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How to Write a Psychology Dissertation?

How to Write a Psychology Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide to Thriving in Your Academic Journey

Embarking on the journey of writing a psychology dissertation can feel like setting out to conquer an uncharted wilderness. You’ve taken countless courses, poured over numerous books, and spent long nights researching theories and experiments. Now, the culmination of years of study lies ahead, and the challenge feels both exciting and daunting.

What is a psychology dissertation, exactly? At its core, it’s a systematic and comprehensive exploration of a chosen topic in the realm of psychology. It’s a formal, written work that presents your original research and findings, acting as a testament to your scholarly competence and your contribution to the field.

Crafting a psychology dissertation indeed feels like moving mountains—an undertaking that requires a firm grasp of the subject matter, meticulous research, and adept academic writing. Understanding the “how to write a psychology dissertation” process begins with demystifying the task itself, breaking it down into manageable pieces, and realizing its nature within the field of psychology. It’s a mountain that can be moved. With the right knowledge, tools, and strategies, you can navigate this journey successfully, transforming your psychology dissertation from a looming mountain into a manageable and rewarding endeavor.

In this article, we’ll be your experienced guide, helping you understand the nature and structure of a psychology dissertation. We’ll outline the step-by-step process involved in writing your dissertation, provide a treasure trove of innovative dissertation topics in psychology for inspiration, and offer top tips to survive—and even thrive—during this process. So, lace up your academic boots and get ready for a journey that will not only shape your psychology career but will also hone your skills as a researcher and a scholar.

Laying the Foundations: Psychology Dissertation Structure

Structuring your psychology dissertation involves more than simply organizing chapters. It’s about creating a logical sequence of arguments, evidence, and conclusions that guide your reader through your research journey. To come up with the perfect structure for your psychology dissertation, you first need to understand the dissertation definition psychology uses—it’s a formal, extensive piece of original research on a specific topic in the field of psychology. Here’s how you can shape each of its key components:

• The Abstract of your dissertation should be a microcosm of your research. It’s a short yet comprehensive snapshot of your dissertation, serving as a trailer that entices readers to delve into the main feature.
• Your Introduction sets the stage, presenting your research question and clarifying its significance. The key here is to captivate your readers, piquing their interest and illustrating what lies ahead. It’s important to clearly set out your objectives, painting a picture of the destination at the end of the research journey.
• In your Literature Review , you wear the hat of a detective, sifting through previous studies related to your topic and identifying the research gap your study intends to fill. This section is your opportunity to show your comprehensive understanding of the research landscape.
• The Methodology section is where you share the blueprint of your research design. It’s important to detail your approach, including the participants, materials, and procedures used, ensuring that your study could be replicated based on this information.
• Next, the Results section presents your findings. The spotlight here is on the data, presented clearly and objectively, often supported with visual aids for easier understanding. Your analysis should be transparent, making it easy for your readers to connect the dots themselves.
• The Discussion allows you to wear the hat of a storyteller. Here, you interpret your results, draw comparisons with previous research, and create a narrative that links back to your research question.
• Finally, the Conclusion is your reflective moment, summarizing the research journey, the insights gained, and the implications of your study. It’s also here that you propose future research directions inspired by the strengths and limitations of your study.

Remember, a dissertation is akin to a carefully crafted story—your research story. Building it with a solid and clearly outlined structure not only helps you, the author, but also your readers, helping them understand your thought process, follow your research journey, and appreciate your scholarly contribution.

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Climbing the Ladder: Sequential Steps in Writing a Psychology Dissertation

Understanding the structure of a psychology dissertation is the first stepping stone. The journey towards completing it in full may initially seem daunting, but breaking the task into digestible steps can substantially lighten the load.

• Picking a Relevant and Original Topic

The first step towards writing your psychology dissertation is selecting a suitable topic. It should be something you are passionate about, as it will keep your interest during the long research and writing process. It should also be original, meaning it either hasn’t been researched before or offers a new perspective on an existing topic.

• Conducting an Extensive Literature Review

Having pinpointed your subject of interest, it’s time to dive deep into the existing scholarly work. Knowing what’s already been explored and identifying the uncharted territories not only frames the context of your research but also highlights its significance by filling an identified gap in the current body of knowledge.

• Crafting a Strong Hypothesis

Based on your topic and literature review, you’ll develop a hypothesis or research question. This statement should be clear, focused, and answerable within the scope of your study. It will guide the rest of your research.

• Detailing Your Methodology

Next, you need to decide how you’ll answer your research question. This involves picking a research method, identifying participants or data sources, choosing measurement instruments, and planning your data analysis. Detailing your methodology with precision is crucial for the validity of your study.

• Collecting and Analyzing Data

With your methodology in place, you’re ready to collect your data. This step can vary greatly depending on your research method but often involves running experiments, conducting surveys, or gathering existing data. Once collected, you’ll analyze your data using appropriate statistical techniques.

• Discussing Your Findings

After analyzing your data, it’s time to interpret your results. Discuss your findings in relation to your research question and the existing literature. It’s also important to acknowledge any limitations in your study and suggest areas for future research.

• Referencing Properly: APA Style in Psychology

Throughout this process, you’ll be drawing on the work of others to inform your study and support your claims. Always be diligent in crediting these sources to maintain academic integrity. Within psychological academia, referencing and bibliographies adhere to the stylistic prescriptions of the American Psychological Association (APA).

Crafting a psychology dissertation is indeed a demanding endeavor, but breaking the process into manageable tasks prepares you to confront upcoming challenges and ultimately, to contribute a substantial piece of work to your field.

Inspiration Awaits: 50 Innovative Psychology Dissertation Topics

Before you gear up for the rigorous task of crafting a psychology dissertation, choosing a captivating topic that intrigues you and has the potential to add something new to your field is crucial. The joy of your dissertation journey is enhanced manifold when the topic strikes a chord with you. Given the wide range of psychology subfields, you have an abundance of choices. Below, we offer fifty innovative topics spanning diverse areas of psychology to stimulate your creative thought process. Our aim here is to spark your imagination and provide you with a collection of innovative psychology dissertation ideas, which will serve as a springboard for your unique research, or you can just go ahead and pick the topic that speaks to you from our list.

Broadening Perspectives: Clinical Psychology

• The Impact of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Anxiety Disorders
• The Effectiveness of Teletherapy in Treating Depression
• The Role of Resilience in Coping with Chronic Illness
• The Impact of Sleep Disorders on Mental Health
• Psychotherapy Approaches for PTSD in Military Veterans

The Enigma of the Mind: Cognitive Psychology

• The Influence of Multitasking on Cognitive Load
• Memory Retention Strategies for Alzheimer’s Patients
• Decision-Making Processes in High-Pressure Situations
• The Role of Attention in Learning and Retention
• Cognitive Biases in Financial Decisions

Delving Deeper: Developmental Psychology

• The Influence of Parenting Styles on Child Self-Esteem
• Effects of Bullying on Adolescent Mental Health
• The Impact of Screen Time on Child Development
• How Does Gender Identity Unfold in a Child’s Developmental Journey?
• The Role of Play in Cognitive Development

Bridging the Gap: Social Psychology

• The Impact of Social Media on Body Image Perceptions
• Prejudice and Discrimination: Factors and Mitigation Strategies
• The Psychology of Altruism: Why Do We Help Others?
• The Role of Empathy in Conflict Resolution
• The Effect of Stereotypes on Interpersonal Relationships

Inside the Workplace: Organizational Psychology

• The Influence of Leadership Styles on Employee Satisfaction
• Emotional Intelligence: A Key Ingredient for Success in the Workplace?
• Impacts of Remote Work on Employee Productivity
• Strategies for Reducing Job Burnout
• The Effect of Organizational Culture on Employee Loyalty

The Mysterious Unconscious: Psychoanalytic Psychology

• The Influence of Childhood Trauma on Adult Relationships
• Understanding Defense Mechanisms: A Modern Perspective
• The Role of Dreams in Psychoanalysis
• Freud’s Theory of Personality: Modern Applications
• Transference and Countertransference in Therapeutic Settings

The Mind-Body Connection: Health Psychology

• The Psychological Impacts of Chronic Pain
• The Role of Self-Efficacy in Managing Diabetes
• Coping Mechanisms for Patients with Terminal Illnesses
• The Influence of Stress on Immune Response
• Mental Health Outcomes of Weight Loss Surgery

Life’s Final Chapter: Geriatric Psychology

• Mental Health Challenges in Aging Populations
• The Influence of Social Networks in Promoting Healthy Aging
• Cognitive Stimulation Therapies for Dementia Patients
• The Psychological Impact of Retirement
• Depression and Anxiety in Elderly: Intervention Strategies

Bridging Species: Comparative Psychology

• The Study of Animal Emotion: Can Animals Feel Joy or Sadness?
• Comparing Problem-Solving Abilities in Different Species
• The Influence of Environment on Animal Behavior
• Inter-species Communication: Myth or Reality?
• Studying Animal Behavior to Understand Human Psychology

Into the Unknown: Parapsychology

• Exploring Reports of Near-Death Experiences
• The Psychology Behind Belief in Paranormal Activities
• The Impact of Extra-sensory Perception (ESP) Beliefs on Anxiety Levels
• A Study on the Popularity and Psychological Impact of Astrology
• Analyzing the Effects of Hypnosis on Pain Management

Whether you’re captivated by cognitive processes, intrigued by interpersonal dynamics, or fascinated by the underpinnings of abnormal behavior, these topics offer a launching pad for your exploration. Remember, the best dissertation topic is one that excites your intellectual curiosity and aligns with your career aspirations.

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Surviving and Thriving: Top Tips for Navigating Your Psychology Dissertation Journey

Embarking on your psychology dissertation is a substantial endeavor that requires not only intellectual effort but also strategic planning, emotional resilience, and diligent self-care. Here are ten tips to help you navigate this journey smoothly:

• Start early. The sooner you begin, the better. Start thinking about your dissertation topic well before it’s due. Early planning gives you plenty of time for thorough research, careful writing, and thoughtful revision.
• Choose a topic you love. Passion for your topic will fuel your research and keep you motivated during the lengthy writing process. Choose a topic that excites your intellectual curiosity and aligns with your career aspirations.
• Develop a work plan. Create a realistic timeline for your dissertation, breaking down the process into manageable tasks. Regularly update and refine your plan as you progress.
• Assemble a support team. Your supervisor is an invaluable guide, but don’t forget to build a broader support network. Seek out peers, mentors, and even professional support like writing consultants or tutors.
• Embrace the research process. Be prepared for unexpected findings and potential roadblocks. They are part of the research journey. Embrace them as learning opportunities that refine your problem-solving skills.
• Write regularly. Make writing a daily habit. Even if you only write a few sentences a day, this regular practice will keep your project moving forward and reduce the chance of writer’s block.
• Practice self-care. Burnout is a real risk during the dissertation process. Remember to prioritize self-care. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and mindfulness practices can all help maintain your mental and physical well-being.
• Seek constructive feedback. Regularly share your work with your supervisor and trusted peers. They can provide fresh perspectives and constructive criticism that help improve your dissertation.
• Cherish minor milestones. Each stride you make, irrespective of its size, is a step in the right direction. Recognizing these small achievements can lift your spirits and keep you fueled with determination.
• Keep the end goal in sight. Always remember why you’re undertaking this journey. Whether it’s to further your career, contribute to the field, or simply for the love of psychology, let your end goal be your guiding light.

Remember, the dissertation journey is not a sprint but a marathon. Embrace the process, nurture your resilience, and know that every challenge faced is an opportunity for growth.

Embracing the Journey: Making Your Psychology Dissertation an Achievable Endeavor

We completely understand that plunging into a psychology dissertation can seem like embarking on a voyage across an endless sea. It can be strenuous and, at times, tediously repetitive, but don’t lose your bearing. Your destination is there, even if it’s not immediately apparent.

This colossal endeavor, while daunting, is a remarkable landmark in your academic journey and a testament to your resolve, grit, and intellect. Granted, the journey is lengthy, strenuous, and at times, it will stretch your endurance. However, bear in mind that the most formidable journeys often end with the most gratifying outcomes.

When the dissertation journey seems too steep, remember why you chose this path in the first place – your passion for psychology, your quest for knowledge, and your desire to make a meaningful contribution to the field. Hold onto these motivations when the going gets tough.

If you find yourself cornered at times, don’t be hard on yourself. It’s an inherent part of the journey. Esteemed scholars have also experienced hurdles and unexpected shifts in their plans. When that happens, as it probably will, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance. Your advisors, peers, and a myriad of online platforms can serve as your navigational guide, leading you through these challenges. Additionally, maintain vigilance over your physical and mental health during this daunting yet exciting academic journey.

Regular respites, physical exercise, balanced nutrition, and sufficient rest can immensely contribute to sustaining your drive and concentration. Remember, every single step you take, regardless of its size, nudges you closer to your objective.

With tenacity, resilience, and the right network of support, this formidable project will progressively morph into an attainable goal. As you progress, your expertise in your chosen topic will broaden, and you will glean precious revelations about your own capacities and fortitude.

Embarking on the task of writing a psychology dissertation is utterly demanding, but it’s a task well worth tackling. So, inhale deeply, keep your eyes fixated on your goal, and march forward with bravery and resolve. You are capable of this!

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Writing Research Papers

• Research Paper Structure

Whether you are writing a B.S. Degree Research Paper or completing a research report for a Psychology course, it is highly likely that you will need to organize your research paper in accordance with American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines.  Here we discuss the structure of research papers according to APA style.

Major Sections of a Research Paper in APA Style

A complete research paper in APA style that is reporting on experimental research will typically contain a Title page, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and References sections. 1  Many will also contain Figures and Tables and some will have an Appendix or Appendices.  These sections are detailed as follows (for a more in-depth guide, please refer to " How to Write a Research Paper in APA Style ”, a comprehensive guide developed by Prof. Emma Geller). 2

What is this paper called and who wrote it? – the first page of the paper; this includes the name of the paper, a “running head”, authors, and institutional affiliation of the authors.  The institutional affiliation is usually listed in an Author Note that is placed towards the bottom of the title page.  In some cases, the Author Note also contains an acknowledgment of any funding support and of any individuals that assisted with the research project.

One-paragraph summary of the entire study – typically no more than 250 words in length (and in many cases it is well shorter than that), the Abstract provides an overview of the study.

Introduction

What is the topic and why is it worth studying? – the first major section of text in the paper, the Introduction commonly describes the topic under investigation, summarizes or discusses relevant prior research (for related details, please see the Writing Literature Reviews section of this website), identifies unresolved issues that the current research will address, and provides an overview of the research that is to be described in greater detail in the sections to follow.

What did you do? – a section which details how the research was performed.  It typically features a description of the participants/subjects that were involved, the study design, the materials that were used, and the study procedure.  If there were multiple experiments, then each experiment may require a separate Methods section.  A rule of thumb is that the Methods section should be sufficiently detailed for another researcher to duplicate your research.

What did you find? – a section which describes the data that was collected and the results of any statistical tests that were performed.  It may also be prefaced by a description of the analysis procedure that was used. If there were multiple experiments, then each experiment may require a separate Results section.

What is the significance of your results? – the final major section of text in the paper.  The Discussion commonly features a summary of the results that were obtained in the study, describes how those results address the topic under investigation and/or the issues that the research was designed to address, and may expand upon the implications of those findings.  Limitations and directions for future research are also commonly addressed.

List of articles and any books cited – an alphabetized list of the sources that are cited in the paper (by last name of the first author of each source).  Each reference should follow specific APA guidelines regarding author names, dates, article titles, journal titles, journal volume numbers, page numbers, book publishers, publisher locations, websites, and so on (for more information, please see the Citing References in APA Style page of this website).

Tables and Figures

Graphs and data (optional in some cases) – depending on the type of research being performed, there may be Tables and/or Figures (however, in some cases, there may be neither).  In APA style, each Table and each Figure is placed on a separate page and all Tables and Figures are included after the References.   Tables are included first, followed by Figures.   However, for some journals and undergraduate research papers (such as the B.S. Research Paper or Honors Thesis), Tables and Figures may be embedded in the text (depending on the instructor’s or editor’s policies; for more details, see "Deviations from APA Style" below).

Supplementary information (optional) – in some cases, additional information that is not critical to understanding the research paper, such as a list of experiment stimuli, details of a secondary analysis, or programming code, is provided.  This is often placed in an Appendix.

Variations of Research Papers in APA Style

Although the major sections described above are common to most research papers written in APA style, there are variations on that pattern.  These variations include: 

• Literature reviews – when a paper is reviewing prior published research and not presenting new empirical research itself (such as in a review article, and particularly a qualitative review), then the authors may forgo any Methods and Results sections. Instead, there is a different structure such as an Introduction section followed by sections for each of the different aspects of the body of research being reviewed, and then perhaps a Discussion section. 
• Multi-experiment papers – when there are multiple experiments, it is common to follow the Introduction with an Experiment 1 section, itself containing Methods, Results, and Discussion subsections. Then there is an Experiment 2 section with a similar structure, an Experiment 3 section with a similar structure, and so on until all experiments are covered.  Towards the end of the paper there is a General Discussion section followed by References.  Additionally, in multi-experiment papers, it is common for the Results and Discussion subsections for individual experiments to be combined into single “Results and Discussion” sections.

