the consequences of a self-centered mother on a child’s mental wellbeing?
  • Explain the phases of a child’s psychological development and growth.
  • Does the birth order have any effect on a child’s personality and accomplishments? If yes, then explain how and why?
  • How do violent music and video games impact a child’s behavior and mind?
  • What are the different kinds of torture, and what are their effects on a child’s mind and adult life?
  • Causes of increasing depression among the youth
  • What are the physical symptoms of a mental disorder in children?
  • Causes of antisocial behavior among teenagers
  • Causes and effects of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children
  • Impact of spanking on child’s psychology.

Sports Psychology Research Topics

  • What are the future trends in sports psychology? Explain the arguments in light of the high chances of head injuries in football, hockey, and rugby.
  • What are the recent changes in team sport and locker room dynamics in sports? Explain your claims with solid evidence and present some future implications also.
  • What are the reasons for low health in low-income neighborhoods? How can we use sports and physical activities to promote good health?
  • What are the effects and role of the Olympics in promoting sports in the nations that are not active in sports due to underfunding? How can they change their state and invest in games?
  • What role do the psychological tests play in determining whether a new athlete coming from the collegiate level will be prone to steroids or violence?
  • What are the psychological implications of having a well-known coach on the team? Does it matter if the coach is famous?
  • What are the problems faced by young and new coaches? Do they feel pressured and are more prone to injuries? State the reasons with examples.
  • Explain the term team chemistry. What is the role of team chemistry in building a sound team and supporting the teammates?
  • What are the tactics that athletes can use to control and manage their emotions effectively? Discuss the role of negative emotions in violent sports like boxing.
  • How has sport psychology evolved in the last twenty years?
  • Significance of sports psychology to promote mental health.
  • Effects of steroids on the mental activity of athletes. How does it negatively affect you? What can be done to avoid it?
  • Relationship issues and the sports performance of an athlete. How are they related?
  • Are panic attacks common in a sportsman’s life? How to deal with them?
  • How does a sleeping disorder influence the stamina of the sportsman?

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Experimental Psychology Research Topics

  • Can colors play a role in enhancing a person’s mood? Explain how the color blue can make a person feel relaxed and calm.
  • Explain the notorious human experiments in history. What are their ethical shortcomings?
  • What is the impact of breakfast on a person's overall day-to-day activities?
  • What is the relationship between the use of social media and the rising cases of violence in adolescents?
  • It is said that geniuses are made, not born. How true is this statement?
  • Explain the term Mood Freezing and its implications.
  • What is hindsight bias, and how can it be prevented?
  • What is a double foot-in-door, and how is it used to manipulate someone?
  • What affects the heuristic? Explain it with examples.
  • Human cloning can be the answer for childless couples. How true is the statement?
  • Causes and effects of dehumanization in Stanford prison.
  • Analysis of Milgram’s shock experiment on the unfamiliar environment.
  • How can aggression be controlled?
  • Obedience and compliance as a function of social status.
  • How does group belonging influence an individual’s behavior?

Forensic Psychology Research Topics

  • The increasing susceptibility that has led to more home-grown terrorists emerging
  • The effectiveness of rehabilitation in prisons and the criminal justice system
  • Juvenile murders and what factors affect areas with higher rates of murders carried out by children.
  • How does a role in law enforcement impact an individual’s private life?
  • Is enough being done to minimize the risks of those in special education ending up in the penal system?
  • What is the cause of mass killings in the U.S.?
  • Is society neglecting domestic violence that is aimed towards men?
  • Explain the role of the internet, movies, and video games in augmenting copycat crimes.
  • What is internet police? Explain some useful strategies for effective internet policing.
  • What is the role of upbringing in preventing the making of a serial killer? Can a better upbringing prevent it?
  • Rules of conduct to follow by the forensic psychologist in the court.
  • Risk factors for unreliable evidence.
  • Reliability and legitimacy of an eyewitness’s memory.
  • The credibility of the statement of a mentally challenged eyewitness.
  • Rules to follow by psychologists when verbally interacting with criminals in court.

Interesting Psychology Research Topics

  • The effects of media exposure on mental health 
  • The role of social media in the formation of relationships 
  • How childhood experiences shape personality development 
  • The impact of personality traits on academic performance 
  • Relationship between drug use and criminal behavior 
  • Understanding the motivations behind substance abuse 
  • The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy 
  • Exploring the effects of different parenting styles 
  • Investigating the role of memory in decision making 
  • Examining gender roles and their impact on behavior 
  • Analyzing the relationships between emotion and cognition

Another easy way to choose psychology research paper topics for your research paper is to write about a famous historical person.

The topic, as narrow as it is, allows the researcher to focus on specific areas. You can also choose to research and write about a psychology career. A case study on an individual by providing a detailed analysis using your research techniques will be great.

Some additional  research paper topics  will help you carry out meaningful and interesting research.

Tips to Write a Research Paper

However, there are no universal processes for writing a good research paper, but you can follow the following steps:

1. Develop an outline

Before you start writing your research paper, it’s important to develop an outline that will guide your writing process.  An outline should include the main points and arguments you want to make throughout the paper. It will help keep your ideas organized and help you stay on track.

2. Research thoroughly

Research is the most important part of writing a research paper. 

Make sure you do your due diligence in researching thoroughly and that you’re gathering reliable sources from trusted experts or academics.

3. Develop a thesis statement

Once you have researched, it’s time to develop a thesis statement that’ll act as the main argument throughout your paper. This should be clear and concise while still conveying all the most important points you want to make.

4. Write a first draft

Once you’ve developed an outline and a thesis statement, it’s time to start writing your first draft. This is where you can really get creative and start fleshing out your ideas and arguments in full sentences. 

Remember not to get too bogged down in the details. Just focus on getting your ideas on paper.

5. Use citations

Once you’ve finished your research, it’s important to correctly cite all your sources. 

This will ensure that you’re giving credit where it’s due. It will also help your readers verify the accuracy of your research.

6. Revise and proofread

Once you’ve finished your first draft, it’s time to go back over it and make any necessary revisions or edits. Make sure that all of your arguments are still clear and supported by evidence and that your paper flows in a logical and coherent manner. 

Additionally, make sure you check for any typos, spelling errors, and grammatical mistakes.

After you’ve revised and proofread your research paper, it’s time to submit it! 

Make sure that you follow all the required submission guidelines of the publication or professor you’re submitting to.

Let’s sum it up!

Writing a research paper can seem like an arduous task, but you can write a winning paper with enough determination and focus. Remember to always back up your points with evidence and create a logical flow in order for your message to be effectively communicated. 

With hard work and dedication, you can create an impactful research paper that will engage your readers. So make sure to take the time to hone your skills and craft a compelling piece of writing!

If you need help, here is a complete guide to writing a research paper that includes everything you need to write a perfect paper. 

Not every student has the writing skills or time to dedicate to a research paper. In this case, seeking help from professional writers is the best available option.

5StarEssays.com has a team of professional writers who can write high-quality academic papers, including term papers to custom essays. Ask our writers to ‘ write my essay ’ and avail of all the professional services.

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You can also check out AI essay typer and generate parts of your research paper through it with accurate citations to use as reference. 

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Psychology research topics are definitely intriguing. We encounter this science in everyday life. Thus, learning more about it is a great advantage. However, when it comes to academic work or studies, it might be rather challenging to come up with a good topic for your research paper. You might also have several interesting options to study psychological effects or social cues, but narrowing that study will be yet another issue. Or maybe you have chosen a disorder to analyze, but you don’t know how to frame the paper. Whatever the case may be, don’t look any further. We have everything you need and even more to inspire you. So keep on reading to get inspiration for your research! 

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Psychology Research Topics: How to Choose

Scope of psychology research paper topics is numerous. This direction of social studies topics is literally thriving with ideas. But getting the right idea is still a challenge. Many students don’t know how to approach their research, and that is so natural. So check out the steps below to know how you can create your own theme:

  • Go through class material and focus on themes you have personally enjoyed.
  • Create a list of those ideas.
  • Go through your good research topics and try to research whether they have a gap.
  • If you have found a theme that does have a gap, congratulations, as it is perfect.
  • Your next step is to narrow it down and start writing.

Social Psychology Research Topics

Social psychology research paper topics are always current. We all face certain social issues, so taking a closer look at them would be a pretty awesome experience. Here you can talk about various disorders, issues with cognition, or similar themes. Take a look below to see possible ideas:

  • Depression: Influence on everyday life.
  • Cognition and social interpretation.
  • Anxiety: Prevalence among adolescents.
  • First steps in verbal expression.
  • The instinct modification.
  • Conditioned response: general aspects.
  • How do we acquire our basic reactions?
  • Inherited and acquired in reference to instinct: Their meaning.
  • Physical factors in mental retardation.
  • Environment: Its influence on mental ability.

Health Psychology Research Topics

Research topics for psychology can also focus on your overall health and life. Our life greatly depends on mental development. So by examining more about the connection between health and psychology, you can learn something for yourself as well. Our list of subjects is below:

  • Health psychology: Its main aims.
  • Developing the contemporary concern with exercise behavior.
  • Cultural diversity in illness distribution.
  • Personal environment relationships.
  • Social networks and connectedness.
  • The construct of self.
  • Transactional theory of health.
  • Conditional and unconditional risks.
  • Life quality: Its main measures.
  • Protection motivation theory.

