How to Write a Psychology Essay

Saul McLeod, PhD

Editor-in-Chief for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester

Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

Learn about our Editorial Process

Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc

Associate Editor for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education

Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.

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Before you write your essay, it’s important to analyse the task and understand exactly what the essay question is asking. Your lecturer may give you some advice – pay attention to this as it will help you plan your answer.

Next conduct preliminary reading based on your lecture notes. At this stage, it’s not crucial to have a robust understanding of key theories or studies, but you should at least have a general “gist” of the literature.

After reading, plan a response to the task. This plan could be in the form of a mind map, a summary table, or by writing a core statement (which encompasses the entire argument of your essay in just a few sentences).

After writing your plan, conduct supplementary reading, refine your plan, and make it more detailed.

It is tempting to skip these preliminary steps and write the first draft while reading at the same time. However, reading and planning will make the essay writing process easier, quicker, and ensure a higher quality essay is produced.

Components of a Good Essay

Now, let us look at what constitutes a good essay in psychology. There are a number of important features.
  • Global Structure – structure the material to allow for a logical sequence of ideas. Each paragraph / statement should follow sensibly from its predecessor. The essay should “flow”. The introduction, main body and conclusion should all be linked.
  • Each paragraph should comprise a main theme, which is illustrated and developed through a number of points (supported by evidence).
  • Knowledge and Understanding – recognize, recall, and show understanding of a range of scientific material that accurately reflects the main theoretical perspectives.
  • Critical Evaluation – arguments should be supported by appropriate evidence and/or theory from the literature. Evidence of independent thinking, insight, and evaluation of the evidence.
  • Quality of Written Communication – writing clearly and succinctly with appropriate use of paragraphs, spelling, and grammar. All sources are referenced accurately and in line with APA guidelines.

In the main body of the essay, every paragraph should demonstrate both knowledge and critical evaluation.

There should also be an appropriate balance between these two essay components. Try to aim for about a 60/40 split if possible.

Most students make the mistake of writing too much knowledge and not enough evaluation (which is the difficult bit).

It is best to structure your essay according to key themes. Themes are illustrated and developed through a number of points (supported by evidence).

Choose relevant points only, ones that most reveal the theme or help to make a convincing and interesting argument.

essay structure example

Knowledge and Understanding

Remember that an essay is simply a discussion / argument on paper. Don’t make the mistake of writing all the information you know regarding a particular topic.

You need to be concise, and clearly articulate your argument. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences.

Each paragraph should have a purpose / theme, and make a number of points – which need to be support by high quality evidence. Be clear why each point is is relevant to the argument. It would be useful at the beginning of each paragraph if you explicitly outlined the theme being discussed (.e.g. cognitive development, social development etc.).

Try not to overuse quotations in your essays. It is more appropriate to use original content to demonstrate your understanding.

Psychology is a science so you must support your ideas with evidence (not your own personal opinion). If you are discussing a theory or research study make sure you cite the source of the information.

Note this is not the author of a textbook you have read – but the original source / author(s) of the theory or research study.

For example:

Bowlby (1951) claimed that mothering is almost useless if delayed until after two and a half to three years and, for most children, if delayed till after 12 months, i.e. there is a critical period.
Maslow (1943) stated that people are motivated to achieve certain needs. When one need is fulfilled a person seeks to fullfil the next one, and so on.

As a general rule, make sure there is at least one citation (i.e. name of psychologist and date of publication) in each paragraph.

Remember to answer the essay question. Underline the keywords in the essay title. Don’t make the mistake of simply writing everything you know of a particular topic, be selective. Each paragraph in your essay should contribute to answering the essay question.

Critical Evaluation

In simple terms, this means outlining the strengths and limitations of a theory or research study.

There are many ways you can critically evaluate:

Methodological evaluation of research

Is the study valid / reliable ? Is the sample biased, or can we generalize the findings to other populations? What are the strengths and limitations of the method used and data obtained?

Be careful to ensure that any methodological criticisms are justified and not trite.

Rather than hunting for weaknesses in every study; only highlight limitations that make you doubt the conclusions that the authors have drawn – e.g., where an alternative explanation might be equally likely because something hasn’t been adequately controlled.

Compare or contrast different theories

Outline how the theories are similar and how they differ. This could be two (or more) theories of personality / memory / child development etc. Also try to communicate the value of the theory / study.