Departures from APA Style

In some cases, official APA style might not be followed (however, be sure to check with your editor, instructor, or other sources before deviating from standards of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association).  Such deviations may include:

• Placement of Tables and Figures  – in some cases, to make reading through the paper easier, Tables and/or Figures are embedded in the text (for example, having a bar graph placed in the relevant Results section). The embedding of Tables and/or Figures in the text is one of the most common deviations from APA style (and is commonly allowed in B.S. Degree Research Papers and Honors Theses; however you should check with your instructor, supervisor, or editor first). 
• Incomplete research – sometimes a B.S. Degree Research Paper in this department is written about research that is currently being planned or is in progress. In those circumstances, sometimes only an Introduction and Methods section, followed by References, is included (that is, in cases where the research itself has not formally begun).  In other cases, preliminary results are presented and noted as such in the Results section (such as in cases where the study is underway but not complete), and the Discussion section includes caveats about the in-progress nature of the research.  Again, you should check with your instructor, supervisor, or editor first.
• Class assignments – in some classes in this department, an assignment must be written in APA style but is not exactly a traditional research paper (for instance, a student asked to write about an article that they read, and to write that report in APA style). In that case, the structure of the paper might approximate the typical sections of a research paper in APA style, but not entirely.  You should check with your instructor for further guidelines.

Workshops and Downloadable Resources

• For in-person discussion of the process of writing research papers, please consider attending this department’s “Writing Research Papers” workshop (for dates and times, please check the undergraduate workshops calendar).

Downloadable Resources

• How to Write APA Style Research Papers (a comprehensive guide) [ PDF ]
• Tips for Writing APA Style Research Papers (a brief summary) [ PDF ]
• Example APA Style Research Paper (for B.S. Degree – empirical research) [ PDF ]
• Example APA Style Research Paper (for B.S. Degree – literature review) [ PDF ]

Further Resources

How-To Videos     

• Writing Research Paper Videos

APA Journal Article Reporting Guidelines

• Appelbaum, M., Cooper, H., Kline, R. B., Mayo-Wilson, E., Nezu, A. M., & Rao, S. M. (2018). Journal article reporting standards for quantitative research in psychology: The APA Publications and Communications Board task force report . American Psychologist , 73 (1), 3.
• Levitt, H. M., Bamberg, M., Creswell, J. W., Frost, D. M., Josselson, R., & Suárez-Orozco, C. (2018). Journal article reporting standards for qualitative primary, qualitative meta-analytic, and mixed methods research in psychology: The APA Publications and Communications Board task force report . American Psychologist , 73 (1), 26.  

External Resources

• Formatting APA Style Papers in Microsoft Word
• How to Write an APA Style Research Paper from Hamilton University
• WikiHow Guide to Writing APA Research Papers
• Sample APA Formatted Paper with Comments
• Sample APA Formatted Paper
• Tips for Writing a Paper in APA Style

1 VandenBos, G. R. (Ed). (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.) (pp. 41-60).  Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

2 geller, e. (2018).  how to write an apa-style research report . [instructional materials]. , prepared by s. c. pan for ucsd psychology.

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• Formatting Research Papers
• Using Databases and Finding References
• What Types of References Are Appropriate?
• Evaluating References and Taking Notes
• Citing References
• Writing a Literature Review
• Writing Process and Revising
• Improving Scientific Writing
• Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism
• Writing Research Papers Videos

Guidelines For Writing A Psychology Dissertation

Writing a psychology dissertation is difficult. Adhering to guidelines will help you finish this writing project. This article will provide clear instructions on how to write a psychology dissertation in order to achieve the highest quality end product possible. It will also explain why students must follow these guidelines to get the most out of their dissertations. Students can ensure that their psychological research papers are compelling and comprehensive by following these steps.

Definition Of A Psychology Dissertation

A psychology dissertation presents original research conducted by the author and submitted in partial fulfilment of doctoral degree requirements in psychology. To study a field topic, it usually requires extensive primary or secondary research. Neuropsychology, psychopharmacology, clinical, social, economic, developmental, and educational psychology are research topics.

The process of writing a dissertation requires careful planning and execution over a period of several months. This includes selecting suitable dissertation topics, developing hypotheses, designing experiments, collecting data through surveys, interviews, questionnaires, observations, etc., analysing results using statistical software programmes, drawing conclusions based on findings, synthesising information into a cohesive argument/theory proposal, and submitting the completed work to one’s university or college for assessment.

Choosing A Research Question

Choosing a psychology dissertation topic can be intimidating. A successful project requires careful consideration of the type of research needed, the resources available, and the nature of data collection. Here are some suggestions:

• Review previous literature: Before starting your own research, read existing literature to learn about current trends and topics. This will also help you identify knowledge gaps or areas that need more research.
• Consider practical considerations: When choosing a potential dissertation research question, consider whether it is feasible given time and resource constraints, e.g. Consider how much data your study needs to collect and analyse so you can schedule enough time for it.
• Brainstorm with peers: Discussing potential research questions with peers or faculty can be helpful. Collaborating with others may give you new perspectives and valuable feedback on the feasibility and scope of your project idea.
• Take inspiration from everyday life: If feeling stuck on coming up with new ideas, try reflecting upon issues faced in daily life or conversations overheard between family/friends which could potentially lead to interesting research question related to psychology.

Finding Sources And Data

Finding reliable sources and data for psychology research is crucial. According to a recent survey of over 200 dissertation writers in the field of psychology, 45% reported that they found their sources through online databases such as PsycINFO or Google Scholar. It’s crucial for aspiring psychologist researchers to know how to find reliable information.

Identifying what information you need from different sources is the first step. Depending on your topic, you may want to use interviews, surveys, quantitative or qualitative data, or existing studies and statistics. After determining the type of data collection techniques required for your project, you can begin looking for pertinent sources and materials.

Peer-reviewed journals, magazines, newspapers, and other publications are in online databases, making them great resources for psychology research. Searching these databases with keywords will narrow results to relevant items. Look at government websites for public access documents on psychosocial phenomena like mental health services utilisation rates or incarcerated population trends over time. Finally, interview professionals in the field who can provide insights and anecdotes about specific issues being studied.

Writing The Proposal

Writing a psychology dissertation proposal is an essential part of the process that must be done carefully in order to get approval. The structure and content of your proposal will depend on your institution’s requirements and any other guidance provided by your supervisor or department. However, there are some e g general elements you should include in a psychology dissertation proposal.

Consider possible topics before starting your proposal. Brainstorm ideas with colleagues or brainstorming alone can provide useful insights into possible dissertation topics. Consider recent developments in the field and think broadly about areas that may benefit from further exploration. Create detailed outlines after narrowing topics to ensure that every element in the final document has been considered during planning. By addressing all necessary components early on, this step can save time later.

Setting Objectives And Aims

When writing a psychology dissertation, it is essential for students to set objectives and aims. This guides the student’s research and provides a roadmap for their project. The objective of a psychology dissertation should be made clear from the onset so as to ensure that all subsequent research conducted aligns with this ultimate aim.

The overall aims of a psychology dissertation typically revolve around answering a specific question or solving some kind of problem within the field of psychology. These goals must be measurable; a successful dissertation must show progress towards them. As such, when setting objectives and goals for your psychology dissertation, make sure you have thoroughly considered what needs to be done to answer or solve the relevant issue. This will help you stay on track and track your project’s progress.

Structuring The Dissertation

To succeed, plan ahead and build a solid structure. Therefore, this section will explore how to effectively structure a psychology dissertation while providing helpful guidance throughout the process.

When structuring a paper, it’s important to remember that formats vary by context and topic. An introduction, literature review, methodology, results, and discussion should be included in most dissertations. If needed, students may add appendices or glossaries. Nevertheless, regardless of any extra formatting elements added – the standard format must remain consistent throughout.

The content of each section depends on your institution/requirements. tutor’s However, many universities provide templates outlining what is expected from each section or part (e.g., headings and sub-headings). This can help ensure that all information is relevant and presented clearly so readers can better understand your work’s main points. It also ensures logical flow between sections so readers don’t get confused when switching topics. Finally, examples can help clarify concepts and improve comprehension, improving readability!

Seeking Feedback And Advice

Receiving input on one’s work can provide valuable insight into the strengths and weaknesses of a written piece. Seeking feedback doesn’t mean giving up control; it’s an opportunity to learn and improve. Questions about research design and methods can help identify issues before they become major problems. Additionally, conversations with knowledgeable people often lead to new ideas or perspectives which can be used to improve the overall quality of a dissertation.

To maximise this process, ask psychology-related questions. Seeking general advice may seem helpful, but it will likely leave many gaps in understanding how to approach the task. It’s also important to listen and take notes when asking for feedback. Finally, while taking criticism personally can be difficult, it should be remembered that critics are doing so out of respect for one’s work and dedication to improving it.

Using Referencing Styles Correctly

To ensure that your psychology dissertation is of the highest academic standard, properly cite all sources. Referencing styles vary by discipline; in psychology, there are three main systems: APA, Harvard, and Chicago.

While researching your paper, record all relevant bibliographic information, cite each source in the text and at the end of your work, list all sources.

Also check your university’s style guide, as different departments have different reference formatting preferences (e.g. Follow the publisher’s guidelines if you want to be published!

Editing And Proofreading The Final Draft

It is essential that students take the time to edit and proofread their psychology dissertation draughts before submitting them as final. Restructuring sentences, eliminating redundancies, ensuring style and formatting consistency, and correcting spelling improves readability. Proofreading involves checking the draught for typos, misspellings, incorrect punctuation, subject-verb agreement issues, etc.

A psychology dissertation draught should be read aloud before proofreading to catch any mistakes or areas for improvement. It’s also helpful to have someone else proofread your work, as they may catch errors you missed. Finally, grammar checkers and other online tools can help spot minor errors in the text.

Preparing For Submission

It’s time to submit after all the edits. To meet deadlines, start early. First, make a checklist of items needed for submission. These may include required formatting standards and document length guidelines, as well as specific instructions for title page layout or table of contents. This list will help you meet all requirements before submitting your work. Make sure to include copies of primary sources in your dissertation and any additional materials requested by faculty reviewers.

In this stage of preparation for submission, it’s helpful to read over your entire dissertation again before mailing out documents so there are no surprises and you can determine whether further revisions are necessary. Finally, fill out all forms correctly with accurate contact and other personal data so universities or colleges can process submissions quickly and efficiently.

Defending The Work

The dissertation defence is the last step in finishing your psychology dissertation. It’s a chance to present and defend your research to a committee of experts, including university and outside faculty. During this process, you must explain the context of your work, provide evidence for its validity, discuss potential implications, and answer committee questions.

To defend your thesis or dissertation, you must understand the committee’s expectations and how to communicate with them. You should study their fields of expertise so you can quote them in your presentation. On exam day, practise presenting your material and make sure all materials are ready. When defending your project, you must understand every aspect because committees may ask difficult or unexpected questions. Finally, remember that these professors want what’s best for you and only want to help you finish your dissertation!

Publishing Outcomes

Disseminating research requires publishing the results of a psychology dissertation. It allows others to access and analyse findings that can influence future research, knowledge, and public policy.

Research findings can be published in academic journal articles. Academic journals have peer-review policies to ensure quality and accuracy. For timely information dissemination, many academic journals prioritise publication speed. Thus, these publications often require authors to format manuscripts and submit supplemental material according to specific guidelines (e.g., data sets). Therefore, review an academic journal’s requirements before publishing. This process requires researchers to consider copyright laws and ethics.

Online forums or self-publishing options like blogs or research websites are alternatives to academic journals. These options offer faster access but lack the oversight of more formalised outlets, which must meet strict standards before publishing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete a psychology dissertation.

The student’s organisation, focus, commitment, and resources determine the answer. Here are some dissertation duration estimation tips:

• Time Frame: Generally speaking, writing a psychology dissertation will typically take anywhere between 12 months up to two years or more depending on the complexity of the subject matter you research and write about. It is important that you familiarise yourself with your university’s guidelines regarding length and format requirements in order to plan accordingly.
• Finish Psychology Dissertation: It takes time and effort to complete the dissertation. So you know what’s coming, think through every step. Make sure you set realistic goals for researching topics, collecting data, analysing results, writing draughts, and revising them until you reach a final version.
• Dissertation Duration: How much time you spend on your dissertation each day, week, month, etc. will determine how long it takes to complete. Setting aside regular chunks of time each week to work on your project can speed things up compared to working on it when free time allows. Small deadlines within larger ones help motivate by breaking down large tasks into smaller manageable ones.
• Psychology Dissertation Process: Creating plans like Gantt charts or mind maps can help visualise progress and provide structure and clarity at every stage of the dissertation process. Seeking feedback from peers or professors early on helps identify potential issues before too much time is spent on something that may be irrelevant or problematic for meeting the goals set out in advance, saving time!

Are There Any Resources Available To Help With The Writing Process?

Luckily, there are several resources available to help you write the dissertation. These resources offer assistance with all aspects of dissertation writing from start to finish, including research methods and materials, professional advice, and editing and revising draughts.

Many universities have dissertation writing centres to help students. For instance, these centres may have experienced tutors who can review draughts or answer questions about paper formatting. Some universities also offer online tutorials on dissertation writing, such as how to develop an argumentative thesis statement or use primary sources effectively.

Researchers can also access subject matter experts’ published work in psychology dissertation databases at online libraries. When writing a dissertation, it’s important to stay organised and use resources like those above.

How Do I Make Sure I’m Citing Sources Correctly?

Any psychology dissertation must accurately cite sources. This avoids plagiarism and adds credibility and validity to the research being conducted. To properly cite, there are several guidelines, referencing methods, and writing methods.

Citation rules may vary depending on the format or style used for the psychology dissertation. APA (American Psychological Association), for instance, requires authors to include a “in-text” reference and a full bibliographic reference at the end of each section or chapter. Therefore, you must know the citation format before starting your project. The Modern Language Association (MLA) and Harvard Referencing Systems have many online resources that can help you cite references.

When citing someone else’s work, include author name(s), year of publication, and page numbers if applicable. Finally, make sure all cited sources appear in the reference list at the end of your paper/chapter; these should be listed alphabetically by author surname and contain complete bibliographical information so that readers can access them easily if needed.

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Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2022-2023 (archived)

Module PSYC3102: PSYCHOLOGY DISSERTATION

Department: psychology, psyc3102: psychology dissertation, prerequisites.

• PSYC2091 Research Methods in Psychology

Corequisites

Excluded combination of modules.

• To provide students with the experience of identifying an issue in psychology that is amenable to empirical investigation, formulating the research question, employing appropriate methods of investigation and analysis, and interpreting the results in light of relevant empirical work and psychological theory
• The dissertation forms the main practical component of the final year course
• Students are expected to build on the skills acquired during the earlier part of the course to carry out an investigation in psychology
• Students will normally work in pairs supervised by a member of staff
• It is anticipated that most dissertations will take the form of an empirical investigation, though it is possible for students to pursue relevant non-experimental dissertations (e.g. connectionist modelling projects or novel theoretical work) with the special permission of the Board of Studies
• Clear presentation of results and appropriate analyses are very important, and critical evaluation relating findings to existing literature must be included
• The dissertation is written up as a scientific report approximating the form and standard found in psychology journals
• Students normally collect data working in their pairs, but must write up the dissertation individually

Learning Outcomes

• Detailed knowledge of specialist areas in psychology including current theory, evidence, and research methods
• Identify a psychological issue amenable to empirical investigation, and formulate a clear research question
• Competence in the selection and application of appropriate analytic procedures, and understanding of their limitations
• Ability to reflect critically on the strengths and weaknesses of the chosen design and the validity of the conclusions reached
• Ability to apply academic and professional codes of conduct in the design and conduct of original psychological research
• Good written communication skills
• Good IT skills in word processing, data manipulation and data presentation
• Ability to work independently in scholarship and research within broad guidelines

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Students complete their dissertation work under the supervision of an experienced researcher, and typically work in a group of two. This approach enables students to formulate, design, and conduct an independent piece of research with appropriate supervision and guidance. Independent study is required at all stages of the dissertation
• The design of the project is discussed in detail with the supervisor in one or more sessions and, during the running of the project, the supervisor is regularly informed by students of progress, by discussion or by email. Supervisory meetings provide advanced research training and the opportunity to engage in discussion which encourages students to think critically
• The formative assignment involves students producing, and then get feedback on, a a small group presentation. This provides them with the opportunity to enhance the clarity of their scientific communication with regards to their research question and also improve their IT skills. In addition, to ensure the progress of the project and dissertation students must complete and submit a dissertation proforma.
• The written dissertation report allows students to demonstrate their evaluative, analytical and research skills in a single comprehensive piece of work
• Supervisors provide formative feedback on a draft of the dissertation (excluding the discussion section) submitted prior to the final deadline to help refine the report and extend students' analytical abilities and theoretical understanding

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative assessment, formative assessment:.

