dissertation topics for neuropsychology

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The 100 Top-Cited Studies on Neuropsychology: A Bibliometric Analysis

1 Department of Periodical Press and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

2 Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

Linli Zheng

3 Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

Yonggang Zhang

Associated data.

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/ Supplementary Material , further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

The present study aimed to identify and analyze the bibliometric characteristics of the 100 top-cited studies on neuropsychology.

We searched the Web of Science Core Collection database to collect studies on neuropsychology from inception to 31st December 2019. Two authors independently screened the literature and extracted the data. Statistical analyses were performed using R software.

The 100 top-cited articles were cited a total of 166,123 times, ranging from 736 to 24,252 times per article. All of the studies were published from 1967 to 2014 in 47 journals. Neuropsychologia had the highest number of articles ( n = 17), followed by Neurology ( n = 8). The top three most productive countries were the USA ( n = 60), England ( n = 13), and Canada ( n = 8). Eight authors contributed the same number of studies as the first author ( n = 2) or corresponding author ( n = 2). The most productive institute was the University of California ( n = 9), followed by the University of Pennsylvania ( n = 4). Of the 100 top-cited publications, 64 were original articles, and 36 were reviews. The top three Web of Science categories were clinical neurology ( n = 28), behavioral sciences ( n = 19), and psychiatry ( n = 11).

This study provides insight into the impact of neuropsychology research and may help doctors, researchers, and stakeholders to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of trends and most influential contributions to the field, thus promoting ideas for future investigation.

Introduction

Neuropsychology was recognized as a discipline distinct from applied areas of psychology or neurology in the 1960s ( Klove, 1963 ). Although ideas about the connection between behavior and brain function can be traced back to Pythagoras, systematic studies of brain–behavior relationships only began in the 19th century. Neuropsychology research encompasses both healthy and disordered states, such as consciousness ( Berlucchi and Marzi, 2019 ), aging ( Lu and Lee, 2017 ; Cohen et al., 2019 ), memory ( Ruchinskas and Cullum, 2018 ), brain injury ( Prince and Bruhns, 2017 ), and Alzheimer’s disease ( Pena-Casanova et al., 2012 ). With advances in neuroimaging, the human genome project, theories of psychological testing, and information technology, neuropsychological research contents and methods have expanded ( Bilder, 2011 ). The number of neuropsychology studies published each year is increasing, thus necessitating a bibliometric analysis of existing research.

In bibliometric analysis, quantitative analysis techniques are used to examine published literature and identify the characteristics of influential studies ( King, 2004 ). Bibliometric analysis enables external evaluation of research quality, impact and prestige factors, and examination of development within a field of study. By exploring published findings using robust criteria for standardization of academic quality, bibliometric analysis can be valuable in identifying trends in research and fostering ideas for future study ( Hirsch, 2005 ; Bar-Ilan, 2008 ). One of the most important bibliometric analysis methods is citation analysis, which provides comprehensive information about cited articles ( Shadgan et al., 2010 ; Ho, 2012 ). The frequency of citation indicates the relative significance of an article in a particular discipline, and identifying the top-cited studies in a field can help to understand research achievements and guide investigators toward new directions. Moreover, it can provide insights about the main interests in certain fields, with an emphasis on the journals and authors that have the greatest impact worldwide.

Citation analysis has been applied to various research fields, such as diabetes ( Yang et al., 2020 ), traumatic brain injury ( Sharma and Lawrence, 2014 ), medical education ( Azer, 2016 ), vaccines ( Zhang et al., 2019b ), radiology ( Mauri and Belli, 2015 ), cancer ( Powell et al., 2016 ), etc. Bibliometric analysis highlights the key topics and publications that have shaped the understanding and management of certain fields. However, no bibliometric analyses have examined the field of neuropsychology. Analysis of these data provides insight into how our understanding of neuropsychology developed. Additionally, this work provides evidence-based reference for the most cited papers in neuropsychology. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to identify and analyze the bibliometric characteristics of the 100 top-cited publications in neuropsychology.

Materials and Methods

Search strategy.

We searched the Web of Science Core Collection database to collect studies on neuropsychology from inception to 31st December 2019. We used the following search strategies TS = (neuropsycholog ∗ ) OR SO = (neuropsycholog ∗ ), where TS represents “topic search” and includes the title, abstracts, author keywords, and keywords, and “SO” stands for the journal name. The retrieved articles were listed in descending order according to the total number of citations. If two articles had the same number of citations, the article that was published more recently was ranked higher. Articles that were published in English, in indexed journals, and that focused on psychological issues from the perspective of neuroscience were included in the analysis. Articles that only mentioned brain activity or that focused on behavior from a purely psychological perspective were excluded. Editorials, letters, proceedings, meeting reports, and books were also excluded. Two authors independently screened the title, abstract, and full text of every publication in the list until they identified the 100 most frequently cited studies. Disagreements were resolved via discussion. If necessary, discrepancies were resolved by the third author. The resulting 100 top-cited articles in neuropsychology were then subjected to further analysis.

Data Extraction

Two authors extracted the data independently. Information including the title, total number of citations, publication year, average citations per annum since the publication year, first author, corresponding author, country and institution of the corresponding author, article type, Web of Science category, journal name, and journal impact factor according to a journal citation report from 2018 was identified and recorded. If an article had more than one corresponding author, affiliation, or category, the first was record.

Statistical Analysis

We used the R software from the “The Comprehensive R Archive Network” to perform correlation analysis. Correlation analysis was used to evaluate relationships between the different terms. P < 0.05 (two-tailed) was considered statistically significant. VOSviewer 1.6.6 (Leiden University) 1 was used to analyze the co-authorship and co-citation of the top 100 studies.

Basic Characteristics of the 100 Top-Cited Studies

Supplementary Table S1 lists the 100 top-cited publications in neuropsychology according to the total number of citations, ranked in descending order. The 100 top-cited articles were cited a total of 166,123 times with a median citation number of 1,661, ranging from 736 to 24,252. The most frequently cited article, which received 24,252 citations, was published in Neuropsychologia in 1971 ( Oldfield, 1971 ). The study proposed a simple and brief method of assessing handedness on a quantitative scale for use in neuropsychological, clinical, and experimental research. The incidence of handedness between the sexes is also discussed in the study ( Oldfield, 1971 ). The average number of citations per year for the 100 top-cited articles ranged from 16 to 666, with a median of 92 citations. The annual average number of citations of the 100 articles was correlated with the total number of citations ( r = 0.676, P < 0.01).

Journals, Publication Year, and Country

The 100 top-cited studies were published in 47 journals. The journals that published at least two of the studies are listed in Table 1 . Neuropsychologia had the highest number of publications ( n = 17), followed by Neurology ( n = 8) and Psychological Review ( n = 5). American Journal of Psychiatry , Archives of Neurology ( now JAMA Neurology ), New England Journal of Medicine , and Archives of General Psychiatry ( now JAMA Psychiatry ) published the same number of articles ( n = 4). The other 40 journals published less than 4 articles from the list. The impact factor of the journals that published at least two of the 100 top-cited studies ranged from 1.344 to 70.670. We did not find a relationship between the number of studies published and the impact factor of the journal ( P > 0.05). The average number of citations for each article was not correlated with the journal’s impact factor ( P > 0.05). The representative journals of two biggest clusters of cited sources were Neuropsychologia and Neurology . The co-citation map of cited sources is shown in Supplementary Figure S1 .

Journals that published at least two of the 100 top-cited studies.

All of the studies were published between 1967 and 2014 ( Table 2 ). The year in which the highest number of top-cited articles was published was 1999 ( n = 8), followed by 2004 ( n = 7). Of all of the years examined, 1971 had the most citations ( n = 24,252). There were 12 countries that contributed to the 100 top-cited publications ( Table 3 ). The three most productive countries were the USA ( n = 60), England ( n = 13), and Canada ( n = 8). Australia contributed five studies, whereas the other countries contributed no more than three publications each. The main partners of the USA were England, Canada, and Netherlands. The co-authorship map of countries is shown in Supplementary Figure S2 .

Publication year of the 100 top-cited studies.

Countries of the 100 top-cited studies.

Authors and Institutes

The authors who published at least two top-cited papers as a first author or corresponding author are listed in Table 4 . There were eight authors who contributed the same number of studies as the first author ( n = 2) or corresponding author ( n = 2). The co-citation map of authors is shown in Supplementary Figure S3 .

Authors who published at least two papers as the first author or corresponding author.

A total of 16 institutes from four countries contributed more than two publications each ( Table 5 ). The most productive institute was the University of California ( n = 9), followed by the University of Pennsylvania ( n = 4). Four institutes contributed three publications each, and 10 institutes contributed two studies each. Of the 16 institutions, 10 institutions were from the USA, and 14 were from the universities.

Institutes that published at least two of the 100 top-cited studies.

Study Type and Web of Science Categories

Of the 100 top-cited publications, 64 were original articles, and 36 were reviews ( Table 6 ). The average number of citations for original articles ( n = 1,717) was higher than that for reviews ( n = 1,562). The 100 top-cited studies were divided into 15 Web of Science categories ( Table 6 ). The top three Web of Science categories were clinical neurology ( n = 28), behavioral sciences ( n = 19), and psychiatry ( n = 11).

Study type of the top-cited studies.

Although bibliometric analysis has been used to examine various research fields ( Shadgan et al., 2010 ; Ho, 2012 ; Zhang et al., 2019b ), few citation analyses have focused on neurology ( Sharma and Lawrence, 2014 ; Lucena et al., 2019 ) or psychiatry ( Trushchelev, 2012 ; Mazhari, 2013 ). To the best of our knowledge, no citation analyses have examined publications on neuropsychology. Therefore, this study represents the first comprehensive analysis of published literature in the field of neuropsychology.

In the present study, we found that the total number of citations of the 100 top-cited articles was 166,123, ranging from 736 to 24,252. The average citations per year ranged from 16 to 666, and the annual average number of citations of the 100 articles was correlated with the total number of citations. All of the studies were published from 1967 to 2014, and the year with the highest number of top-cited articles published was 1999. The list of top-cited articles was dominated by older articles. This is likely because articles published after 2014 were not included, and older articles are more likely to have a higher number of citations. Similar findings were reported in previous studies ( Du et al., 2019 ; Zhang et al., 2019b ); they also found that the top-cited articles in the fields of pain and depression and vaccine were not in recent years. From the perspective of the total number of citations, it is difficult to obtain high total citations for newly published articles due to the short time.

Neuropsychologia had the highest number of publications, followed by Neurology . They were representative journals of two biggest clusters of cited sources. Also, these two journals were classic journals in this field. The impact factors of the journals that published at least two of the 100 top-cited studies ranged from 1.344 to 70.670. We did not find a relationship between the number of studies published and journal impact factor. Also, the average number of citations for each article was not correlated with the journal impact factor. Similar results were reported in a previous study, which found that there were no statistically significant correlations between the number of top-cited studies and journal impact factors in vaccine ( Zhang et al., 2019b ). This phenomenon indicates that most researchers focus not only on the impact factor but also on the influence in their field when choosing journals in which to publish their research. The most frequently cited article received 24,252 citations and was published in Neuropsychologia in 1971 ( Oldfield, 1971 ). This study proposed a simple and brief method for assessing handedness on a quantitative scale for use in neuropsychological, clinical, and experimental research. The results of this research were widely used in clinical research, and subsequent research used the results of this article for neuropsychological research. Coupled with the accumulation of time, this article had the highest frequency of citations.

The most productive country was the USA, with 60 publications. This was consistent with previous citation analyses for other disciplines ( Shuaib et al., 2015 ; Zhang et al., 2019a ). The most productive institute was the University of California, followed by the University of Pennsylvania, both from the USA. Thus, the USA made the greatest contribution to developments in neuropsychology in the specified time range. The main partners of the USA were England, Canada, and Netherlands. The pronounced influence of the USA may be attributed to its large number of scientific research institutions and abundant research funds. Indeed, we found that the top three most productive countries (the USA, England, and Canada) were all developed countries. Additionally, they had a cooperative relationship, which promoted the development of research in these countries. Although studies on neuropsychology continue to be conducted worldwide, developed countries may be more likely than developing countries to focus on this research topic. Therefore, there may be space for growth in terms of the quality and quantity of neuropsychology research in developing countries.

Of the 100 top-cited publications, 64 were original articles, and 36 were reviews. The average number of citations was higher for articles than for reviews. This finding indicates that neuropsychology researchers pay more attention to new findings in the field. The top three Web of Science categories were clinical neurology, behavioral sciences, and psychiatry. The clinical practice category had the highest number of neuropsychology articles. Neuropsychology is poised for a transformation in terms of concepts and methods due to advances in neuroimaging, the human genome project, psychometric theory, and information technology ( Bilder, 2011 ). These findings may help researchers identify the most influential contributions to the field of neuropsychology, leading to ideas for future study.