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Clinical Psychology Research Topics

Research topics in clinical psychology are more than relevant. Many people require help when it comes to their mental health. Therefore, you can see how professionals deal with disorders or therapy. Take a look at possible topics that you can find next:  

  • Clinical psychology: Art and science.
  • Personality disorders.
  • Working with people with anxiety disorders.
  • Family therapy.
  • Stress: Vulnerability model of mental illness.
  • Relationship dynamics.
  • Communication and creativity when working with children.
  • Clinical leadership.
  • Therapy for people with psychosis.
  • Language: Implications when talking to a patient.

>> Read more: Mental Health Research Paper Topics

Sports Psychology Research Topics

Sports psychology topics for research papers will be fun, especially for those who actually enjoy sports and their trends. Here you can combine science with sports and talk about football or hockey. Just don’t forget to incorporate evidence, and you have a very good paper on your hands. Hopefully some of these ideas will fit:

  • Sport psychology: A brief history.
  • Sensation seeking or telic dominance.
  • Distinguishing successful from unsuccessful athletes.
  • Social learning theory: Evaluation.
  • Structural approach to sport: Applications.
  • What are children’s attitudes to sport?
  • Cognitive dissonance theory: Evaluation.
  • Frustration-aggression hypothesis.
  • Somatic or cognitive anxiety.
  • Cohesiveness and performance.

Developmental Psychology Research Paper Topics

Developmental psychology research topics focus mostly on  human development . We all grow and change in different ways. So one of the main questions is what precisely can influence human behavior. What makes people who they are? This and even more similar questions wait for you:  

  • Development and its threats.
  • Violence: Its route and possible solutions.
  • Standart social behavior.
  • Life span, growth and development.
  • Intellectual development.
  • Race, culture as well as psychological theory.
  • Kohlberg’s theory of moral reasoning.
  • Attachment theory.
  • Kernberg’s theory of normal as well as pathological development.
  • Contributions of cognitive science approach to cognitive developmental psychology.

Educational Psychology Research Topics

Educational psychology research paper topics will be especially interesting for students. It is all about how we can make education even more effective with the help of proper techniques. Suppose you know how to do a research paper but can not choose the right topic. Look at these ideas, and maybe you would like something:

  • Teachers’ perspectives on learning.
  • Major theories and models of learning.
  • Physical development during the school years.
  • Differences in cultural expectations and styles.
  • Cognitive development: theory of Jean Piaget.
  • Effects of gender differences in the classroom.
  • Social development: relationships, personal motives, and morality.
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Its influence on a person.
  • Moral development: forming a sense of rights and responsibilities.
  • Motives as goals: Factors affecting them.

Read philosophical paper topics , they may help with some fresh and interesting ideas for your weiting.

Undergraduate Research Topics Psychology

Research topics in psychology for undergraduate students focus on current and interesting ideas. Here we can include practically anything. Thus, you can choose something that interests you personally or take a look at some of the ideas given below:

  • Effective verbal communication.
  • What events are appraised as stressful?
  • Effective nonverbal communication.
  • Selye’s general adaptation syndrome.
  • Structures of participation: effects on communication.
  • Physiological versus self-report measures.
  • Self as well as peer assessment.
  • Eating disorders: Their main causes.
  • Role of social relationships.
  • Effects of screening on the psychological state of the individual.

>> More ideas: Communiction Research Topics

Psychology Research Topics for College Students

Psychology research paper topics for college students will be slightly more complex than for high schoolers. But harder means also more interesting and complex. Here we pay enough attention to recent trends:

  • Cannon’s fight or flight model.
  • Laboratory versus naturalistic measures.
  • Life events theory.
  • The transactional model of stress.
  • The role of dieting in mood as well as cognitive changes.
  • Physical problems with a weight concern model of eating behavior.
  • A pre-existing psychological abnormality.
  • Acquired dependency.
  • Using information to improve recovery.
  • Predicting recovery from MI.

Easy Psychology Research Topics

Easy psychology research paper topics are also here. If you think that science cannot be intriguing and interesting, we are ready to prove you wrong. So we hope that the themes down below will impress with how easy the best of them are:

  • Cognitive development across the lifespan.
  • Personality as traits.
  • Social cognition.
  • Psychotherapy.
  • Defining a disorder.
  • Causes and effects of anxiety, OCD, as well as PTSD.
  • Social influences.
  • Social relationships.
  • Biomedical therapy.

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Child Psychology Research Topics

Child psychology research paper topics obviously focus on the development of kids. Here you can talk about varied disorders, cognitive development, as well as similar critical points. Do any of the ideas catch your eye?

  • The behavior of the human infant during the first thirty days of life.
  • Identification, components of the AAMD behaviours scale.
  • Stages of moral development.
  • Punishments and rewards.
  • Factors influencing moral development.
  • Characteristics of a creative child.
  • Development of conscience.
  • Secondary circular reaction.
  • Method of observing children's interest.
  • Maturation as well as hearing.

Good Psychology Research Topics

Good research topics for psychology will be current and have certain gaps that you can fill in. Excellent ones will also use material from your class. So make sure that one of the ideas below was mentioned during your studies:

  • Socialization process in early childhood.
  • Social influences on personality.
  • The pre scientific period in child psychology.
  • Self-regulation and health behavior.
  • Self-determination theory.
  • Barriers to modifying poor health behaviors.
  • Is screening cost-effective?
  • How does stress cause illness?
  • Psychological state and immunity.
  • How does control mediate the stress — illness link?

Controversial Topics in Psychology for Research Paper

Research topics in psychology are not always straightforward. Believe it or not, science can be controversial. Hence, you can choose to  write a research paper  on an intriguing and controversial topic. Here is a list of certain things people might disagree on:  

  • Power relations between men and women.
  • Social norms of the gay community.
  • Discourses about sex, HIV and illness.
  • Sex as an interaction between individuals.
  • Integrating developmental and decision-making approaches to contraception use.
  • Is alcohol consumption bad for health?
  • Is smoking bad for health?
  • Agreement between health professional and patient.
  • The role of illusions.
  • Influences of traumatic experiences on violent individuals.

Experimental Psychology Research Topics

Research topics in psychology can also include some experimental stuff. The science we’re discussing is a rather dynamic field. So trends change and substitute one another. Topics you will find below narrow down precisely to science’s place today.

  • Alternatives to experimentation.
  • Research ethics.
  • Field studies.
  • Probability sampling.
  • Role of psychology in cancer and its influence on physical health.
  • Personality variables.
  • Internal validity of experiments.
  • Odds of finding significance.
  • Mixed experimental designs.
  • Welfare of animal subjects.

In case you need some research topics social media  for your future work, find them on our platform with ease.

Topics for Psychology Research Paper: Final Thoughts

Today we have given you a list of social psychology research topics. We focused on the causes of certain disorders and definitely paid enough attention to current trends in this science. It is up to you to draw inspiration and come up with your brilliant paper that we know you will nail.

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Psychology Research Topics: Frequently Asked Questions

1. what are some good cognitive psychology research topics.

Cognitive psychology research topics are one of our personal favorites. Here we can focus on the ways individuals perceive certain information. So if you want to know how the human brain works, these ideas are totally for you:

  • How is color psychology effective in cognitive development studies?
  • What is the attention span, and how to measure it?
  • Memory loss and different ways to recover it?
  • How do memories affect the behavior of individuals?

2. What are some forensic psychology research topics?

Forensic psychology research topics can sound as if they came from the best detective show out there. It’s all about finding clues and figuring out how killers might think. Surprisingly enough, many crimes have been solved because of behavioral analysis. If you don’t believe us, you can ask someone like FBI or just check the ideas below:

  • The psychology of copycat crimes.
  • Myths about serial killers.
  • Gun violence and mental illness.
  • Benefits as well as drawbacks of predictive policing.

3. What are some personality psychology research topics?

Personality psychology research topics help us understand how human character is formed. Have you ever wondered why you are the way you are now? Here we can think about all the people we admire and ask ourselves why they are heroic, brave, or simply incredible. Maybe these ideas will help you:

  • Factors influencing personality.
  • Are leaders made or born?
  • Is authoritarian leadership effective?
  • Characteristics of heroism.

4. What are some political psychology research topics?

Political psychology research topics are very intriguing. If you haven’t thought that we can connect mental science with politics, well, here we are. Politicians are known for influencing people. Therefore, it is only fair that we take a closer look at how we can understand politics with the help of science on our side. These ideas might inspire you to do so:

  • Politics in wartime.
  • Pros as well as cons of totalitarianism.
  • The link between power and morality.
  • The history of politics.

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100 Psychology Thesis Topics for 2023

psychology thesis topics

Students know the importance of developing great psychology dissertation topics for a graduate assignment. However, many don’t have the time to brainstorm ideas that meet the requirements their professors expect. We’ve done a lot of the heavy lifting and have put together a list of 100 psychology thesis topics suitable for several situations. Feel free to pick a topic and start writing your thesis proposal .

General Psychology Topics for High School

  • Give five top reasons why you would want to become a psychologist.
  • What kind of influence has psychology research had in other sciences?
  • Why are teenagers at higher risk of developing an eating disorder?
  • How are phobias developed in children under the age of twelve?
  • In what ways did Pavlov’s conditioning experiment contribute to our understanding of addiction therapy?

Child Psychology Research Paper Topics

  • What are the major differences between psychiatry and psychology?
  • Discuss mental tools that can be used to determine when children are lying to adults.
  • What were the ethical complications involve 12d in the Little Albert Experiment?
  • What does research suggest is the origin of intelligence in children?
  • How does emotional intelligence in children affect their learning abilities?