A short presentation which explains the specific hypotheses being tested, outlines the methodology and provides a timetable for the study together with an individually completed dissertation proforma. Students also have the opportunity to gain feedback on a single draft of the introduction, methods and results section of their dissertation.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University

Scholars' Bank

Psychology theses and dissertations.

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This collection contains some of the theses and dissertations produced by students in the University of Oregon Psychology Graduate Program. Paper copies of these and other dissertations and theses are available through the UO Libraries .

Recent Submissions

• When “Self-Harm” Means “Suicide”: Adolescent Online Help-Seeking for Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors  Lind, Monika ( University of Oregon , 2024-03-25 ) The sensitive period of adolescence facilitates key developmental tasks that equip young people to assume adult roles. Adolescence features important strengths, like the need to contribute, and some risks, like vulnerability ...
• Stereotypes and Social Decisions: The Interpersonal Consequences of Socioeconomic Status  Hughes, Bradley ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-09 ) Interpersonal perceptions of socioeconomic status (SES), those formed in face-to-face interactions, can perpetuate inequality if they influence interpersonal interactions in ways that disadvantage people with low SES. There ...
• Utilization of Linguistic Markers in Differentiation of Internalizing Disorders, Suicidality, and Identity Distress  Ivie, Elizabeth ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-09 ) The adolescent period of development is associated with a significant increase in the occurrence of mental illness. In addition, death by suicide is one of the leading causes of death amongst adolescents. Identity formation ...
• The Role of Fractal Fluency on Visual Perception  Robles, Kelly E. ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-09 ) From quarks to galaxies, the natural world is organized with fractal geometry. Fractal fluency theory suggests that due to their omnipresence in our visual world, fractals are more fluently processed by the visual system ...
• The Anatomy of Antagonism: Exploring the Relations of 20 Lexical Factors of Personality with Machiavellianism, Grandiose Narcissism, and Psychopathy  Kay, Cameron ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-09 ) Despite being the focus of extensive research over the past two decades, the structure of the “Dark Triad”—or, as I will refer to it here, the “Aversive Triad”—is still shrouded in confusion. Much of this confusion stems ...
• Content Representation in Lateral Parietal Cortex  Zhao, Yufei ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-09 ) While the lateral parietal cortex (LPC) in the human brain is traditionally investigated for its functions in visual perception, more recent evidence has highlighted its substantial contribution to supporting human episodic ...
• Sociocultural Contexts of Emotion Socialization in BIPOC Families  Lee, Angela ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-09 ) Having effective emotion regulation skills is critical to socioemotional well-being, and parents play a key role in the development of children’s emotion regulation through emotion socialization behaviors. However, since ...
• Cross-ideological Communication: The Impact of Real Conversations Compared to Imagined Ones  Niella, Tamara ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-09 ) Political polarization has visibly increased in the last few years. A sense of divisiveness has been exacerbated by a surge in social media communication about contentious issues which has been replacing face-to-face ...
• Inflammation, Mental Health, and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Study with Child Welfare Service Involved Families  Horn, Sarah ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-09 ) The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has posited unique challenges for families and significantly disrupted several aspects of children’s environments. The pandemic is an ongoing risk experience, with young children being ...
• Testing Novel Norm Interventions for Promoting Pro-environmental Consumption  Lieber, Sara ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-09 ) The purpose of the current project was to investigate how a social psychology approach could be used to develop an effective climate-change mitigation tool. A commonly used technique in the social psychology literature for ...
• Understanding the Misunderstood Emotion: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Variants of Anger  Razavi, Pooya ( University of Oregon , 2023-07-06 ) In cultural accounts and scholarly writings about anger, we see conceptualizations that reflect the existence of two variants: an anger perceived as moral, appropriate, and justified; and an anger considered wrong and ...
• Measuring long-term memories at the feature level reveals mechanisms of interference resolution  Drascher, Maxwell ( University of Oregon , 2023-07-06 ) When memories share similar features, this can lead to interference, and ultimately forgetting. At the same time, many highly similar memories are remembered vividly for years to come. Understanding what causes interference ...
• The Role of Hierarchical Structures in Cognition  Moss, Melissa ( University of Oregon , 2023-07-06 ) Individuals routinely execute complex tasks that involve multiple, dependent levels of information, such as driving a car or cooking dinner. It is amazing that our cognitive system is able to represent such complex, ...
• A Contextual Psychology Approach to Improving Health Outcomes in the Perinatal Period  Lightcap, April ( University of Oregon , 2023-07-06 ) The United States holds alarming records for highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the developed world. The US infant mortality rate is on par with many low and middle income countries, and despite the decline in ...
• The Study of Behavior Settings as an Aid in Mental Hospital Analysis: A Methodological Exploration  Rose, David William ( University of Oregon , 1969-06 ) The ultimate goal of all mental hospital analyses is to provide information which by direct implication or through analysis might act as a guide in restructuring environment in which the mental patient lives. The goal of ...
• Personality-Driven Social Media Curation: How Personality Traits Affect Following Decisions on Twitter  Bedford-Petersen, Cianna ( University of Oregon , 2023-03-24 ) As social media occupies an increasingly important place in people’s lives, new opportunities are presented for people to select and modify their online environments. On many platforms, users have significant control over ...
• Stability of Mind-Mindedness Across the Transition to Motherhood and its Longitudinal Association with Children’s Theory of Mind & Executive Function  Gluck, Stephanie ( University of Oregon , 2023-03-24 ) Parental mind-mindedness refers to caregivers’ propensity to attribute mind-like and intentional qualities in their interactions with or representation of their young children. It is proposed to be associated with positive ...
• Dating and Mating in Adolescence: How Hormones and Puberty Influence Adolescent Mating Motivation  Donaldson, Sarah ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-26 ) Puberty marks the physical transition towards sexual maturity, culminating in the ability to reproduce. It follows that maturing cognitive, affective, and social skills develop concurrently to support reproductive competence, ...
• Individual Differences in Memory Functions and Their Relation to Hippocampal Connectivity  Frank, Lea ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-26 ) The hippocampus plays an important role in many aspects of learning and memory. It is most known for its role in episodic memory and spatial navigation, though it has also been shown to contribute to other processes like ...
• Collective Ongoing Betrayal Trauma: Gendered and Racialized Police Violence toward the Black Community  Barnes, Melissa ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-26 ) Racialized and gendered police violence is a pernicious problem for Black communities. For my dissertation, I empirically tested a novel theoretical concept, Collective Ongoing Betrayal Trauma (COBT). COBT integrates the ...

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Digital Commons @ USF > College of Arts and Sciences > Psychology > Theses and Dissertations

Psychology Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Improving the Subjective Well-Being of Autistic Youth Utilizing a Positive Psychology Intervention , Nicolette Bauermeister

An Experimental Study of Negative Performance Feedback: Consideration of a Cognitive Pathway and Individual Difference Factors , Ansley M. Bender

A Critical Analysis of the Graduate Socialization of Racially Minoritized School Psychology Students , Tatiana J. Broughton

The Influence of COVID-19 on Tobacco Racial Health Disparities: Testing the Differential Effects of COVID-19 on Smoking Motivation Variables across Black and White Smokers , Patricia F. Calixte-Civil

An Evaluation of Measurement Invariance of DSM-5 Borderline Personality Disorder Criteria Across Heterosexual, Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults , E. Elisa Carsten

The Development of a Behaviorally Based Mentoring Workplace Scale , Christina N. Falcon

Examining the Role of Executive Functions on the Intention-Behavior Gap of Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy Use , Becky K. Gius

The Effect of Psychopathy Trait Descriptions on Mock Juror Decision-Making , Bailey A. Hall

Context matters: Profiles of emotion regulation at work and home , Roxanne C. Lawrence

Planning to Behave Impulsively to Feel Better: An EMA Study of College Students' Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, Binge Eating, and Exercise Behaviors , Rose H. Miller

One Year Impact of the Advancing Coping and Engagement (ACE) Program on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Student Success , Amanda C. Moseley

The Effects of Divided Attention in Free Recall: Affecting Trace Accumulation by Dividing Attention , Anne Olsen

Investigating Risk Factors of the Development of Compulsive Exercise and Eating Disorder Symptoms in College Students , Madeline Palermo

Invisible Families, Clear Consequences: Work-Family Integration Among Employees in Same Gender Presenting Romantic Relationships , Joseph Regina

Threats to School Safety: Examining Levels of Community Violence and Its Relation to School-Related Threats , Dorie Ross

The Social Anxiety Stigma Scale (SASS): Development, Factor Structure, and Validation , Ruba Rum

Socio-emotional effects of rejection: An experience-sampling examination , Gabriella Silva

Observed Error Monitoring as an Index of Theory of Mind , Kipras Varkala

I'll Make a Man Out of You: Precarious Manhood Beliefs among Heterosexual-Cisgender Men and Queer Men , Serena L. Wasilewski

From Other and From World: Expanding the Current Model of Existential Isolation , Roger Young Jr.

Temporal and Spatial Properties of Orientation Summary Statistic Representations , Jacob S. Zepp

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Boredom, Interoceptive Ability, and Emotional Eating , Erica Ahlich

Environmental Transmission of Career Interests Through a Genetic Lens: Understanding the Confounding Around Parental Occupation , Tyler Allan

Do Suicide Attempt Survivors Have Reduced Long-Term Well-Being? A Study of Veterans Across Three Nationally Representative Cohorts , Bradley A. Brown

Depersonalized, Dysregulated, and Demanded: The Impact of Burnout on Appraisal and Emotional Events , Katrina M. Conen

Breast Health Esteem to Motivate Breast Health Behavioral Intentions: An Application of the Terror Management Health Model , Emily P. Courtney

Gender Differences in College Drinkers: The Role of Masculine Norms , Jared A. Davis

Prevalence and Predictors of Careless Responding in Experience Sampling Research , Alexander J. Denison

Perceptions of Workplace Discrimination: A Closer Look , Jeremiah Doaty

The Impact of Cannabis on Motivational Processes for Smoked Tobacco and Cigarettes , Claire M. Gorey

Outcomes of a Telehealth Adaptation of a Trauma-Based Parent Training Program , Holland Hayford

Why Don’t They Just Ask?: Barriers to Directly Requesting Affirmative Sexual Consent by Gender and Sexual Orientation , Jessica A. Jordan

Examining the Social Validity of Parent Training: Post-Participation Parent Perceptions and Reflections of Group Triple P , Nycole C. Kauk

Individual Differences in Response to Hostile and Benevolent Sexism in a STEM Interview Context: The Moderating Role of Behavioral Activation , Elizabeth Kiebel

Do Sociability Expectancies Moderate Social Anxiety Predicting Alcohol Consumption Following a Social Stressor Speech Task , Jacob A. Levine

An Object for Sexual Pleasure: Does Viewing Sexualized Media Predict Increases in Self and Partner Objectification Impacting Feelings of Sexual and Romantic Closeness? , Kaitlyn Ligman

Influences of Sentence Context and Individual Differences in Lexical Quality on Early Phonological Processing during Silent Reading , Sara Milligan

Testing the Effects of Social Exclusion on Emotional Arousal: An Examination of the Effects of Psychological Pain and Rumination , Amanda L. Peterson

Creating a Short, Public-Domain Version of the CPAI-2: Using an Algorithmic Approach to Develop Public-Domain Measures of Indigenous Personality Traits , Mukhunth Raghavan

Equitable Implementation of the Good Behavior Game , Faith D. Reynolds

Ethnic-Racial Minoritized Adolescents’ Perceptions of Cyberhate, School Connectedness, Ethnic-Racial Identity, and Life Satisfaction , Alexis Taylor

Predicting Future Well-Being Among United States Youth Who Attempted Suicide and Survived , Bingjie Tong

Approach and Avoidance Food Craving: A Dual Cue Reactivity Investigation , Christina Lee Verzijl

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

School Professional Coaching on Facilitation of Prevent-Teach-Reinforce (PTR) Model for Students with Persistent Problem Behavior , Rachel Ayres

Influencing Motivation for Alcohol through Social Bonding , Bryan Benitez

Case Studies in Applied Behavior Analysis: Using a Desensitization Procedure to Decrease Problem Behavior Towards Peers and Using a Treatment Package to Increase Time Spent in a Small Group , Mallamy I. Camargo Pena

Testing the Congruence of Espousals and Enactments Predicting Team Innovation , Rylan M. Charlton

The General Psychopathology Factor ( p ) From Adolescence to Adulthood: Disentangling the Developmental Trajectories of p Using a Multi-Method Approach , Alexandria M. Choate

An Ecological Momentary Assessment of Disordered Eating Behaviors within Alcohol Use Episodes: Determining Temporal Sequencing in Food and Alcohol Disturbance , Emily M. Choquette

The Influence of Maternal Body-Shaming Comments and Bodily Shame on Portion Size , Savannah R. Flak

Mental Health Problems, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Offending Behavior Among Persons Incarcerated in a County Jail , Lauren F. Fournier

The Adaptive, Social, Communication, and Cognitive Skills of Monolingual and Bilingual Toddlers with Autism , Marcela A. Galicia

Good Intentions Go Awry: Investigation of Unhelpful Supportive Leadership , Cheryl E. Gray

Hello Traitor: An Examination of Individual Differences in Perceptions of Technology-Related Incivility , David J. Howard

Measuring State Empathy: Exploring the Efficacy of a Film Clip Task and Examining Individual Differences in Empathic Responding , Stephanie R. Hruza

The Relationship of Hope to Goals and Psychological Outcomes in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer: A Test of Hope Theory , Kelly A. Hyland

Decisions and How Doctors Make Them: Modeling Multilevel Decision-Making within Diagnostic Medicine , Michelle S. Kaplan

Cultural Values as a Moderator of the Emotion Suppression to Strain Relationship: A Comparison of Two Dominant Theoretical Mechanisms , Roxanne C. Lawrence

How Enduring is Global Precedence? , Jong Lee

Cool Under Fire: Psychopathic Traits and Decision-Making in Law Enforcement-Oriented Populations , Sean J. McKinley

Cognitive Ability and Ambivalence toward Alcohol: An Examination of Working Memory Capacity’s Influence on Drinking Behavior , Emily T. Noyes

The Relationship Between Parenting Stress, Attendance, and Attrition in a Group-Based Parent Management Training Program , David Rubio Jr.

Unintended Consequences? Testing the Effects of Adolescent-Targeted Anti-Vaping Media upon Adult Smokers , Leslie E. Sawyer

“Just Joking”: Women’s Cardiovascular Responses to Sexist Humor , Samantha Shepard

Negative Performance Feedback and the Self-Regulatory Benefits of Mindfulness , Jeremiah Slutsky

Examining the Potential Interactions of Expectancies and Disordered Eating Behavior , Cody B. Staples

The nature of resilience: A person-centered approach using latent profile analysis , Yuejia Teng

Evaluation of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Fit Indices in Distinguishing between Circumplex and Other Factor Models , Andrew J. Thurston

Comparison of Parameter Estimation Approaches for Multi-Unidimensional Pairwise Preference Tests , Naidan Tu

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

The Impact of Cues on Autobiographical Memory Recall in Depression , Ena Begovic

Perfectionism, Negative Life Events, and Cognitive Appraisal: A Contextual Model of Perfectionism’s Maladaptive Nature , Ansley M. Bender

The Effect of Acute Interpersonal Racial Discrimination on Smoking Motivation and Behavior among Black Smokers , Patricia F. Calixte-Civil

Parent Coping and Sibling Relationship Quality in Pediatric Cancer: The Moderating Effects of Parental Emotion Socialization Beliefs , Esther Davila

Higher Sense of Control Predicts Long-term Well-being After Depression , Andrew R. Devendorf

Villains or Vermin? The Differential Effects of Discrimination and Dehumanization on Immigrant Cardiovascular Responses , Mona El-Hout

Alcohol Expectancy Associates as a Probe of the Motivational Processes that Lead to Drinking , Daniel C. Faraci

Features of borderline personality and related psychopathologies as a contemporaneously and temporally connected network , Haya Fatimah

Editing the Self Away: The Effects of Photo Manipulation on Perceptions of the Self , Roxanne N. Felig

Motivation Matters: The Interaction of Approach and Avoidance Alcohol Motivation and Self-Control Demands in College Drinkers , Becky K. Gius

Facilitators and Barriers to Treatment Engagement in a Behavioral Parent Training Program , Holland Hayford

Effects of Inter-Male Status Challenge and Psychopathic Traits on Sexual Aggression , Amy M. Hoffmann

If at First You Don’t Succeed...Your Coworkers Just Might Be Pleased: A Story of Workplace Schadenfreude , Kim Johnson

Motivation to Volunteer , Lendi N. Joy

Exploration of Drive for Leanness in Relation to Drives for Thinness and Muscularity, as well as their Concurrent Associations with Health-Related Outcomes , Brittany Lang

Affect and Craving: Examining the Differential Influences of Positive and Negative Affect on Inclinations to Approach and Avoid Alcohol Use , Jacob A. Levine

Threat-Induced Alterations in Cognition and Associations with Disinhibited Behavior , Julia B. McDonald

A Prospective Examination of Psychosocial Outcomes Following Gynecomastia Surgery , D. Luis Ordaz

Assessing the Impacts of Sensorimotor Stimuli and Nicotine Content on Cravings and Other Outcomes of E-Cigarette Use , Amanda M. Palmer

The Threat of Virality: Digital Outrage Combats the Spread of Opposing Ideas , Curtis Puryear

Why Are Women Leaving STEM? An Examination of Workplace Rivalry , Joseph Regina

A Fidelity-based Integration Model for Explicit and Implicit Ensemble Coding , Ke Tong

Care in Context: Constructing a Theory of Care in One Fifth Grade Classroom , Emily J. Wingate

Depression, Music Choice, and Affective Outcomes in Daily Life , Sunkyung Yoon

The Immediate Effect of a Brief Mindfulness Intervention on Attention and Acceptance , Xiaoqian Yu

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Understanding the Mechanisms Between Job Stress and Employee Sleep: A Daily Diary Study , Marijana L. Arvan

The Effects of Mortality Salience on Interest in Death (and Life) Among High Openness Individuals , Patrick Boyd

Linking Sleep and Aggression: The Role of Response Inhibition and Emotional Processing , Melanie L. Bozzay

Mapping Reward Values to Cues, Locations, and Objects: The Influence of Reward Associations on Visual Attention , Constanza de Dios

From C++ to Conscientiousness: Modeling the Psychosocial Characteristics Influencing Cybersecurity Personnel Performance , Rachel C. Dreibelbis

Personality and Process: The Role of Dyadic Homophily , Christina N. Falcon

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As you prepare for your thesis, you might want to get a sense of what you can accomplish in your finished product. Reading past theses can show you the scope and nature of well-done undergraduate projects. Because theses in different areas of psychology often look quite different, it will help you to examine several in the same general area you plan to conduct your research in.