There are some limitations to the present study. First, we only used the Web of Science database for our analysis and did not collect data from other databases, such as Scopus, Medline, and Google Scholar. Second, we only included research published in English. Third, over time, the number of citations of each publication will change, and so the 100 top-cited articles will also change. Fourth, we may have missed some studies that did not contain the term “neuropsycholog ∗ ” in the title, abstract, author keywords, keywords, or journal name. Finally, citation rates are affected by many factors, many of which are beyond the scope of this study. In the future study, we will include more databases and dynamically track changes in these studies. Despite these limitations, we believe that as the first citation analysis in neuropsychology, our findings will contribute to the understanding of trends and classic publications in this field.

In the present bibliometric study, we identified and analyzed the 100 top-cited publications in neuropsychology according to the authors, journal, publication year, country, institution, and study type. These data provide insight into the most impactful studies related to neuropsychology and will thus help doctors, researchers, and other stakeholders to enhance their understanding regarding the trends and influential contributions to neuropsychology research, fostering ideas for future study.

Data Availability Statement

Author contributions.

YoZ and YaZ designed the study. YaZ and YX analyzed the data. YaZ drafted the manuscript. YX, YC, LZ, and YoZ edited the manuscript. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

We thank Sydney Koke for editing the English text of a draft of this manuscript.

1 http://www.vosviewer.com/

Supplementary Material

The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.550716/full#supplementary-material

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80 Clinical Neuropsychology Research Topics

FacebookXEmailWhatsAppRedditPinterestLinkedInEmbarking on the journey of research in Clinical Neuropsychology can be a daunting yet profoundly rewarding experience for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students. The realm of clinical neuropsychology, which delves into the intricate interplay between neuroscience and psychology, offers a treasure trove of research topics awaiting exploration. Selecting suitable research topics is pivotal for those […]

Embarking on the journey of research in Clinical Neuropsychology can be a daunting yet profoundly rewarding experience for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students. The realm of clinical neuropsychology, which delves into the intricate interplay between neuroscience and psychology, offers a treasure trove of research topics awaiting exploration. Selecting suitable research topics is pivotal for those seeking to pave their path in this fascinating field. This blog post aims to serve as a guiding beacon for students in search of thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating research topics. Whether at the inception of your academic journey or nearing its zenith, the world of clinical neuropsychology research topics holds endless possibilities, and this article is your compass to navigate through them.

Clinical Neuropsychology, or Clinical Psychology of the Brain, is a specialized branch of psychology that focuses on understanding the relationship between brain function and behaviour. It encompasses assessing, diagnosing, and treating individuals with neurological conditions or injuries that affect cognitive and emotional functioning. Synonyms commonly used when searching for this term include “Neuropsychological Assessment” and “Neuropsychological Evaluation.”

A List Of Potential Research Topics In Clinical Neuropsychology:

• Examining the cognitive and emotional functioning of individuals with post-concussion syndrome.
• Investigating the impact of exercise on cognitive function in individuals with schizophrenia.
• Investigating the cognitive and emotional functioning of individuals with congenital hearing loss who receive cochlear implants.
• Examining the utility of virtual reality-based cognitive rehabilitation for stroke survivors.
• Evaluating the effects of exercise interventions on cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
• Investigating the neuropsychological consequences of prolonged exposure to extreme weather events and climate change.
• Assessing the impact of childhood obesity on cognitive development and academic achievement.
• Assessing the cognitive and emotional effects of social media use and screen time in adolescents.
• Clinical neuropsychology and military psychology : “Assessing cognitive resilience in military personnel.
• Assessing the neuropsychological effects of childhood maltreatment in the context of borderline personality disorder.
• Assessing the cognitive and emotional functioning of individuals with traumatic spinal cord injuries.
• Assessing the cognitive outcomes of brain-computer interface technology in patients with locked-in syndrome.
• Exploring the neural mechanisms underlying the link between chronic pain and cognitive impairment.
• Exploring the cognitive outcomes of mindfulness-based interventions in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Evaluating the cognitive consequences of prenatal exposure to maternal stress and depression.
• Assessing the impact of childhood adversity on neuropsychological functioning in adulthood.
• Investigating the neuropsychological consequences of exposure to environmental toxins in rural communities.
• Investigating the cognitive and emotional functioning of individuals with chronic gastrointestinal conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Examining the relationship between air quality and cognitive function in urban areas.
• Exploring the cognitive profiles of individuals with rare genetic neurodegenerative disorders.
• Investigating the neurobiological basis of decision-making deficits in individuals with addiction disorders.
• Examining the relationship between traumatic brain injury and subsequent risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
• Examining the cognitive effects of hormonal changes during menopause and their implications for cognitive ageing.
• Exploring the neuropsychological profiles of individuals with chronic kidney and end-stage renal disease.
• Assessing the cognitive consequences of stroke about lesion location and cognitive reserve.
• Exploring the cognitive and emotional sequelae of long COVID in a clinical neuropsychological context.
• Assessing the neuropsychological effects of long-term exposure to noise pollution in urban environments.
• Evaluating the cognitive and emotional functioning of adults with congenital heart disease.
• Investigating the neural basis of anosognosia in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Investigating the relationship between sleep architecture and cognitive decline in older adults.
• Investigating the role of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of neurocognitive disorders.
• Examining the relationship between cognitive impairment and medication adherence in patients with chronic illnesses.
• Exploring the relationship between executive function and social cognition in autism spectrum disorder.
• Investigating the role of gut microbiota in cognitive function and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Examining the impact of social isolation on cognitive functioning in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Examining the relationship between sleep disorders and cognitive impairment in individuals with epilepsy.
• Clinical neuropsychology and quantitative psychology : “Quantitative approaches to studying cognitive deficits in clinical neuropsychology.
• Exploring the relationship between sleep disturbances and cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Exploring the neuropsychological effects of childhood trauma in individuals with borderline personality disorder.
• Investigating the cognitive and emotional functioning of individuals with rare neurogenetic disorders.
• Investigating the relationship between neuroinflammatory markers and cognitive decline in HIV/AIDS patients.
• Evaluating the long-term cognitive outcomes of pediatric brain tumour survivors.
• Assessing the cognitive and emotional outcomes of organ transplant recipients.
• Evaluating the impact of cognitive-behavioral therapy on executive function in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• Exploring the neuropsychological effects of environmental toxins in neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Exploring the neuropsychological profiles of individuals with eating disorders.
• Exploring the cognitive outcomes of brain-computer interface technology in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
• Investigating the cognitive outcomes of mindfulness-based stress reduction programs in healthcare professionals.
• Investigating the cognitive and emotional consequences of prolonged exposure to artificial light at night.
• Evaluating the cognitive effects of neurofeedback training in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
• Investigating the neuropsychological consequences of prenatal exposure to maternal substance use and addiction.
• Examining the cognitive and emotional effects of medical cannabis in patients with chronic pain.
• Assessing the cognitive and emotional functioning of individuals with chronic kidney disease.
• Investigating the relationship between neuropsychological function and functional outcomes in individuals with schizophrenia.
• Evaluating the impact of music therapy on cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Exploring the cognitive and emotional functioning of individuals with post-traumatic growth following a traumatic brain injury.
• Investigating the neurocognitive consequences of prolonged use of digital devices and screen time in children and adolescents.
• Assessing the role of genetic factors in the development of neurocognitive disorders.
• Investigating the cognitive and emotional effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender individuals.
• Assessing the impact of childhood vaccination on cognitive development and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
• Assessing the cognitive and emotional consequences of chronic pain in fibromyalgia patients.
• Investigating the cognitive and emotional effects of hormone replacement therapy in menopausal women.
• Clinical neuropsychology and social psychology : “Social support and its impact on neuropsychological rehabilitation.
• Exploring the cognitive rehabilitation potential of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques in patients with acquired brain injuries.
• Exploring the neuropsychological profiles of individuals with chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Investigating the cognitive outcomes of pediatric epilepsy surgery and its long-term effects.
• Assessing the neurocognitive effects of different treatment modalities in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
• Investigating the neuropsychological profile of individuals with frontotemporal dementia and its differential diagnosis from Alzheimer’s.
• Examining the relationship between substance abuse and cognitive impairment in young adults.
• Assessing the neuropsychological profiles of individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) across the lifespan.
• Investigating the neuropsychological correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans.
• Assessing the impact of educational interventions on cognitive development in children with developmental disorders.
• Investigating long-term caregiving’s cognitive and emotional consequences for individuals with neurocognitive disorders.
• Assessing the neurocognitive effects of long-term exposure to air pollution in urban environments.
• Investigating the cognitive outcomes of cognitive reserve and cognitive ageing in diverse populations.
• Investigating the cognitive and emotional consequences of mild traumatic brain injury in military veterans.
• Investigating the neural correlates of executive dysfunction in individuals with traumatic brain injury.
• Assessing the neuropsychological consequences of traumatic stress in refugee populations.
• Assessing the cognitive and emotional outcomes of individuals with autoimmune encephalitis.
• Investigating the relationship between sleep quality and cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease.

In the vast landscape of academia, Clinical Neuropsychology research topics beckon to students with an insatiable appetite for knowledge. Whether you are pursuing an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degree, the possibilities for research in this field are boundless. From exploring the neurocognitive aspects of mental health disorders to investigating the effects of neurological interventions on cognitive function, clinical neuropsychology offers many intriguing avenues. As you embark on your research journey, remember that your chosen topic should ignite your curiosity and passion, driving you to uncover new insights in this dynamic and ever-evolving field. So, set forth armed with these research topics, and may your academic pursuits in clinical neuropsychology yield discoveries that enrich our understanding of the human mind and brain.

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Cognitive Neuroscience - Thesis and dissertation

It is expected that the Master of Arts (MA) thesis will be completed within the first two years in the program. The Master's degree will normally be required before studies for the doctorate are begun.

The main component of the doctoral program is the dissertation. Students are usually assigned to a specific research supervisor when they are admitted to the program based on interests and background. Any of the core or cross-appointed faculty listed on the faculty page can serve as supervisors for the doctoral program. In addition, the adjunct appointees to the department are also occasionally willing to supervise our doctoral students. Completion of the Doctoral dissertation typically requires another three years after completing the MA.

Examples of dissertation research topics in Cognitive Neuroscience

• The benefits and boundary conditions of drawing on episodic memory. Melissa Meade, 2019.
• The desire to act: Exploring situational, dispositional and genetic correlates of a fundamental motivational state. Andriy Struk, 2019 .
• The Perceptual Mechanisms of Probability Effects. Syaheed Jabar, 2018.
• Emotions and the Environment: The Variable Effect of Environmental Complexity on Pleasure and Interest. Vedran Dzebic, 2017.
• Adapting to Change: The Role of Priors, Surprise and Brain Damage on Mental Model Updating. Alex Filipowicz, 2017.
• The Interdependence of Attention, Memory, and Performance Based Reward. Christie Haskell, 2016.
• Neural processing of fearful and happy facial expressions: effects of fixation to facial features and task demands. Karly Neath, 2015.
• The effects of eye gaze and head orientation on covert attention capture. Adam Palanica, 2014.
•  Modulation of gaze-oriented attention with facial expressions: ERP correlates and influence of autistic traits. Amandine Lassalle, 2013.
• Remembering Faces in Different Places:  The Influence of Context in Face Memory. Shahnaz Koji, 2013
• The science of wayfinding:  An analysis of navigational differences between good and poor wayfinders. Punya Singh, 2013
• The Investigation of Long-Term Cognitive Changes After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Using Novel and Sensitive Measures. Lana Ozen, 2012
• Perceptuomotor Incoordination During Manually-Assisted Search.  Grayden Solman, 2012
• Mechanisms of the Aging-Related Positivity Effect in Memory and Attention. Jennifer Tomaszczyk, 2012
• The Consequences of Everyday Inattention.  Jonathan Carriere, 2011
• “ Oops! I can’t believe I did that!!” Inducing Errors in a Routine Action Sequence. Amanda Clark, 2011
• June Must Be Right and 9 is on Top:  An Investigation of Time-Space and Number-Form Synaesthesia. Michelle Jarick, 2011
• Studying Journal Articles Under Time Pressure. Lisa Meschino, 2011
• Towards a Theory of Visual Concealment. Kelly Malcolmson, 2010
• The influence of study context on recollection: Cognitive, neural, and age-related processes. Erin Skinner , 2009

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Our supervisors

Our Master's thesis offer

Prof. guilherme wood.

You can find out which Master's theses are offered by Professor Wood under the following link:

https://homepage.uni-graz.at/de/guilherme.wood/open-master-thesis-topics/

Assistant Professor Manuel Ninaus

You can find out which Master's theses are offered by Ass.-Prof. Ninaus under the following link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hxhy1FkCGfTKoufqj0PBOUqpU5JChtRV

Dr. Silvia Kober

You can find out which Master's theses are offered at Dr. Kober under the following link:

https://homepage.uni-graz.at/de/silvia.kober/betreuung-von-abschlussarbeiten/masterarbeiten/offene-masterarbeitsthemen/

Procedure and preparations for the Master's thesis

I. announcement of the master's thesis topic.

- First, the Master's thesis should be reported to the NAWI Examination Office and the signatures of the main supervisor and (if available) the second supervisor should be obtained. Information on this can be found at: https://psychologie.uni-graz.at/de/masterstudium/hinweise-zur-masterarbeit/

- In addition, do not forget to submit the examination protocol on time: https://nawi.uni-graz.at/de/sidebar-default-elements/pruefungsprotokolle/

II Ethics application

- Submit ethics application + declaration of consent (mail sent by supervisor!)