Debates or perspectives

Refer to debates such as nature or nurture, reductionism vs. holism, or the perspectives in psychology . For example, would they agree or disagree with a theory or the findings of the study?

What are the ethical issues of the research?

Does a study involve ethical issues such as deception, privacy, psychological or physical harm?

Gender bias

If research is biased towards men or women it does not provide a clear view of the behavior that has been studied. A dominantly male perspective is known as an androcentric bias.

Cultural bias

Is the theory / study ethnocentric? Psychology is predominantly a white, Euro-American enterprise. In some texts, over 90% of studies have US participants, who are predominantly white and middle class.

Does the theory or study being discussed judge other cultures by Western standards?

Animal Research

This raises the issue of whether it’s morally and/or scientifically right to use animals. The main criterion is that benefits must outweigh costs. But benefits are almost always to humans and costs to animals.

Animal research also raises the issue of extrapolation. Can we generalize from studies on animals to humans as their anatomy & physiology is different from humans?

The PEC System

It is very important to elaborate on your evaluation. Don’t just write a shopping list of brief (one or two sentence) evaluation points.

Instead, make sure you expand on your points, remember, quality of evaluation is most important than quantity.

When you are writing an evaluation paragraph, use the PEC system.

  • Make your P oint.
  • E xplain how and why the point is relevant.
  • Discuss the C onsequences / implications of the theory or study. Are they positive or negative?

For Example

  • Point: It is argued that psychoanalytic therapy is only of benefit to an articulate, intelligent, affluent minority.
  • Explain: Because psychoanalytic therapy involves talking and gaining insight, and is costly and time-consuming, it is argued that it is only of benefit to an articulate, intelligent, affluent minority. Evidence suggests psychoanalytic therapy works best if the client is motivated and has a positive attitude.
  • Consequences: A depressed client’s apathy, flat emotional state, and lack of motivation limit the appropriateness of psychoanalytic therapy for depression.

Furthermore, the levels of dependency of depressed clients mean that transference is more likely to develop.

Using Research Studies in your Essays

Research studies can either be knowledge or evaluation.
  • If you refer to the procedures and findings of a study, this shows knowledge and understanding.
  • If you comment on what the studies shows, and what it supports and challenges about the theory in question, this shows evaluation.

Writing an Introduction

It is often best to write your introduction when you have finished the main body of the essay, so that you have a good understanding of the topic area.

If there is a word count for your essay try to devote 10% of this to your introduction.

Ideally, the introduction should;

Identify the subject of the essay and define the key terms. Highlight the major issues which “lie behind” the question. Let the reader know how you will focus your essay by identifying the main themes to be discussed. “Signpost” the essay’s key argument, (and, if possible, how this argument is structured).

Introductions are very important as first impressions count and they can create a h alo effect in the mind of the lecturer grading your essay. If you start off well then you are more likely to be forgiven for the odd mistake later one.

Writing a Conclusion

So many students either forget to write a conclusion or fail to give it the attention it deserves.

If there is a word count for your essay try to devote 10% of this to your conclusion.

Ideally the conclusion should summarize the key themes / arguments of your essay. State the take home message – don’t sit on the fence, instead weigh up the evidence presented in the essay and make a decision which side of the argument has more support.

Also, you might like to suggest what future research may need to be conducted and why (read the discussion section of journal articles for this).

Don”t include new information / arguments (only information discussed in the main body of the essay).

If you are unsure of what to write read the essay question and answer it in one paragraph.

Points that unite or embrace several themes can be used to great effect as part of your conclusion.

The Importance of Flow

Obviously, what you write is important, but how you communicate your ideas / arguments has a significant influence on your overall grade. Most students may have similar information / content in their essays, but the better students communicate this information concisely and articulately.

When you have finished the first draft of your essay you must check if it “flows”. This is an important feature of quality of communication (along with spelling and grammar).

This means that the paragraphs follow a logical order (like the chapters in a novel). Have a global structure with themes arranged in a way that allows for a logical sequence of ideas. You might want to rearrange (cut and paste) paragraphs to a different position in your essay if they don”t appear to fit in with the essay structure.

To improve the flow of your essay make sure the last sentence of one paragraph links to first sentence of the next paragraph. This will help the essay flow and make it easier to read.

