Sleep Disorders

Introduction to Psychology is a general education course designed to assist students in the development of critical life skills. One of the goals of this assignment is to assess student competence for each of these objectives.  Written and Oral Communication explain how psychological data and theories have continually evolved and why study of these topics requires lifelong learning (CCO8) Critical Analysis and Reasoning—apply major theoretical perspectives with data derived from psychological research to maximize self-management and self-improvement, and to resolve personal, relational, social and/or workplace situations (CCO4); Information Literacy—find, evaluate, use and cite research pertaining to psychology topics (CCO7) and evaluate the authenticity, timeliness, relevance and validity of psychological information (CCO 5)  Local and Global Diversity—evaluate the role of religion, race, class, gender, and ethnicity in the formation of behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions (CCO9);  Personal and Professional Ethics—explain the ethical considerations that govern psychological research with humans and animals (CCO6). Introduction to the Assignment: The consideration of diversity in psychology has been a relatively recent phenomenon.  As you may have noticed in the chapter of your textbook that covers the history of psychology, the prominent figures in the early history of the field were white, educated, higher-socioeconomic status men.  Moreover, researchers rarely included in their studies participants who represented a variety of diverse backgrounds such as gender, age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, religion, or ability.  While the field of psychology is becoming increasingly more inclusive of diverse populations in both research and practice, too often we do not have the chance to learn about topics in psychology through these various lenses of diversity.  Furthermore, we rarely consider the intersectionality of these lenses as they apply to psychological topics.   As you know, there are several lenses of diversity – for example, race, class, gender, sexuality, age, and ability; “each has its own dynamic, but a dynamic that can only be truly understood in relationship to the others” (Andersen & Collins, 2013, p. xii).  This assignment provides an opportunity for you to examine a topic in psychology that interests you through three lenses of diversity.  Moreover, through this assignment, you will get to examine the intersectionality – or interconnections – between several aspects of diversity as they interact with your chosen topic.  Finally, you will have the opportunity to consider how what you have learned through your research might influence the work of psychologists and others who work in the field.     Overview of the ASSIGNMENT: Select a topic in psychology that interests you.  (Topic ideas are listed below; however, you are not limited to these topics.)   Consider how diversity might affect the understanding of your chosen topic. Choose three (3) lenses of diversity (examples below) from which to consider your topic.  For example, if you choose a particular psychological disorder, how would age be a factor for the disorder?  How would gender or socioeconomic status intersect with the development, diagnosis, or treatment of the disorder?   Write a paper that considers your topic through three lenses of diversity. Paper Outline with Content Requirements: You will write a paper that considers your topic through three lenses of diversity.  It will parallel the format of a conceptual academic article and should follow this organizational structure: Introduction: Your introduction should include some brief background on a) your chosen topic that sets the context for your paper, and b) the diversity lenses you intend to use to explore your topic.  The introduction sets the foundation for the rest of the paper and helps the reader know what to expect.  Additionally, your introduction must include a thesis statement. The rest of your paper will support the thesis statement. Review of the literature: The literature review allows you to see what has already been researched and written on your chosen topic through the three lenses of diversity you selected.  In this section, please report the major findings from your research.    While you may include direct quotations as appropriate, please write the paper in your own words, giving credit to others’ ideas by using correct citation format.  (Direct quotations AND paraphrases must be cited.) The majority of your paper should be your ideas and in your own words.  Your audience wants to read the connections you have made based on the sources you reviewed.   Analysis and discussion: In this section, you will make connections between the literature you reviewed.  Please consider the following: What does the literature say about your topic and the lenses of diversity you selected? How do the intersections/connections between these lenses of diversity help you better understand the topic?  For example, assume your topic is depression, and two of the lenses you selected are race and sex.  What intersections/ connections between these lenses are important in understanding depression?  Is depression (diagnosis rates, course, and treatment) different for a black male than a white female?      Implications:  When reviewing literature for a research paper, it is important for the researcher to consider the implications of his or her findings.  Imagine that your paper will inform the practice of psychologists, therapists, or other mental health professionals.  Based on what you learned through your research, how do you believe your findings should influence the ethical principles that guide standards of behavior and conduct within the field of psychology?  Please offer at least one specific example.     Conclusion: This final written section should tie your paper together.  State how your paper has fulfilled the intended purpose identified in your thesis statement.  A conclusion paragraph will allow you to tie together the main concepts of your paper and once again connect the thesis to the supporting points.  The paper will also include an APA-formatted Reference section for each of the APA-formatted in-text citations that were included.  Incorporate a minimum of five (5) academically sound sources.  Requirements: Format: Your paper should be in APA format, including section headings (from the Outline section above). See the following for help: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/apa_headings_and_seriation.html However, an Abstract is NOT needed. To adequately cover your topic, your paper will likely be a minimum of 1000 words which should be about four pages typed in Times New Roman 12-pt font, double-spaced with one inch margins.  Any cover or references pages are not included in the word or page count.     Citations: Make sure you include in-text citations and a Reference page that are APA-formatted.  Your paper should include both in-text citations and a full reference list at the end of your paper.  The paper, including citations and references, should be written according to APA format