- More detailed information at: https://www.uni-graz.at/de/forschen/organisation/ethikkommission/

- Average duration until you receive an ethics vote 3-4 weeks, only then can you start collecting data

- Include a time buffer for data collection, e.g. 2 months extra after the planned end of the study. Longer periods are never a problem, too short a period can lead to problems!

IIIa. Measurements in the Psylab

- Measurements that are carried out in the PsyLab laboratories (EEG, NIRS, etc.) must be registered in advance. You will then be informed when the lab is free and you will have access to the PsyLab calendar in Sharepoint, where you can enter the individual measurement dates.

- Info at https://psylab.uni-graz.at/en/

- Measurements in the neuro-EEG lab are discussed internally in the neuropsychology working group and the room allocation is arranged.

IIIb. Measurements on the MR scanner at the TU

- Study must be reported separately in advance, all information at https://psychologie.uni-graz.at/de/mri-lab/

- Contact person: [email protected]

IV Safety instruction (for laboratory measurements)

- All new Master's students who want to carry out measurements in the laboratories must attend a safety briefing → show emergency exits, assembly points, first aid kits, fire extinguishers + visit rooms where the disinfectant and gloves for measurements are stored (+ clarify COVID-19 measures if necessary).

- If no instruction has yet been given, then be sure to report to a supervisor

- No permission to start measuring without completed safety instruction!

V. Apply for a scholarship

- Master's students can apply for a scholarship themselves via NAWI Graz, e.g. in order to acquire funding for test subjects. To do this, they need a study description (can be similar to the ethics application) and a letter of recommendation from their main supervisor.

- There are only 2 dates per year when you can apply for a scholarship. Further information can be found at: https://nawi.uni-graz.at/de/studieren/informationen-und-formulare-fuer-studierende/stipendien/foerderungsstipendium/

- Money must be used within the specified duration of study, so it is also important to have a longer specified duration of study. Otherwise you have to apply for extensions which will only be approved if there is sufficient justification!

VI Recruit test subjects

- If you want to post notices at the Department of Psychology, they must be stamped with the department stamp → Susanne Wieland in the Testothek can stamp the notices (pay attention to the opening hours!)

- Via [email protected], a supervisor can request that they be sent to all Uni Graz students via mailing list:

• Info that must be included → contact person with name and e-mail address (this is the Master's student), subject, text of the announcement;
• Waiting times of up to 2 weeks until the mailing are possible
• You can also ask student.umfrage whether the mailing can take place on a specific date → please clarify directly with the responsible person

VII Proband:innen Funds

- The money from scholarships (see above) can be used to pay the test subjects.

- Alternative: Use the global budget/project budget, talk to the supervisor to see if there is a budget available and clarify with the secretariat whether the funds will be approved. To do this, you need to know the exact amount required.

- Do not spend any money without approval!

VIII. Reordering material

If any of the consumables required for conducting the study run out (e.g. EEG paste, adhesive electrodes, cotton buds, hair shampoo, cotton pads, alcohol, etc.), inform a supervisor as soon as possible so that the material can be replenished: EEG paste, adhesive electrodes, cotton swabs, hair shampoo, cotton pads, alcohol, etc.), inform a supervising person as soon as possible so that the material can be replenished.

IX. Test certificates

- The template for the test certificates can be downloaded here and filled out digitally:

https://static.uni-graz.at/fileadmin/psychologie/CuKo/formulare/Bestaetigung_Untersuchung.pdf

- Test certificates are then signed by the supervisor and can be stamped by Ms. Susanne Wieland in the Testothek (note opening hours!)

- Please keep a list with the names + number of hours of the test certificates issued. This makes it easier for students to check the test certificates for the Bachelor's seminar afterwards.

- Do not copy, always hand out test certificates with original stamp + signature! - For the sake of the environment, please do not print out an extremely large number of test certificates in case they are not needed.

X. Submission of the Master's thesis

For the submission of the Master's thesis to the NAWI Examination Office and the associated registration for the final examination, some bureaucratic steps must be taken again, see: https://nawi.uni-graz.at/de/studieren/informationen-und-formulare-fuer-studierende/einreichung-von-masterarbeiten-und-dissertationen/

Good luck with your Master's thesis! :-)

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Home > CNS > PSYCH > NSB Graduate Program > NEURO_DISS

Neuroscience and Behavior Dissertations Collection

Dissertations from 2024 2024.

DEVELOPMENT OF DECISION STRATEGIES UNDER RISK AND UNCERTAINTY , Ramiro Eduardo Rea Reyes, Neuroscience and Behavior

Dissertations from 2023 2023

NORADRENERGIC REGULATION OF DECISION-MAKING IN FEMALE AND MALE RATS , Emma S. Dauster, Neuroscience and Behavior

INVESTIGATION ON EVIDENCE FOR REPRESENTATIONAL VIEW OF THE BRAIN’S ORGANIZATION: SHARED NEURAL RESOURCES FOR LONG-TERM MEMORY AND PERCEPTION IN VISION , Natasha Mercedes de la Rosa-Rivera, Neuroscience and Behavior

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ROLE OF AMYGDALAR CIRCUITS IN THE PRODUCTION OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOR , Joseph FD Dwyer, Neuroscience and Behavior

Investigating Brainstem Mechanisms Underlying Prepulse Inhibition Of Startle Impaired In Schizophrenia , Wanyun Huang, Neuroscience and Behavior

The Consolidation of Memory Associations , Kyle A. Kainec, Neuroscience and Behavior

Dissertations from 2022 2022

Motivated Attention to Social and Nonsocial Reward Images: Examining Relations with Externalizing Risk in Children , Adaeze C. Egwuatu, Neuroscience and Behavior

Age-related changes in corticospinal drive during locomotor adaptation , Sumire D. Sato, Neuroscience and Behavior

Sex Differences in Myelin Deficits and Neuroinflammatory Responses to Adolescent Drinking in Rats , Andrea Silva-Gotay, Neuroscience and Behavior

The Neurobiological Underpinnings of Depression-Related Maternal Behavior Deficits , Sarah B. Winokur, Neuroscience and Behavior

Dissertations from 2021 2021

Role of the Prefrontal Cortex in Reward Seeking Behaviors , Jessica Caballero-Feliciano, Neuroscience and Behavior

The Role of Reward and Dopamine Signaling in Prairie Vole (Microtus ochrogaster) Peer Relationships , Nicole S. Lee, Neuroscience and Behavior

The Two Sides of Neural Habituation in Visual Processing: Enhanced Novelty Detection Versus Repetition Deficits , Len Pires de Lima Jacob, Neuroscience and Behavior

Dissertations from 2020 2020

VALUE AND ACTION ENCODING FOR NATURAL OUTCOMES AND ETHANOL IN THE MEDIAL PREFRONTAL AND ORBITOFRONTAL CORTEX , Beata Kaminska, Neuroscience and Behavior

Circadian Regulation of the Timing of Pre-Ovulatory Luteinizing Hormone Surge in Mice and Hamsters , Ajay Kumar, Neuroscience and Behavior

How Do Adult Songbirds Learn New Sounds? Using Neuromodulators to Probe the Function of the Auditory Association Cortex , Matheus Macedo-Lima, Neuroscience and Behavior

Dissertations from 2019 2019

The Role of the Orbitofrontal Cortex in Alcohol Preference, Seeking and Consumption , John Hernandez, Neuroscience and Behavior

Electrophysiological Correlates of Natural Language Processing in Children and Adults , Margaret Ugolini, Neuroscience and Behavior

ACUTE ESTROGEN SYNTHESIS AND ACTION IN THE AUDITORY CORTEX OF DEVELOPING MALE ZEBRA FINCHES (TAENIOPYGIA GUTTATA) , Daniel Vahaba, Neuroscience and Behavior

Dissertations from 2018 2018

The Neural Correlates of Stereotype Threat and the Stereotype Inoculation Model in Young Women , Chaia Flegenheimer, Neuroscience and Behavior

HEARING AND SEEING A SPEAKER: HOW PERCEPTUAL AND COGNITIVE FACTORS MODULATE THE DYNAMICS OF AUDIOVISUAL SPEECH PERCEPTION , Elina Kaplan, Neuroscience and Behavior

Neural and physiological correlates of sex differences in cognition in the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) , Matthew LaClair, Neuroscience and Behavior

Assessing the long-term sequelae of mild traumatic brain injury , Janna Mantua, Neuroscience and Behavior

Sleep, and its Relation to Non-Motor Deficits in Patients with Cerebellar Ataxia , Akshata Sonni, Neuroscience and Behavior

Dissertations from 2017 2017

THE ROLE OF SLEEP ON INHIBITORY CONTROL IN YOUNG CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD) , Amanda Cremone, Neuroscience and Behavior

SEX DIFFERENCES IN ESTRADIOL SIGNALING IN THE ZEBRA FINCH (TAENIOPYGIA GUTATTA) AUDITORY CORTEX , Amanda Krentzel, Neuroscience and Behavior

The Effects of Predictability on Stereotypic Behavior in Nonclinical Adult Humans (Homo sapiens) and Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) , Amy Ryan, Neuroscience and Behavior

ESTRADIOL ENHANCES INFLAMMATION DURING PUBERTAL DEVELOPMENT IN FEMALE MICE , Amarylis Velez-Perez, Neuroscience and Behavior

Dissertations from 2016 2016

Alterations to Maternal Behavior and Brain by Exogenous Estrogen Exposure , Mary Catanese, Neuroscience and Behavior

Characterization of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Cells in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex of Rats , Yi-Ling Lu, Neuroscience and Behavior

Effects of adolescent alcohol binge drinking on prefrontal myelin , Wanette M. Vargas-Rodriguez, Neuroscience and Behavior

Dissertations from 2015 2015

Interactions between the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis, Oxytocin System, and Behavior in Differently Reared Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta) , Amanda F. Hamel, Neuroscience and Behavior

Behavioral, Neurobiological, and Genetic Analysis of the Circadian Mutant Duper , Emily Nicole Corbett Manoogian, Neuroscience and Behavior

Behavioral and Neural Mechanisms of Impulsive Choice , Jesse McClure, Neuroscience and Behavior

Dissertations from 2014 2014

The role of napping on memory consolidation in preschool children , Laura Kurdziel, Neuroscience and Behavior

Effects of Auditory and Visual Temporally Selective Attention on Electrophysiological Indices of Early Perceptual Processing , P. Taylor, Neuroscience and Behavior

Dissertations from 2013 2013

The Effects of Metric Strength on the Allocation of Attention Across Time , Ahren B Fitzroy, Neuroscience and Behavior

Forward and Reverse Genetic Approaches to Studying Locomotor Behavior: atp2a1 and Gaba a Receptors in the Zebrafish Embryo , Bryan D Monesson-Olson, Neuroscience and Behavior

Effects of Chronic Administration of THC on MDMA-Induced Physiological, Behavioral, and Neurochemical Alterations , Erica Yibei Shen, Neuroscience and Behavior

Neuroadaptations and Behavioral Profiles Associated with Cocaine Self-Administration in Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca Mulatta) , Nina M Shinday, Neuroscience and Behavior

Dissertations from 2012 2012

Gradients and Ranges of Visually Selective Attention Based on Location, Objects, Color, and Size: Gradients are Universal, but Range is Uniquely Spatial , William S. Bush, Neuroscience and Behavior

Lateralization of central circadian pacemaker output , Carrie E Mahoney

Analysis Of Morgue, A Novel Ubiquitination Protein That Functions In Programmed Cell Death , Ying Zhou, Neuroscience and Behavior

Analysis of Morgue, a novel ubiquitination protein that functions in programmed cell death , Ying Zhou

Dissertations from 2011 2011

Attentional Cues During Speech Perception , Lori Astheimer Best, Neuroscience and Behavior

Novel Progestin Signaling Molecules in the Brain: Distribution, Regulation and Molecular Mechanism of Action , Karlie A. Intlekofer, Neuroscience and Behavior

Dissertations from 2010 2010

Effect of head orientation on dynamic postural stability and torso coordination , Molly Johnson

The Role Of Histone Acetylation In Sexual Differentiation Of The Mouse Brain , Elaine K Murray, Neuroscience and Behavior

The role of histone acetylation in sexual differentiation of the mouse brain , Elaine K Murray

Examining the Development of Handedness in Rhesus Monkey and Human Infants Using Behavioral and Kinematic Measures , Eliza Lynn Nelson, Neuroscience and Behavior

Vasopressin Anatomy of the Mouse Brain , Benjamin D. Rood, Neuroscience and Behavior

Dissertations from 2009 2009

Investigations into the Potential for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine to Induce Neurotoxic Terminal Damage to Serotonergic Neurons , Dominik Biezonski, Neuroscience and Behavior