Cognitive Psychology Topics

  • How did Alan Turing’s suggestion that the brain is an organized machine lead to computers?
  • Do the “seven chunks of information” still hold through in research?
  • Can we develop working memory to retain greater long-term memory?
  • Can a person that has been convicted of a felony charge change into a law-abiding citizen?
  • How can cognitive therapy be used to help patients suffering from emotional disorders?

Developmental Psychology Topics

  • How do our perceptions of our experiences affect development in teenagers?
  • What are the four levels of development and which is most important in children?
  • Can a moral judgment be taught to toddlers who have latent reasoning skills?
  • How are our personalities developed through the influence of others?
  • Are children naturally beholden to one parent or the other?

Social Psychology Topics for College Students

  • How are a person’s original opinions influenced by the opinions of larger groups?
  • What psychological effects does spending too much time on social media have?
  • How do social psychologists deal with aggression and violence in young adults?
  • What impact has social psychology had on our understanding of online bullying?
  • How do family dynamics change when a member of the immediate family dies?

Sports Psychology Research Topics

  • Does aging have a bigger impact on retired athletes’ mental health than head trauma?
  • How is mental health affected by long recovery schedules for serious body injuries?
  • How does neuro-linguistic programming in professional athletes affect performance?
  • How do professional athletes mentally prepare for competitions?
  • How have approaches to sports training and preparation been affected by developments in psychology?

Controversial Topics in Psychology

  • How did the Milgram Obedience Experiments of the 1960s help us understand how we view authority figures?
  • How did the Stanford Experiment help further our knowledge of situational variables on human behavior?
  • How did Harlow’s experiments of affection (especially the lack of affection) lead to advancements in child development theories?
  • Does the implementation of capital punishment on sex offenders prevent them from committing a crime?
  • What is the link between criminal acts and teenagers that were bullied?

Health Psychology Topics for College Students

  • What impact do regular exercise and healthy eating have on mental health in young adults?
  • How have the media’s depictions of body ideals have negatively impacted how young adults see themselves?
  • What are the most effective strategies for getting people to develop healthy eating habits?
  • What can local governments do to help people maintain mental health after a disaster?
  • How do stress management techniques help people cope with difficult situations in the workplace?

More Controversial Psychology Topics

  • What did the “lost in a mall” study lead to a better understanding of how memories are formed and stored?
  • Why was were the Voodoo Correlation studies of the 1960s so controversial and what did they reveal about human behavior?
  • What did showing a lack of affection in infants reveal about the need to nurture one’s young?
  • What did the Kirsch Anti-Depressant reveal about the impact that harmless placebos have on humans?
  • What are the potential risks of taking part in multiple health studies throughout a given year?

Great Educational Psychology Topics

  • How can different technologies help students perform better at school?
  • Does working in a small group help students retain more information?
  • How does physical activity help students perform better on standardized tests?
  • What psychological factors should teachers consider as they develop each year’s curriculum?
  • In what ways do psychologists help develop confidence in students with learning disabilities?

Excellent Cultural Psychology Topics

  • What are some of the most difficult cultural situations young people face?
  • In what ways does developing culture roots with one’s family positively impact social behavior?
  • What stresses do young people feel when they return to their native countries?
  • What impact does cultural learning have on students in elementary school?
  • How does family support help young people cope with difficult decisions?

Psychology Topics to Write About

  • Why are adolescents more at risk of developing some type of eating disorder?
  • What are the negative effects of insomnia in patients being treated in a medical facility?
  • In what ways does group therapy positively impact a patient’s ability to overcome addiction?
  • Why should therapists refrain from prescribing ADHD medications to children?
  • What are the most effective ways of treating PTSD without using prescription medication?

Abnormal Psychology Topics

  • What are the psychological effects of telling either a truth or a lie among young adults?
  • What are the major causes of borderline personality disorder in teenagers?
  • In what ways does the level of insanity change in patients under specific treatment?
  • Why are some people more prone to suffer from personality disorders?
  • Can the Oedipus complex first introduced by Freud be used in treatment today?

Developmental Psychology Research Topics

  • What role does television media play in promoting violence in adults?
  • What are the major psychological characteristics in a child prone to aggression?
  • What are the major factors in sociopathic behavior among youth?
  • What are some traditional ways of parenting that have been proven ineffective?
  • What environmental factors increase the chances of child abuse by a parent?

Biological Psychology Topics

  • How are cognitive diseases related to the development of certain disorders?
  • How are our perceptions of the world around us affecting the way we behave?
  • Can alcohol addiction and other drug-related dependencies be tied to genetics?
  • Does biology prevent humans from experiencing a pure sense of free will?
  • In what ways does functionalism play into biological psychology?

More Sports Psychology Topics

  • What are the negative effects on the mind of exercising to lose weight?
  • How is having a network of supporters important for athletic performance?
  • How does the attention of PHDs affect the way people feel about sports?
  • What impact do sports role models have on a youth’s development?
  • Is the NCAA giving an adequate education to its student-athletes?
  • What are the most effective ways of dealing with school bullying?
  • What are the major causes of psychopathic tendencies in teenagers?
  • How does our modern society deal with gender roles?
  • What are the key characteristics that improve the abilities to learn a new language?
  • Do children require a good foundation to excel academically?

Forensic Psychology Topics

  • How can psychology be used to identify and put suspects on trial for certain crimes?
  • How has forensic psychology assisted in the way we look at death penalty cases?
  • Can psychotic disorders be reevaluated as a result of better psych understanding?
  • Should mental diseases be considered in capital punishment cases?
  • How would you evaluate the mitigating effects of capital cases in people?

What did you think of our list of psychology thesis topics? Our professional dissertation writers keep our list of ideas up-to-date so that students are always pushing the envelope of research in every discipline. Check back for new general psychology topics or contact us to have a list custom-made for a specific research project.

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One of the hardest parts of writing a research paper can be just finding a good topic to write about. Fortunately we've done the hard work for you and have compiled a list of 113 interesting research paper topics. They've been organized into ten categories and cover a wide range of subjects so you can easily find the best topic for you.

In addition to the list of good research topics, we've included advice on what makes a good research paper topic and how you can use your topic to start writing a great paper.

What Makes a Good Research Paper Topic?

Not all research paper topics are created equal, and you want to make sure you choose a great topic before you start writing. Below are the three most important factors to consider to make sure you choose the best research paper topics.

#1: It's Something You're Interested In

A paper is always easier to write if you're interested in the topic, and you'll be more motivated to do in-depth research and write a paper that really covers the entire subject. Even if a certain research paper topic is getting a lot of buzz right now or other people seem interested in writing about it, don't feel tempted to make it your topic unless you genuinely have some sort of interest in it as well.

#2: There's Enough Information to Write a Paper

Even if you come up with the absolute best research paper topic and you're so excited to write about it, you won't be able to produce a good paper if there isn't enough research about the topic. This can happen for very specific or specialized topics, as well as topics that are too new to have enough research done on them at the moment. Easy research paper topics will always be topics with enough information to write a full-length paper.

Trying to write a research paper on a topic that doesn't have much research on it is incredibly hard, so before you decide on a topic, do a bit of preliminary searching and make sure you'll have all the information you need to write your paper.

#3: It Fits Your Teacher's Guidelines

Don't get so carried away looking at lists of research paper topics that you forget any requirements or restrictions your teacher may have put on research topic ideas. If you're writing a research paper on a health-related topic, deciding to write about the impact of rap on the music scene probably won't be allowed, but there may be some sort of leeway. For example, if you're really interested in current events but your teacher wants you to write a research paper on a history topic, you may be able to choose a topic that fits both categories, like exploring the relationship between the US and North Korea. No matter what, always get your research paper topic approved by your teacher first before you begin writing.

113 Good Research Paper Topics

Below are 113 good research topics to help you get you started on your paper. We've organized them into ten categories to make it easier to find the type of research paper topics you're looking for.

Arts/Culture

  • Discuss the main differences in art from the Italian Renaissance and the Northern Renaissance .
  • Analyze the impact a famous artist had on the world.
  • How is sexism portrayed in different types of media (music, film, video games, etc.)? Has the amount/type of sexism changed over the years?
  • How has the music of slaves brought over from Africa shaped modern American music?
  • How has rap music evolved in the past decade?
  • How has the portrayal of minorities in the media changed?

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Current Events

  • What have been the impacts of China's one child policy?
  • How have the goals of feminists changed over the decades?
  • How has the Trump presidency changed international relations?
  • Analyze the history of the relationship between the United States and North Korea.
  • What factors contributed to the current decline in the rate of unemployment?
  • What have been the impacts of states which have increased their minimum wage?
  • How do US immigration laws compare to immigration laws of other countries?
  • How have the US's immigration laws changed in the past few years/decades?
  • How has the Black Lives Matter movement affected discussions and view about racism in the US?
  • What impact has the Affordable Care Act had on healthcare in the US?
  • What factors contributed to the UK deciding to leave the EU (Brexit)?
  • What factors contributed to China becoming an economic power?
  • Discuss the history of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies  (some of which tokenize the S&P 500 Index on the blockchain) .
  • Do students in schools that eliminate grades do better in college and their careers?
  • Do students from wealthier backgrounds score higher on standardized tests?
  • Do students who receive free meals at school get higher grades compared to when they weren't receiving a free meal?
  • Do students who attend charter schools score higher on standardized tests than students in public schools?
  • Do students learn better in same-sex classrooms?
  • How does giving each student access to an iPad or laptop affect their studies?
  • What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Montessori Method ?
  • Do children who attend preschool do better in school later on?
  • What was the impact of the No Child Left Behind act?
  • How does the US education system compare to education systems in other countries?
  • What impact does mandatory physical education classes have on students' health?
  • Which methods are most effective at reducing bullying in schools?
  • Do homeschoolers who attend college do as well as students who attended traditional schools?
  • Does offering tenure increase or decrease quality of teaching?
  • How does college debt affect future life choices of students?
  • Should graduate students be able to form unions?