Finally, only repeat citations when it is unclear which study / theory you are discussing. Repeating citations unnecessarily disrupts the flow of an essay.

Referencing

The reference section is the list of all the sources cited in the essay (in alphabetical order). It is not a bibliography (a list of the books you used).

In simple terms every time you cite/refer to a name (and date) of a psychologist you need to reference the original source of the information.

If you have been using textbooks this is easy as the references are usually at the back of the book and you can just copy them down. If you have been using websites, then you may have a problem as they might not provide a reference section for you to copy.

References need to be set out APA style :

Author, A. A. (year). Title of work . Location: Publisher.

Journal Articles

Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (year). Article title. Journal Title, volume number (issue number), page numbers

A simple way to write your reference section is use Google scholar . Just type the name and date of the psychologist in the search box and click on the “cite” link.

scholar

Next, copy and paste the APA reference into the reference section of your essay.

apa reference

Once again, remember that references need to be in alphabetical order according to surname.

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Essay Samples on Psychology

The majority of college students who have to deal with essays about Psychology are not necessarily future specialists in Psychology or Healthcare. Just think about modern business studies or marketing where leadership qualities must be studied. The same relates to Criminology or Forensic Research assignments where the use of psychology becomes essential. It provides modern learners with a plethora of ideas that can be explored. If you are stuck and need inspiration, focus on the free psychology essay examples that we provide for you. The list of subjects that are presented ranges from the theorists to case study samples to help you understand the difference between various essay types. Remember that your introduction part will always depend on your target audience and the level of knowledge they have. It means that you should provide statistical data or study reports only to an extent that will be sufficient for your methodology or academic objectives. See how it has been done in the free samples that we offer by reading actual writing. These are only provided as templates that you should use for inspirational and educational purposes. As you compose your own Psychology essay, keep things unique and always provide relevant references.

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Causes and Treatment of Childhood Obesity

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Human Nature in the Lost TV Show: Are Humans Inherently Good or Evil

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The Benefits of Video Games Both for Children and Adults

Ever since the 1970s the video game industry has grown quite a lot in popularity and has become the largest market in the world. There have been a lot of changes to how video games are made not only in the different genres for people...

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Why is Early Childhood Education Important

In this essay, I will discuss how strong value operates within the perspective of education and what are main concepts, design of theories from conforming perspective of education. This essay will show some theories which are pedagogy. My explanation will be reflected by nature and...

Problem Solving: Use of Math in Our Everyday Life

What I say about math is that I really don’t like it, but at the end of the day through high school math I have learned how to solve problems and not give up when I don’t fully understand something. I dislike math, but I do need it. The reason why I dislike math is that...

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Why You Should Let Your Kid Play Football

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Growing A Grit And Growth Mindset

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Effects Of Violent Video Gaming On Human Behavior

There are many various kinds of games and consoles within the world and vying worldwide. Video play has become a very common trade all over the world and has been growing exceptionally throughout the past twenty years. Gamers that are obsessed with online play are...

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Why I Want To Be A Teacher: It Isn’t Just A Career, But It's A Calling

Being a teacher isn’t just a career, having the ability to enable a child to further make sense of the world around them and become a honourable and respectful member of society, gives me such a profound sense of pride and happiness. I want to...

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Bilingual Education In Childhood For Effective Social Communication And Development

Today’s society places a heavy emphasis on the importance of being an effective social communicator, whether it be through verbal or non-verbal skills. Presently, more than half of the world’s population is multilingual and an increasingly larger number of people have been exposed to another...

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Importance of Reflection and Learning From Past Incidents

To practice competently, reflection is important because it allows one to critically think about past or present events, evaluate situations and then use the knowledge obtained to act accordingly in future situations. All of which improves patient care and helps minimise bad practice in the...

Solution-Focused and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

In this essay I would like to examine three approaches, Gestalt, Solution-focused therapy, and Cognitive Behaviour therapy and how I intend on using them within my practice as an integrative counsellor. In my previous essay I proposed how I would use the person centred, psychodynamic...

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Transition's Impact on a Child’s Mental Health

In this essay I will be discussing and outlining the issues of how the transition can have an impact on a child’s mental health, emotions and their overall academic performance. I will also be discussing how development and puberty can affect a child, as well...