Early Rearing Experience, Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Activity, and Serotonin Transporter Genotype: Influences on the Development of Anxiety in Infant Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta) , Amanda Dettmer, Neuroscience and Behavior

The People and Me: Michael Moore and the Politics of Political Documentary , Jon Scott Oberacker, Communication

Visuospatial Reasoning in Toddlers: A Correlational Study of Door Task Performance , Iris Louella Price, Neuroscience and Behavior

Effects of Sex and Social Status on Neuromuscular Differentiation in the Eusocial Naked Mole-Rat (Heterocephalus Glaber) , Marianne Louise Seney, Neuroscience and Behavior

Dissertations from 2008 2008

The role of cell death in the development of a sexually dimorphic neuromuscular system , Dena A Jacob

Processing spatial information from photographs, video, and scale models: Complex mental representation in children (Homo sapiens) and monkeys (Macaca mulatta) , Brian J Kelly

Neuroendocrine effects of peripubertal stress exposure in the female mouse , Julie Laroche

Biologically-based functional mechanisms of motor skill acquisition , Ashvin Shah

Dissertations from 2007 2007

Investigation of serotonergic and GABA -ergic interactions in behavioral and physiological measures of anxiety , Melissa A Birkett

GABAA receptor mechanisms in benzodiazepine physical dependence and tolerance , Angela N Duke

The invasion of Linyphia triangularis (Araneae: Linyphiidae) in Maine: Ecological and behavioral interactions with native species , Jeremy D Houser

Transiently expressed progestin receptors in the perinatal rat isocortex , Veronica Lopez

Adolescent 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ‘ecstasy’) exposure in rats: Behavioral, neurochemical, and pharmocokinetic activity , Brian James Piper

Jumping spiders and aposematic prey: The role of contextual cues during avoidance learning , Christa Danielle Skow

Dissertations from 1996 1996

Computational explorations of the evolution of artificial neural networks in Pavlovian environments , Jose Enrique Burgos

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Human Cognitive Neuropsychology MSc

Awards: MSc

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Upcoming Introduction to Postgraduate Study and Research events

Join us online on the 19th June or 26th June to learn more about studying and researching at Edinburgh.

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Programme description

The MSc Human Cognitive Neuropsychology offers you the opportunity to receive intensive training and specialist knowledge within human cognitive neuropsychology, cognitive neuroscience and related fields of study.

Key research areas

Building on the research methods training, you will take topical courses in the core research areas of our department including specialist techniques and contemporary topics in cognitive neuroscience.

The teaching is closely integrated with the Human Cognitive Neuroscience research unit, a group of internationally recognised cognitive psychologists and neuropsychologists. Staff use a variety of research methods to address their research interests in healthy and clinical populations and their expertise covers a range of topics including:

• visual perception
• decision making
• executive functions
• social cognition and language

Learn more about staff within the Human Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group:

• Human Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group

Psychology is rated 3rd in the UK by Times Higher Education for the quality and breadth of the research using the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).

What will I learn?

You will take courses on the theoretical and methodological aspects of cognitive neuroscience, clinical neuropsychology and brain imaging, and conduct an original research dissertation in one of these areas.

You will also receive thorough training in advanced academic skills and research methods within psychology, including a comprehensive coverage of statistical modelling and research design using the R statistical language.

Is this MSc for me?

This programme provides an understanding of advanced topics, methodologies and issues in the area of cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology, as well as research design and management, and you can flexibly choose optional courses to customise your learning in areas you are most passionate about.

It provides excellent preparation for further research and knowledge of cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology. So, whether you want to continue in academic research or move into professional training, this programme is for you.

Reputation, relevance and employability

The University of Edinburgh has a long tradition of research expertise in cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology. Our large Psychology department is home to academics leading research in these fields.

You will benefit from the breadth and strength of the interdisciplinary academic community at Edinburgh, having the opportunity to select option courses and attend research seminars across different disciplines.

Our students’ research projects are often published in academic or professional journals.

Our programme has an excellent reputation amongst employers and further research opportunities. Many of our graduates have gone onto PhD training and academic careers and advanced clinical training.

We maintain close contacts with professional organisations such as the British Psychological Society (BPS).

• Find out more about our community

The School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences is home to a large, supportive and active student community, hosting events and activities throughout the year which you can join. As a postgraduate student, you will have access to a range of research resources, state-of-the-art facilities, research seminars and reading groups.

Programme structure

This programme contains two semesters of taught core courses and optional courses followed by a dissertation.

The taught courses and their assessments take place between September to December (Semester 1) and January to April (Semester 2). Planning for the dissertation will take place before April. The dissertation will be carried out between April and August.

Core courses

The core courses include topics specific to cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology and courses covering advanced academic skills and research methodology, including research design and statistical modelling. The core courses are:

• Psychological Research Skills - General advanced research methodology
• Univariate Statistics and Methodology using R - Introduction to R and statistical models
• Multivariate Statistics and Methodology using R - Advanced statistical modelling
• Specialist Techniques in Cognitive Neuroscience - This course focuses on the major methodological aspects of different cognitive neuroscience techniques, such as fMRI, fNIRS, TMS, EEG, lesion symptom mapping and single case studies; lectures and discussions are coupled with practical workshops that provide students with hands-on experience.
• Contemporary Topics in Cognitive Neuroscience - This course focuses on cutting-edge cognitive neuroscience research at Edinburgh and further afield, with lectures and discussion sessions covering topics such as vision, memory, and language.

Optional courses

The optional course can be selected to tailor the programme to your interests. If you wish, you may choose the optional course from an associated area, such as individual differences, informatics, psycholinguistics, and developmental or social psychology. Examples of optional courses are:

• Brain Imaging in Cognitive Neuroscience (taught by Human Cognitive Neuroscience research group)
• Clinical Neuropsychology (taught by Human Cognitive Neuroscience research group)
• Neuroscience of Language
• Applied Psychometrics
• Qualitative Methodologies in Psychological Research
• Or any other course open to MSc students subject to approval from the programme director

Dissertation

The dissertation involves conducting an empirical research project in close collaboration with an expert supervisor, sometimes also working with fellow MSc students.

You will produce a written report, similar to an academic journal article; indeed, some dissertations are published as journal articles.

The empirical work and writing takes place between April and August and it is due in August.

The dissertation can be based on data collected by the student or existing datasets (for example, from large cohort studies, biobanks or other projects).

Past examples of dissertation topics include:

• Exploring the Visual Information Accessible to Face Selective Areas in human visual cortex
• Memory recall for people and places engages distinct regions of the human brain
• Hippocampal encoding during visual perception and memory: an fMRI multivariate investigation

How will I learn?

Most courses are taught by a combination of live and pre-recorded lectures, seminars/tutorials and practical sessions. The number of contact hours and the teaching format will depend to some extent on the option courses chosen.

After classes finish in April, you will spend all your time working independently on coursework, exam revision and your dissertation. When you carry out your supervised dissertation research, you will receive guidance from your supervisor through one-to-one meetings, comments on written work and email communication.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Learning outcomes

This programme provides you with a range of knowledge and skills to prepare you for a variety of career paths. On successful completion of this programme, you will have gained:

• specialist knowledge within the fields of human cognitive neuroscience/neuropsychology, and integrated areas of study, in addition to training in psychological research methods
• an understanding of cognitive neuroscience research, brain imaging and neurostimulation techniques, cognitive psychology, cognitive/clinical neuropsychology
• an understanding of the basic and advanced principles of research design and application
• competency in applying a range of methods and research tools, including statistical models and programming
• skills in research management, including managing data and conducting and disseminating research in ways consistent with both professional practice and the normal principles of research ethics
• transferable skills in written and verbal communication, group and teamwork, computing, programming and numeracy, time and project management
• the ability to work as an independent researcher and as part of a team

Career opportunities

The programme is primarily designed for students who aspire to pursue a research-oriented career in cognitive neuroscience or neuropsychology or to apply for higher-level clinical training. However, the course also teaches a broad range of transferable skills applicable to a wide range of modern jobs, such as:

• research design
• data management and processing
• statistical modelling and interpretation
• synthesis and communication of complex literature.
• Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience at the University, providing:

• tailored advice
• individual guidance and personal assistance
• internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
• access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.

Important application information

Your application and personal statement allow us to make sure that you and your chosen MSc are good matches for each other, and that you will have a productive and successful year at Edinburgh.

We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. You should avoid applying to more than one degree. Applicants who can demonstrate their understanding and commitment to a specific programme are preferred. If you plan to apply to more than one programme, you should discuss your choices with us before you submit your application.

Personal statements

When applying you should include a personal statement detailing your academic abilities and your reasons for applying for the programme

The personal statement helps us decide whether you are right for the MSc programme you have selected, but just as importantly, it helps us decide whether the MSc programme is right for you.

Your personal statement should include:

• What makes this particular MSc programme interesting for you?
• What are the most important things you want to gain from the MSc programme?
• What are the key (psychology) courses you have taken and that are relevant for this specific programme?
• What is your experience with collecting empirical data (e.g., preparing and carrying out experiments, surveys or interviews)?
• What is your experience with statistical analysis and programming or qualitative research methods?
• What is your experience with writing empirical research reports (including any that have been published)?
• Any other information which you feel will help us ensure that you are a good match for your intended MSc programme.

A strong personal statement can make a big difference to the admissions process as it may be the only opportunity to explain why you are an ideal candidate for the programme.

You will be asked to add contact details for your referees. We will email them with information on how to upload their reference directly to your online application. Alternatively, they can email their comments to:

• [email protected]

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

• How to apply

Psychology at Edinburgh

Entry requirements.

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK first class honours degree, or its international equivalent, in Psychology.

We may also consider students without a psychology degree if you can demonstrate academic study in cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, biological psychology and/or clinical psychology, together with a solid preparation in methodology and statistics.

Entry to this programme is extremely competitive.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 62 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Tuition fees, scholarships and funding.

There are a number of highly competitive scholarships and funding options available to MSc students.

Deadlines for funding applications vary for each funding source - please make sure to check the specific deadlines for the funding opportunities you wish to apply for and make sure that you submit your application in good time.

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments. The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on your programme, the duration of your studies, and your residency status. (Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.)

• UK government and other external funding

(Revised 1 March 2023 to update scholarship information.)

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• PPLS Postgraduate Office
• Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5002
• Contact: [email protected]
• Programme Director, Dr Edward Silson
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 3459
• Contact: [email protected]
• Dugald Stewart Building
• 3 Charles Street
• Central Campus
• School: Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

MSc Human Cognitive Neuropsychology - 1 Year (Full-time)

Msc human cognitive neuropsychology - 2 years (part-time), application deadlines.

Applications are held for processing over three deadlines:

We operate a gathered field approach to applications for MSc Human Cognitive Neuropsychology. This means that all complete applications that satisfy our minimum entry requirements will be held until the nearest deadline and the admissions panel will meet to consider all applications received together after that date. To be considered as having met the deadline, your application must include transcripts and an academic reference.

Applications will not be accepted after the final deadline.

Applications must be complete with all supporting documentation to be passed on for consideration, this includes references. Please ensure that you inform referees of any deadline you wish to meet.

You must submit one reference with your application.

Please read through the ‘Important application information’ section on this page before applying.

52 Neuropsychology Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best neuropsychology topic ideas & essay examples, ⭐ most interesting neuropsychology topics to write about, 👍 good essay topics on neuropsychology.