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  • What are different ways to lower gun-related deaths in the US?
  • How and why have divorce rates changed over time?
  • Is affirmative action still necessary in education and/or the workplace?
  • Should physician-assisted suicide be legal?
  • How has stem cell research impacted the medical field?
  • How can human trafficking be reduced in the United States/world?
  • Should people be able to donate organs in exchange for money?
  • Which types of juvenile punishment have proven most effective at preventing future crimes?
  • Has the increase in US airport security made passengers safer?
  • Analyze the immigration policies of certain countries and how they are similar and different from one another.
  • Several states have legalized recreational marijuana. What positive and negative impacts have they experienced as a result?
  • Do tariffs increase the number of domestic jobs?
  • Which prison reforms have proven most effective?
  • Should governments be able to censor certain information on the internet?
  • Which methods/programs have been most effective at reducing teen pregnancy?
  • What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Keto diet?
  • How effective are different exercise regimes for losing weight and maintaining weight loss?
  • How do the healthcare plans of various countries differ from each other?
  • What are the most effective ways to treat depression ?
  • What are the pros and cons of genetically modified foods?
  • Which methods are most effective for improving memory?
  • What can be done to lower healthcare costs in the US?
  • What factors contributed to the current opioid crisis?
  • Analyze the history and impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic .
  • Are low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
  • How much exercise should the average adult be getting each week?
  • Which methods are most effective to get parents to vaccinate their children?
  • What are the pros and cons of clean needle programs?
  • How does stress affect the body?
  • Discuss the history of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
  • What were the causes and effects of the Salem Witch Trials?
  • Who was responsible for the Iran-Contra situation?
  • How has New Orleans and the government's response to natural disasters changed since Hurricane Katrina?
  • What events led to the fall of the Roman Empire?
  • What were the impacts of British rule in India ?
  • Was the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki necessary?
  • What were the successes and failures of the women's suffrage movement in the United States?
  • What were the causes of the Civil War?
  • How did Abraham Lincoln's assassination impact the country and reconstruction after the Civil War?
  • Which factors contributed to the colonies winning the American Revolution?
  • What caused Hitler's rise to power?
  • Discuss how a specific invention impacted history.
  • What led to Cleopatra's fall as ruler of Egypt?
  • How has Japan changed and evolved over the centuries?
  • What were the causes of the Rwandan genocide ?

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  • Why did Martin Luther decide to split with the Catholic Church?
  • Analyze the history and impact of a well-known cult (Jonestown, Manson family, etc.)
  • How did the sexual abuse scandal impact how people view the Catholic Church?
  • How has the Catholic church's power changed over the past decades/centuries?
  • What are the causes behind the rise in atheism/ agnosticism in the United States?
  • What were the influences in Siddhartha's life resulted in him becoming the Buddha?
  • How has media portrayal of Islam/Muslims changed since September 11th?

Science/Environment

  • How has the earth's climate changed in the past few decades?
  • How has the use and elimination of DDT affected bird populations in the US?
  • Analyze how the number and severity of natural disasters have increased in the past few decades.
  • Analyze deforestation rates in a certain area or globally over a period of time.
  • How have past oil spills changed regulations and cleanup methods?
  • How has the Flint water crisis changed water regulation safety?
  • What are the pros and cons of fracking?
  • What impact has the Paris Climate Agreement had so far?
  • What have NASA's biggest successes and failures been?
  • How can we improve access to clean water around the world?
  • Does ecotourism actually have a positive impact on the environment?
  • Should the US rely on nuclear energy more?
  • What can be done to save amphibian species currently at risk of extinction?
  • What impact has climate change had on coral reefs?
  • How are black holes created?
  • Are teens who spend more time on social media more likely to suffer anxiety and/or depression?
  • How will the loss of net neutrality affect internet users?
  • Analyze the history and progress of self-driving vehicles.
  • How has the use of drones changed surveillance and warfare methods?
  • Has social media made people more or less connected?
  • What progress has currently been made with artificial intelligence ?
  • Do smartphones increase or decrease workplace productivity?
  • What are the most effective ways to use technology in the classroom?
  • How is Google search affecting our intelligence?
  • When is the best age for a child to begin owning a smartphone?
  • Has frequent texting reduced teen literacy rates?

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How to Write a Great Research Paper

Even great research paper topics won't give you a great research paper if you don't hone your topic before and during the writing process. Follow these three tips to turn good research paper topics into great papers.

#1: Figure Out Your Thesis Early

Before you start writing a single word of your paper, you first need to know what your thesis will be. Your thesis is a statement that explains what you intend to prove/show in your paper. Every sentence in your research paper will relate back to your thesis, so you don't want to start writing without it!

As some examples, if you're writing a research paper on if students learn better in same-sex classrooms, your thesis might be "Research has shown that elementary-age students in same-sex classrooms score higher on standardized tests and report feeling more comfortable in the classroom."

If you're writing a paper on the causes of the Civil War, your thesis might be "While the dispute between the North and South over slavery is the most well-known cause of the Civil War, other key causes include differences in the economies of the North and South, states' rights, and territorial expansion."

#2: Back Every Statement Up With Research

Remember, this is a research paper you're writing, so you'll need to use lots of research to make your points. Every statement you give must be backed up with research, properly cited the way your teacher requested. You're allowed to include opinions of your own, but they must also be supported by the research you give.

#3: Do Your Research Before You Begin Writing

You don't want to start writing your research paper and then learn that there isn't enough research to back up the points you're making, or, even worse, that the research contradicts the points you're trying to make!

Get most of your research on your good research topics done before you begin writing. Then use the research you've collected to create a rough outline of what your paper will cover and the key points you're going to make. This will help keep your paper clear and organized, and it'll ensure you have enough research to produce a strong paper.

What's Next?

Are you also learning about dynamic equilibrium in your science class? We break this sometimes tricky concept down so it's easy to understand in our complete guide to dynamic equilibrium .

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Great Psychology Research Paper Topics

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Table of contents

  • 1 Psychology Research Paper Definition and Purpose
  • 2.1 Social Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 2.2 Clinical Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 2.3 Experimental Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 2.4 Developmental Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 2.5 Criminal Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 2.6 Cultural Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 2.7 Health Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 2.8 Sports Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 2.9 Educational Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 2.10 Social Media Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 2.11 Abnormal Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 2.12 Cognitive Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 2.13 Controversial Psychology Research Paper Topics
  • 2.14 Developmental Psychology
  • 2.15 Child Psychology
  • 3 Psychology Research Paper Tips
  • 4 Conclusion

If you are looking for psychology research topics to help you write a better paper and complete it in less time, this page is for you. We will present various research paper topics and give you important details you need to include in your creation. This is not an easy type of writing. You can see a lot of controversial topics in psychology for research paper and a lot more psychology research topics for high school students that are too complicated and require research or even conducting an experiment. Psychology research topics for college students are even more important and even more complicated due to their nature.

These papers usually need a week or even a month to be completed. It is no wonder why so many students want to buy psychology paper and get over it in a minute. If you are one of them, you can use help from our writers. Some are even therapists, so they can help you more than you can imagine. We will also present to you research topics in psychology for college students so you can get more basic types of help if you need it or at least get some inspiration.

Psychology Research Paper Definition and Purpose

All interesting psychology research topics are designed to focus on psychology. You will have to write about a condition, disorder, experiment, or even a literature review. Keep in mind that you can also write about psychology research topics on social media or social elements of society. Yes, psychology affects that as well. The best psychology research topics are complex, and they can even mandate that you perform complete research and provide a lab report. These psychology research topics in 2023 are all common and very popular at the moment. We must add that personality psychology research topics can be extremely difficult.

The first thing here is to know how to write a psychology research paper well and get the grade you are looking for. Always keep in mind that you must use accurate and trustworthy data and research details. The false data here is a huge mistake and something that will cost you a grade. Luckily there are interesting psychology topics that will keep you busy. In a nutshell, these essays aim to present your findings or understanding of a topic. This affects all topics about psychology, and each psychology research paper will have to be unique, have a good balance, and answer all the questions a reader may have.

Writing Tips for Psychology Research Papers

There are a lot of tips we can give you here. These can be used for all unique psychology research topics and can help you write the paper you will be happy with. You will use these tips if you are writing undergraduate research topics psychology, or any other. They are mandatory and will help you get the desired grade. You can use them when writing psychology research topics, cognitive psychology, or any other type. Anyway, here are the tips you are going to need.

  • Choose the topic you will love . This can help. You will be more interested in conducting proper research and can enjoy writing. If possible, pick a topic that means something to you. All psychology topics for research can be fun.
  • Keep all things simple . You need to write a research paper that is well-researched, simple, and answers all the questions directly. Psychology research topics and clinical psychology are a bit different, but you should use the same tip here.
  • Choose trustworthy sources . When writing on any general psychology topics, you need to use a good source or better-said sources. This is true for all research paper writings due to a simple reason. A research paper must be 100% accurate. Good psychology research topics will be perfect if you use this type of help.
  • Start soon . All good topics are complicated, so you will need a lot of time to complete them. This means starting as soon as you can. Using this tip, you will have enough time to write and get help if you need it. If you don’t have the time, you can write my research paper type of help and get the research essay done within minutes. Yes, it does work well.

