C/PS/95. Outcomes of mental illness in women during pregnancy

The paper presents an overview of the outcomes of mental illness in women during pregnancy covering the issues of childbirth, maternal deaths, Postpartum psychosis, related ethical issues, etc. No references are supplied. A power point presentation of the research is offered in a separate file.

C/PS/30. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy

This paper looks at the work of clinical psychologists and, in particular, their use of psychotherapeutic techniques. The emergence of clinical psychology and its changing scope over the last century is discussed. It then goes on to look at the role of the contemporary clinical psychologist and the interventions they may use. The main four forms of psychotherapy are discussed in greater detail; these are psychodynamic, behavioural, cognitive-behavioural and humanistic. The current trend towards eclectic approaches is considered.

S/P/146. HOW HAS PHILOSOPHY INFLUENCED THE DEVELOPMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

The paper examines the development of psychology as a scientific discipline offering an overview of the contributions made to psychological studies by Socrates and Plato, Aristotle, Rene Descartes, John Locke, Alexander Bain, William James, etc.

C/PS/26. Individuals are not born aggressive, discuss

'The tendency of aggression is an innate, independent, instinctual disposition in man... ' is one of the earliest quotes available on the nature and origin of aggression and is by none other than the father of Psychoanalysis himself vis-à-vis Sigmund Freud (1923). This paper in particular attempts to discuss the idea that 'individuals are not born aggressive'. This would involve issues like development of aggressive behaviour during the childhood i.e. are they born with aggressive instincts or they learn to aggress.

P/N/117. Treating depression: alternative therapies

The paper examines the symptoms, types and causes of depression highlighting the role of alternative therapy treatments for depression, i.e. psychotherapy (cognitive, behaviour, interpersonal and insight-oriented), acupuncture, aromatherapy, bibliotherapy, music therapy, nutrition/diet therapy, etc.

P/P/327. Human emotions: review of approaches

The paper examines the issue of human emotions offering a review of MiltonÌs ËMeanings, Feelings and Human EcologyÌ. Difficulties in defining emotions are discussed referring to biological, evolutional and social approaches to the nature of emotions.

S/PS/60. Prejudice and ambivalent sexism: measuring the effects of hostile and benevolent sexist attitudes toward female drivers

This paper examines the effects of ambivalent sexism (hostile and benevolent) and how it acts as a form of prejudice. The goal of this study was to see if these two components of sexism would effect people’s perception of a female driver in a scenario presented to them. In the first part of the study the ASI questionnaire was completed to determine which types of sexism was more prominently displayed. The second part of the study was a measure of how the different types of sexism would influence responses towards the female driver in the scenario. Thus attaining a measurement of attitude towards female drivers

P/PS/104. British system of applied psychologists’ training: critical review

The paper critically examines the UK system of training for applied psychologists at undergraduate and postgraduate levels discussing the role of the British Psychological Society (BPS), evaluating the current psychological training procedures, reviewing the debate over ‘pure’ and applied fields of psychology, and referring to foreign practices in teaching professional psychology. Reforms of the current UK model of psychologists’ training are discussed.

P/PS/92. Impacts of positivism on development of psychology

The paper examines the contribution of positivism in psychology reviewing the emergence and development of the positivist doctrine, describing the positivist conception of science, the shift of the psychological paradigm from introspection to behaviourism, the nature of anti-positivist and post-positivist movements, etc.

P/PS/85. Is sexual attractiveness universal?

The paper examines the mechanisms of human sexual attraction reviewing academic opinions on the nature of ‘sexual cues’ and arguing whether they have a universal or an individual character. Cross cultural images of facial masculinity/femininity and preferred body shapes are compared; mating patterns and the factors that influence preferences are discussed.

P/PS/123. Positivism and psychology

The paper examines the psychological method of positivism outlining its main functions, reviewing critical approaches to positivism, and arguing whether or not psychology can be regarded as a science.

P/PS/83. Theoretical approaches to human emotions

The paper examines the nature of human emotions offering an overview of emotion research and discussing various definitions of emotions, Darwinian Theory, different approaches to the notion of basic emotions, cross-cultural features of emotions, etc. The study focuses on the debate around the universal character of emotions.

P/S/130. Support programmes in giving up smoking

The paper describes intervention programmes aiding people to give up smoking. Cognitive-behavioural techniques and pharmacological products used in the programmes are discussed; studies related to smoking cessation are reviewed highlighting psychological, medical and social aspects of smoking.

S/PS/55. With Reference To A Range Of Psychological Explanations Evaluate The Claim That Causes Of Human Aggression Are To Be Found In Our Biology

In this essay I will explore a range of psychological explanations to evaluate the claim that causes of human aggression are to be found in our biology. 'Some psychologists choose to explain aggression in a purely biological way, as opposed to using social psychological models. Within the biological model there are many explanations and approaches. This psychological approach proposes that aggression occurs as a result of different hormone levels, chemical ‘abnormalities’ in the brain and innate drives. Though the biological perspective is highly debated.'