• Neuropsychological Diagnosis and Its Main Goals In recent years, variations of the Stroop Test have been used to help people increase mental alertness and sharpen directed attention skills.
• Neuropsychological and Psychological Disorders Relatives of a schizophrenia patient have a greater risk of schizophrenia because of the genetic relationships. The risk of schizophrenia varies with the degree of consanguinity and the closer the relationship, the higher the risk. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
• Neuropsychological Functions in Psychiatric Disorders With a brain injury of the left hemisphere, it also becomes difficult for an individual to synthesize information in coming up with some conclusion or idea.
• Contemporary Neuroimaging and Methods in Adult Neuropsychology Neuropsychology is the applied science of brain-behavior relationships; therefore, a neuropsychologist should have a working knowledge of physiology, psychology, and neurology to be able to assess, diagnose, and treat patients.
• Neuropsychological Assessment of Patients With Parkinson Disease Due to depletion of dopamine-producing neurons in the basal ganglia of the brain, patients with Parkinson’s disease experience deterioration in balance and postural control, and progressive reduction in the speed and amplitude of movements.
• Goals of Cognitive Neuropsychology In particular, it is the study of cognitive effects of neurological illness or brain injury with an aim of inferring normal functioning models of the brain.
• Psychological and Neuropsychological Tests Differences While psychological tests evaluate the general abnormal human behavior in patients, neuropsychological tests serve the prime purpose of analyzing the capacity of the human brain to reason, think, learn, or comprehend particular issues.
• Neuropsychological Tests Reliability Following Concussion In addition, it has been observed that neuropsychological tests to assess recovery following concussion have some unique features in terms of reliability and validity, which underscore the need for further reviews and studies.
• Metacognition and Neuropsychology Using a sample of 100 patients with compulsive mental disorder, the researchers found that metacognition scores were higher in people with obsessive disorders and good insight than in people with the disorder and poor insight.
• The Effects of Energy Drinks and Alcohol on Neuropsychological Functioning According to the title of the report, the aim of Curry and Stasio is to identify the effects of energy drinks and alcohol on neuropsychological functioning.
• Clinical and Neuropsychological Characteristics in Subjects With Schizophrenia The need to understand the complex interplay between a number of variables, including genetics, environmental factors, clinical, psychological and social processes, in the development of brain disorders and the resultant behavioural and cognitive deficiencies informed […]
• Neuropsychological Assessment: Individually Administered Intelligence Tests It is crucially important that the examinee answer all questions truly to provide the examiner with the chance to present the proper results.
• The Relationships Between Behavioral Psychology and Neuropsychology
• Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”: A Neuropsychology Reading
• Neuropsychology, Autobiographical Memory, and Hippocampal Volume in Patients With Chronic Schizophrenia
• Differences Between Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
• Neuropsychology: Neurology and Movie “Awakenings”
• Cognitive Neuropsychology: The Biology of the Mind
• Analysis of Relations Between Computational Neuropsychology and Bayesian Inference
• Division Between Neuropsychology and Personality
• Study of Neuroimaging and Neuropsychology of Meditation States
• Neuropsychology: Overview, Applications, and Analysis
• The Link Between Neuropsychology and Neuropsychiatry of Neurodegenerative Disorders
• Executive Function and Diabetes: A Clinical Neuropsychology Perspective
• Neuropsychology, Social Cognition, and Global Functioning Among Bipolar, Schizophrenic Patients
• Developing Immersive Virtual Reality Software for Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology
• What It Might Learn From Clinical Neuropsychology
• Neuropsychology Insights: Posterior Parietal Cortex Role in Episodic and Working Memory
• Past and Present Neuropsychology: Future of the Process-Based Approach Technology-Based
• Effect of Brain Injuries on Cognitive Functioning
• Brief History of Clinical Neuropsychology
• The Relationships Between Neuropsychology and Human Behavior
• Neuropsychology: The Difference Between the Male and Female Brain
• Link Between Neuropsychology and Past Tenseverb Inflection
• Analysis of the Correlation Between Neuropsychology and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Neuropsychology and Vision Impairment: A Literary Review
• Similarities of Biopsychology, Cognitive Neuropsychology, and Clinical Neuropsychology
• Link Between Subliminal Perception, Neuropsychology, and the I-Function
• Systems Biology, Neuroimaging, Neuropsychology, Neuroconnectivity, and Traumatic Brain Injury
• What Are the Main Goals of Cognitive Neuropsychology?
• Division Between Neuropsychology and Personality Assessment
• Can Concussions and Head Injuries Affect Memory?
• Analyzing Advantages and Disadvantages of Neuropsychology
• Brenda Langford-Milner as the Pioneer of Neuropsychology
• The link Between Neuropsychology, Patient Impact, and Family Considerations
• Overview of Common Specializations in Clinical Psychology
• Physiological Effects Upon the Brain and Body During Processes of Spirituality
• Use of Minimally Invasive Techniques in Psychological Studies
• Ethical Vignette Analysis: Clinical Neuropsychology
• Analysis of the Importance of Neuropsychological Assessment
• Neuropsychological Assessment: Child Abuse and Trauma Assessment in Canada
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Behavioral Research and Assessment in Neuropsychology (BRAIN) Lab

Dr. Rayna Hirst

Email:  [email protected]

Openings: 2-3 new members to join the lab annually.

Topics:  This lab focuses on research in neuropsychology and clinical assessment. Current research topics include the influence of chronic marijuana use on cognition, the neuropsychological effects of sport-related concussion, and factors that influence the valid and reliable neuropsychological assessment of patients. Dr. Hirst’s research has focused on factors that can impact the legitimacy of clinical neuropsychological assessment, such as the examinee’s motivation to perform well; she has identified motivational statements that can enhance cognitive performance in chronic marijuana users. Her research also identified that most people can guess, at levels significantly greater than chance, whether a photograph is of a cannabis user or a non-user, simply based on appearance – a phenomenon she refers to as the “jay-dar”. As Dr. Hirst is interested in all topics related to neuropsychological performance (e.g., memory impairment, executive dysfunction), as well as the clinical process of neuropsychological assessment (e.g., standards of practice in using validity testing during assessment), she is also open to exploring diverse research ideas with students in her research lab. 

These research projects allow students to gain a significant amount of neuropsychological assessment experience and training hours, as well as develop research skills in writing literature reviews, designing a study, recruiting subjects and administering tests, entering data, conducting statistical analyses, presenting at professional conferences, and writing manuscripts. Students will be encouraged to conduct their own research projects and compete for student awards and grants. Co- and eventual first-authorship on manuscripts is encouraged. This training is aimed to help students become a more independent researcher, with the goal of conducting original research and data collection for their dissertation projects.  Please see Dr. Hirst's publications for an example of the types of research studies/manuscripts that students can contribute to.

Members of this lab are expected to have strong conscientiousness, excellent communication with lab supervisor and members, and a high degree of responsibility and accountability. Mentorship support is strong and lab goals are flexible to meet the student’s needs.

How to Apply:

Admission to the lab is dependent upon goodness of fit of the applicant’s research interests with the lab’s ongoing research, academic merit of the applicant, and professionalism of the applicant. Interested PAU students are asked to submit the following items to Dr. Hirst by the PAU Research Lab Application due date:

• One or two page cover letter describing past research experience, how and why the student became interested in neuropsychology/assessment, a description of specific current ongoing projects in this lab that the student would like to contribute to, and a description of additional specific research or clinical interests in neuropsychology and assessment 
• Curriculum vitae
• Unofficial transcript
• A writing sample (e.g., a paper submitted for a graduate-level course) 

CURRENT MEMBERS:

Admitted 2019:

Aubrey Deneen ( [email protected] ) - Aubrey graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and an emphasis in Neuroscience. She is currently a fifth-year Clinical Psychology PhD student in the Neuropsychology Area of Emphasis. Aubrey is primarily involved in the lab’s pediatric sport concussion study. Her clinical experience includes both outpatient and inpatient neuropsychological assessment and cognitive rehabilitation. Currently, she is training at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Acute Rehab track working with individuals who have sustained a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or burn injury. Aubrey is also interested in working with the athlete population. As an undergraduate, she participated in competitive snow-ski racing and experienced first-hand the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional toll that head injuries can have on athletes. As for career goals, she plans to continue inpatient acute rehabilitation work and ideally work with any NCAA and/or professional sports leagues conducting neuropsychological testing for sport-related concussions.

Admitted 2020:

Rachel Murley ( [email protected] ) – Rachel graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Research Psychology and in Biology. Rachel also obtained a Master of Science in Psychology from PAU’s online master’s program before transferring to the Ph.D. program. She is currently a fifth-year doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Neuropsychology. Her current practicum is with Summit Center in Walnut Creek and she is doing a supplemental practicum at the UCSF Neurodevelopmental Assessment and Imaging Lab (NAIL). Rachel’s primary focus in the BRAIN lab is with the pediatric sports concussion database, but has contributed to other projects as well. She is also interested in conducting research and doing clinical work with pediatric populations that have neurodevelopmental disorders. For her long-term goals, Rachel hopes to pursue a career as a clinical neuropsychologist specializing in pediatrics while working in either a hospital setting in the rehabilitation and trauma unit and/or an academic medical center.

Haig Pilavjian ( [email protected] ) - Haig Pilavjian graduated from the University of California San Diego and received his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2015. He received his Master’s degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University in 2017. Prior to attending Palo Alto University, Haig has acted as a research assistant at the San Diego VA’s Military Sexual Trauma clinic, volunteer on a national suicide crisis line, and as a psychometrist/psychological assistant for the forensic-neuropsychological Sports Concussion Institute and Nexus Clinical Solutions. Haig is currently a fourth-year clinical psychology PhD student within the neuropsychology emphasis. He presently is working on his dissertation project involving members of the Palo Alto VA and the BRAIN lab. It will entail an item-level analysis of neuropsychological assessments which assess auditory comprehension and several other cognitive domains. Haig has also contributed to various BRAIN lab projects investigating the neuropsychological effects of cannabis use, and surveys which assessed for changes to the selection criteria for competitive neuropsychology internship applicants after the COVID-19 pandemic. Haig’s major focus has consistently been on the veteran population. He hopes to advance research on areas which would benefit the veteran population such as substance use/abuse and traumatic brain injury. He also hopes to use his training in neuropsychology to support the veteran community as an aspiring neuropsychologist.

Admitted 2021:

Bradley Forbes ( [email protected] ) - Bradley received his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan. He is currently a third-year PhD student at Palo Alto University pursuing an emphasis in Health Psychology. Bradley's primary research focus in the BRAIN has been in the successful marijuana use study, measuring the functionality of chronic marijuana users. Bradley is currently researching the neurological and psychological outcomes of COVID-19 among older adults. Bradley is currently completing practicum placements at San Francisco Neuropsychology and UC Davis Alzheimer's Research Center, Walnut Creek. Clinically, Braldey is interested in working in an inpatient setting, focusing on health psychology and the connection between complex medical diagnosis and mental health. Outside of the lab, Bradley is an avid cyclist and enjoys reading. 

Ashlynn Steinbaugh ( [email protected] ) - Ashlynn graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Biology. She is currently a fourth-year doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Neuropsychology. Her current practicum is at UCSF Pediatric Neuropsychology Program in Pediatrics. Ashlynn’s primary research involvement in the BRAIN lab has been with the pediatric sports concussion database and working on survey studies looking at the current cultural practices and training within the field with Asian American patient populations and burnout among neuropsychologists and graduate students. Her main research interests include studying professional practices and neuropsychological assessment in pediatric populations. Ashlynn’s long-term career goals include becoming a board-certified clinical pediatric neuropsychologist. Outside the lab, Ashlynn loves going on hikes, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. 

Admitted 2022:

Admitted 2023:

PAST MEMBERS:

Admitted 2018:

Jennifer Adler ( [email protected] ) - Jen graduated with her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University in June of 2022 where she completed the Neuropsychology Emphasis. She received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology with a double minor in Sociology and Health from University of Arizona. As part of the BRAIN lab, Jen worked on the Sport Concussion Study and completed her dissertation looking at the test-retest reliability of neuropsychological assessments in non-injured youth athletes. Jen completed her pre-doctoral internship at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego in their Neuropsychology Track. She is currently a post-doctoral fellow at UCSD/San Diego VA in the Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (CESAMH) investigating the interplay of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and neurodegenerative disease processes. Jen’s primary interests include TBI, neurodegenerative risk factors, sport concussion, repetitive head impact, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). She recently received grant funding for a pilot study investigating the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in Veterans with post-acute mTBI, and is hoping to receive a Career Development Award (CDA) grant to further investigate a mindfulness-based intervention for post-acute mTBI in Veterans.

Sana Arastu ( [email protected] ) - Sana graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz in 2016 with a Bachelors of Science in Cognitive Science and a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology. She is currently in her final year as a clinical psychology PhD student at Palo Alto University with a major area of study in neuropsychology. She is currently completing her pre-doctoral internship in neuropsychology and rehabilitation psychology at Baylor College of Medicine/TIRR Memorial Hermann. Sana's research interests include studying how cultural factors, such as ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic background, may relate to neuropsychological performances in minority and underserved populations. Her dissertation sought to understand how cultural factors among Asian Indian immigrants in the U.S may impact performances on a commonly used cognitive screener. In the past, Sana has completed a variety of clinical practicum training in both neuropsychology and rehabilitation psychology at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center’s Hospital Acute Rehabilitation, Palo Alto VA Memory Clinic, Stanford Neurocognitive Assessment clinic, and at Hume Center’s South Asian Community Health Promotions Center. Her long-term career goals involve becoming a board certified neuropsychologist, clinically specializing in neuropsychological rehabilitation, lecturing as an adjunct faculty member, and engaging in advocacy work for improvements in neuropsychological training and practices with minoritized populations. 

Felipe Granados ( [email protected] ) - Felipe graduated from California State University, Stanislaus, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He worked as a PhD student pursuing an emphasis in neuropsychology. As part of the BRAIN lab, Felipe worked on posters from a successful cannabis use database. Additionally, he has also reviewed manuscripts submitted for peer review before publication. Ultimately, Felipe is interested in being a bilingual, Spanish-speaking clinical neuropsychologist, working with elderly Latinx patients suffering from neurodegenerative disorders.

Admitted 2016:  

Colin Brown ( [email protected] ) Colin completed a neuropsychology internship at the James J Peters VAMC in the Bronx, NY, and postdoctoral residency at the Bay Pines VA Health Care System. He is currently a neuropsychologist at the Bay Pines VA Health Care System. 

Rachel Santiago ( [email protected] ) - Rachel is a fifth-year student in the neuropsychology emphasis. She is interested in working with the older adult population, Veterans, and individuals with brain injuries. Rachel is primarily involved in the Sport Concussion study and is currently working on a case study manuscript examining cognitive performance subsequent to multiple concussions.