Social Psychology Research Paper Topics

All of these research paper topics are basically a combination of science here and society. As such, we can see all the topics that are common and actually look related more to philosophy than anything else. Nevertheless, these are common topics, and they are very interesting. You will probably have to write good psychology on something like this.

  • What effects does racism have?
  • Gender role in the modern world
  • Side effects of gender discrimination
  • Peer pressure and the effect it has on teenagers
  • Violent cartoons and their Effect on small children
  • How divorce will affect a child
  • Explain homophobia
  • Explain social depression
  • Social cognition: What is it?
  • Social Issues and Culture

Clinical Psychology Research Paper Topics

This part of the science will examine and reveal the behavior of people and how they act and react in everyday life. These may touch on behavioral therapy and also cognitive development in one way or another. Below are a few paper topics that are very common, and you will probably have to write on some of them.

  • Discrimination from health workers explained
  • Human development in developing and developed countries
  • Multitasking explained by therapists
  • Religion as a factor in the development
  • PTSD Analysis and how it affects people
  • Internet addiction and which problems it does cause
  • Stress in marriages: How does it affect people and marriage?
  • Adult separation anxiety and the Effect on Children
  • Impact of Patients in Asylums on Staff
  • Why do people prefer to watch sports rather than participate

Experimental Psychology Research Paper Topics

When we mention psychology, many of you will instantly think of multiple personalities or something similar. This part of the content is a bit different. Here it is mostly about experiments that were conducted all over the world and found how our brain works, how disorders work, and so much more. Keep in mind that you may have to conduct your own experiment if you have to write on this topic. Many people will need research paper help or at least guidance in order to complete it. These are some of the hardest essays you will have to complete in your life.

  • Colors and the effect they have on our mood
  • How can breakfast affect our personality and mood during that day?
  • The worst medical experiments in history
  • Explain dehumanization in poisons
  • Mood freezing: Causes, symptoms, and treatment
  • Controlling aggression, but how?
  • Cloning can help couples without children
  • Group belonging and the link to an individual belonging
  • Violence and internet use link
  • Explain double foot in the door

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Developmental Psychology Research Paper Topics

These can be very hard but can be very rewarding as well. As you can assume, good cognitive psychology research topics here will be about forming personality in children, problems, and all the rest that may affect that. Yes, you will write about children most of the time, so you may want to pay close attention to the data you are using. The psychological elements here are massive and very important.

  • What kind of effect does bullying has on children?
  • Violent PC games and their effect on behavior?
  • Too much time online: How will children react?
  • Abusive parents: Huge problem these days
  • Are gender roles in children still present?
  • Abused children’s personality issues
  • Mental health issues: Long-term effects
  • Things that can cause faster aging
  • Medications and their Effect on your mental health
  • Sleeping disorder and the effect it has on your mental health

Criminal Psychology Research Paper Topics

Some of you may believe that this is a part of forensic psychology. In general, here, you will have to write why a person will commit a crime and whether any mental issues or links made him do that. You may also have to write about one criminal’s prevention, details, and specifics.

  • Brain dysfunction and criminals
  • Psychological traits of a serial killer
  • What is needed to ”make” a serial killer
  • Are criminals made or born
  • How childhood and abuse make criminals
  • Worst serial killers in history
  • Prevention of criminal behavior
  • Differences between criminals and ordinary people
  • Common disorders of criminals
  • What starts violent behavior

Cultural Psychology Research Paper Topics

For the lack of a better word, here you will have to write about how culture affects our mind when forming or later in life. Try to remember that your essay must be well-organized. A too-broad or even too-narrow paper will make the reader get lost in your words. This is not something you will want. The psychological factors are of extreme importance.

  • Analyzing culture and its development of it
  • Comparing two different cultures
  • Culture and its Effects on People
  • How cultures around the world view sex
  • Definition of global culture
  • Explain multicultural communities
  • Nationalism and culture are compared and explained
  • Do animals have culture?
  • Culture of isolated communities
  • Check different cultures and the languages

Health Psychology Research Paper Topics

Here you may have to touch anxiety disorders or anything else. In general, you will have to write an essay about brain health. Some ideas focus completely on disorders, while others focus on keeping your mind healthy and dealing with all sorts of issues. For most people, these titles are very amusing and can be very beneficial. You will basically have to cover different psychological elements of the science.

  • Rare mental problems
  • Stress and it has on the mind
  • Substance abuse and the side effects
  • Why is depression so common these days?
  • The mental health of young people
  • Postpartum depression and the treatment
  • The mental health of Native Americans
  • Common disorders in children
  • How mental problems affect the physical condition
  • Understanding all eating disorders

Sports Psychology Research Paper Topics

You may have to write about the mind of athletes or how they are affected in the world. The psychological factors here are very powerful and massive, the lack of a better word. These ideas are simple and will keep you busy and interested, especially if you are into sports. Now you can see the best examples of papers related to sports psychology.

  • Use of neuro-linguistic programming in sports
  • Doping in sports: How does it change the sport and the athlete?
  • Sport aggression is explained and defined
  • Attention and concentration in shooting sports
  • How can you reduce aggression in sports fans
  • Emotion and Needs in Sports for Women
  • Children of professional athletes: Differences to ordinary children
  • Gender studies: Modern problems in sports
  • Mental Recovery of athletes after Trauma
  • Personality and choosing to do sports

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Educational Psychology Research Paper Topics

The psychological elements here are all about education and the effects it has on the mind. This is a simple definition. We can add that you will have to complete paper topics that are also focused on education later in life and the effects they have on our minds.

  • Bullying and the effects it has on education and the mind
  • Importance of proper teacher program for children
  • Child Abuse and its link to Education
  • How memory loss affects education
  • Education of children with special needs
  • Anxiety and depression as huge issues for education
  • What motivates children to continue with higher education?
  • Goals, gender, and result in education
  • Parental Involvement for Children at School
  • Perspectives of attention-seeking students

Social Media Psychology Research Paper Topics

Don’t think that here you will have to enjoy paper writing that is all about Facebook and Instagram. You will have to prove how these platforms affect our mental health. You can write about pros, cons, and so much more, so you do need to conduct a lot of research and include tons of details. Here are great ideas that you will like.

  • Is Facebook beneficial for humans?
  • Instagram: pros and cons for the mind
  • Twitter and the effects it has on education
  • Addiction to social platforms
  • Cyberbullying and Facebook link
  • Doing Business and the Correlation with Facebook or Instagram
  • Is real-world communication affected by Facebook and similar platforms
  • Are these sites killing our productivity?
  • Advantages of using these platforms
  • Downsides of using these platforms

Abnormal Psychology Research Paper Topics

The main goal here is to explain or research disorders and explain them to people. You will have to use accurate and latest data in order to justify your claims. You may have to explain eating disorders but also severe psychosis.

  • Can PC games affect our minds?
  • Pros and cons of making marijuana legal
  • Prevention of teen suicide
  • ICD 10 classification of mental disorders
  • Mental problems caused by technology
  • History of abnormal psychology
  • How effective CBT is for treating anxiety in children
  • All about aggression
  • Most severe mental disorders
  • Extremely rare disorders in humans

Cognitive Psychology Research Paper Topics

This part of the science will affect all the details about memory, language use, processing of information, and so much more of one person. As you can see, the topics are mostly focused on problems and solutions. You need to stay focused while writing and pay close attention to details.

  • Autism and how it affects modern society
  • How can you recover from losing your memory?
  • Judgment in the decision-making process
  • Measuring the attention span of your child
  • Why will you encounter your memories?
  • What factors affect problem-solving in children?
  • How speech disorders affect children
  • Why will you repress some of your memory?
  • Can we use experiments to measure cognitive capability?
  • Explain human memories and how they are formed

Controversial Psychology Research Paper Topics

So, what are the most controversial topics in psychology?

  • Is it ethical to have clients as Facebook friends?
  • Homosexuality.
  • Ethics of the Milgram experiment.
  • Are women always the victims, or are they also perpetrators of domestic violence?
  • Crime as a justification for coping with past trauma – how justified is it?
  • Social networks, online dating, and their impact on teenagers.
  • Ethics surrounding the Stanford prison experiment.
  • The adult content in cartoons and animes.
  • Fetishes and sexually deviant behavior.
  • Child sexual abuse – when a parent is a perpetrator.

Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychology is one of the most popular fields here since it studies the cognitive development of an individual throughout the entire lifespan. When you write your paper , you might want to check PapersOwl to make things easier. Here, we have some general ideas on where you might want to start:

  • The effects of social media on adolescent development: A critical review of research.
  • How do parenting styles influence the development of emotional regulation in children?
  • The impact of early childhood experiences on adult attachment styles.
  • The role of peer relationships in adolescent identity development.
  • Examining the long-term effects of childhood trauma on adult mental health and well-being.
  • The importance of cultural and ethnic identity in the development of racial attitudes and prejudice.
  • Gender identity development: A critical analysis of current theories.
  • The effects of poverty on child development: An overview of current research.
  • The development of empathy and prosocial behavior in children: The role of parenting and socialization.
  • Examining the effects of technology on infant and toddler development: A review of current literature.