The Psychology Undergraduate Office has hard copies of several prize-winning theses from the past five years that you may sign out to see what the best undergraduate work looks like. Above, you can browse the titles of past undergraduate theses to give you an idea of the topics of theses students typically write.

Only hard copies of recent prize-winning theses are currently available.

Please note: Recent theses stored in the Social Relations Library (which recently closed) are unavailable. Inquirers needing a thesis that is not listed in HOLLIS should contact the authors of theses directly to attempt to obtain a copy.  

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• Summary of models of undergraduate thesis supervision in psychology.

1. Consider Using Secondary and/or Meta-data

2. consider team science approaches, 3. promote openness and transparency, 4. raise awareness of, and avoid incentivising qrps, author contributions, competing interests, acknowledgements, maximising the educational and research value of the undergraduate dissertation in psychology.

Corresponding author: [email protected]

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Ann-Marie Creaven , Katherine S. Button , Heather Cleland-Woods , Emily Nordmann; Maximising the Educational and Research Value of the Undergraduate Dissertation in Psychology. Collabra: Psychology 3 January 2023; 9 (1): 90216. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/collabra.90216

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The undergraduate research dissertation in psychology is the capstone demonstration of research skills including project planning and design, considering and resolving ethical issues, and the analysis and dissemination of findings. The dissertation represents an opportunity for learning as well as an opportunity to contribute to the research literature in the student’s chosen area; however, few articles have considered both dimensions in detail. This article provides a roadmap for undergraduate thesis supervision, for early-career supervisors and supervisors aiming to better align their supervision and research activities and/or engage their students in open research practices via the dissertation.

Specifically, we review prior literature on undergraduate psychology research supervision and identify several dimensions that vary in existing approaches. Drawing on our own supervision experiences, we describe four key recommendations for undergraduate supervision in psychology and discuss how these can support student learning as well as benefit research.

The undergraduate (UG) research dissertation/thesis in psychology requires the student to carry out an empirical piece of research over the course of a single academic year. Students must individually demonstrate a range of research skills including project planning and design, considering and resolving ethical issues, and the analysis and dissemination of findings (British Psychological Society [BPS], 2019; Psychological Society of Ireland [PSI], 2019) . Although the dissertation is an important learning process for individual UG students, it may also contribute to the research literature in the student’s chosen area, in the form of grey literature, or a peer-reviewed publication. Therefore, completing a dissertation has individual pedagogical benefits for the student, and potentially wider benefits for the research literature. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the dissertation as both a pedagogical exercise and a research endeavour and consider how to best support students’ learning while also enhancing the potential benefits for research. In doing so we hope to make the “private realm” (Wiggins et al., 2016, p. 11) of dissertation supervision explicit.

There is an extensive literature already on the value of undergraduate involvement in research (Perlman & McCann, 2005) , models of research involvement aside from the dissertation (e.g., Lloyd et al., 2019 ), considerations specific to qualitative dissertations (e.g., Freeman et al., 2020 ), effective mentorship (e.g., Boysen et al., 2020 ), and postgraduate research (e.g., S. Williams, 2019 ). To be clear, our focus is not on those topics but on principles of undergraduate dissertation supervision that increase both the quality of undergraduate research and of the student learning experience. This is timely given advances in open science practices intended to improve the efficiency, reliability, and accessibility of research outputs.

Traditionally, the dissertation has been conducted in the context of a dyadic relationship between supervisor and student and involves the collection of new data. Thus, while the student learns from the supervisor, there can be limited opportunities for peer learning or collaboration outside of this dyadic relationship, and limited scope to learn from intellectual dialogue between the supervisor and other researchers (colleagues, or students). Besides this, the sheer numbers of student projects conducted can generate numerous small-scale quantitative studies with low statistical power, and an increased chance of false positive findings; some of which will ultimately be published. Thus, the traditional model has limitations not only for students’ learning, but for the research literature more broadly. In recent years, alternative models of supervision have been documented (see Table 1 ) that involve some variation on a team approach, and which may address some of the limitations of the traditional model.

In addition to a shift from the traditional dyadic model, explicit consideration of how to raise awareness of and avoid questionable research practices (QRPs; John et al., 2012 ) at undergraduate level is necessary. One study of PhD researchers (Lubega et al., 2023) indicates that the majority experienced issues in reproducing published findings and tended to attribute this “failure” as indicative of a lack of skill on their own part. Participants described experiencing self-doubt, frustration, and depression; in some instances this interfered with their health and/or ability to work. Given undergraduate students typically develop their dissertation based on findings from published literature; they are likely to be vulnerable to these same issues, to some degree. Also, undergraduate students themselves may unknowingly engage in QRPs, particularly in relation to analysis and reporting (Krishna & Peter, 2018) . Because dissertation supervisors are key in shaping students’ attitudes towards QRPs (Krishna & Peter, 2018) , modelling best practice and actively training students in relation to QRPs if needed, should be a priority for undergraduate dissertation supervision.

Given an increased discourse around models of undergraduate dissertation supervision (e.g., Giuliano et al., 2019 ), it is timely to consider how best to support learning and research in the context of the dissertation. Based on our collective supervision experiences, we argue that adopting four key recommendations may help increase the quality of the research generated as part of the UG dissertation, without compromising, or indeed potentially increasing, the quality of student training and learning:

These recommendations are:

Consider efficient use of data (e.g., by using secondary and/or meta-data)

Consider team science approaches

Promote openness and transparency

Raise awareness of and avoid incentivising ­QRPs

We discuss each recommendation below with examples drawn from quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods projects. We begin by discussing the efficient use of data (recommendation 1) with examples from (1) secondary data and (2) evidence synthesis. Given a limited literature on supervision processes in psychology, we describe our own experiences of team science approaches in relative depth across quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods projects (recommendation 2). We then discuss how to promote openness and transparency in the context of the dissertation (recommendation 3), with a particular focus on planning (primarily via pre-registration), and open data. Finally, and to some degree in parallel with our recommendation to promote openness and transparency, we discuss how to raise awareness of and avoid incentivising QRPs (recommendation 4).

First, when planning a dissertation project, consider whether data needs to be collected at all, to address the research question. Data collection involves practical skills development (e.g., learning how to manage an experimental testing session); however, if these skills can be acquired outside of the dissertation, the use of existing data such as publicly available data, data already held by the supervisor, data not intended for research purposes, meta-data, or meta-synthesis, may be appealing. Meta-research projects are likely becoming more popular (e.g., Clarke et al., 2023 ) and can provide students with the opportunity to engage deeply with methodological issues in the literature. Replication studies using existing data are also feasible (e.g., Coyle et al., 2020 ) and the advantages of replication for learning and guidance on choosing what to replicate for teaching purposes are discussed in-depth elsewhere (see Janz, 2016; Wagge et al., 2019 ). Using existing data reduces research waste by minimising the unnecessary collection of new data, reducing the overall burden on potential participants, and reducing the burden on research ethics committees. In addition, a large sample size or dataset is typically available, and sampling is more representative of the general population than would be achieved with convenience or snowball sampling, leading to potentially better-quality research. Here, we discuss the benefits and drawbacks of conducting (1) a secondary analysis, and (2) of evidence synthesis.

In addition to the benefits for research, there are several potential benefits for learning. Secondary data allow students to gain hands-on experience with real-world datasets and all their idiosyncratic messiness. Students’ skills in data wrangling may require support at the start, particularly where they have previously encountered only unrealistically “clean” data and the skills required to obtain data from sources like Twitter are likely to only be available to those students who are enrolled in psychology programmes that have incorporated data skills and programming into their curriculums (e.g., PsyTeachR, n.d. ). However, these are skills that are useful for a range of graduate jobs beyond those focused on research.

An important consideration for secondary data projects is that students will not gain first-hand experience of participant recruitment or data collection. Depending on individual School/Department requirements, students may not gain experience of developing a formal research ethics application, so considering how to develop competency in ethics is necessary, for example, by creating ethics forms to relate directly to secondary data and/or internet-mediated research. Ethics is particularly important for data not originally collected for research purposes. Researchers relying on data from online forums, for example, need to consider if individual forum members should be contacted for permission to analyse their online discussions. If appropriate, researchers need to consider if it is feasible and if it could alter the nature of the online discussions. There may be alternatives such as seeking permission from a forum administrator, or there may be grounds for researchers to choose not to seek consent. These considerations are complex (see e.g., Ahmed et al., 2017; Buchanan, 2017 for further discussion) and there is no clear answer. Indeed, for large-scale Twitter analyses that scrape data from a particular hashtag, informed consent is practically impossible to obtain. Instead, it is important to consider a formal application for access via Twitter’s Academic Research application, and to ensure users are granted anonymity in the write-up and/or the publication of data and analysis code. For example, Attard and Coulson (2012) used data in the public domain and thus did not seek consent. To preserve anonymity, they omitted not only participants’ names/ pseudonyms but also the names of the online support groups themselves, and only short segments of the original posts were quoted to reduce their traceability through search engines. In addition to this example, useful guidance on relevant ethical issues is available from the BPS (2017) (see also Granger et al.  (2021) , Sugiura et al.  (2017) and Williams et al.  (2017) ).

As an alternative to secondary data analysis, conducting an evidence synthesis allows students to engage deeply with the literature and develop their methodological and appraisal skills. For dissertation projects adhering to British and Irish standards, our interpretation of current accreditation guidelines is that data analysis must be conducted; therefore, a systematic review without a meta-analysis (or equivalent) is unlikely to be acceptable in Britain and Ireland (e.g., BPS, 2019), while U.S. guidelines are less prescriptive. University libraries often offer training in systematic review techniques and there are many published exemplars available. An evidence synthesis can be undertaken even if others have previously been conducted addressing the same question. For example, Ahern and Semkovska (2017) addressed some limitations of an earlier meta-analysis (Lee et al., 2012) of cognitive functioning in the first episode of major depressive disorder. For qualitative evidence synthesis (QES, see Noyes et al., 2019 ) a student will ideally have prior experience with the methodology they are synthesizing (e.g., students undertaking thematic syntheses will have experience in thematic analysis), which is unlikely at UG level. However, working with data in existing papers where themes are already summarized is arguably more accessible than working with raw qualitative data, making qualitative evidence synthesis a viable option for some students under some specific circumstances. Students undertaking an evidence synthesis can use pre-registration templates and the PRISMA (Page et al., 2021) reporting guidelines to help scaffold and guide their project, as well as encouraging transparent reporting.

It is important to ensure students appreciate the distinction between the narrative and selective literature review that forms part of an assignment or research project, and the substantial workload involved in undertaking a systematic review prior to even conducting a meta-analysis. In contrast to narrative reviews, at least some steps of a systematic reviews should be conducted as part of a team (Jahan et al., 2016) . The availability of team members may determine whether a systematic review is a feasible option for the dissertation. Additionally, the supervisor must consider the accreditation requirement for meta-analysis. Given the typical timeframe for UG dissertations, it may be helpful to consider if the research question and process can be constrained to reduce the burden associated with the searching and screening phases of the process. For example, it may be possible to update a previous review, or conduct a review of research during the last five years, or from the date a key research recommendation was made. Finally, supervisors and students should also plan for insufficient or inadequate reporting of data for meta-analysis. Although contacting the study authors is commonly done to access data, there is no guarantee authors will be responsive. If at least some data are available, conducting a meta-analysis while acknowledging the limitations of available data may demonstrate students’ computational skills. However, given the considerable time required to conduct evidence syntheses well, and the accreditation requirement for data analysis, this option is often sub-optimal for UG students.

Our second broad recommendation is to consider team science approaches to supervision. As illustrated in Table 1 , several models of supervision involve a form of team approach. Teaming up across institutions as in the consortium model (Button et al., 2019) can lead to very large datasets and more generalizable results. However, many of the benefits for learning and for research can be achieved by groups of students working together within an individual department. The BPS/PSI accreditation guidance endorses group projects as long as the student can individually demonstrate each of the skills involved in conducting the empirical project, whilst the APA guidelines include refining project-management skills and enhancing teamwork capacity as core goals. Depending on the institution’s interpretation of the guidance, this could be as simple as each student writing up their dissertations separately (based on identical research questions and a common dataset) or ensuring that each student has a different research question.

The benefits for research include the generation of better-powered datasets to address a specific research question. Team approaches can provide opportunities for peer learning and peer support that are absent from the one-to-one supervision model. A team approach can facilitate practical data collection skills while making efficient use of the data collected and students are potentially more likely to have an opportunity for co-authorship on a resulting publication from the pooled, better-powered dataset.

Because the literature on undergraduate dissertation is relatively limited, and because team approaches vary in how they are implemented, we outline below how team approaches might be implemented for quantitative, mixed methods, and qualitative studies, and conclude by considering drawbacks to team approaches.

Quantitative studies

For quantitative studies, similar to the consortium model, group lab or survey projects can be supported by having an overarching primary hypothesis or project aim that is pre-registered and forms the primary focus of any paper written up for publication. Students then build in a series of secondary questions and hypotheses to become the focus of their individual dissertations. A key concern of this approach is the tension between pedagogy and research. The consortium lab-based example incorporates multiple outcomes and/or moderator variables for pedagogical reasons (i.e., to facilitate individual student research questions), and this complexity increases with the number of students in the team. However, the integrity of the overarching project (on which all students will be co-authors) is supported by pre-registering the primary aims, enabling easier detection of QRPs. Thus, any resulting publication will be confirmatory for the primary aims, with the students’ dissertation aims treated as secondary. Pre-registering (even informally) individual student hypotheses ensures that the dissertation projects retain their individuality, both in terms of academic integrity, and the perception of the process from the students’ point of view. It also minimizes the temptation to make use of measures other than those that were pre-registered, without a justifiable rationale for doing so.

Mixed methods

Mixed methods designs involve the collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data and as such lend themselves well to a team dissertation project. Mixed methods provide both breadth and depth to the question under investigation (Johnson et al., 2007) and in the case of exploratory mixed methods, can support the formation of evidence-based hypotheses for NHST (Erzberger & Prein, 1997) . Specific to the dissertation process, mixed methods projects have several advantages. First, the shared topic means that students can engage in peer support such as sharing papers and discussing theoretical models and the interpretation of their data; however, the divergence in methods and subsequent write-up ensures that the dissertation project retains its individuality. Additionally, students can support each other with participant recruitment and reviewing and proofreading study materials. Team mixed method designs also allow (or indeed may require) multiple supervisors to be involved on the project who have different methodological expertise. Students still benefit from an individual supervisor, but group meetings and reviews help promote a team science approach.

One important consideration with mixed method dissertations involves the timeline and the choice of core design. Explanatory and exploratory designs (see Creswell & Clark, 2017 ) require one student to “go first” in the collection of their qualitative or quantitative data, which may make convergent designs (where qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis is conducted largely in parallel) more appealing. Supervisors should be clear upfront about the nature of the project and be prepared to support those students with different timelines than they may have expected; for example, completing drafts of the introduction and methods in advance of any data collection. It is crucial that contingency plans (e.g., switching to a convergent design) are developed for if the primary study does not take place in the expected timeline, so that for example, issues impacting student A do not disadvantage student B. Additionally, the quantitative component remains susceptible to the limitations of individual quantitative projects (e.g., small sample sizes). There are of course higher-level concerns with mixed method designs regarding how to meaningfully integrate studies that have different epistemological positions into a single paper (Clark, 2019) , although this is not specific to mixed method research as a dissertation model.