Jessica Watson ( [email protected] ) - Jessica has completed the Neuropsychology area of emphasis and has published published manuscripts on neuropsychologist’s beliefs regarding the cognitive effects of cannabis, as well as examiner expectancy effects. Her current research involves the lab’s pediatric sport concussion program, examining the frequency of “abnormal” (i.e., low) scores in baseline tests of healthy youth to differentiate between statistical and clinical significance. Her research also assesses parents’ and coaches’ knowledge and attitudes of sport related concussion management. She is working towards completing her dissertation, examining the level of agreement across pediatric neuropsychologists regarding assessment practices. She has represented the lab both in the US and abroad, and in 2018 she was awarded the Edith Kaplan Scholarship, presented by The National Academy of Neuropsychology’s Women in Leadership Committee.

Dylan Vaughn ( [email protected] ) – Dylan graduated from the PhD Clinical Psychology program at PAU, Neuropsychology Area of Emphasis. Currently, he is a first-year postdoctoral fellow under the neuropsychology program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton in Ontario, Canada. He provides inpatient and outpatient assessment services for patients living with a variety of psychiatric and neurological/complex medical conditions. He completed his internship under the adult neuropsychology track at the California Pacific Medical Center/Sutter Health in San Francisco, California. He worked on two projects within the BRAIN Lab: the neurocognitive effects of cannabis use and the long-term effects of sport-related concussions in child/adolescent populations. He has published research on neurocognitive differences by sex in cannabis users (also his dissertation topic), expectancy effects as it relates to performance on neuropsychological evaluations in cannabis users, methodological implications and sampling bias in cannabis research, and neuropsychologists ability to discriminate cannabis users versus non-users. He is currently working on multiple research projects affiliated with McMaster University including the longitudinal effects of cannabis use on cognitive functioning, concurrent head injury rates for those presenting with substance use, and a case study evaluating advanced neuroimaging techniques for a  patient with bilateral hippocampal dysfunction. When he is not working, you can find Dylan in the Canadian wilderness foraging and birding with his girlfriend and dog.

Admitted 2015:

Casey Conaboy ( [email protected] ) Casey was a fourth-year student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at PAU and completed the Neuropsychology Area of Emphasis. Casey was primarily involved in the Sport Concussion Study and interested in the influence that different identities (e.g., socioeconomic status) may have on risk levels regarding concussion and recovery.

Admitted 2014:

Alexis Rosen ( [email protected] ) – Alexis graduated from the PhD Clinical Psychology program at PAU, Neuropsychology Area of Emphasis. She is now a clinical neuropsychologist providing cognitive rehabilitation and assessment services at VA Northern California Healthcare System - Martinez. Alexis completed her internship at the Memphis VA Medical Center in the Neuropsychology Major Area of Study and a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuropsychology at the Department of State Hospitals - Patton. 

Zoe Quittner ( [email protected] )

Admitted 2013:

(Lauren) Taighlor Whittington ( [email protected] )

Richard Enriquez ( [email protected] ) - Richard completed his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Palo Alto University with an emphasis in Diversity and Community Mental health (DCMH). He completed his predoctoral internship at San Jose State University, postdoctoral residency at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), and is currently working as a full-time staff psychologist at UCSC. Richard’s clinical interests include alcohol and other drug use, religion and spirituality, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders. He has experience with a wide range of populations and settings, including ethnically diverse populations, adult populations (ages 18-61), LGBTQ-identified clients, residential substance treatment, community mental health, and college counseling.  His research interests include investigating raters’ accuracy to assess cannabis use status, observer-expectancy effects in cannabis user population, and protective factors related to the initiation and problematic use of cannabis. His dissertation was “Childhood Religious Affiliation Type as Predictor of Initiation and Stability of Cannabis Use.”

Cecilia Han, Ph.D., ABPP-CN ( [email protected]) - Cecilia is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist. She established her own private practice, Brain & Behavior Care, which is located at Ellicott City, MD.  She provides neuropsychology services and medical-legal consultation services for individuals 18+ with acquired brain injuries including TBI/concussion, stroke, hypoxic/anoxic injuries, epilepsy, neurodegenerative conditions/dementia, other neurological conditions, and/or associated neuropsychiatric conditions such as mood disorders, anxiety, chronic pain, and PTSD. She graduated from PAU in 2018. She completed her fellowship at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital and internship at NYU Rusk Rehabilitation. Her clinical interests include adult neuropsychology and rehabilitation psychology, with a research interest in cognitive rehabilitation following acquired brain injuries.

Anna Teague, PhD ( [email protected] ) - Dr. Teague graduated from PAU in 2018. She is currently a Clinical Neuropsychologist and Assistant Clinical Professor (Affiliated) in the Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences at Stanford Health Care. In her clinical role, she conducts outpatient neuropsychological evaluations with adults with a wide variety of neurological and neurosurgical conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, cerebrovascular pathology, epilepsy, concussion and TBI, autoimmune and demyelinating disorders, and CNS and non-CNS cancers. She also assists with clinical trials through the Neurosurgery Department and training neurology residents. Dr. Teague completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Washington DC VA Medical Center, and her post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Virginia.

Julie Gretler ( [email protected] ) - Julie completed her predoctoral internship, as well as her postdoctoral fellowship in neuropsychology at the University of Missouri. Her clinical and research interests include neurorehabilitation and neuropsychological assessment.

 Admitted 2012:

Stephanie Gade ( [email protected])

Laura Rathke

Louise Sodos, Ph.D. ( [email protected] ) - Louise graduated from PAU in 2016. Her dissertation was “Enhancement of Cognitive Performance in Chronic Cannabis Users: Temporary versus Isolated Effects of a Motivational Statement.” She completed her pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship in clinical/military psychology at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC). She is now an active duty U.S. Army licensed clinical psychologist.

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Psychology Dissertation Topics

Published by Carmen Troy at January 10th, 2023 , Revised On April 16, 2024

Introduction

Psychology entails the study of mental processes and behaviour. Over the last several years, the demand for psychology graduates has continuously risen due to the growing number of people with psychic problems.

As a psychology student, you can explore one of the many areas of psychology as part of your dissertation project. You can specialize in industrial physiology, mental health, behavioural psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, personality psychology, social psychology, biological psychology, and psychosocial psychology.

While there are many topic options for psychology students, make sure that you choose one where there is a gap in the literature and more work needs to be done.

To help you get started with brainstorming for psychology topic ideas, we have developed a list of the latest topics that can be used for writing your psychology dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting  a brief research proposal  from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an  introduction  to the topic,  research question ,  aim and objectives ,  literature review  along with the proposed  methodology  of research to be conducted.  Let us know  if you need any help in getting started.

Check our  dissertation examples  to get an idea of  how to structure your dissertation .

Review the full list of  dissertation topics here.

2024 Psychology Research Topics

Impact of automation in the manufacturing sector on employee distress and happiness in the uk- an exploratory study finding the psychoeconomic factors.

Research Aim: This study intends to find the impact of automation in the manufacturing sector on employee distress and happiness in the UK. It will explore the moderating Psychoeconomic (Psychological and Economic) factors affected by the increasing automation in the manufacturing industry, affecting the employees’ distress and happiness levels. Furthermore, it will examine the strategies implemented by the manufacturing companies to prevent their employees from the anxiety and unhappiness induced by automation after the technological revolution.

Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance Among Adults Working from Home during COVID-19 in the UK

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse the impact of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance among adults working from home during COVID-19 in the UK. It will identify how sleep deprivation during COVID-19 affected various mental abilities of employees who were forced to work from home. It will also see how these abilities affect the employees’ productivity during COVID-19. Additionally, it will show the policies adopted by the companies to prevent their employees from working overtime to have a proper sleep. And how does it improve their cognitive performance and productivity?

Effects of Bad Incidents on the Children’s Intelligence- A Critical Assessment through a Clinical Psychology Lens

Research Aim: This research shows the effects of bad incidents on children’s intelligence. It will use a clinical psychology lens to show how clinicians see the relationship between bad incidents in childhood and their impact on children’s intelligence in later life. And in which was these incidents shape the intelligence of children while growing up. Furthermore, it will present a wide range of clinical procedures to overcome the lingering effects of bad incidents on children’s intelligence in later life.

Impact of Marriage Satisfaction on Job Performance in High-Stress Jobs- A Case of Individuals Working in Investment Firms in the UK

Research Aim: This research analyses the impact of marriage satisfaction on job performance in high-stress jobs. It will use investment firms in the UK as a case study to analyse how marriage satisfaction affects the performance of men and women working in these high-stress jobs such as trading and investments. Moreover, it will explore various psychological parts of the job affected by the problems in a marriage. Lastly, it will recommend ways to offset the bad effects of unstable marriage to improve job performance.

The Role of Educational-Psychological Counseling in Career Selection among Immigrant Children in the UK

Research Aim: This research investigates the role of educational-psychological counselling in career selection among immigrant children in the UK. It will show how educational-psychological counselling different aspects of their academic life and help them decide what to pursue in later life. It will also show how this counselling can help them believe that despite coming from outside of the UK, they still have a chance to succeed.

Covid-19 Psychology Research Topics

Topic 1: impacts of coronavirus on the mental health of various age groups.

Research Aim: This study will reveal the impacts of coronavirus on the mental health of various age groups

Topic 2: Mental health and psychological resilience during COVID-19

Research Aim: Social distancing has made people isolated and affected their mental health. This study will highlight various measures to overcome the stress and mental health of people during coronavirus.

Topic 3: The mental health of children and families during COVID-19

Research Aim: This study will address the challenging situations faced by children and families during lockdown due to COVID-19. It will also discuss various ways to overcome the fear of disease and staying positive.

Topic 4: Mental wellbeing of patients during Coronavirus pandemic

Research Aim: This study will focus on the measures taken by the hospital management, government, and families, to ensure the mental wellbeing of patients, especially COVID-19 patients.

Psychology Dissertation Topics for 2024

Topic 1: kids and their relatives with cancer: psychological challenges.

Research Aim: In cancer diagnoses and therapies, children often don’t know what happens. Many have psychosocial problems, including rage, terror, depression, disturbing their sleep, inexpiable guilt, and panic. Therefore, this study identifies and treats the child and its family members’ psychological issues.

Topic 2: Hematopoietic device reaction in ophthalmology patient’s radiation therapy

Research Aim: This research is based on the analysis of hematopoietic devices’ reactions to ophthalmology’s radiation.

Topic 3: Psychological effects of cyberbullying Vs. physical bullying: A counter study

Research Aim: This research will focus on the effects of cyberbullying and physical bullying and their consequences on the victim’s mental health. The most significant part is the counter effects on our society’s environment and human behaviour, particularly youth.

Topic 4: Whether or not predictive processing is a theory of perceptual consciousness?

Research Aim: This research aims to identify: whether or not predictive processing is a theory of perceptual consciousness?

Topic 5: Importance of communication in a relationship

Research Aim: This research aims to address the importance of communication in relationships and the communication gap consequences.

Topic 6: Eating and personality disorders

Research Aim: This research aims to focus on eating and personality disorders

Topic 7: Analysis of teaching, assessment, and evaluation of students and learning differences

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse teaching methods, assessment, and evaluation systems of students and their learning differences

Topic 8: Social and psychological effects of virtual networks

Research Aim: This research aims to study the social and psychological effects of virtual networks

Topic 9: The role of media in provoking aggression

Research Aim: This research aims to address the role of media and in provoking aggression among people

Psychology Dissertation Topics for 2023

Topic 1: assessing the advantages and disadvantages of positive reinforcement in special education.

Research Aim: The strength and importance of praise in the workplace can have a significant impact on employees and move them from apathy to more happiness and satisfaction. Positive reinforcement motivates and encourages people for their respective tasks. This research aims to assess the advantages and disadvantages of positive reinforcement in special education.

Topic 2: Assessing the relationship between depression and anxiety from the perspective of student academic performance

Research Aim: Emotional disturbance is considered to be a psychological element that can lead to the deterioration of the daily activities of students. Since academic achievements are an integral dimension of students’ lives, depression, anxiety, and other emotional disturbance might lead to poor academic performance. Therefore, this research aims to assess the relationship between depression and anxiety on student academic performance.

Topic 3: How cognitive behaviour therapy helps in dealing with depressed adolescents

Research Aim: Cognitive behavioural theory is regarded as a well-established therapy for depression and other various mental illnesses in children and adolescents. It might be because CBT can reduce suicidal behaviour and thoughts amongst adolescents. The main purpose of this research is to identify how cognitive behaviour therapy can help in dealing with depressed adolescents.

Topic 4: Analysing the psychological impact of bullying on children’s personality and development

Research Aim: Any public humiliation can result in a child’s misconceptions, confusion and misunderstanding about their own personality and the surrounding world. Public humiliation can damage the psychology of children and hinder their overall physical and mental development. The key purpose of this study is to analyse the psychological impact of bullying on children’s personalities and development.