Child Psychology

This is yet another exciting field of psychology that focuses on the peculiarities in the development of the child. This is also a prolific ground for finding a proper topic for your paper:

  • Influence of video games on Children
  • The emotional development of a child
  • The role of play in child development: A review of current literature.
  • The effects of parenting styles on child socialization and emotional development.
  • The impact of divorce and family conflict on child adjustment and well-being.
  • How to promote positive sibling relationships in childhood and adolescence.
  • The relationship between childhood ADHD and academic achievement: A meta-analysis.
  • The effects of media exposure on child behavior and attitudes: An overview of research.
  • The development of moral reasoning in children and adolescents.
  • The effects of child abuse and neglect on mental health outcomes in adulthood.
  • The importance of temperament in child development: A review of current theories.
  • How cultural values and beliefs influence parenting practices and child development.
  • Does death metal make children smarter?
  • Society and children’s cognitive development.

There are more branches of psychology you might want to discuss, so you need to consider your specialization when choosing a proper topic for your study. There are different psychology essay samples , so you just need to pick the one that suits you best and would potentially make for a great paper.

Psychology Research Paper Tips

Do not expect choosing a psychology topic for your paper to be quick or easy! Remember, research takes quite a long time and usually takes even more time than you expect, so do not choose a topic that doesn’t excite you. It is easier to stay motivated and keep writing your project paper when you choose something you are genuinely interested in and passionate about.

After you’ve decided on what you are going to write, the next step is to start searching for some information about it. Take a deep breath and begin your research by looking through encyclopedias, textbooks, and pay attention to all the sources that are cited in the readings. Pay a visit to the library, and use its catalogs to search for different books. You can also look through online databases like PsycNET or PsycINFO to find more recent information.

We hope you have found our examples useful. So, feel free to use any of them while working on your assignment! We understand how hard and challenging school tasks are, so if you are struggling with them, you can buy psychology papers, don’t be afraid to contact us – we will do it for you!

Selecting the proper topic is the most important part of approaching any paper, especially when it comes to complex disciplines such as psychology. There are many branches in this discipline, so choosing one perfect topic might be even more challenging than it seems. That is why we have some general suggestions for you so you could choose your perfect topic yourself.

Now you will have to find a good topic and start your paper writing task. This can be complicated and will take a lot of time, so you may want to stay focused and pay close attention to the details, specifics, and so much more. Always remember that you can get help when you need it and get over a task you don’t like. Don’t forget that you can choose a title you are passionate about that will keep you interested in writing for as long as possible.

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good topic for psychology research paper

Frank T. McAndrew Ph.D.

How to Get Started on Your First Psychology Experiment

Acquiring even a little expertise in advance makes science research easier..

Updated May 16, 2024 | Reviewed by Ray Parker

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  • Students often struggle at the beginning of research projects—knowing how to begin.
  • Research projects can sometimes be inspired by everyday life or personal concerns.
  • Becoming something of an "expert" on a topic in advance makes designing a study go more smoothly.

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One of the most rewarding and frustrating parts of my long career as a psychology professor at a small liberal arts college has been guiding students through the senior capstone research experience required near the end of their college years. Each psychology major must conduct an independent experiment in which they collect data to test a hypothesis, analyze the data, write a research paper, and present their results at a college poster session or at a professional conference.

The rewarding part of the process is clear: The students' pride at seeing their poster on display and maybe even getting their name on an article in a professional journal allows us professors to get a glimpse of students being happy and excited—for a change. I also derive great satisfaction from watching a student discover that he or she has an aptitude for research and perhaps start shifting their career plans accordingly.

The frustrating part comes at the beginning of the research process when students are attempting to find a topic to work on. There is a lot of floundering around as students get stuck by doing something that seems to make sense: They begin by trying to “think up a study.”

The problem is that even if the student's research interest is driven by some very personal topic that is deeply relevant to their own life, they simply do not yet know enough to know where to begin. They do not know what has already been done by others, nor do they know how researchers typically attack that topic.

Students also tend to think in terms of mission statements (I want to cure eating disorders) rather than in terms of research questions (Why are people of some ages or genders more susceptible to eating disorders than others?).

Needless to say, attempting to solve a serious, long-standing societal problem in a few weeks while conducting one’s first psychology experiment can be a showstopper.

Even a Little Bit of Expertise Can Go a Long Way

My usual approach to helping students get past this floundering stage is to tell them to try to avoid thinking up a study altogether. Instead, I tell them to conceive of their mission as becoming an “expert” on some topic that they find interesting. They begin by reading journal articles, writing summaries of these articles, and talking to me about them. As the student learns more about the topic, our conversations become more sophisticated and interesting. Researchable questions begin to emerge, and soon, the student is ready to start writing a literature review that will sharpen the focus of their research question.

In short, even a little bit of expertise on a subject makes it infinitely easier to craft an experiment on that topic because the research done by others provides a framework into which the student can fit his or her own work.

This was a lesson I learned early in my career when I was working on my own undergraduate capstone experience. Faced with the necessity of coming up with a research topic and lacking any urgent personal issues that I was trying to resolve, I fell back on what little psychological expertise I had already accumulated.

In a previous psychology course, I had written a literature review on why some information fails to move from short-term memory into long-term memory. The journal articles that I had read for this paper relied primarily on laboratory studies with mice, and the debate that was going on between researchers who had produced different results in their labs revolved around subtle differences in the way that mice were released into the experimental apparatus in the studies.

Because I already had done some homework on this, I had a ready-made research question available: What if the experimental task was set up so that the researcher had no influence on how the mouse entered the apparatus at all? I was able to design a simple animal memory experiment that fit very nicely into the psychological literature that was already out there, and this prevented a lot of angst.

Please note that my undergraduate research project was guided by the “expertise” that I had already acquired rather than by a burning desire to solve some sort of personal or social problem. I guarantee that I had not been walking around as an undergraduate student worrying about why mice forget things, but I was nonetheless able to complete a fun and interesting study.

good topic for psychology research paper

My first experiment may not have changed the world, but it successfully launched my research career, and I fondly remember it as I work with my students 50 years later.

Frank T. McAndrew Ph.D.

Frank McAndrew, Ph.D., is the Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology at Knox College.

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Research Topics

Five research topics exploring the science of mental health.

good topic for psychology research paper

Mental wellbeing is increasingly recognized as an essential aspect of our overall health. It supports our ability to handle challenges, build strong relationships, and live more fulfilling lives. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of mental health by acknowledging it as a fundamental human right.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we highlight the remarkable work of scientists driving open research that helps everyone achieve better mental health.

Here are five Research Topics that study themes including how we adapt to a changing world, the impact of loneliness on our wellbeing, and the connection between our diet and mental health.

All articles are openly available to view and download.

1 | Community Series in Mental Health Promotion and Protection, volume II

40.300 views | 16 articles

There is no health without mental health. Thus, this Research Topic collects ideas and research related to strategies that promote mental health across all disciplines. The goal is to raise awareness about mental health promotion and protection to ensure its incorporation in national mental health policies.

This topic is of relevance given the mental health crisis being experienced across the world right now. A reality that has prompted the WHO to declare that health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing.

View Research Topic

2 | Dietary and Metabolic Approaches for Mental Health Conditions

176.800 views | 11 articles

There is increased recognition that mental health disorders are, at least in part, a form of diet-related disease. For this reason, we focus attention on a Research Topic that examines the mechanistic interplay between dietary patterns and mental health conditions.

There is a clear consensus that the quality, quantity, and even timing of our human feeding patterns directly impact how brains function. But despite the epidemiological and mechanistic links between mental health and diet-related diseases, these two are often perceived as separate medical issues.

Even more urgent, public health messaging and clinical treatments for mental health conditions place relatively little emphasis on formulating nutrition to ease the underlying drivers of mental health conditions.

3 | Comparing Mental Health Cross-Culturally

94.000 views | 15 articles

Although mental health has been widely discussed in later years, how mental health is perceived across different cultures remains to be examined. This Research Topic addresses this gap and deepens our knowledge of mental health by comparing positive and negative psychological constructs cross-culturally.

The definition and understanding of mental health remain to be refined, partially because of a lack of cross-cultural perspectives on mental health. Also, due to the rapid internationalization taking place in the world today, a culturally aware understanding of, and interventions for mental health problems are essential.

4 | Adaption to Change and Coping Strategies: New Resources for Mental Health

85.000 views | 29 articles

In this Research Topic, scientists study a wider range of variables involved in change and adaptation. They examine changes of any type or magnitude whenever the lack of adaptive response diminishes our development and well-being.

Today’s society is characterized by change, and sometimes, the constant changes are difficult to assimilate. This may be why feelings of frustration and defenselessness appear in the face of the impossibility of responding adequately to the requirements of a changing society.

Therefore, society must develop an updated notion of the processes inherent to changing developmental environments, personal skills, resources, and strategies. This know-how is crucial for achieving and maintaining balanced mental health.

5 | Mental Health Equity

29.900 views | 10 articles

The goal of this Research Topic is to move beyond a synthesis of what is already known about mental health in the context of health equity. Rather, the focus here is on transformative solutions, recommendations, and applied research that have real world implications on policy, practice, and future scholarship.

Attention in the field to upstream factors and the role of social and structural determinants of health in influencing health outcomes, combined with an influx of innovation –particularly the digitalization of healthcare—presents a unique opportunity to solve pressing issues in mental health through a health equity lens.

The topic is opportune because factors such as structural racism and climate change have disproportionately negatively impacted marginalized communities across the world, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and transition-age youth and young adults. As a result, existing disparities in mental health have exacerbated.