Qualitative dissertations

For qualitative dissertations, team approaches are effective when students are interested in distinct but related questions with the same participant group (e.g., exploring experiences of (a) social support and (b) self-management for students with Type 1 diabetes). It is most straightforward when students also plan to use the same analytical approach (e.g., thematic analysis), as the same “thickness” of data is sought during interviews, and there are no differences in transcription requirements (e.g., text only transcription is acceptable for both research questions).

In addition to sharing participant recruitment, students can review each other’s materials such as interview or focus group questions before finalising a common schedule. Students can divide the conduct of interviews/focus groups and transcribe those they do not conduct, to gain familiarity with the data. In contrast to exploratory or explanatory mixed methods designs, students work to the same timeline for data collection.

The key concern with teaming up for qualitative studies involves assuring the quality and originality of the two (or more) individual research studies within the common research process. Students must clearly articulate their own specific research questions prior to combining question schedules. Otherwise, they may end up conducting several interviews or focus groups around the broad topic while ending up with very little material pertinent to their specific research question. Each student must also be sufficiently familiar with the others’ research question(s), to probe and follow up on participant responses relating to that question (and vice versa ). Students can decide a priori to analyse the interviews in their entirety, or alternatively, that only about half of each interview will be relevant for each dissertation. Even with training, there is potential for a high level of variability in interview skills and establishment of rapport, and any section on reflexivity will be increasingly complex with increasing number of interviewers/researchers.

What are the drawbacks to team approaches?

Supervisors contemplating a team approach may be concerned about students’ ability to generate a truly independent project while working as part of a team. However, clarifying to students which activities can be shared (e.g., circulating relevant research papers), and which should not be done collaboratively (writing one’s individual results sections), can be helpful in supporting the retention of individual research integrity within a larger team project. Other strategies include balancing team meetings with some individual meetings focused on the student’s own specific research question and intellectual development and bringing the team together for particular activities (e.g., pilot testing in the lab), before dispersing for other activities.

In our experiences, students have valued both the informal peer support that comes from working in this way, and the tangible advantages of shared data collection (e.g., sharing efforts to recruit participants; generation of a larger sample size in the time allowed, and opportunities to gain teamwork skills); these benefits have been highlighted by others, also (e.g., Dautel, 2020 ). Moreover, if social loafing is a concern, this may be mitigated a priori by clear discussions and agreement on roles and responsibilities, potentially supported by the CRediT taxonomy, and/or by requiring individuals to collect a certain proportion of data to access the larger shared data set. Students value opportunities for one-on-one discussions with their supervisor, so a combination of team and individual meetings is possibly most beneficial (Dautel, 2020) . There may also be instances where students have very legitimate concerns about working together and in these cases, individual projects may be more appropriate.

Besides this, the social and emotional aspects of learning and of the dissertation are also important to consider. Students can gain a sense of pride having completed a dissertation that they may not feel to the same degree working on a team-based project; this could be addressed by highlighting individual achievements within the team as well as team-work overall. Students progressing from a team-based dissertation to a traditional student-supervisor project for masters or PhD research may be vulnerable to “impostor syndrome” or find the transition disconcerting. Therefore, scaffolding transitions from team to traditional projects (as you would for transitions from traditional to team projects) may be necessary.

Having described the use of secondary/meta-data, team science approaches, and methods of, we move to our third recommendation:

There are several ways in which openness and transparency can be promoted; including pre-registration, open data, code, and/or materials, reporting contributions (e.g., using the Contributor Roles Taxonomy [CRediT]) and planning for dissemination of study findings (e.g., via conference presentation and/or journal submission). We discuss pre-registration and open data practices in further detail below.

Pre-registration

Full pre-registration with detailed analytic specificity is not appropriate for all research designs and analytic approaches (and indeed there is ongoing debate as to its efficacy and purpose for any research, see e.g., Nosek et al.  (2019) vs. Szollosi et al.  (2019) ). However, incorporating the development of a study protocol, lighter-touch pre-registration of hypotheses for confirmatory work, or the explicit registration that the work is exploratory/intended solely as a learning experience, is entirely feasible. Preregistration (or a similar a priori plan) can also be a tool to support transparency in qualitative research. In terms of benefits for research, pre-registration can help promote transparent ways of working and protect against the increased risk of publication bias in the wider literature (Pownall, 2020) . From a learning perspective, working through a detailed plan prior to data collection will inevitably lead to clarity of thinking and better research questions and higher quality dissertations. Indeed, van’t Veer and Giner-Sorolla (2016) note that a focus on theory testing and/or methodological replication and validation over results is likely to benefit researchers at an earlier stage of their career, specifically students and post-doctoral researchers. Further, the importance of transparency has long been recognised in qualitative constructs such as reflexivity , the process of a continual internal dialogue and critical self-evaluation of a researcher’s positionality as well as active acknowledgement that this position may affect the research process and outcome (Berger, 2015) . Students doing qualitative or mixed methods research can also include reflexivity and/or positionality statements in their theses to enhance transparency.

Open data and code

Similarly, students can consider making the data “open” in line with FAIR data principles (Wilkinson et al., 2016) . Although there is debate about the value of open data initiatives (e.g., Kitchin, 2013 ), and it is highly challenging to truly anonymise data (e.g., Rocher et al., 2019 ), making a conscious decision to make data open (or not, particularly for qualitative research) is an important element of student training. Except when the thesis will be published, the benefits of open data and code are primarily for student learning. For quantitative studies, students can be asked to provide syntax files to ensure the results reported in the dissertation can be reproduced. This exercise will better prepare students for subsequent research projects, given increasing emphasis on open data and data management in general. It also supports students’ awareness of ethical use of data. For qualitative studies, there is considerable debate about the relevance of open data guidelines for qualitative data (see Branney et al., 2019; Prosser et al., 2023 , for discussions of this issue). Nonetheless, even when data are not open, generating a data availability statement to accompany the dissertation can facilitate students’ learning, given these are commonly required by journals regardless of whether the research is quantitative or qualitative.

Alongside promoting openness and transparency, our final recommendation is to explicitly raise awareness of and avoid incentivising QRPs. The literature indicates that QRPs exist in psychology, that some students engage in some QRPs (Krishna & Peter, 2018) , that students learn about QRPs from supervisors (Krishna & Peter, 2018) , and that early-career researchers can be disheartened when their project findings do not replicate existing published work (potentially owing to QRPs in that original work; Nelson et al., 2022). To be clear, we do not want to overemphasize the impact of QRPs, nor create a descriptive norm that QRPs are common (Fiedler & Schwarz, 2016) . However, given QRPs are documented as problematic, it falls to the dissertation supervisor to model appropriate research practices and to provide specific training as needed both to promote transparency (as noted in recommendation #3) and to avoid QRPs.

The benefits of avoiding QRPs for research are perhaps obvious. The main benefit is that published research arising from undergraduate theses is more likely to be of good quality.

In terms of benefits for learning, supporting students to be aware of and avoid QRPs themselves, means developing research integrity and ethical awareness in these students. Supervisors can achieve this by modelling best practice themselves and by promoting openness and transparency as outlined above. Supervisors can also explicitly emphasize the methods used over the results generated by those methods, join in critical discussions of prior literature, guide students in adhering to their pre-registration (or explaining deviations from this), and emphasize caution in interpreting statistically significant findings. Otherwise, given the literature available to students disproportionately favours statistically significant results, students may be disappointed with null or counter-intuitive findings arising from their own projects (e.g., Nelson et al., 2022).

In summary, the above recommendations are intended to increase both the quality of undergraduate research and of the student learning experience during the undergraduate dissertation. By reflecting on our own collective supervision experiences across three institutions we hope to illuminate aspects of supervision practices that typically remain private or inaccessible to early-career academics embarking on supervision for the first time. Given the many approaches to dissertation supervision, what does supervision that adopts the recommendations look like? At their core, our recommendations are not revolutionary: careful consideration of the need to collect data and the merits and challenges of using existing data, early planning, with an interim deadline for a written plan (using a pre-registration template if preferred) and including early planning for dissemination. Implementing these recommendations also involves incorporating and scaffolding some element of collaboration (e.g., by formally sharing data collection, or discussing plans with peers), clear consideration of transparent and open practices (e.g., even if the decision is to not share data), and a focus on methodological rigour and appropriate interpretation of results, supported by guidance from the supervisory team. This paper combining our supervision experiences with the available relevant literature aims to provide researchers and educators with pragmatic solutions to support learning outcomes as well as the overall quality of undergraduate research. Given the increasing emphasis on open science practices, and increasing popularity of team approaches, formal evaluation of the impact of these approaches on student learning is an important next step in this area. In addition, further elaboration of emerging forms of undergraduate dissertations like meta-research projects is also required to ensure that early-career supervisors are well-supported to support their dissertation students.

Contributed to conception and design: AMC, KB, HCW, EN

Contributed to analysis of literature: AMC, KB, HCW, EN

Drafted and revised the article: AMC, KB, HCW, EN

Approved the submitted version for publication: AMC, KB, HCW, EN

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

We are very grateful to Professor Neil Coulson (University of Nottingham) for his helpful contribution to and feedback on an earlier draft of this manuscript and to Dr Peter Branney (Bradford University) for feedback also.

We are also grateful to the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education who supported a seminar on this topic as part of the 2020/2021 seminar series (recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iBVt2ZqPCo )

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Home > ARTSSCI > Psychology > dissertations

Psychology Dissertations and Theses

The Psychology Department Dissertations and Theses Series is comprised of dissertations and theses authored by Marquette University's Psychology Department doctoral and master's students.

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Sexual Minority Behavioral Health Outcomes: The Role of Social Stressors and Self-Regulation , Zane B. Ballard

Cultural Differences in Reactions to Tics , Jordan Stiede

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Perspectives on Social Support and Stigma in PrEP-related Care Among Gay and Bisexual Men on PrEP: A Qualitative Investigation , Juan Pablo Zapata

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Relations of Discriminatory Experiences and Marianismo Beleifs with PTSD Symptoms in Latinx Women , Claire Maria Bird

Family Functioning in Latino Families of Children with ADHD: The Role of Parental Gender and Acculturation , Anne Malkoff

The Famous Names Discrimination Task as a Biomarker of Alzheimer's Disease Risk: An ERP Study , Elizabeth Rose Paitel

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Objective and Subjective Influences on Cognitive Performance in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes , Natalie E. Benjamin

Is It Just Me or Was That Sexist? Perception of Hostile and Benevolent Sexism in the Context of Race , Mackenzie S. Kirkman

A Statistical Examination of Impaired Performances Across Concussion Screening Instruments , Kathryn Ann Ritchie

Implicit Regulation of Emotion: Priming Non-Conscious Reappraisal and Suppression During Stress , Sydney Clare Timmer-Murillo

Caregivers' Role in Fostering Resilience in Preschoolers , Kristen Yule

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Suicidal Risk at a College Counseling Center: Correlates at Intake and Therapeutic Outcomes , Maha Baalbaki

The Relationship Between Cognitive Flexibility, Coping, and Symptomatology in Psychotherapy , Benjamin Todd Johnson

Video Game Interventions to Improve Cognition in Older Adults , David E. C. Marra

Acute Stress Exposure and Expression of Instrumentally Conditioned Financial Preferences: An fMRI Study , William Travis McCuddy

A Replication and Extension of the PEERS for Young Adults Social Skills Intervention , Alana J. McVey

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Mechanisms of Regulation: Profiling the Impact of Emotion Regulation on Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms , Samantha Ann Chesney

The Effects of Emotional Arousal on False Recognition in Alexithymia , Anthony N. Correro

Global Self-Worth and Perceptions of Competence in Latino Youth: The Role of Acculturation and Acculturation Risk Factors , Theresa Lauer Kapke

Invariant Two Component Structure of the RBANS , Elisabeth M. Vogt

Reading between the Lines: Cultural Sexual Scripts and Collegiate Sexual Behaviors , Lauren Yadlosky

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Using I Cubed Theory to Predict the Perpetration of Violence in Adolescent Romantic Relationships , Christina Caiozzo

Who Confronts Sexual Prejudice? How Gender and Ideologies are Related to Heterosexual Allies Challenging Hate Speech , Kelly L. LeMaire

Parent-Adolescent Communication about Health Risk Behaviors Among Adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus , Ashley Charlene Moss

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Assessment of Intervention Effects on In Vivo Peer Interactions in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders , Bridget Kathleen Dolan

Reinforcement Learning in Individuals at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease , Christina Marie Figueroa

Predicting Depression And Help-Seeking Attitudes Among Latinos: Acculturation And Cultural Values , Natasha Suhail Najar

The Influence of Anger on Implicit Biases , Katherine Reiter

Alcohol Use In Mexican-Americans By Nativity: The Role Of Ethnic Identity, Acculturation, And Acculturative Stress , Leticia G. Vallejo

The Role Of Maternal Attributions In Treatment Outcomes For Children With Adhd , Kelsey Ann Weinberger

The Faith Lives Of Lesbians And Psychological Health: The Moderating Role Of Internalized Homonegativity , Dane Robert Whicker

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Effects of Fashion Ads on Young Adults' Physical Self-Assessments , Michaela Engdahl

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Standardized and Personally Relevant Stimuli in Two Mood Induction Procedures , Kathleen Hazlett

Effects of Violence on Youths' Perceptions of Peer and Sibling Aggression , Jessica Houston

A Factor Structure of a Presenting Problems Checklist: Comparing Levels of Distress and Impairment , Julia Rubinshteyn

The Peers Intervention: Social Anxiety, Physiological Regulation, and Core Autistic Symptoms in Adolescents with Autism , Kirsten A. Schohl

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Long Term Effects of Chronic Variable Stress Administered during Different Developmental Stages in Mice , Henry Boeh

Ambivalent sexism and the expected distribution of power in romantic relationships , Teni Davoudian

Parents' Influence on Child Social Self-Efficacy and Social Cognition , Denise Marie Gardner

Acculturation, Cultural Values, and Latino Parental Beliefs About the Etiology of ADHD , Kathryn E. Lawton

Emotional Responses to Gender-Based Inequality: Justifications and Consequences , Erin Quasney

Effects of Chronic Variable Stress Across Developmental Stages in Mice , Sheryl Jayne Stevens

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

Functional Resting State Connectivity in Individuals At-Risk for Alzheimer's Disease , Alissa M. Butts

Neural Dedifferentiation in Relation to Risk for Alzheimer's Disease , Nathan C. Hantke

The neuropsychological functioning of men residing in a homeless shelter , Sara Murray Hegerty

Child and Caregiver Social Behavior and Joint Attention Change following P.L.A.Y. Project Intervention , Jeffrey Scott Karst

Religious Coping and Social Support as Mediators and/or Moderators and Acculturative Stress in a Latino Community Sample , Priscilla Vasquez

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

Treatment Attrition and Relapse Readmission in Psychiatric Inpatients: Predictors of Treatment Engagement and Psychiatric Relapse , Nicholas W. Bowersox

The primary prevention of sexual violence against adolescents in Racine County and the Community Readiness Model , Theresa A DeWalt

Depression Among the Oneida: Case Studies of the Interface Between Modern and Traditional , Mark R. Powless

Client characteristics and treatment retention in an outpatient drug-free chemical dependency program , Jessica A Thull

Submissions from 2007 2007

Consenting to unwanted sexual activity in heterosexual relationships: A sociocultural examination , Brianna Bartels

Investigating processes of positive adaptation in children living in violent homes , Renee L. DeBoard

Predictors of behavior during mother-child interactions , Elizabeth A. Heideman

Resilience in victims of intimate partner abuse , Sharon R. Shatil

Theses/Dissertations from 2006 2006

The role of an implicit power/sex association in the confluence model of sexual aggression , Kristine M. Chapleau

The relationship between exposure to interparental conflict and social cognitive processes in children's peer relations , Kara L. Lindstedt

Cognitive style patterns among those at high risk for eating disorders , Valerie J. Lucas

The effect of a small unexpected extrinsic reward on memory performance in humans , Mark R. Powless

Lesbian Lives: An Exploration of Faith, Quality of Life and Personal Ideology , Beth Shaw

Theses/Dissertations from 2005 2005

Witnessing Parental Violence: A Retrospective Analysis of the Effects on Partner Violence in a Sample of Ethnically Diverse Women , Terri A. deRoon

Age-related asymmetry reduction indicative of functional recruitment and plasticity : an FMRI study of inhibitory control , Veronica M. Dixon

Emotional Processes in the Family: Context for Interparental Conflict , Gregory M. Fosco

The role of attunement in relationship satisfaction and conflict resolution , Patrick R. Gunderson

Interparental Conflict and Children's Internalizing Psychopathology: Examining the Role of Children's Appraisals and Emotions , Jennifer K. Hauser

Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes Following Anterior Temporal Lobectomy for Intractable Medical Temporal Lobe Epilepsy , Tiffany Warren

Theses/Dissertations from 2004 2004

The state-trait empathy model of helping : does state empathy moderate the relationship between trait empathy and helping? , Robert W. Bond

ADHD symptoms and creative vocational and recreations interests , Karla M. Felske

Goal setting by women in battered women's shelters , Kathleen McHugh

Four components of lesbian community , Gregory J. Simons

Theses/Dissertations from 2003 2003

Psychological outcomes of dating violence: the moderating effects of ego-resiliency and social support , Michelle Dennis

The role of attachment in shaping children's adjustment to interparental conflict , Sarah R. Raynor

Modulation of memory storage processes associated with emotionally arousing narratives , Douglas Yee

Submissions from 2001 2001

A comprehensive model of dating violence: Testing the integration of social learning and attachment theories , Kristen M Kingsfogel

Submissions from 2000 2000

Outcome effects of receiving a spiritually informed vs. a standard cognitive-behavioral stress management workshop , Robert William Nohr

Theses/Dissertations from 1999 1999

Clinician attitudes about a behavioral health questionnaire as a function of level of support , Jennifer L. Close-Goedjen

A scale for measuring attitudes toward people with psychological problems , Lynn M. Servais

Submissions from 1998 1998

The role of personal meaning and multiple risk and protective factors in adolescent alcohol abuse , James K. Giese

Detection of impression management on the COMPASS measure , Wendy Martinez Schneider

Theses/Dissertations from 1997 1997

Religious orientation and antihomosexual prejudice , Kristina M. Kracht

Theses/Dissertations from 1996 1996

The effects of sex-type on hiring decisions , Robert Glowacki

Schematic processing and memory for schema-relevant stimuli in bulimia-prone and normal undergraduates , Kelly M. Gustavson

The formulation of the Remoralization Scale , Tracy Rand

Concurrent validity of the current life functioning scale , Darci Shook-Woolley

Theses/Dissertations from 1995 1995

Perceptions of adopted children and adoptive parents , Christa B. Crawford

Gender differences in mate selection preferences : effects of sex-role orientation and involvement levels , Erin Drawz

Adolescent risk-taking and alcohol use / , James K. Giese

The effects of schemata development on information recall after reading a newspaper article , Lee Ann Kahlor

The Michill Adjective Rating Scale (MARS) and the MMPI-2 : concurrent validation , Rosemary Lynn Kleman

Depression and engagement in mood-related activities in learning disabled and non-learning disabled adult students , Patric W. Mattek

Predictors of response to two types of mood-induction procedures: an analogue of depression , Bryan C. Smyth

Theses/Dissertations from 1994 1994

Frontal-lobe functioning among conduct disordered adolescents in an institutional setting , James Dabrowski

Performance as a function of body esteem of elite speedskaters and a comparison with college undergraduate students , Jeff Klaiber

An attempt to predict change in mood in response to cognitive and behavioral induction techniques , Kathleen McHugh

Parenting of young children by employed and nonemployed mothers , Margaret Anderson Rodriguez

Gender differences in the completion of sequential reasoning patterns , Beatrix Schieffer

Detecting malingering on the MMPI-2 with and without a head injury correction factor , Lisa L. Schwartz

The comparability of the WPPSI-R, WPPSI, and WISC-R , Rainer Seitz

Beck and Hamilton Rating Scales as measures of treatment outcome for depression , Li Tan

Risk taking behavior in delinquent and nondelinquent adolescent boys , Monica L. Weiss

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101 Examples of Dissertation Research Topics for Psychology Students

The journey of a psychology student culminates in the all but dissertation stage and the challenging task of selecting a dissertation topic . The decision you make at this point will set the stage for your academic and professional trajectory.

This momentous project is not just a rite of passage but an opportunity to delve deeply into a niche area of interest, contribute to a body of knowledge, and possibly even ignite a career-long pursuit. With the vast expanse of psychology stretching from the neural synapses of the brain to the complex social interactions of communities, the challenge lies not in finding a topic, but in narrowing down the multitude of possibilities!

In this article, we present an expansive list of dissertation topics for psychology students who are in the process of choosing a good dissertation topic .

The ideas provided are designed to encourage exploration of both traditional and avant-garde topics, reflecting the current trends and enduring questions that shape the evolving landscape of psychological research. From the psychological impacts of digital detox to the cognitive rehabilitation techniques for stroke survivors, these topics are designed to accommodate various interests and academic pursuits. They cater not only to a comprehensive academic challenge but also to the practical implications that such research can have on individuals, systems, and societies.

As you take a look at these suggestions, it’s important that you consider not only what interests you but also what excites you. The best dissertation topic is one that you can commit to with passion and curiosity, one that promises a journey of discovery replete with challenges and rewards.

Before we present the list of dissertation ideas for psychology students, let’s take a look at what makes a good dissertation research topic.

What Makes a Good Dissertation Research Topic for Psychology Students?

A good psychology research topic should meet several key criteria to ensure it is valuable, feasible, and has the potential to contribute to the field. Here’s an overview of the characteristics that make a research topic stand out:

• Relevance : The topic should address current issues or gaps in the field of psychology. It needs to be pertinent to contemporary debates, practices, or policies. Relevance also means that the research could have practical applications or implications, potentially informing practitioners, policymakers, or the general public.
• Originality : A good research topic brings a new perspective to a known issue or explores an understudied area. The aim is to contribute original knowledge or insights rather than replicating past studies without adding substantial value.
• Specificity : Broad topics can be overwhelming and impractical to tackle within the constraints of a typical research timeline and budget. A well-defined and focused research question allows for a more thorough and in-depth study.
• Clarity : The topic should be framed in a way that is understandable and clear. This means avoiding jargon when unnecessary and defining key terms. A clearly articulated research question guides the methodology and helps maintain focus throughout the project.
• Feasibility : This involves considering the researcher’s access to subjects, resources, and data. The research should be achievable within the given time frame and with available resources. Feasibility also concerns the ethical considerations and approval processes required for conducting research.
• Interest : A researcher’s personal interest and passion for a topic can significantly influence the quality of the research. It’s beneficial if the topic resonates with the researcher’s own scholarly interests and curiosities.
• Scope for Scientific Method : Good psychology research topics should allow for systematic investigation through accepted scientific methods. This includes the potential for hypothesis testing, operationalization of variables, and the use of statistical analysis to draw conclusions.
• Ethical Soundness : Psychology research often involves human subjects, which necessitates careful ethical consideration. A good topic should conform to ethical standards, ensuring the privacy, consent, and welfare of participants.
• Implications : Lastly, a good research topic should have clear theoretical, practical, or clinical implications. It should contribute to a greater understanding of the human mind and behavior, potentially leading to better psychological interventions or therapies.

While selecting a research topic for your dissertation is important, you should never overlook the importance of the writing and editing process. Dissertation proofreading services can help you refine your final draft and ensure it presents you in the best possible light.

101 Psychology Dissertation Ideas

• The Role of Social Media in Adolescent Mental Health: Investigate how different levels of social media use affect mood disorders in adolescents.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Depression: Analyze the efficacy of CBT interventions in treating depression among various age groups.
• Neuroplasticity and Rehabilitation After Brain Injuries: Study how different rehabilitation techniques can affect the brain’s plasticity and recovery trajectory post-injury.
• The Psychology of Pandemics: Explore the long-term psychological impact of pandemics on different populations, focusing on coping mechanisms and resilience.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adulthood: Examine the challenges and support systems available for adults with autism, including employment, social relationships, and healthcare.
• Sleep Patterns and Academic Performance: Investigate the correlation between sleep quality and academic success in college students.
• The Impact of Parenting Styles on Child Development: Analyze how different parenting styles affect a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development.
• Workplace Psychology and Employee Well-being: Explore the effects of workplace culture on mental health and job satisfaction.
• Memory and Aging: Study the patterns of cognitive decline in memory with aging and the effectiveness of interventions to slow down this process.
• The Influence of Cultural Background on Psychological Treatment Outcomes: Research how cultural beliefs and practices affect the efficacy of psychological treatments for mental health issues.
• Psychological Resilience in First Responders: Investigate the coping strategies used by first responders to manage stress and trauma-related to their line of work.
• The Effect of Nature on Mental Health: Examine how regular exposure to natural environments influences psychological well-being and stress levels.
• Intergenerational Trauma and Healing: Study patterns of trauma transmission in families and communities and the effectiveness of interventions aimed at breaking these cycles.
• The Psychology of Fake News: Explore the cognitive biases that contribute to the belief in and spread of misinformation, and strategies for critical thinking promotion.
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Chronic Pain: Evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation practices in managing chronic pain and improving quality of life.
• Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Grief and Mourning: Research how different cultures process and express grief and the implications for counseling practices.
• The Impact of Bilingualism on Cognitive Development: Investigate how learning and using multiple languages from an early age affects cognitive abilities and neural plasticity.
• Social Isolation and Cognitive Function in the Elderly: Examine the long-term cognitive effects of social isolation in senior populations and potential interventions.
• Attachment Styles and Romantic Relationships: Study how early attachment patterns influence adult romantic relationships, including partner selection and relationship satisfaction.
• Cyberpsychology and Identity Formation: Investigate how online environments and social networks contribute to or disrupt the process of identity formation in adolescents and young adults.
• Emotional Regulation in High-Stress Professions: Study strategies and their effectiveness in managing emotional responses in professions such as surgery, law enforcement, or air traffic control.
• Virtual Reality as a Tool for Phobia Treatment: Explore the use of VR environments in the systematic desensitization of individuals with specific phobias.
• Influence of Dietary Patterns on Children’s Behavioral Disorders: Investigate the relationship between nutritional choices and behavioral outcomes in children with ADHD or autism spectrum disorders.
• Psychological Impacts of Climate Change: Examine the effects of climate change on mental health, including anxiety, depression, and feelings of loss or grief.
• The Role of Art Therapy in Treating PTSD: Evaluate the efficacy of art therapy interventions for veterans or victims of violence suffering from PTSD.
• Gender Identity Development in Adolescence: Research the factors that influence gender identity and expression during the critical developmental stage of adolescence.
• Cognitive Dissonance and Consumer Behavior: Study how cognitive dissonance affects purchasing decisions and brand loyalty in the retail sector.
• Psychology of Pain Management: Investigate the role of psychological factors in the perception of pain and the effectiveness of psychological pain management techniques compared to pharmacological treatments.
• Social Perception in Online vs. Face-to-Face Interactions: Compare the accuracy of social perception and formation of first impressions in online settings versus in-person encounters.
• The Impact of Social Support on Recovery from Substance Abuse: Explore how different types and sources of social support contribute to the recovery process from drug and alcohol addiction.
• Effects of Microaggressions on Workplace Performance: Investigate how subtle forms of discrimination impact employees’ job satisfaction and productivity.
• The Psychology of Financial Decision-Making in Young Adults: Explore how psychological factors influence financial literacy and decision-making in the transition to adulthood.
• The Role of Pet Ownership in Managing Chronic Mental Illness: Examine the therapeutic benefits of pet ownership for individuals with chronic mental health conditions.
• Mindfulness Interventions in Elementary Education: Study the effects of mindfulness practices on attention and emotional regulation in young children.
• Narrative Identity and Life Transitions: Analyze how personal storytelling and narrative identity evolve during major life transitions, such as retirement or career change.
• Cultural Competence in Psychotherapy: Evaluate the importance of cultural competence in therapeutic practices and client outcomes.
• Psychological Impact of Body Image Portrayed in Social Media: Explore the effects of social media on body image dissatisfaction and the development of eating disorders.
• Eco-Anxiety and Environmental Activism: Examine the psychological effects of climate change concerns on environmental activism behaviors.
• Psychological Processes in Extreme Sports: Study risk assessment, decision-making, and flow states in athletes who participate in extreme sports.
• The Effect of Music Therapy on Cognitive Decline in Dementia Patients: Research the impact of music therapy sessions on the progression of cognitive symptoms in dementia.
• Social Cognition in Virtual Teams: Evaluate how individuals understand and operate within teams that interact exclusively through digital means.
• Attachment Patterns and Social Media Usage: Investigate the connection between attachment styles and usage patterns of social media platforms.
• Psychological Safety and Learning in Academic Settings: Explore the concept of psychological safety and its impact on students’ willingness to engage in learning activities.
• Humor and Coping Mechanisms in Stressful Occupations: Analyze the role of humor as a coping strategy for professionals in high-stress fields like emergency medicine.
• Impact of Sleep Hygiene Education on Student Performance: Evaluate the effectiveness of sleep education programs in improving the sleep quality and academic performance of university students.
• Color Psychology in Marketing and Branding: Study how color influences consumer perceptions and behaviors towards products and brands.
• The Role of Psychological Flexibility in Chronic Pain Management: Explore how acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can aid individuals with chronic pain in improving their quality of life.
• Cyberbullying and Self-esteem in Adolescents: Examine the long-term effects of cyberbullying on self-esteem and identity formation during adolescence.
• Emotional Intelligence and Conflict Resolution: Investigate how emotional intelligence skills facilitate conflict resolution in personal and professional relationships.
• Digital Detox and Psychological Well-Being: Examine the psychological effects of taking regular breaks from digital devices.
• Stress Resilience in Space Exploration: Study psychological resilience strategies for astronauts during long-duration space missions.
• Language Acquisition in Mixed-Language Households: Explore how children in bilingual homes acquire and separate languages cognitively.
• The Role of Play in Child Development: Investigate different play therapies and their impact on developmental disorders in children.
• Implicit Bias and Decision Making in Jury Deliberations: Examine how implicit biases can influence the decision-making process in legal settings.
• Cognitive Effects of Chronic Sleep Deprivation: Research the long-term cognitive impacts of chronic sleep deprivation in adults.
• The Psychology of Superstitions in Sports: Study the role and impact of superstitious behaviors on athletes’ performance.
• The Mental Health Effects of Urban vs. Rural Living: Compare the prevalence and types of mental health issues in urban versus rural populations.
• Psychological Outcomes of Genetic Testing: Explore the emotional and psychological impact of undergoing genetic testing for diseases.
• Intergenerational Effects of Historical Trauma: Investigate the psychological effects across generations within communities that have experienced historical trauma.
• The Impact of Social Comparisons on Self-Esteem: Examine how individuals’ self-esteem is affected by comparisons made on social media platforms.
• Emotion Recognition and AI Interactions: Study how humans perceive and react to emotional expressions by artificial intelligences and robots.
• Personality Development in Space Colonies: Speculate on how living in space colonies might affect personality development and social dynamics.
• The Effect of Parental Leave on Child Psychological Development: Research the long-term effects of various lengths and types of parental leave on children.
• Sensory Processing Disorders and Educational Outcomes: Examine the impact of sensory processing disorders on children’s educational achievements.
• The Influence of Scent on Memory Recall: Explore the connection between olfactory cues and the accuracy or vividness of memory recall.
• Peer Influence on Risky Behavior in Adolescence: Analyze how peer groups can impact the decision-making process in teenagers regarding risky behaviors.
• The Effect of Minimalism on Mental Health: Study the psychological impact of adopting a minimalist lifestyle in a consumer-driven society.
• Psychological Mechanisms of Radicalization: Investigate the cognitive and emotional pathways that lead individuals to adopt radical ideologies.
• Multitasking and Cognitive Load: Investigate the limits of cognitive load and its impact on multitasking efficiency.
• Psychological Effects of Long-Term Spaceflight: Explore the mental challenges astronauts face during extended missions.
• Therapeutic Effects of Creative Writing: Study how creative writing can be used as a therapeutic tool for emotional expression.
• Psychology of Religious Extremism: Examine the factors that contribute to religious extremism from a psychological perspective.
• Mental Health Implications of Climate Migration: Research the psychological impact of relocating due to climate change.
• Social Psychology of Urbanization: Explore how urban living influences social behavior and community dynamics.
• Gestures and Language Development in Children: Investigate the role of gestural communication in early language acquisition.
• Technology Addiction and Family Dynamics: Study the impact of technology addiction on interpersonal relationships within families.
• Psychology of Solitude: Examine the effects of solitude on mental health and personal growth.
• Cognitive Rehabilitation Techniques for Stroke Survivors: Explore effective cognitive rehabilitation methods for post-stroke recovery.
• Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Music on Infant Development: Research the long-term developmental effects of prenatal music exposure.
• Psychological Impacts of Participatory Art: Study how engagement with participatory art can affect psychological well-being.
• Neuroethics of Brain-Computer Interfaces: Delve into the ethical implications of using BCIs in neurology and psychiatry.
• Empathy Development in Virtual Reality Training: Investigate how VR can be used to enhance empathy in professional training programs.
• Social Media and Collective Memory Formation: Examine how social media platforms influence the formation of collective memories.
• Psychological Aspects of Cosmetic Surgery: Research the motivations and outcomes of cosmetic surgery from a psychological standpoint.
• Personality Traits and Online Dating Success: Analyze how different personality traits affect success in online dating.
• Psychological Strategies in Competitive Esports: Study the mental techniques used by esports players to enhance performance.
• Attachment Security and Pet Ownership: Explore the connection between attachment styles and the bond with pets.
• Psychological Effects of Autonomous Vehicles: Investigate how trust and control issues impact the acceptance of self-driving cars.
• Mental Health Services in Rural Communities: Examine the challenges and effectiveness of delivering mental health care in rural areas.
• Cross-Cultural Communication in Global Teams: Research the psychological barriers and facilitators of communication in international teams.
• Psychology of Sustainable Behavior: Study the motivators and deterrents of engaging in environmentally sustainable behaviors.
• Impact of Witnessing Parental Conflict on Children: Investigate the long-term effects of exposure to parental conflict during childhood.
• Sleep Disorders and Emotional Regulation: Examine the relationship between sleep quality and the ability to regulate emotions.
• Trauma-Informed Practices in Education: Explore the implementation and outcomes of trauma-informed approaches in schools.
• Psychology of Menu Design: Analyze how menu layout and choice architecture influence dining decisions.
• Motivational Factors in Crowdfunding: Investigate what psychological factors motivate people to contribute to crowdfunding campaigns.
• Perception of Time in Different Cultures: Research how the cultural background affects the perception and value of time.
• Psychological Resilience in Extreme Athletes: Study the mental toughness and resilience strategies of athletes in extreme sports.
• Influence of Indoor Plants on Mood and Productivity: Explore the psychological benefits of having plants in indoor workspaces.