Topic 5: Assessing the impact of psychological pricing on consumer purchase intention

Research Aim: Psychological pricing, also known as charm pricing and price ending, is a market pricing strategy in which certain prices can have a psychological impact on consumers. This strategy also includes a slightly less than a round number, e.g. 2.99, which could incline consumers to make purchase decisions in favour of the seller. Hence, this research aims to assess the impact of psychological pricing on consumer purchase intention.

Topic 6: Borderline Personality Disorder and Self-Cutting Behaviors – Are they Inter Related?

Research Aim: Borderline Personality Disorder is a mental health disorder that impacts the thinking process of an individual. This disorder impacts the way you think and feel about yourself and others. Relationships are unstable. There are extreme emotions and distorted self-image when a person is suffering from a borderline personality disorder. This research will discuss this disorder in detail and evaluate whether self-cutting behaviours are a result of this disorder or not.

Topic 7: Depression and its risk factors – How can it be prevented?

Research Aim: Depression is a psychological issue that needs immediate attention. There are a lot of factors that lead to depression. This research will talk about the various risk factors that contribute to depression in an individual. The research will also discuss ways and strategies through which depression can be managed and eliminated in some cases. Case studies will be a part of this research.

Topic 8: Childhood trauma and its long-lasting impacts on individuals in adulthood

Research Aim: This research will talk about an important issue i.e. childhood trauma. This includes emotional and physical trauma that a child had experienced in his childhood. This research will discuss whether this trauma will impact the individual further in his life or not. If an adult’s future life is likely to be affected by childhood trauma, then in what ways will it change the individual, and how will it shape his personality? All these questions will be answered with this research.

Organisational Psychology Dissertation Topics

The role of industrial psychologists, also known as organisational psychologists, is to apply the principles of psychology to marketing, sales, management, administration, and human resources problems that organizations face.

Typical tasks that organisational psychologists perform include but are not limited to organisational development and analysis, training and development, employee evaluation and selection, policymaking, and more. The following dissertation topics are developed with respect to organisational psychology:

Topic 1: Research in industrial and organisational psychology from 1980 to 2015: Changes, choices, and trends

Research Aim: This research will compare the choices, trends, and changes in industrial and organisational psychology. The years compared will be 1990-2000, 2001-2010, and 2011-2020.

Topic 2: Computerized adaptive testing in industrial and organisational psychology

Research Aim: This research will explore the advanced technique i.e. computerized adaptive testing in organisational and industrial psychology.

Topic 3: Leader-member exchange as a moderating variable in the relationship between well-being and job security

Research Aim: This research will analyse the leader-member exchange as a variable that moderates the relationship between job security and well-being.

Topic 4: Intelligent leadership and leadership competencies – Developing a leadership framework for intelligent organizations

Research Aim: This research will understand the leadership competencies and intelligent leadership by analysing a leadership framework for intelligent organisations.

Topic 5: Burnout amongst executive staff: What are the main predictors? A review of literature from the UK and Europe.

Research Aim: This research will talk about the most pressing issue at workplaces right now, i.e. burnout, The study will include predictors of burnout by analysing literature from Europe and the UK.

Topic 6: Interior design and Industrial psychology – Investigating the role of employees' reward and motivation in shaping up the look of the factory or office

Research Aim: This research will understand the role of employee reward and motivation in shaping up workplaces with a focus on how interior design can create a working environment for employees that enhance their motivation levels.

Topic 7: Investigating the impact of strategic business partnering for business organisations – A case study of any UK based company

Research Aim: This research will talk about the impact of strategic business partnering for business organisations. You can provide us with the name of the company you would want to base your research on.

Topic 8: Social science strategies for managing diversity: Industrial and organisational opportunities to enhance inclusion

Research Aim: This research will interrogate an extremely important issue of psychology, i.e., diversity and inclusion at the workplace. The study will be conducted with respect to social science strategies.

Topic 9: Studying Influencing Factors in Effective Training Programs in Organisations

Research Aim: This research will talk about the various psychological factors that influence training programs organised by companies.

Topic 10: To understand international branding in light of the concept of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions

Research Aim: This research will aim to understand international branding in light of the concept of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. The research will be descriptive in nature and make use of secondary data.

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Clinical Psychology Dissertation Topics

Clinical psychology can be defined as integrating clinical knowledge, theory, and science to understand and prevent psychologically based dysfunction and distress. Another aim of this branch of psychology is to promote personal development and behavioural well-being.

Clinical psychologists’ job responsibilities include conducting research, teaching, drug and alcohol treatment, assessing disorders, testifying legal settings, and creating and managing programs to prevent and treat social problems.

A well-written dissertation in this area of psychology can help students to fetch a high academic grade. Here are some interesting topics in this area:

Topic 1: Which clinical and demographic factors predict poor insight in individuals with obsessions and compulsions?

Research Aim: This research will discuss the clinical and demographic factors that predict poor insight within individuals with compulsions and obsessions.

Topic 2: Anger beliefs and behaviour; An Investigation of associations with Hypomania in a non-clinical sample

Research Aim: This research will investigate anger, behaviour, and beliefs concerning hypomania in a non-clinical sample.

Topic 3: Clinical psychologists’ experiences of accessing personal therapy during training: A narrative analysis

Research Aim: This research will discuss clinical psychologists’ experiences of accessing personal therapy during training. This will be a narrative analysis.

Topic 4: Exploring body image and identity in people who have had a heart or lung transplant

Research Aim: This research will help explore the identity and body image of people who have had a heart or a lung transplant. All related issues will be discussed in this study.

Topic 5: Psychosocial adjustment to renal failure and consequent dialysis

Research Aim: This research will explore psychosocial adjustment required during renal failure. The study will also discuss dialysis, which will result due to renal failure.

Topic 6: Experiences of psychosocial formulation within a bio-psychosocial model of care for psychosis

Research Aim: This research will talk about psychosocial formulation experiences within a bio-psychosocial model of care for psychosis.

Topic 7: Experiences and their association with eating behaviour in adulthood

Research Aim: This research will investigate the relationship between individual experiences and eating behaviour in adulthood. The study will furthermore present suggestions as to how these conditions can be improved.

Topic 8: Barriers to communicating about sexual dysfunction following heart trauma

Research Aim: This research will talk about an important issue i.e. sexual dysfunction. However, the study will be conducted concerning the issue being developed due to heart trauma.

Topic 9: Validation of a new scale assessing the use of strategies to change another person’s mood or emotional state

Research Aim: This research will investigate and try to validate a new scale that will be used to assess strategies for changing another person’s emotional state or mood.

Topic 10: Examining Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) within a cognitive framework

Research Aim: This research will investigate an important psychology issue, i.e. depression. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) will be assessed with a cognitive framework.

Also Read: Construction Engineering Dissertation Topics

Cognitive Psychology Dissertation Topics

Cognitive Psychology can be defined as the study of mental processes such as thinking, creativity, problem solving, perception, memory, language use, and attention through neuropsychology, computer modeling, and experimentation.

Cognitive psychologists are primarily responsible for investigating how the human brain absorbs and interprets information at micro and macro levels. This area of psychology is broad. Therefore you will have many topic options to choose from. Please see below some titles if you are looking to base your dissertation on the field of cognitive psychology.

Topic 1: Adolescent perceptions and beliefs of proactive-reactive aggression explored through the social information processing model of aggression

Research Aim: This research will talk about various perceptions and beliefs of adolescents with respect to proactive-reactive aggression. These will be explored through the social information processing model of aggression.

Topic 2: Analyzing how cognitive flexibility is influenced by emotions

Research Aim: This research will analyze how emotions influence the cognitive flexibility of individuals.

Topic 3: Tractable cognition: The role of complexity theory in cognitive psychology

Research Aim: This research will discuss tractable cognition. The study will discuss the role of complexity theory in cognitive psychology.

Topic 4: Conflict monitoring across sensory modalities

Research Aim: This research will discuss conflict monitoring during sensory modalities. The study will talk about various conflict monitoring methods.

Topic 5: Familiarity and its effect on facial expression recognition?

Research Aim: This research will discuss the concept of familiarity and its impact on facial expression recognition.

Topic 6: Investigating the relationship between cognitive vulnerability and depression

Research Aim: This research will investigate the relationship between depression and cognitive vulnerability.

Topic 7: Effectiveness of mindfulness training on ratings of perceived stress, mindfulness, and well-being of adolescents enrolled in an international baccalaureate diploma program

Research Aim: This research will discuss the effectiveness of mindfulness training on ratings of well-being and perceived stress of adolescents. The participants of this research will be international baccalaureate diploma students.

Topic 8: Assessing the development of implicit intergroup cognition in relation to in-groups and out-groups: social learning or pre-specified?

Research Aim: This research will assess the development of implicit intergroup cognition with respect to out-groups and in-groups. The study will conclude whether this development classifies as social learning or is pre-specified.

Topic 9: Assessing the relationship between impaired social cognition, emotion, and anxiety disorders.

Research Aim: This research will discuss the relationship between emotion, anxiety disorders, and impaired social cognition.

Topic 10: Investigating the relationship between episodic memory and emotional memory

Research Aim: This research will investigate the relationship between emotional memory and episodic memory and the underlying causes.

Also Read : Project Management Dissertation Topics

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• Social Psychology Dissertation Topics

This branch of psychology has gained tremendous importance in the world of academia in recent times. Essentially, it deals with social interactions, including their influence on the individuals and their origin.

According to Baron, Byrne, and Sulls (1989), “the scientific field seeks to understand the nature and causes of individual behaviour in social situations.”

Therefore, it will not be wrong to say that social psychology primarily investigates how human behaviour can influence other people and the surrounding social environment. Some relevant social psychology dissertation topics are listed below:

Topic 1: Cognitive, affective, and social psychological correlates of psychopathic personality traits in offenders and non-offenders

Research Aim: This research will address cognitive, affective, and social psychological correlations of psychopathic personality traits in offenders and non-offenders.

Topic 2: A social-psychological exploration of word-of-mouth traveller information in the digital age

Research Aim: This research will explore the word of mouth exchange of traveller information in today’s age with a social-psychological perspective.

Topic 3: Investigating the concept of contemporary social and cultural psychology

Research Aim: This research will investigate the concept of contemporary social and cultural psychology.

Topic 4: Methods for social psychological research: fundamental qualitative and fundamental quantitative methods.

Research Aim: This will be an interesting study. The research will explore two major social psychological research methods; fundamental qualitative method and fundamental quantitative method.

Topic 5: The impact of gender mistakes on various individual attitudes and behaviours that contribute to gender inequality

Research Aim: This research will explore the impact of gender issues on different individual attitudes and behaviours. Moreover, the study will assess their impact and contribution to increasing gender inequality.

Topic 6: Personality, passion, self-esteem and psychological well-being among junior elite athletes in the UK

Research Aim: This research will study the psychological well-being of junior athletes in the UK. This includes assessing their personality, passion, and self-esteem.

Topic 7: Mad, bad, or dangerous? Assessing changing social attitudes to mental illness through a study of magazine and TV advertising.

Research Aim: This research will assess the changing social attitudes to mental illness by studying TV and magazine advertising. The study will focus on the impact of these advertisements on the mental health of the audience.

Topic 8: Use of images of women in corporate website branding – The role of gender, marketing, and internet presence

Research Aim: This research will assess the use of women’s images in website branding. The study will evaluate and analyze the role of gender, marketing, and internet presence.

Topic 9: How the use of music can help to reduce crime rate – A quantitative study of underground tube stations in London

Research Aim: The study will focus on an ignored socio-psychological aspect i.e. music. The research will assess how music helps to reduce the crime rate. A quantitative study covering underground tube stations will be conducted.

Topic 10: The enduring legacy of cognitive dissonance

Research Aim: This research will talk about the history of cognitive dissonance. It will also discuss its enduring legacy.

Also Read: Sociology Dissertation Topics

Abnormal Psychology Dissertation Topics

The abnormal patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviour that may lead to mental disorders are studied under the abnormal psychology branch of psychology. But what is an abnormality, and who decides what abnormal behaviour is? Historically, societies have been quick to observe and tag individuals as abnormal when they encounter situations that they could not understand.

Abnormal psychologists are responsible for identifying the human characteristics that deviate from the norm. This branch of psychology can interest students who wish to explore unusual human behaviour and unusual conditions. Following topics on abnormal psychology can help to ease the dissertation topic selection process for your thesis project:

Topic 1: Assessing and Investigating the concepts of abnormality and mental health

Research Aim: This research will discuss the basics of abnormality and mental health. The literature review will cover the various mental health conditions and what leads them to these issues.

Topic 2: A neuropsychological investigation of frontal brain asymmetry in depression with comorbid anxiety

Research Aim: This research will investigate a neuropsychological issue, i.e., frontal brain asymmetry in depression with comorbid anxiety.

Topic 3: What is the relationship between children’s home routines and treatment for ADHD? A study of the literature

Research Aim: This research will talk about a common yet ignored issue, ADHD. The study will explore the relationship between children’s home routines and treatment procedures.

Topic 4: Investigating the relationship between depression and diet – A qualitative study of how the Mediterranean diet can help to lower depression levels

Research Aim: This research will investigate an interesting relationship – depression and diet. The study will also explore how the Mediterranean diet can help reduce levels of depression.