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70 Unique Psychology Essay Topics for Your Next Assignment

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70 Unique Psychology Essay Topics for Your Next Assignment

Sometimes, it seems like coming up with unique psychology essay topics is more challenging than writing an essay itself. Psychology is a broad subject, so choosing a topic that allows you to cover the subject in depth without being stressed with information is important. A good topic not only captures the interest of the readers but also contributes meaningfully to their field of study.

In-depth research for psychology essays is important for the expansion of the understanding of human behaviour and for the treatment of various psychological conditions. Students feel burdened by the pressure of picking something new and important for their work. It leaves them feeling unsure of the approach to adopt for picking the right essay topics on psychology. During such times, you can get timely advice from your teachers, peers or expert essay writers online .

This blog explores the 70 best psychology essay topics that you can use to craft your essay papers. You can dive right in and start working on your homework after choosing a suitable topic for yourself.

A List of Trending Psychology Research Essay Topics

Whether you are a high schooler who is looking for essay topics in psychology or a college student in search of a compelling title for your paper, this piece of writing has got you covered. We have divided this list of essay topics about psychology into 7 different categories. Students at any academic level can benefit from these lists; there is something for everyone to engage with.

All of these topics for psychology essays are research-based and are related to the modern age psychology research problems. Let’s explore them in detail.

Biological Psychology Essay Topics

Sometimes known as behavioural neuroscience, biological psychology focuses on the study of neurotransmitters and the brain. Bio psychologists examine how these transmitters influence the feelings, behaviours, and thoughts of human beings. They also see how different biological processes interact with the cognitive functions of a person. If you are assigned to write an essay on this subject, but you can’t find any suitable topic, some of the best and trending biology psychology essay topics are listed here for your help:

  • Explain the functioning of the endocrine system in detail and highlight how the hormones and glands actually work.
  • What is the effect of people's multicultural background on their identity?
  • Explore in detail the relationships between human beings and the electromagnetic fields.
  • What is the impact of young maternal age on the cognitive and psychological effects, and how does it affect the elements of child development?
  • Describe in detail the importance of health psychology when it comes to understanding the concept of diseases and health.
  • To what extent can education be said to assume the scientific development that has been achieved in the study of biological integrity?
  • What exactly is the neuroscience of addiction? Explain the circuitry and reward pathways of the brain.
  • Explore the role played by hormones in controlling the social behaviour and aggression of individuals.
  • What are the ethical considerations related to the usage of animal models in the field of biological psychology research?
  • How are epigenetics and behaviour related to each other? Highlight the concept of interactions between the environment and genes.

Clinical Psychology Essay Topics

The clinical psychology research is often considered synonymous with counselling psychology. It is a discipline that is focused on the diagnosis, assessment, treatment and prevention of different emotional, mental and psychological disorders in different individuals. Here are the ten best clinical psychology essay topics that you can pick and use for your homework:

  • What are the assessment options, diagnosis and treatment methods for anxiety plus other personality disorders in people?
  • What is the impact of social media on how people behave and interact with each other?
  • Explore the effect of ageing on mental illnesses. What particular challenges are faced by the old people who are diagnosed with mental health problems?
  • Enlist the medications, therapy and psychosocial interventions associated with Schizophrenia.
  • Explore in detail the impact of violence shown in media and video games on the behaviour of children.
  • What kinds of therapy are found to be most suitable for people having behavioural issues since their childhood?
  • Highlight the significance of anxiety disorders and their effect on the daily functioning of humans. Are there any new therapies available that can cure this problem?
  • What are the ways in which the social and political climates of an environment affect the mental health of an individual?
  • How does the substance use disorder impact a family, and how can the family members help with the treatment of the disorder?
  • Is online therapy effective? Enlist its pros and cons and explore how people with no technical literacy can navigate it.

Cognitive Psychology Essay Topics

As a student of cognitive psychology, you will have to develop a systematic understanding of different cognitive processes. Since writing on such psychology topics is a bit tough, you can buy essay online from cognitive psychologists who write academic papers for students. Here are some of the best and trending cognitive psychology essay topics to consider for your work:

  • What is the relationship between the cognitive psychology, positive psychology and the humanist psychology?
  • Describe in detail some of the crucial cognitive aspects that are vital for decision-making in medical ethics.
  • What is the relationship between memory consolidation and sleep? Provide a detailed meta-analysis.
  • Investigate the effect of bilingualism on the executive functioning and cognitive flexibility of humans.
  • What are the cognitive mechanisms that are associated with the placebo effects? Explain in detail.
  • Analyse in detail the impact of socio-economic status on the cognitive performance of British students in the modern age.
  • Are there any cognitive differences in the decision-making skills of non-entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs? If yes, what are those?
  • Does sleep deprivation affect the cognitive performance of the students? Explain the reasons in further depth.
  • What is the reason behind the premature ageing of some people? Present a perspective from cognitive psychology.
  • How have the attention spans of children changed for the last 100 years? Support your answer with examples.

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics Psychology

How about plunging into some exciting argumentative essay topics psychology for your homework? In such compare and contrast essays, you provide a comparison of similarities and dissimilarities for both sides of the subject. The key points of both sides should be strong enough to convince the readers. Here are some of the psychology essay topics which you can use for the contrast essays:

  • Behaviourism versus Gestalt psychology
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy versus Freudian psychoanalysis
  • Self-determination theory versus self-efficacy theory
  • Biomedical model of health and illness versus biopsychosocial model
  • Self-perception theory versus cognitive dissonance theory
  • Milgram experiment versus Stanford Prison experiment
  • Environmental versus biological factors in mental health disorders
  • Social cognitive theory versus social learning theory
  • The effect of nurture versus nature on the development of human personality
  • Operant conditioning versus classical conditioning

Criminal Psychology Essay Topics

This branch of psychology refers to the observation of the intentions, thoughts, and actions of criminals. Criminal psychology students strive to understand the motives of criminals for committing crimes and attempt to study their minds. Here are some of the latest trending criminal psychology essay topics for you to review and use for your college and university papers:

  • Explore the basic determinants of the incidents where a murder is committed. Provide sufficient examples and the investigative study of the serial killers.
  • What are the social factors which change the naïve people into criminals? Explain in depth.
  • Are there any loopholes in the criminal justice system that actively promote crime in our society? Discuss the social disparities between the rich and the poor.
  • What is the impact of natural disasters on the increase in social crimes? Provide a case study of criminal behaviour psychology during the period of Corona.
  • Analyse the role played by social media in inciting crimes. Provide case studies of hate speeches that were made in public and support your stance.
  • What are the general sentiments of the serial rapists? Highlight and support with examples.
  • Does pornography and vulgarity promote the rape culture in a society?
  • Provide a qualitative analysis of the different development stages of criminal mindset in a society.
  • How can you control or trickle down the harmful effects of crimes taking place in a community?
  • Is poverty a driving force behind the increasing crime rate in a country, especially in the impoverished societies of developing countries?

Developmental Psychology Essay Topics

Topics in this field of study range from prenatal development of childhood life to the final stages of the life of a person. It is a broad field that involves the study of how people change throughout their lives. Some of the developmental psychology essay topics that you can use for writing your academic papers are listed here:

  • What is the effect of different parenting styles on the personality development and the behaviour of children?
  • Do factors like peer influence and socialisation impact the process of identity formation in the human mind?
  • What are the developmental trajectories related to the mental health problems, chronic pain, and other disorders faced by people in their adolescence?
  • Explore in detail the diagnosis and intervention strategies related to the diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders in the kids.
  • Describe in detail the impact of early childhood education on the academic achievements and problem-solving skills of young kids.
  • Explain in detail the concept of cognitive development in infancy from the Vygotskian and Piagetian perspectives.
  • Do the students who eat breakfast daily perform better in their classes than the students who do not have breakfast regularly?
  • What is the impact of bullying on the achievements of students? Are bullied students more likely to get bad grades than students who are not bullied in school?
  • How can technology be used for the social and emotional development of humans in the period of their adolescence?
  • What is the impact of social media on forming body image in the minds of teenagers?

Educational Psychology Essay Topics

Educational psychology covers topics related to children staying in educational settings. It covers topics like aptitude assessment, self-motivation, parental involvement, technology, teaching methods and more. A good essay on such topics informs the readers about learning styles, cognitive development, and impactful teaching strategies. Here are some psychological topics for essays in the field of psychology:

  • Is it beneficial for children to use different educational and high-quality teaching methods at different times of the day?
  • Does the duration and quality of sleep really impact the academic performance of students?
  • Can daily medication at school influence the mental health and academic performance of students?
  • What is the impact of regularly listening to classical music on the test scores of a student?
  • What is the connection between knowledge retention and sugar consumption ratios among students?
  • Explore the effectiveness of the interventions encompassing positive behaviours for the reduction of disruptions in the classroom.
  • Assess the effect of Brexit on the educational experiences of international students in the United Kingdom.
  • What is the relationship between the educational outcomes and the socio-economic disparities in the UK? Discuss in detail.
  • Analyse the role of cultural diversity in shaping the classroom dynamics in the schools of 3 rd world countries.
  • Provide a critical analysis of the impact of literature on parental involvement and student success.

You can choose from a diverse range of psychology essay topics that we have added in this article. You can also overlap and intersect various specialities and craft research questions for your next assignment. From clinical studies to cognitive psychology, each detailed essay focuses on a deeper understanding of human behaviour. It is important to understand the relevance of these research questions and give the readers insight across different areas of study.