Each of these topics has a broad range of literature to draw from and the potential to contribute new knowledge or insights to the field of psychology. It’s important to refine these ideas further to create a specific, researchable question that can be addressed within the scope of a dissertation.

CUNY Academic Works

Home > Dissertations, Theses & Capstones Projects by Program > Psychology Dissertations

Psychology Dissertations

Dissertations from 2024 2024.

Seeing Safety in Red: Expressions of Interpersonal Gratitude Affects Conservatives’ Political Attitudes in the United States , Kyle M. Anderson

Complicating Confidence: A Critical Analysis of Confidence in a Girls' Empowerment Organization , Kimberly M. Belmonte

An Examination of Factors Associated with IPV Victimization, IPV Disclosure, and Help-Seeking Among Partnered Sexual Minority Men: An Integrated Theoretical Approach , Stephen Bosco

A Candidate Needs Approach to Job Advertisements , Yuliya M. Cheban-Gore

In-Work Recovery Among Hybrid Employees: Examining the Relationships Between Stressors, Recovery Experiences, and Strains , Stefanie Larsen

Staying Power: The Struggle for Space and Place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn , Erin E. Lilli

The Role of Glutamate in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex in the Acquistion and Expression of Conditioned Approach , Rudolf Nisanov

Park Use, Urban Environmental Justice, and Place Attachment in Parks in Low-Income Neighborhoods in New York City , Javier Eduardo Otero Peña

Values in Evidence-Based Policy: Bridging Socio-Political, Moral, and Epistemic Domains , Karyna Pryiomka

Dissertations from 2023 2023

Examining the Prevalence and Psychopathological Correlates of Paraphilic Interests in a Non-clinical Sample , Dylan H. Abrams

Parallel Processes of Posttraumatic Stress and Metabolic Dysfunction: Long-Term Costs of Trauma on the Psychological and Physical Health of 9/11 Survivors , Shane W. Adams

A Novel Measure of Narrative Self-Functioning and Its Role in the Transformative Potential of Psychedelic Experience Across Clinical and Non-clinical Participants , Nicole M. Amada

Social Identity, Scientific Practice, and the Production of Social Knowledge: An Ethnographic Investigation of American Social Psychology Laboratories , Donald V. Brown Jr

Epistemic Virtue and Receptivity to Science in Policing , Braden L. Campbell

Understanding the Experiences and Associated Symptomology of Disclosers and Non-disclosers of Sexual Victimization , Kaitlin Carson

Wanting Under Surveillance: A Critical Analysis of Young Women’s Sexual Desire , Jennifer Chmielewski

Salty: A Diffractive Inquiry of Visceral Knowing and Embodied Aesthetics , Mei Ling Chua

The Role of Intersectional Stigma and Social Anxiety in Black, Latino, and Multiracial Young Sexual Minority Men , Jorge L. Cienfuegos Szalay

Understanding the Relationship Between Working Memory and Long-Term Memory , Kelly Cotton

Examinations of the Close Relationship Processes and Health Framework Among Adult and Adolescent Sexual Minority Men , Trey Victor Dellucci

Motor Milestone Acquisition and Sleep-Related Learning and Development in Infancy , Aaron DeMasi

Abuse Victimization and Impulsivity in Incarcerated Males: Examining the Roles of Affective Instability and Trauma Symptoms , Jacqueline K. Douglas

Association Strength between Concepts as the Origin of the "Foreign Language Effect" , Emilia Ezrina

An Offer You Cannot Refuse: Understanding the Elusive Construct of "Voluntary" Plea Decisions , Melanie B. Fessinger

Health Care Providers' Attributions of Blame for Unintended Pregnancy and HIV Acquisition Among Cisgender Women , Alison J. Goldberg

Avoiding Success: How Does Fear of Success Impact Today's Workforce? , Bradley E. Gray

Social and Cultural Processes that Impact Physical Activity among South Asian Americans Managing Hypertension: A Mixed Methods Study , Sugandha Gupta

Tongues Out of Place: Narratives of Hereness and Images of Be(long)ing , Christopher Hoffman

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Studies Investigating the Role of the DLPFC in Memory and Metamemory , Casey M. Imperio

Concerned Student: Institutional Violence and Embodied Abolition in the University of Missouri Protests , Gaurav Jashnani

Examining the Role of Evidence-Based Suspicion in Racial Disparities in Wrongful Convictions , Jacqueline Katzman

You Hurt My Feelings: Autonomic and Behavioral Responses to Social Exclusion and the Moderating Effect of Psychopathic Traits , Liat Kofler

Does the APOE-ε4 Allele Differentially Influence Cognition: A Longitudinal Investigation in Healthy Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease , Aditya Kulkarni

Losses and Gains of Teletherapy: The Impact of the Pandemic on Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy , Dan-Bi Lee

Permanent Shelter in The Empire City: Youth Experiencing Family Homelessness and Navigating the Homeless Industrial Complex with a Narrative Inquiry Approach , Henry O. Love

Variations in Family Child Care: Providers' Experiences Crafting Spaces In-Between School and Home , Eleanor Luken

Illness Intrusiveness and Psychosocial Adjustment Among Older Adults with Multimorbidity , Irina Mindlis

Artists, Activists, and Therapists Making Meaning of Collective Violence in Lebanon: A Community-Engaged Participatory Research Study , Nawal Muradwij

Extreme E-Service Learning: Remote Learning for Undergraduate Students and Telehealth Intervention for Children with Autism , Madiha S. Muzammal

Women’s Self-Nomination for Leadership Development Programs (LDPs): Gender, Personal Cultural Values, and the Mediating Role of Leadership Self-Efficacy , Alessa Natale

A Consecutive Case Series Evaluation of Tummy Time With and Without Preferred Items , Rika Ortega

The Neural Correlates of Bodily Self-Consciousness in Virtual Worlds , Evan A. Owens

Wild Women of Anatolia: The Critical Construct Validity of the Liberation of Women in Turkey , Sedef Ozoguz

The Effects of Isolated Affordances on Preschool Counting Improvement when Using a Digital Coloring App , Katherine Papazian

The Impact of Political Affiliation on Performance Judgements , Kajal Patel

Attenuated Typicality Effect in Category-based Inferences: Implications for Autism Spectrum Disorder , Janani Rajagopalan

Observers' Perceptions of Rapport in Accusatorial Interrogations , Gabriela Rico

Statistical and Biological Analyses of Acoustic Signals in Estrildid Finches , Moises Rivera

Voiding the Unwanted Self: An Examination of Racialized Violence in the United States , Benjamin Stark

A Gift To My Self: A Psychoanalytic Approach To Understanding The Experiences of Women Who Choose Not To Have Children , Irina D. Tchania

When Feeling Like a Fake Take a Toll on Your Work: Examining the Moderating Effect of Task Characteristics on the Relationship Between Impostorism and the Use of Dysfunctional Work Strategies , Alexandra Tumminia

How Smoking Became a Moral Issue: A Complex Systems Perspective on Moralization , Matthew Vanaman

Bargaining in the Shadow of the Truth: How Client Assertion, Perception of Guilt, and Predictive Inaccuracy Influence Plea Recommendations , Anna D. Vaynman

An Affective Technology of Heimat: Whiteness, Nation Building and Social Media in Germany , Friederike Windel

Effects of Genes and Gene-Environment Interactions on Work-Family Conflict and Enrichment , Peter Yu

Dissertations from 2022 2022

Investigating Young Adult Cancer Survivors' Perspectives on their Future and Interpersonal Relationships , Zeba N. Ahmad

Intelligence Testing in the New (Langu)age: Effects of Item-Type and Assessment Medium Features on Fluid Intelligence Test Linguistic Group Score Differences , Paige R. Alenick

Competitive and Facilitative Interactions Between Pavlovian Cues in Human Associative Learning: A Behavioral and Neural Analysis , Fahd Alhazmi

Serial Position Effect Profiles and Their Neuroanatomical Correlates: Predictors of Conversion to Alzheimer's Disease , Isabelle K. Avildsen

Exploring Social and Emotional Functioning in Emerging Adult Survivors of Adverse Childhood Experiences , Sara Babad

Exploring the Effectiveness of Multiple-Exemplar Training for Visual Analysis of AB-Design Graphs , Verena S. Bethke

Falling Forward: The Governance of School Reform, Race, and the Contest for a Dignified Future in Newark, N.J. , Claire Cahen

The Impossible Situation? Impasse as Psychotherapeutic Paralysis, Possibility, and Progress , Leo Cancelmo

Coercive Control and Trauma-Coerced Attachment in Commercial Sexual Exploitation: A Mixed-Method Examination , Kendra Doychak

Making Sense of Pre-Symbolic Trauma: A Qualitative Study on the Lived Experiences of Adults Who Were Born Extremely Prematurely , Noia Efrat

Relationships Between Sensory Reactivity, Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors, and Autonomic Nervous System Activity in Autistic and Non-Autistic Individuals , Sapir Elimaliah

A Polypharmacological Approach to Relapse Prevention in an Animal Model of Heroin Addiction , Scott T. Ewing

Reducing Fear Overgeneralization with Safety Learning: Attention Bias as a Moderator , Boyang Fan

Integrating Social-Emotional Learning and School Climate with a Sociocultural Narrative Inquiry Approach , Isabella Fante

Exploring Social Identity Threat and Safety Cues for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Pansexual, and Queer Cisgender Women in OB/GYN Care , Rachel Fikslin

Fathers Are Fathers Are Fathers: How Sociocultural Context and Sexual Orientation Influence the Gendering of Children , Sarah M. Frantz

Cerebrovascular Impairment as a Potential Target for Neuromodulation Therapy in Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury , Naomi L. Gaggi

Effects of Chronic Stress on Safety Processing and Physiology in the Medial Prefrontal-Amygdala-Basal Forebrain Circuit , Itamar S. Grunfeld

Acculturation Patterns in Childhood/Adolescence, Cultural Stress in Young Adulthood, and Exploring the Moderating Role of Skin Tone Among Puerto Rican Youth in Two Contexts , Marjorine Henriquez-Castillo

Antisocial Behavior and Callous Unemotional Traits in Youth: A Biosocial Approach , Yong Lin Huang

Mapping Learning Ecologies: A Diffractive Exploration of the Emergence of Learning , Laurie Hurson

Is Less More? Examining the Effects of Predictor Method Factors on Mobile SJT Scores and Test-Taker Reactions , Anne E. Kato

The Impact of Personal Resources, Job Resources and Job Demands on Nurse Engagement , Michael J. Kern

Microaggressions, Imposter Phenomenon, and People of Color: A Quantitative Analysis , Rukiya King

The Effects of False Heartbeat Feedback on Moral Judgment , Scott Koenig

Examining the Buffering Effect of Mindfulness on the Relationship Between Stress and Ethical Decision Making , Irina Kuzmich

The Bright and Dark Sides of Upward Social Comparison: Knowledge Sharing and Knowledge Hiding Directed at High Performers , Soohyun (Ashley) Lee

Tell Me a Story: Exploring the Use of Narratives to Reduce Backlash to Organizational Diversity Initiatives , Desmond W. Leung

Problematic Social Media Use, Social Comparison, and Defeat: An Intensive Longitudinal Investigation , Natalia Macrynikola

Anomalous Self-Experiences and Aberrant Salience in Schizotypy , Victoria Martin

Discrimination, Psychological Well-Being, and Racial Importance in U.S. Native-Born and Caribbean Black Americans , Jaime E. McCaw

Withdrawal from Voluntary Oral Methamphetamine Reveals Female Specific Susceptibilities to Behavioral Deficits and Neurochemical Perpetuators of Neurotoxicity and Drug Seeking Behavior , Nicoletta K. Memos

Dietary Regulation of Silent Synapses in the Dorsolateral Striatum , Allison M. Meyers

Unraveling the Double-Bind: An Investigation of Black and Latina Women in STEM , Katlyn L. Milless

A Pilot Feasibility Trial of Mindfulness and Modification Therapy for Males Who Use Aggression , Jenny Mitchell

Natural Striatal Signaling Dynamics During Food Approach , Devry Mourra

The Differential Effects of Acoustic Discriminations on Operant Learning Performance and Neurogenesis in Male and Female Zebra Finches , Kristena L. Newman

Oxytocin, a Lover and a Fighter: Maternal Trauma Exposure and Mother-Child Coregulation , Patricia M. Pehme

Stereotypes, Dehumanization, and Disciplining Disability: Psychological Mechanisms that Fuel the School-to-Prison Pipeline , Alexandra Ponce de Leon-LeBec

How Useful Do You Think This Diversity Training Is? The Impact of Training Type and Individual Differences on Pre-Training Perceived Utility of Diversity Training , Nicolette A. Rainone

Adapting Small Unmanned Aerial Systems for Behavioral Research with Coastal Marine Mammals , Eric Angel Ramos

Neuroanatomy in Mild Cognitive Impairment: Relationship to Functional Skills, Treatment Expectancy, and Comorbid Depression , Sara Rushia

Investigation of Behavioral Responses Including Visual Side Biases to Social Stimuli in Bottlenose Dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ) , Jennifer R. Savoie

"A Fallen Woman": The Use of Metaphor in Psychoanalysis , Matthew Schneider

A Solitary Solidarity: Conditions for Attunement in the "Migration Crisis" in Greece , Katherine Sheese

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Psychology Dissertations and Theses

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Faculty Mentors' Influence on Latino/a/x STEM Undergraduates' STEM Identity Development , Sandy Cerda-Lezama

Individual and Structural Contributors to Implicit and Explicit Anti-Muslim Bias in the United States , Aeleah M. Granger

The Wage of Wellness: The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status, Race, and Work Recovery , Emily Julia Ready

It Takes a Village: An Examination of Social Relationships and Mental Health , Em Francis Trubits

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Examining Factors Impacting the Service Needs of Unhoused Women , Holly Brott

Main, Mediated, and Moderated Effects of Participating in an After-School Social and Emotional Learning Program on Young Children's Development of Social-Emotional Skills , Amy L. Cordier

Who Puts the "Support" in Supportive Housing? The Impact of Housing Staff on Resident's Well-Being, and the Potential Moderating Role of Self-Determination , Kenna Estell Dickard

Motivation to Collaborate: A Qualitative Exploration of the Perspectives of Service Providers on an Alternative First Response Program , Desiree' J. DuBoise

Tell Me, Do You Feel It Too? A Meta-analysis of Dyadic Emotional Contagion in the Workplace , Stefanie Fox

Left on "Read" and All Alone: Instigated Cyber Incivility, Shame, and Experienced Ostracism at Work , Alison Lucia Hunt

Exploring Associations between Military Identity and Well-being Outcomes among Post-9/11 Veterans after Separation , James David Lee

Experiences of People with Serious Mental Illness Seeking Services at Community Mental Health Centers During the COVID-19 Pandemic , Emily Leickly

Why So Serious? Using the Belongingness Need Tenet from the Self-Determination Theory to Examine Workplace Humor and Its Outcomes , Katharine Lucille McMahon

Emotion Knowledge, Its Applications, and Their Associations With African American Children's Social Relationships With Teachers and Peers in Kindergarten and First Grade , Brielle Emily Petit

Stress-Reduction from Positive Support: Impacts of Receiving Partner Capitalization Support on Veteran Stress/Work Stress , MaryAnn Dona Samson

Diversity in Recruitment: The Role of Realistic Website Job Previews for Racial and Ethnic Minority Applicants , Jennifer Saucedo

Antecedents of FSSB: Evaluating the Demographic Basis of Support , Erika Ann Schemmel

A Daily Investigation of the Recovery Paradox: Examining the Dynamic Interplay of Workload, Recovery Experiences, and Microbreaks , Morgan Rose Taylor