P/PS/75. Factor analysis in measuring intelligence and personality dimensions

The paper reviews intelligence and personality trait theories focusing on the use of factor analysis in determining high-factor and low-factor intelligence and personality. Advantages and disadvantages of factor analysis are discussed comparing its value for intelligence factors analysis and personality factors analysis.

P/PS/73. Parallels between depression models in animals and in humans

The paper examines the studies of depression models in animals evaluating their contribution to the understanding of depression in humans. The rationale behind using animals for depression studies is reviewed highlighting the symptoms of depression, the ways of testing antidepressants, etc.

P/PS/71. Selective attention: do we hear when we’re not listening?

The paper examines the phenomenon of selective attention in the process of listening reviewing theoretical literature on the types of attention, the experiments on simultaneous listening to different streams of information, dichotic listening tasks, etc.

P/PS/68. Debate over objectivity of projective techniques in psychometric assessment

The paper critically examines the measurements of unique individual traits (including personal problems and conflicts) used in clinical assessment and known as projective techniques (PT). Academic debate over the PT objectivity and reliability is reviewed highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of PT.

P/PS/64. What do we learn about psychology through the media?

The paper examines the increasing interest of the media in psychological reporting. The issues of creating a public image of applied psychology are addressed highlighting the relevance of communicating psychological knowledge to a wider community, and offering recommendations on the quality of the psychological representations by the media.

P/M/568. Diffusion of organisational wisdom through story telling

The paper enlarges on the idea of William James about the role of narrative stories in the understanding of the otherwise senseless world. The value of stories in knowledge acquisition and knowledge transfer among organisational members is argued; the modes of shaping social realities and the strategies in organizational learning are discussed; the impact of behavioural patterns incorporated in organisational stories on collective problem-solving is highlighted.

P/PS/58. Dealing with stress

The paper investigates the issues of general and occupational stress models providing a review of definitions of stress, the theory of appraisal levels, the person-fit theory of stress, the models of demand-discretion and demand-control-support, etc. The role of organizational psychology in reducing work place stress is discussed.

S/PS/46. Are there any realities in the differences between men and women or are the only differences how we see men and women?

Most people hold commonsense beliefs on what it is to be, act and feel as a male/female. However, as Lloyd and Archer (2002) advocate many of our beliefs derive from a time before public consciousness was challenged by feminist thinking. The distinction between men as effective, though not necessarily nice, and women as nice, but ineffective lies at the heart of gender stereotypes. This essay will explore the reality in relation to the differences between men and women, and socially constructed ideas of gender. It will propose that there are, on average, some differences between men and women, but our perspective tends to distort, affect and exaggerate these differences.

P/PS/49. Sport and its psychological impacts

The paper looks at the problems related to sport as a social, psychological, physical and cultural phenomenon. The key psychological reactions are outlined focusing on the sport performance anxiety. The role of professional, recreational and motivational factors in varying responses to competition is discussed. A study is conducted among a selected group of athletes based on qualitative research methods (interviews) identifying the reasons for playing sport; confidence levels; motivation levels; feelings before performing; expected levels of performance; coping strategies, etc.

C/PS/15. Statistics guidance and SPSS analysis for Psychology

This paper is a basic outline for people who wish to write the “Methodology”, “Results” and “Discussion” chapters of a research study. It explains in brief how an experimental research was designed, the way in which the participants were chosen and also provides information on the variables of the study and the means for collecting the data. Further on, it provides some explanation on an ANOVA analysis performed by pointing out the use of this analysis and by also clarifying the results. The final part of the study is a brief discussion displaying the way in which conclusions should be drawn based on the results observed.

S/PS/40. Evolutionary psychology does not have a valuable role to play in understanding human behaviour. Discuss.

The present argues that evolutionary psychology does not have a valuable role to play in understanding human behaviour. The arguments of those who believe that evolutionary psychology does have a valuable role will be posed and counterarguments made to support the article's position.

S/PS/38. Psychology is underpinned by moral and political agendas. Discuss

The article argues that psychology is underpinned by moral and political agendas. The paper discusses how scientific knowledge is used to regulate sexuality and the ‘rhetoric of pseudoscience is used to conceal underlying agendas.

S/PS/37. How Does Therapy Work?

Research that has investigated the factors that positively affect the outcome of psychotherapy is consulted. Factors that have been found to be present in all psychotherapies are considered, and some research into the role of self-disclosure in psychotherapy from clients points of view is briefly considered. The role of the therapeutic alliance is discussed as an important common factor in making psychotherapy work. A social constructionists view on how therapy works when conducted from this epistemological standpoint is discussed. The possibility that different therapies contain specific factors that make it successful is considered before concluding that how (and whether) therapy works may depend upon a number of factors and the relationships between them.