If you want personalised help with the fulfilment of your homework requirements, you should hire psychology essay writing services in the UK from The Academic Papers UK. Their seasoned writing experts are best suited to cater to the needs of clients across the globe, and they can craft essay assignments tailored to your needs.

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Scientists want to know how the smells of nature benefit our health

Spending time in nature is good for us. Studies have shown that contact with nature can lift our well-being by affecting emotions, influencing thoughts, reducing stress and improving physical health. Even brief exposure to nature can help. One well-known study found that hospital patients recovered faster if their room included a window view of a natural setting.

Knowing more about nature's effects on our bodies could not only help our well-being, but could also improve how we care for land, preserve ecosystems and design cities, homes and parks. Yet studies on the benefits of contact with nature have typically focused primarily on how seeing nature affects us. There has been less focus on what the nose knows. That is something a group of researchers wants to change.

"We are immersed in a world of odorants, and we have a sophisticated olfactory system that processes them, with resulting impacts on our emotions and behavior," said Gregory Bratman, a University of Washington assistant professor of environmental and forest sciences. "But compared to research on the benefits of seeing nature, we don't know nearly as much about how the impacts of nature's scents and olfactory cues affect us."

In a paper published May 15 in Science Advances , Bratman and colleagues from around the world outline ways to expand research into how odors and scents from natural settings impact our health and well-being. The interdisciplinary group of experts in olfaction, psychology, ecology, public health, atmospheric science and other fields are based at institutions in the U.S., the U.K., Taiwan, Germany, Poland and Cyprus.

At its core, the human sense of smell, or olfaction, is a complex chemical detection system in constant operation. The nose is packed with hundreds of olfactory receptors, which are sophisticated chemical sensors. Together, they can detect more than one trillion scents, and that information gets delivered directly to the nervous system for our minds to interpret -- consciously or otherwise.

The natural world releases a steady stream of chemical compounds to keep our olfactory system busy. Plants in particular exude volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, that can persist in the air for hours or days. VOCs perform many functions for plants, such as repelling herbivores or attracting pollinators. Some researchers have studied the impact of exposures to plant VOCs on people.

"We know bits and pieces of the overall picture," said Bratman. "But there is so much more to learn. We are proposing a framework, informed by important research from many others, on how to investigate the intimate links between olfaction, nature and human well-being."

Nature's smell-mediated impacts likely come through different routes, according to the authors. Some chemical compounds, including a subset of those from the invisible realm of plant VOCs, may be acting on us without our conscious knowledge. In these cases, olfactory receptors in the nose could be initiating a "subthreshold" response to molecules that people are largely unaware of. Bratman and his co-authors are calling for vastly expanded research on when, where and how these undetected biochemical processes related to natural VOCs may affect us.

Other olfactory cues are picked up consciously, but scientists still don't fully understand all their impacts on our health and well-being. Some scents, for example, may have "universal" interpretations to humans -- something that nearly always smells pleasant, like a sweet-smelling flower. Other scents are closely tied to specific memories, or have associations and interpretations that vary by culture and personal experience, as research by co-author Asifa Majid of the University of Oxford has shown.

"Understanding how olfaction mediates our relationships with the natural world and the benefits we receive from it are multi-disciplinary undertakings," said Bratman. "It involves insights from olfactory function research, Indigenous knowledge, Western psychology, anthropology, atmospheric chemistry, forest ecology, Shinrin-yoku -- or 'forest bathing' -- neuroscience, and more."

Investigation into the potential links between our sense of smell and positive experiences with nature includes research by co-author Cecilia Bembibre at University College London, which shows that the cultural significance of smells, including those from nature, can be passed down in communities to each new generation. Co-author Jieling Xiao at Birmingham City University has delved into the associations people have with scents in built environments and urban gardens.

Other co-authors have shown that nature leaves its signature in the very air we breathe. Forests, for example, release a complex chemical milieux into the air. Research by co-author Jonathan Williams at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and the Cyprus Institute shows how natural VOCs can react and mix in the atmosphere, with repercussions for olfactory environments.

The authors are also calling for more studies to investigate how human activity alters nature's olfactory footprint -- both by pollution, which can modify or destroy odorants in the air, and by reducing habitats that release beneficial scents.

"Human activity is modifying the environment so quickly in some cases that we're learning about these benefits while we're simultaneously making them more difficult for people to access," said Bratman. "As research illuminates more of these links, our hope is that we can make more informed decisions about our impacts on the natural world and the volatile organic compounds that come from it. As we say in the paper, we live within the chemical contexts that nature creates. Understanding this more can contribute to human well-being and advance efforts to protect the natural world."

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Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Washington . Original written by James Urton. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

  • Gregory N. Bratman, Cecilia Bembibre, Gretchen C. Daily, Richard L. Doty, Thomas Hummel, Lucia F. Jacobs, Peter H. Kahn, Connor Lashus, Asifa Majid, John D. Miller, Anna Oleszkiewicz, Hector Olvera-Alvarez, Valentina Parma, Anne M. Riederer, Nancy Long Sieber, Jonathan Williams, Jieling Xiao, Chia-Pin Yu, John D. Spengler. Nature and human well-being: The olfactory pathway . Science Advances , 2024; 10 (20) DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn3028

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Psychology Questions About Personality

Personality Psychology Research Topics

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

good topic for psychology research paper

Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell.

good topic for psychology research paper

List of Personality Topics

  • Before You Begin
  • Starting Your Research

Personality is a popular subject in psychology, so it's no surprise that this broad area is rife with fascinating research topics. There are many psychology questions about personality that can be a great topic for a paper, or just help you get to know others a little better.

Are you looking for a great topic for a paper , presentation, or experiment for your personality psychology class? Here are just a few ideas that might help kick-start your imagination.

At a Glance

If you are writing a paper, doing an experiment, or just curious about why people do the things they do, exploring some different psychology questions about personality can be a great place to start. Topics you might choose to explore include different personality traits, personality tests, and how different aspects of personality influence behavior.

Possible Topics for Personality Psychology Research

The type of psychology questions about personality that you might want to explore depend on what you are interested in and what you want to know. Some topics you might opt to explore include:

Personality Traits

  • How do personality traits relate to creativity? Are people with certain traits more or less creative? For your project, you might try administering scales measuring temperament and creativity to a group of participants.
  • Are certain personality traits linked to prosocial behaviors ? Consider how traits such as kindness, generosity, and empathy might be associated with altruism and heroism .
  • How does Type A behavior influence success in school? Are people who exhibit Type A characteristics more likely to succeed?
  • Is there a connection between a person's personality type and the kind of art they like? For example, are extroverts more drawn to brighter colors or art that depicts people vs. abstract, non-representational art?
  • Do people tend to choose pets based on their personality types? How do the personalities of dog owners compare to those of cat owners?

Personality Tests

  • How do personality assessments compare? Consider comparing common assessments such as the Myers-Briggs Temperament Indicator , the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, and the 16PF Questionnaire.
  • How reliable are personality test results? If you give someone the same test weeks later, will their results be the same?

Family and Relationships

  • Do people tend to marry individuals with similar personalities? Do people who marry partners with personalities similar to their own have more satisfying relationships?
  • What impact does birth order have on personality? Are first-born children more responsible, and are last-borns less responsible?

Personality and Behaviors

  • Is there a connection between personality types and musical tastes ? Do people who share certain personality traits prefer the same types of music?
  • Are people who participate in athletics more likely to have certain personality characteristics? Compare the personality types of athletes versus non-athletes.
  • Are individuals with high self-esteem more competitive than those with low self-esteem? Do those with high self-esteem perform better than those who have lower self-esteem?
  • Is there a correlation between personality type and the tendency to cheat on exams? Are people low in conscientiousness more likely to cheat? Are extroverts or introverts more liable to cheat?
  • How do personality factors influence a person's use of social media? For example, are people high in certain traits more likely to use Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter? Are individuals who use social media frequently more or less extroverted?

You can also come up with questions about your own about different topics in personality psychology. Some that you might explore include:

  • Big 5 personality traits
  • The id, ego, and superego
  • Psychosocial development
  • Hierarchy of needs
  • Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
  • Personality disorders

What to Do Before You Begin Your Research

Once you find a suitable research topic, you might be tempted just to dive right in and get started. However, there are a few important steps you need to take first.

Most importantly, be sure to run your topic idea past your instructor. This is particularly important if you are planning to conduct an actual experiment with human participants.

In most cases, you will need to gain your instructor's permission and possibly submit your plan to your school's human subjects committee to gain approval.

How to Get Started With Your Research

Whether you are doing an experiment, writing a paper , or developing a presentation, background research should always be your next step.

Consider what research already exists on the topic. Look into what other researchers have discovered. By spending some time reviewing the existing literature, you will be better able to develop your topic further.

What This Means For You

Asking psychology questions about personality can help you figure out what you want to research or write about. It can also be a way to think about your own personality or the characteristics of other people. If you're stumped for an idea, consider talking to your instructor or think about some questions you've had about people in your own life.

Atherton OE, Chung JM, Harris K, et al. Why has personality psychology played an outsized role in the credibility revolution ?  Personal Sci . 2021;2:e6001. doi:10.5964/ps.6001

American Psychological Association. Frequently asked questions about institutional review boards .

Leite DFB, Padilha MAS, Cecatti JG. Approaching literature review for academic purposes: The Literature Review Checklist .  Clinics (Sao Paulo) . 2019;74:e1403. doi:10.6061/clinics/2019/e1403

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

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