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Emergency Management and Bystander Behavior Effect

This essay will compare and contrast two approaches to understanding bystander responses to emergencies. The approaches explored in the essay are the experiment approach and discourse analysis, each being explained in further detail later in the essay. Bystander behavior (effect) can be explained as the...

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The Impact of Technology on Wealth, Aging, and Lifestyle

Wealth, lifestyle, aging populations, and technological advances are said to be having a major impact on the growth of healthcare demand. This essay considers the impact of each of these factors and discusses how successful the introduction of so called ‘sin-taxes‘ have been in changing...

Individual Differences and Differences in the Functioning of Brain

It is irrefutable that people differ considerably from one another, with this variability arising from a unique combination of hereditary, biological factors and lived environmental experiences. Comprising persistent individual factors differentiating individuals from one another to establish distinctiveness, individual differences (namely those of intelligence and...

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An Essay Concerning Human Understanding byJohn Locke

Psychology was derived from two other disciplines; physiology, the study of how living things work, and philosophy, the theories behind why living things behave the way they do. Philosophy and physiology are intertwined, in that they both have contributed to the study of the other....

The Role of Personal Development Planning Today

The essay deals with the PKSC module experiences that reflect on the academic study. Here, the different lectures are guided regarding the reflection that ensure the personal development. The other skills are mentioned research skills, digital skills, reading skills and MS office skills. Besides, the...

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Psychosexual Development Theory and Child’s Personality

In this essay I am going to examine the age group of children 0-5 and how the psychological experience can impact on their transitions, during their life span. To achieve this task, I am going to analyze different theories in relation to all holistic aspects...

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Influence of Two Key Learning and Development Theories

This essay will discuss the applications and influence of two key learning and development theories to educational practice and policy. The aim is of this essay is to discuss two key development theories to educational practices. The two key theories are 1. Piaget and his...

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Social Phenomena of Individual and External Circumstances in a Society

In todays society scholars all across the world have conflict in the matter which talks about how race and an individual’s identity shapes how we all live our lives. We can all come to a conclusion where we agree that everyone from individuals to a...

Optimism: Perception of Life is a Matter of Perspective

Our perception of life is a matter of perspective. From a young age we are taught to see the glass as half-empty or half-full. This perception is a simple example of optimistic or pessimistic behavior. Optimism is typically viewed as an individual’s ability to see...

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The Move “Better Luck Tomorrow” by Justine Lin

The move, illustrates an image hidden behind well-mannered students of Sunny Hills high schools who are trying hard to over achieve. The main characters Ben and Virgil is showed as those over achievers of high schools who are known for their grades and extracurricular activities....

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Swimming as a Hard Skill Necessary for Human Being

Swimming is hard. For non-swimmers swimming is harder than most realise and not easy to take up as a regular sport. All those good swimmers you see have excellent cardio-respiratory fitness and often years of technique training. So don't be discouraged. And... The first step...

The Benefits of Online Dating to Society

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How Peer Pressure Push an Adolescent to Be a Part of Peer Group

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Puberty as The Major Fascinating Transition Throughout Lifespan

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Human Behavior on the Example of the History and Culture of the United States of America

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Adult Education and ITS Philosophies

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The Concept of a Passive and Active Bystander Effect

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Review the Different Hypnotherapy Techniques for Phobias 

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The Expectations of the Stroop Effect

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Best topics on Psychology

1. Why Psychology Major: Understanding the Human Mind

2. Why Psychology: Exploring the Fascinating Depths of the Human Mind

3. Why I Chose Psychology: Path to Understanding the Human Mind

4. Sports Psychology: Unleashing the Mental Edge in Athletic Performance

5. The Social Learning Theory in Psychology

6. The Profound Contributions of Sigmund Freud to Psychology

7. Psychological Depths of “Shutter Island”

8. Exploring the Diverse Schools of Psychology

9. Exploring the Depths of Psychology Research

10. Psychology: Illuminating Perspectives in an Argumentative Discourse

11. Exploring Personality Psychology: Unveiling the Complexities Within

12. A Passion for Psychology: Nurturing the Flames Within

13. The History of Abnormal Psychology: Unveiling the Layers of Time

14. Health Psychology: Exploring the Nexus of Mind and Body

15. Free Will vs. Determinism in Psychology: Navigating the Paradox

  • Confirmation Bias

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Psychology - Essay Examples And Topic Ideas For Free