C/PS/12. Differences and similarities between counselling and psychotherapy

This essay critically considers the points of similarity and differences between counselling and psychotherapy. It briefly considers what counselling and psychotherapy are. Then it outlines the broad arguments for the differences between the two and evaluates the validity of some of these assertions. Then it looks at the points of similarity, again critically considering these various points. It concludes by saying that there are general points of differences between counselling and psychotherapy, but these are not universally agreed on. That the elements of similarity between the two are more emphasised recently.

P/PS/46. Disembodied spirits

The paper is a discourse on the subject of the occult and the evil spirits. Psychoanalytic and kinetic theories explaining the background for the belief in demons are reviewed focusing on the phenomenon of poltergeist. Conclusions are made about the absence of any reliable evidence to prove the existence of disembodied spirits.

P/PS/43. Creation of myth: a modern version

The paper looks at the concept of myth defining it in relation to fiction and religion and focusing on the notions of analytical psychology, namely, archetype, self and individuation. Creation of myth is illustrated using the example of the "Star Wars" trilogy. The reasons behind the choice of this study material are explained.

P/PS/42. On the accuracy of eyewitness testimony

The paper looks at the psychological aspects of accurate witness evidence. The definition of eyewitness testimony is given; its types are described and illustrated with references to individual cases. Simulation research findings are interpreted commenting on the effects of misleading information on witnesses' memory. Reliability of the eyewitness evidence is argued.

S/PS/15. Sex differences in motor performance as investigated by tasks directed at intra- & extra-personal space using proximal muscles

The study was an extension of the experiment No1, & investigated whether men and women perform differently at gross motor tasks in both intra-personal (as in Short Arm) and extra-personal (as in Long Arm) space. Two time limited (20 sec) motor tasks, both using proximal muscles: one with a short 7Ž metallic hook (close to the body), the other task with a longer 28Ž hook (further from the body) were administered to sixteen females and sixteen males in a counterbalanced mixed design. The results showed that women performed slightly better with their Short Arms while men performed better with the Long Arms. These findings are inconsistent with the theoretical expectations and do not lend strong support to the research hypothesis. Existing studies are reviewed and paradigms are discussed.

P/PS/39. Why is it hard to resist a temptation?

The paper looks at the behavioural aspects of self control arguing that we can only misbehave when we can afford it. The cases of external and internal imposition are discussed in terms of preference reversals and affordable misbehavior. Examples of externally imposed behavior are given in relation to various social practices stressing the necessity of estimating future behavior to avoid externally imposed self control. Internally imposed self control is discussed in relation to enhancing willpower and abolishing the urge to misbehave. The paper outlines the mechanisms that increase desire and reduce the ability to resist temptation and concludes that we should realistically estimate ourselves.

S/PS/13. Outline of Humanistic psychology

This essay outlines the main ideas and people of the Humanistic school as the third force of psychology, including Abraham MaslowÌs concepts of self actualisation and peak experiences and Carl RogersÌs client centred therapy approach. It looks briefly at the contribution to therapy and research that this school has made.

P/PS/35. Rationality of the irrational thinking: deduction and induction.

The paper seeks to understand if human thinking is rational or irrational and to uncover cognitive mechanisms that underlie seemingly irrational behaviour. Logical thinking patters of deduction (syllogistic reasoning and conditional reasoning) and induction are analysed. Experiments providing evidence for rationality in human thinking (e.g. internal consistency, confirmation bias) are briefly described.

P/PS/32. Perceptual processes in line bisection performance

The study presents an experiment carried out to discover the influence of perceptual factors on line bisection performance. A total of 392 mixed-sex participants were tested on bisection of lines. The stimuli used were four horizontal lines each measuring 115mm. All but one line were flanked by oblique lines pointing inward or outward to form arrows pointing to the left or right. The participants judged the centre of each line and the mean results showed that overall the participantsÌ exhibited a left bisection bias. These results indicate that perceptual factors may influence bisectional judgement in normal participants, where the presence or absence of arrowheads affects the bisection performance.

P/PS/22. Is Psychology a Science?

The essay discusses whether the psychology is science and whether there is a strong ling between psychology and science

P/PS/21. Modern Man and Ego-Identification

The paper analyses the following statement: "Modern man cannot pause in his journey for ego-identification and say confidently: This is I" (Glicksberg, 1963:xi). And discusses why this is so.

P/HR/110. Psychological Contract

This paper analyses the term of Psychological Contract; discusses what is the psychological contract; investigates various types of psychological contracts; talks about violations of the psychological contract; development of the psychological contract and the future of the psychological contract.

P/P/17. Sport Psychology Dissertation. Comparison of state and trait anxiety levels among the amateurs and professional soccer players.

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