Not on the Menu: Customer Sexual Harassment in the Restaurant Industry , Fernanda Wolburg Martinez

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Model.Disclose(): Examination of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Disclosure at Work , Timothy Allen Carsey

Transforming Learning Communities, Transforming Ourselves: A Qualitative Investigation of Identity Processes in a Participatory Action Research-themed Undergraduate Course , Julia Sara Dancis

Clarifying and Measuring Inclusive Leadership , Kelly Mason Hamilton

Intersections of Masculinity, Culturally Relevant Factors, and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Asian American Men , Jason Z. Kyler-Yano

Sleeping to Support: An Examination of the Relationship Between Leader Sleep and Positive Support Behaviors , Jordyn Jan Leslie

Work-Related IPV Among Latinos: Exploring the Roles of Fatherhood Status, Gendered Expectations, and Support for Intimate Partner's Employment , Adrian Luis Manriquez

Masculinity Instability and Ideologies as Predictors of IPV Perpetration: The Mediating Role of Relationship Power , Emma Christine Marioles O'Connor

The Benefits of Social Support on Health and Well-Being in Military Populations: Examining Mechanisms, Source of Support, and the Reach of a Workplace Well-Being Intervention , AnnaMarie Sophia O'Neill

Do Motives Matter? The Role of Motivation in Shaping the Impact of Mindfulness Training on Teachers' Psychological Distress and Wellbeing , Cristi N. Pinela

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

The Longitudinal Effects of a Family and Sleep Supportive Intervention on Service Member Anger and Resilience , Shalene Joyce Allen

Drug Conviction and Employment Restriction: Experiences of Employees with Drug-Related Criminal Histories , Liana Bernard

Sustaining Boys' Motivation Over the Transition to Middle School: Can Interpersonal Resources Protect Boys from Engagement Declines Across Sixth Grade? , Brandy Anne Brennan

Returning to Rejection: Outcomes and Boundary Conditions of Mental Illness Stereotypes , Stefanie Fox

Guarding Against Strain: The Moderating Role of Nonwork Experiences in the Relationship Between Work-Related Hypervigilance and Strain in Correctional Officers , Samantha Getzen

Anti-Muslim Bias: Investigating Individual Differences, Threat Perceptions, and Emotions in Islamophobic Policy Support , Aeleah M. Granger

Black Children's Development of Self-Regulation within Stressful Contexts of Parenting: Investigating Potential Buffering Effects of a Kindergarten Social-Emotional Learning Program , Eli Labinger

"Like I Was an Actual Researcher": Participation and Identity Trajectories of Underrepresented Minority and First-Generation STEM Students in Research Training Communities of Practice , Jennifer Lynn Lindwall

Claiming Miscommunication to Justify Rape: The Role of Liking the Perpetrator , Alyssa Marie Glace Maryn

An "I" for an "I" : A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Instigated and Reciprocal Incivility , Lauren Sarah Park

Parenting and Children's Academic Coping as a Dynamic System: Feedforward, Feedback, and Mediators of Changes Across the School Year , Kristen Elizabeth Raine

Does Experiencing Spousal Support and Strain Impact the Quality of Family-Based Support that Supervisors Provide to Employees? , Joseph Alvin Sherwood

"B-ing Flexible" : Examining Creativity in Bisexual Employees , Megan Jane Snoeyink

Exploring the Relationships Between Community Experiences and Well-Being among Youth Experiencing Homelessness , Katricia Stewart

Mothers' Drinking Motives , Sheila Kathleen Umemoto

An Examination of Nurses' Schedule Characteristics, Recovery from Work, and Well-Being , Sarah Elizabeth Van Dyck

Preventing Sexual Violence Through Understanding Perceptions of Sexual Offenders , Judith G. Zatkin

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Examining Employee Needs at Work and Home: a Self-Determination Theory Perspective , Dana Anuhea Auten

Trajectories, Time Windows, and Alternative Pathways of Engagement: Motivational Resources Underlying Academic Development during Middle School , Heather Anne Brule

Examining Mindfulness Training for Teachers: Theoretical and Methodological Extensions of Intervention Effectiveness , Jaiya Rae Choles

Detecting Reinforcement Patterns in the Stream of Naturalistic Observations of Social Interactions , James Lamar DeLaney 3rd

An Investigation of the Temporal Relationship Between Agitation and Sleep Disturbances , Emily Catherine Denning

Peers' Academic Coping as a Resource for Academic Engagement and Motivational Resilience in the First Year of Middle School , Daniel Lee Grimes

Home Resources Supporting Workplace Resources: an Investigation of Moderated Intervention Effects From the Study for Employment Retention of Veterans (SERVe) , Sarah Nielsen Haverly

"It Puts a Face to All the Knowledge We've Gotten" : a Program of Research on Intimate Partner Violence Surrogate Impact Panels , Kate Louise Sackett Kerrigan

A Daily Examination of Anger and Alcohol Use Among Post-9/11 Veterans , James David Lee

An Examination of Daily Family-Supportive Supervisor Behaviors, Perceived Supervisor Responsiveness and Job Satisfaction , Luke Daniel Mahoney

Nurse Can't Even: the Immediate Impact of Incivility on Affect, Well-being, and Behavior , Katharine Lucille McMahon

Perceptions of Police Use of Force at the Intersection of Race and Pregnancy , Emma Elizabeth Lee Money

The Impact of Paternal Caregivers for Youth Who Commit Sexual Offenses , Miranda Hope Sitney

Human Energy in the Workplace: an Investigation of Daily Energy Management Strategies, Job Stressors and Employee Outcomes , Morgan Rose Taylor

Individual and Community Supports that Impact Community Inclusion and Recovery for Individuals with Serious Mental Illnesses , Rachel Elizabeth Terry

Investigating Sexual Fantasy and Sexual Behavior in Adolescent Offenders , Hayley Lauren Tews

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Integrating Work Ability into the Organizational Science Literature: Advancing Theory and Developing the Nomological Network , Grant Brady

Family Linked Workplace Resources and Contextual Factors as Important Predictors of Job and Individual Well-being for Employees and Families , Jacquelyn Marie Brady

The Role of Teacher Autonomy Support Across the Transition to Middle School: its Components, Reach, and Developmental Effects , Julia Sara Dancis

Does X Mark the Applicant? Assessing Reactions to Gender Non-Binary Job Seekers , Kelly Mason Hamilton

Urbanicity as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Stigma and Well-being Outcomes for Individuals with Serious Mental Illnesses , Emily Leickly

The Relationship Between Undergraduate Research Training Programs and Motivational Resources for Underrepresented Minority Students in STEM: Program Participation, Self-efficacy, a Sense of Belonging, and Academic Performance , Jennifer Lindwall

Perceived Partner Responsiveness, Sleep and Pain: a Dyadic Study of Military-Connected Couples , AnnaMarie Sophia O'Neill

Recruitment Marketing: How Do Wellness and Work-Life Benefits Influence Employer Image Perceptions, Organizational Attraction, and Job Pursuit Intentions? , Amy Christine Pytlovany

The Combined Effects of Parent and Teacher Involvement on the Development of Adolescents' Academic Engagement , Nicolette Paige Rickert

Examining the Development and Classroom Dynamics of Student Disaffection Over Multiple Time Periods: Short-term Episodes and Long-term Trajectories , Emily Anne Saxton

Drinking on a Work Night: a Comparison of Day and Person-Level Associations with Workplace Outcomes , Brittnie Renae Shepherd

Development and Validation of the Workplace Mental Illness Stigma Scale (W-MISS) , Nicholas Anthony Smith

Relational Thriving in Context: Examining the Roles of Gratitude, Affectionate Touch, and Positive Affective Variability in Health and Well-Being , Alicia Rochelle Starkey

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse and Juvenile Offending Through Parental Monitoring , Kelly E. Stewart

"To Call or Not to Call?" The Impact of Supervisor Training on Call Center Employee Attitudes and Well-Being , Whitney Elan Schneider Vogel

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

The Impact of Leader Race and Gender on Perceptions of Organizations in Response to Corporate Error , Nicolas Derek Brown

Impacts of Mindfulness Training on Mechanisms Underlying Stress Reduction in Teachers: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial , Jaiya Rae Choles

Student Motivation Profiles as a Diagnostic Tool to Help Teachers Provide Targeted Support , Cailin Tricia Currie

Insufficient Effort Responding on Mturk Surveys: Evidence-Based Quality Control for Organizational Research , Lee Cyr

Affirmative Consent Endorsement and Peer Norms Supporting Sexual Violence Among Vulnerable Students on College Campuses , Alyssa Marie Glace

Gendered Partner-Ideals, Relationship Satisfaction, and Intimate Partner Violence , Sylvia Marie Ferguson Kidder

Organizational Calling and Safety: the Role of Workload and Supervisor Support , Layla Rhiannon Mansfield

Bystander Intervention to Prevent Campus Sexual Violence: the Role of Sense of Community, Peer Norms, and Administrative Responding , Erin Christine McConnell

Benevolent Sexism and Racial Stereotypes: Targets, Functions, and Consequences , Jean Marie McMahon

Perceived Overqualification and Withdrawal Among Seasonal Workers: Would Work Motivation Make a Difference? , Anthony Duy Nguyen

Differential Well-Being in Response to Incivility and Surface Acting among Nurses as a Function of Race , Lauren Sarah Park

Financial Strain and the Work-Home Interface: a Test of the Work-Home Resources Model from the Study for Employment Retention of Veterans (SERVe) , MacKenna Laine Perry

Neighbor Perceptions of Psychiatric Supportive Housing : the Role of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors , Amy Leigh Shearer

The Role of Caregiver Disruption in the Development of Juvenile Sexual Offenders , Miranda Sitney

Intrapersonal and Social-Contextual Factors Related to Psychological Well-being among Youth Experiencing Homelessness , Katricia Stewart

Age-based Differences in the Usefulness of Resources: a Multi-Study Investigation of Work and Well-being Outcomes , Lale Muazzez Yaldiz

Pathways to Kindergarten Growth: Synthesizing Theories of the Kindergarten Transition to Support Children's Development , Rita Yelverton

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

The Force of Manhood: the Consequences of Masculinity Threat on Police Officer Use of Force , Aurelia Terese Alston

Supervisor Mindfulness and Its Association with Leader-Member Exchange , Dana Anuhea Auten

Combat Experiences, Iso-strain, and Sleep Quality Affect Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress among Working Post-9/11 Veterans , Gilbert Patrick Brady Jr.

A Study of Shame-proneness, Drinking Behaviors, and Workplace Role Ambiguity Among a Sample of Student Workers , Sarah Nielsen Haverly

Intraminority Support For and Participation In Race-Based Collective Action Movements: an Intersectional Perspective , Jaboa Shawntaé Lake

Patients and Nurses and Doctors Oh My!: Nurse Retention from a Multi-Foci Aggression Perspective , Kevin Oliver Novak

Intimate Partner Violence Impact Panels for Batterer Intervention: a Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Restorative Justice Process , Kate Louise Sackett

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Psychology Undergraduate thesis collection

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As part of their final year undergraduate degree examination for MA or BSC Psychology, students submit a dissertation based on an original research project supervised by academic staff in the department.

During 2006/07 it was agreed that all Psychology Undergraduate students would be required to submit an electronic copy of their dissertation to the Library to be stored in the Edinburgh Research Archive. This was agreed in order to enable the University to preserve its academic record.

Please note that only the Title and Abstract is available to the general public. Full text is only available to the ed.ac.uk domain. Copyright and all rights therein are retained by authors or by other copyright holders. All persons copying this information are expected to adhere to the terms and constraints invoked by each author's copyright. In most cases, these works may not be reposted without the explicit permission of the copyright holder.

Recent Submissions

The effect of sentence complexity on processing depth: a text change detection study using garden paths , a connectionist approach to causal learning , the effects of late non-proficient bilingualism and a year abroad on executive functioning , investigating the role of social media addiction in the relationship between impulsivity and disordered eating , the effect of healthy adult ageing and cognitive reserve on specific theory of mind abilities , investigating the effects of social exclusion on a child's tendency to imitate grammatical syntax , developing empathy in the digital age: the relationship between social media usage and empathic accuracy scores in young adolescents , can we learn to be more conscientious a behavioural intervention study using goal setting theory as motivation , real ghost stories: how do psychics construct their personal experiences as genuine , stepping into the shoes of another: how attachment security and parental mind-mindedness impacts the development of adolescent empathic accuracy , miraculous cures: how do individuals justify their beliefs in the authenticity and miraculous quality of faith healing cures , the brief acceptance measure: developing & testing a brief measure of psychological flexibility suitable for daily use , do garden path sentences affect the depth of semantic processing a change detection study , collaboration and emotional self-management in moba gamers , the effect of exercise on cognitive functioning in static and strategic sport , investigating human scale judgement , impulsivity in cognitive estimation formation and the influence of age , l2 response planning: effect of content and length predictability , can self-perception, personality, age, gender and duration predict addictive social media use in university students , investigating the effects of resilience, loneliness and neuroticism on social media addiction .

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Major psychology group says infinite scrolling, other social media features are ‘particularly risky’ to youth mental health

A top psychology group is urging technology companies and legislators to take greater steps to protect adolescents’ mental health, arguing that social media platforms are built for adults and are “not inherently suitable for youth.”

Social media features such as endless scrolling and push notifications are “particularly risky” to young people, whose developing brains are less able to disengage from addictive experiences and are more sensitive to distractions, the American Psychological Association wrote in a report released Tuesday .

But age restrictions on social media platforms alone don’t fully address the dangers, especially since many kids easily find workarounds to such limits. Instead, social media companies need to make fundamental design changes, the group said in its report.

“The platforms seem to be designed to keep kids engaged for as long as possible, to keep them on there. And kids are just not able to resist those impulses as effectively as adults,” APA chief science officer Mitch Prinstein said in a phone interview. He added that more than half of teens report at least one symptom of clinical dependency on social media . 

“The fact that this is interfering with their in-person interactions, their time when they should be doing schoolwork, and — most importantly — their sleep has really important implications,” Prinstein said.

The report did not offer specific changes that social media companies can implement. Prinstein suggested one option could be to change the default experience of social media accounts for children, with functions such as endless scrolling or alerts shut off.

The report comes nearly a year after the APA issued a landmark health advisory on social media use in adolescence, which acknowledged that social media can be beneficial when it connects young people with peers who experience similar types of adversity offline. The advisory urged social media platforms to minimize adolescents’ online exposure to cyberbullying and cyberhate, among other recommendations.

But technology companies have made “few meaningful changes” since the advisory was released last May, the APA report said, and no federal policies have been adopted.

The report did not name any specific social media platforms. But a spokesperson for Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, disputed the assertion that there have not been changes instituted on its platforms recently. In the last year, Meta has begun showing teens a notification when they spend 20 minutes on Facebook and has added parental supervision tools that allow parents to schedule breaks from Facebook for their teens, according to a list of Meta resources for parents and teenagers . Meta also began hiding more results in Instagram’s search tool related to suicide, self-harm and eating disorders, and launched nighttime “nudges” that encourage teens to close the app when it’s late.

Prinstein said more is still needed.

"Although some platforms have experimented with modest changes, it is not enough to ensure children are safe," he said.

TikTok and X, formerly known as Twitter, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Snap Inc., which owns messaging app Snapchat, said it appreciated the APA’s recommendations and shares "their concerns about many of the key features of traditional social media."

"Snapchat was intentionally designed differently than other platforms and most people use it to communicate with their close friends and family," the spokesperson said in a statement, "That’s why Snapchat doesn’t offer public comparison metrics when you talk with your friends and our content platform is moderated, which means we don’t allow unvetted content to reach lots of people."

Tuesday’s report comes amid broader concern over the effects of social media on young people. In March, Florida passed a law prohibiting children younger than 14 from having social media accounts and requiring parental consent for those ages 14 and 15. California lawmakers have introduced a bill to protect minors from social media addiction . Dozens of states have sued Meta for what they say are deceptive features that harm children’s and teens’ mental health. 

And last month, a book was published by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt that argues that smartphones and social media have created a “phone-based childhood,” sending adolescents’ rates of anxiety, depression and self-harm skyrocketing. 

The book, “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness,” has been hotly debated. While it has its detractors , it instantly became a bestseller.

Prinstein said that it’s up to technology companies to protect their youngest users, but parents can also help. He recommended all devices in a family’s household go on top of the refrigerator at 9 p.m. each night to help kids — and parents — get the amount of sleep they need. He also said there is no harm in limiting or postponing a child’s use of social media.

“We have no data to suggest that kids suffer negative consequences if they delay social media use, or if their parents set it for half an hour a day, or an hour a day,” he said. 

“If anything, kids tell us, anecdotally, that they like to be able to blame it on their parents and say, ‘Sorry, my parents won’t let me stay on for more than an hour, so I have to get off,’” he added. “It kind of gives them a relief.”

Elizabeth Chuck is a reporter for NBC News who focuses on health and mental health, particularly issues that affect women and children.