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. An essay on psychology could delve into various psychological theories, explore the impact of mental health on society, or discuss how psychological principles are applied in education, work, and relationships. Understanding different psychological disorders and the methods used in therapy could also be an engaging topic. A vast selection of complimentary essay illustrations pertaining to Psychology you can find at PapersOwl Website. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Yearbook of Psychology between 1961 and 1971

Introduction Prisoners go through lots of psychological processes when they are confined within the cells. They sometimes go against the orders or follow them according to the types of prisons they occupy. However, there have been various concerns about the psychological aspects of prisoners or those that serve jail terms. This therefore created the need to conduct studies on the psychological aspects of Zimbardos and Milgram? work. This study discusses the major comparisons and contrast between Zimbardo and Milgrams research […]

The Psychology of Reading Behavioral and Cognitive

There is not a generic way to explain how people acquire knowledge. The learning process does not occur with cognition alone. Psychological theories classify learning into the behavioral and cognitive categories. Behavioral Theory The child's environment makes learning possible. Skinner (1957) noted that a reinforcer, such as a child being able to successfully pronounce or making meaning of a word, encourages the repetition of a stimulus, which is the word that is written. Teachers can be on the same page […]

Behavior Changes

1. After analyzing my life, I came to a realization that stress plays a huge role in my life compared to any other minor issue. Stress is a factor that I would like to change, if possible. I would prefer to maintain the stress in my life because it only leads to a life of self-destruction. One negative effect of stress, is that stress can trigger a breakdown of mental health. A mental break down can cause many issues such […]

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Integrated Studies Social Work& Psychology

Introduction For many people who would wish to take their careers into social services, one of the tasking choices to make is between pursuing psychology or social work. While there are some similarities in the two disciplines, they also differ in some ways such as the level of education requited for one to practice and the potential to earn that education level. The two disciplines are concerned with helping people deal with their daily life's problems, but it is equally […]

Inferential Stats Analysis for Psychology

Concerning the data collected, it means that it is easier to draw a valid conclusion regarding the manner in which their variable relates to each group. In this way, it was easier to determine or provide the means of testing the validity of the outcome as well as inferring their characteristics just from a small sample of the participants into a larger one (Goodwin & Goodwin, 2017). In so doing, it implies that it was easier to tell how the […]

Reflection Paper on Eriksons Stages of Development

Introduction Among the early theories of development, the theory proposed by Sigmund Freud is one of the most controversial and at the same time influential of them all. The psychosexual stages of development were proposed by Freud and are responsible for the various changes experienced by the entire development of a child. Erikson followed the footsteps of Freud. However, to some extent, he disagreed with Freud's psychosexual stages. Consequently, he proposed his new theory of psychosocial stages (Hertenstein, 2011). Therefore, […]

Psychology Scientific Journal Article

This experiment was designed to reflect reproducibility as a defining feature of science based on conducted replications several experimental and correlational published in psychological journals using original materials and high powered designs. It focuses on the role of explaining the reasons and the argument basing on making decisions when faced with the need to choose and make solutions by constructing facts that resolve the conflict and justify the made choice to the involved party. In this experiment, the role of […]

Abnormal Psychology

Introduction There many causes of abnormalities. They are based on how people make decisions and the implications they cause to other people and the society in general. Bad grandpa story This story revolves around a grandfather and his grandson. Grandpa displays weird behaviors across the film. He is 86 years but very active and energetic. He wishes his wife to die so that he can be free to do and wherever he feels like. When the doctor tells him that […]

Types of Adversity

According to the Oxford dictionary, adversity is a hostile or an unlucky event or circumstance. It is manifested by a tragedy or suffering. There are various forms of adversity and there are several ways to overcome it. The first form of adversity is physical adversity Several problems are associated with this form. Long-lasting pain, exhaustion and obesity they prompt individuals to fight to attain a sense of normality in their lives. In this kind of situation, the individuals feel they […]

Nature Vs Nurture Psychology Debate

This debate in psychology looks at the different aspects of behaviour and if it is learned behaviour or inherited. To explore this, we will be looking at the case of a 17-year-old boy called Peter. Peter comes from a dysfunctional family and has become involved in violence and anti-social behaviour in his local neighbourhood. We will look at reasons for his aggressiveness is it behaviour from family genes or if it’s learned behaviour from the surrounding environment. (McEldowney 2018) ‘There […]