Topic 5: Promoting mental health and psychological wellbeing in children: A socio-cultural activity theory analysis of professional contributions and learning in a multidisciplinary team

Research Aim: This research will aim to promote mental health and psychological wellbeing in children. The study will be based on a socio-cultural activity theory analysis of professional contributions and learning in a multidisciplinary team.

Topic 6: A critical inquiry into the views of professionals working with families, parents, and children.

Research Aim: This research will help conduct a critical inquiry into the views of professionals working with parents, families, and children.

Topic 7: Exploring ways of managing stress and coping with poor mental health

Research Aim: This research will help to explore stress and coping issues amongst individuals with poor mental health.

Topic 8: The role of positive irrational beliefs in mental health & wellbeing

Research Aim: This research will talk about the positive role of irrational beliefs associated with mental health and wellbeing.

Topic 9: To understand and establish the relationship between social media websites and self-harm in adolescent females

Research Aim: This research will aim to understand and establish the relationship between social media websites and self-harm in adolescent females.

Topic 10: A biographical narrative study exploring mental ill-health through the life course

Research Aim: This will be a biographical narrative study that will explore the mental illness issues that may cause difficulties to lead the course of life.

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Developmental and Educational Psychology Dissertation Topics

According to Kendra Cherry (2001), “Educational psychology involves the study of how people learn, including topics such as student outcomes, the instructional process, individual differences in learning, gifted learners and learning disabilities.” This branch of psychology considers not only the learning process but also the social and emotional aspects of development.

Developmental and educational psychologists are responsible for designing professional development programmes, evaluating programmes and interventions, designing training programmes, consulting with groups and individuals, counselling, designing effective treatment programmes, assessing developmental learning and behavioural problems among individuals, diagnosing disabilities and disorders, and identifying and clarifying problems.

Here’s a list of developmental and educational psychology dissertation topics for you to choose from:

Topic 1: Investigating parents’ concerns with a child’s development: A Case Study

Research Aim: This research will investigate concerns of parents related to child development. A specific case will be examined in this research.

Topic 2: To examine the parent-child relationship issues

Research Aim: This research will explore the issues related to the parent-child bond. Solutions will also be provided as to how these should be tackled.

Topic 3: Managing a child’s difficult temperament or behaviour

Research Aim: This research will help parents understand how they can manage a child who has a difficult temperament.

Topic 4: How educational psychologists can assist a child with disabilities

Research Aim: This research will explore how educational psychologists help in assisting disabled children.

Topic 5: Exploring the causes of sibling rivalries in the family: Studying How These can Be Tackled.

Research Aim: This research will talk explores the causes behind sibling rivalries in families and will also suggest how these can be controlled.

Topic 6: Problems parents, teachers, and children may face in the transition from early childhood to school years

Research Aim: This study will explore issues and problems parents, teachers, and children face in the transition from early childhood to school years.

Topic 7: Exploring the impact of consultation on educational psychology service users, including pupils, teachers, and parents

Research Aim: This research will explore the impacts of consultation on educational psychology services which include pupils, teachers, and parents.

Topic 8: The development of the theory of mind in deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing preschool children

Research Aim: This research will talk about the developmental theory of mind in deaf people, hard of hearing, and hearing of preschool children.

Topic 9: Cultural differences and perceptions of autism among school psychologists

Research Aim: This research will talk about the cultural differences and perceptions of autism amongst school psychologists.

Topic 10: High school special education teachers’ use of positive behaviour: Effects of a behaviour prompting routine on specific praise rates

Research Aim: This research will discuss the use of positive behaviour by high school special education teachers. Furthermore, the dissertation will also study the impact of behaviour that prompts a routine for specific praise rates.

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Important Notes:

As a psychology student looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment with existing psychology theories – i.e., to add value and interest to your research topic.

Psychology is vast and interrelated with so many other academic disciplines. That is why it is imperative to create a psychology dissertation topic that is particular, sound, and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic based on your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong; your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, and there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in writing your dissertation as you may end up in the cycle of rejection at the initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

Keeping our advice in mind while developing a research topic will allow you to pick one of the best psychology dissertation topics that fulfil your requirement of writing a research paper and adds to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalizing your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and be practically implemented. Please look at some of our sample psychology dissertation topics to get an idea for your own dissertation.

How to Structure your Psychology Dissertation

A well-structured dissertation can help students to achieve a high overall academic grade.

• A Title Page
• Acknowledgments
• Declaration
• Abstract: A summary of the research completed
• Table of Contents
• Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can also be added to this chapter.
• Literature Review : This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analyzing published and unpublished literature on the chosen research topic to address research questions . The purpose is to highlight and discuss the selected research area’s relative weaknesses and strengths while identifying any research gaps. Break down the topic and key terms that can positively impact your dissertation and your tutor.
• Methodology : The data collection and analysis methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter, which usually includes research design , research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods, and data analysis strategy .
• Findings and Analysis : Findings of the research are analyzed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include graphs, charts, and tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
• Discussion and Conclusion : The researcher presents his interpretation of the results in this chapter and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section is establishing the link between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regards to the implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
• References : Make sure to complete this following your University’s requirements
• Bibliography
• Appendices : Any additional information, diagrams, and graphs used to complete the dissertation but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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A method for identifying predictive markers of mental illness in social media data 

Abstract representations of attributed emotion: evidence from neuroscience and development , affective and cognitive processing in nonsuicidal self-injury , associations among exposure to adversity, stress reactivity, cognitive self-regulatory functioning, and depression symptoms in middle school youths , believing, desiring, or just thinking about: toward a neuroscientific account of propositional attitudes , breaking and entering: verb semantics and event structure , childhood anxiety disorders: developmental risk factors and predictors of treatment response , clarifying psychological risk factors for self-injury and suicidal behaviors: clinical applications of behavioral measures , clarifying the pathway to suicide: an examination of subtypes of suicidal behavior and their association with impulsiveness. , cognitive control of emotional information in schizophrenia: understanding the mechanisms of social functioning impairments , a cognitive neuroscience of social groups , constructive retrieval and episodic memory: cognitive and neural evidence , continuities and discontinuities in working memory representations of collections over ontogeny , the development of character judgments from faces , the developmental origins of logical inference: deduction and domain-generality , discovering how youth psychotherapies work: three approaches to identifying mediators of treatment outcome , discovering structure in the moral domain , do yourself a favor: we help our future selves for the same reasons we help others , duration of recovery and susceptibility to criticism-induced information-processing biases in major depression , emotion recognition and psychosis-proneness: neural and behavioral perspectives .

EDITORIAL article

Editorial: reviews in neuropsychology.

• 1 Research Methods and Diagnosis in Education, Faculty of Education, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
• 2 Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
• 3 Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Diagnostic and Technology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy

Editorial on the Research Topic Reviews in neuropsychology

In the ever-evolving landscape of scientific inquiry, the discipline of neuropsychology stands as a beacon guiding our understanding of the intricate relationship between the human mind, behavior, and the underlying neural substrates. As we step into the new millennium, marked by unprecedented global challenges, the field of neuropsychology finds itself at the forefront of addressing the cognitive and behavioral impacts of the pandemic ( Bartoli et al., 2020 ; Palermo, 2020 ) and post-pandemic era ( Amanzio et al., 2021 , 2022 ). The beginning of the 21st century has brought forth a myriad of challenges, notably exacerbated by the recent global pandemic. These challenges necessitate a reevaluation of our approaches to neuropsychological research and clinical applications. The disruptions caused by the pandemic have highlighted the urgency of understanding the profound impact of stress, isolation, and uncertainty on cognitive function and mental health ( Morese and Palermo, 2022 ; Morellini et al., 2023 ).

Reviews in Neuropsychology is a Research Topic that serves as a testament of our commitment to advancing the frontiers of knowledge in this critical field. The collection of high-quality scholarly review articles within this Research Topics aims not only to showcase recent advances but also to illuminate unexplored avenues for future inquiries. The Research Topics demonstrate our dedication to exploring the association between cognitive-behavioral manifestations in both healthy and pathological subjects and their corresponding neural underpinnings. From clinical and observational tools to cutting-edge techniques such as electrophysiology and neuroimaging, our goal is to unravel the mysteries of the brain and its intricate interplay with cognition and behavior.

Beyond the traditional boundaries of neuropsychology, we extend our scope to encompass its intersection with education. This extension recognizes the importance of bridging the realms of neuroscience, neuropsychology, and education—a linkage ripe for exploration in the pursuit of a comprehensive understanding of human cognition.

The articles presented in this Research Topics will not only enrich the scholarly discourse within the neuropsychological community but also translate into tangible applications in clinical, public health, and policy settings. By fostering discussion and collaboration, the authors in this Research Topics aspire to propel the field of neuropsychology toward best practices that address the unique challenges of the new millennium.

This Research Topic comprises five contributions consisting of one editorial, three systematic reviews, and one meta-analysis.

In the Research Topic editorial, the authors trigger further debates within the neuropsychological community, with the hope that these discussions could translate into best practice applications in preclinical and clinical settings, as well as in public health and policy domains ( Zhou et al., 2023 ).

The first review seeks to explore how individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) perceive and process emotions, addressing a subject often overlooked in current literature. The results highlight a level of uncertainty, as some studies find no distinctions in emotion recognition and processing between the MCI and healthy control groups, while others identify specific deficits in recognizing both negative and neutral emotions in MCI patients ( Morellini et al. ).

The prevalence of comorbidity between epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the pediatric population has significantly increased in recent years. This comorbidity negatively affects the cognitive-linguistic skills of individuals with ASD. The main objective of the second review is to examine the impact of epilepsy on the development of cognitive and linguistic skills in children with ASD ( Cano-Villagrasa et al. ). The study emphasizes that epilepsy in the ASD population leads to a reduction in cognitive and linguistic abilities. The impact varies based on different types of epilepsy and their locations, significantly affecting the quality of life and basic activities of daily living for individuals with ASD who also experience epilepsy.

The systematic review and meta-analysis examine the impact of substance abuse on false memory formation, an aspect less explored in the literature ( Caetano et al. ). Despite no noteworthy distinctions in false recognition/recall of critical lures observed between individuals with a history of substance abuse and those without such histories, those with a background of substance abuse exhibited notably elevated levels of false memories pertaining to both related and unrelated events.

A third review explores the relationship between decision-making outcomes and integrative complexity (IC) in various contexts ( Molina et al. ). Integrative complexity refers to the degree to which an individual considers multiple perspectives, dimensions, or aspects when making decisions or forming opinions. The analysis reveals research gaps in understanding the nature of IC, measurement challenges, and differentiation from other cognitive features. Opportunities for investigating brain activity during decision-making in relation to IC are identified. The discussion emphasizes the need for precise categorization of IC in cognition studies and explores implications for understanding the' cognitive nature of IC and the potential of neuroscience methods in studying this attribute.

Knowing the content and themes of each study included in this Research Topic makes us think about the need to include and consider the area of neuropsychology in many diverse contexts, highlighting one of them: Education. Educational neuroscience and neuropsychology are an interdisciplinary field of research (neuroscience, education, and psychology) ( Dennis, 2019 ) that seeks to understand the effects of education on the brain ( Han et al., 2019 ; Thomas et al., 2019 ; Vaughn et al., 2020 ). For some time now, education has needed insights from neuropsychology so that all professionals who are part of education have the tools to teach from the learner's brain. Consequently, including many of the results and contributions of the studies in Neuropsychology in Education, research in the field of neuroscience and neuropsychology favors, to a large extent, our understanding of the teaching-learning processes, providing a much more solid basis on which to base the steps to be taken in education ( Wolfe, 2010 ).

Pickering and Howard-Jones (2007) concluded that teachers showed great interest in the combination of neuroscience, neuropsychology, and education, considering it necessary to develop programs where the brain and its functioning are the basis of development understanding, in addition to believing in the importance of transferring neuroscience content to teachers to help them better understand certain practices in the classroom.

In conclusion, this compilation of research not only expands our understanding of neuropsychology but also highlight the field's dynamic response to contemporary challenges. The diverse perspectives offered in these reviews pave the way for future research, collaboration, and the application of findings in real-world settings, thereby shaping the trajectory of neuropsychology in the years to come.

Author contributions

ML-R: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Conceptualization. SP: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing, Conceptualization.

The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work was supported by University of Málaga. GIE grants Under GIE22-027: Brain, Mind and Education, Neuroeducational Lab. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

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Keywords: neuropsychology, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), false memory, decision making, integrative complexity theory, education

Citation: Luque-Rojas MJ and Palermo S (2024) Editorial: Reviews in neuropsychology. Front. Psychol. 15:1367208. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1367208

Received: 08 January 2024; Accepted: 29 March 2024; Published: 23 April 2024.

Edited and reviewed by: Giorgio Arcara , San Camillo Hospital (IRCCS), Italy

Copyright © 2024 Luque-Rojas and Palermo. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: María Jesús Luque-Rojas, mjluquerojas@uma.es ; Sara Palermo, sara.palermo@unito.it

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.