Sigmund Freud: Life, Theory & Contributions to Psychology

Abstract This is an overview of the life of Sigmund Freud and his influential contributions to psychology. His early life and education are discussed, as well as his thoughts, beliefs, theories and research interests. Sigmund Freud’s major contribution to psychology has been his creation of the psychoanalysis and the psychodynamic approach to psychology. Sigmund Freud believed that with psychoanalysis he invented the science of the mind. Despite repeated criticisms, attempted refutations, and qualifications of Freud’s work, it has remained powerful […]

Advantages and Disadvantages of Active Listening

Active listening it a type of communication used in a learning environment. It entails getting the finest details from the spoken language. It has been used in counselling, conflict resolution, and training. The art requires increased concentration understanding and responding to the sentiments made. The method is used to impact the knowledge. Advantages Understanding better Active listening makes the learner have an increased understanding of the factors discussed in the topic. It enhances the concentration of the audience. It makes […]

Diversity in Psychology: Absence of Gender Equality, Cultural Diversity and Inclusion in Psychology

As a field that explores human experiences, psychology has been pushing to include diversity in its education, research and services. The discipline has been ensuring to include multicultural approach and diversity while emphasizing topics such as individual and cultural differences (Gallor, 2017). As of recent, psychology has been focusing on integrating social justice in its field, specifically academically and in training future professionals. Psychology textbooks and courses lack the of coverage of race, racism, and other forms of oppression, however, […]

“Eminent Women in Psychology” by Martha E. Bernal

Over the course of history women have been defying the social norms of society and have flourish in their ability to thrive and excide to greater things. The power women have gained through every obstacle given to them has inspired many more to follow their dreams. Being a woman is hard enough in a man’s world but being a Mexican-American woman comes with a greeter challenge. Living in a world where being different causes racial discrimination, you have to navigate […]

Steve Jobs Psychology Analysis

Steve Jobs was an American inventor and entrepreneur who co-founded Apple, a company well-known for changing the history of technology through its revolutionary creation of computers, iPods, iPads, and iPhones. Apple has become a recognized brand around the world and its products have won countless awards for their high-tech capabilities, conveniency, and aesthetics, making Jobs one of the most successful businessmen of today. Despite being highly respected in the business world, Jobs had a negative reputation with the public as […]

Getting the Science and Psychology about Homosexuality “Straight”

Homosexuality, a term coined by Karl Maria Kertbeny (Drescher, 2008) is a term simply defined as the sexual attraction to a person of the same sex. Three terms associated with this are homosexual attraction, orientation, and identity which all are involved with homosexuality. Homosexuality has been and is a highly controversial topic within society, politics, religion, and even science. In the journal article, “Homosexuality: Innate or Acquired?”, the statement “Homosexuality has been given different labels throughout history. It has progressed […]

The Brain of a Psycopath

Psychopathy refers to a complex condition that encompasses affective and interpersonal traits like lack of behavior control, guilt, remorse, lack of empathy promiscuity and glibness (Kiehl). A lot is known about psychopathy assessment however, little is known about the associated brain disturbances. It's a severe mental disorder and believed to affect about 1% of global population (Kiehl). This paper discusses three areas of psychopaths brain including amygdala, the prefrontal cortex and extended paralimbic structures. Psychopaths have minimal activity both in […]

Mental Disorders and Correctional Psychology

Rape myths are misconceptions that make the perpetrator the survivor blame for the sexual assault. Rape myths have grown from the long-standing role played by gender, acceptance of violence and misinformation on sexual violence in our society. One myth that most people say is “ Rape happens to certain types of women” and we all know everyone can be raped, regardless of gender, age, race, class, religion, profession, physical capacity, sexual identity or appearance. The victim is not chosen as […]

Psychology of Personality Topic Paper Dr. Larsen

My first article, "The Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Lesbian Identity During Adolescence," covers a study done by Stephanie K. Swann and Christina A. Spivey (2004), which is included in the Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. Though this journal does not focus specifically on personality-related topics, the issue of self-esteem is one that is covered by personality psychologists. This article is pertinent to my research topic and effectively sheds light on how different stages of sexual identity development shape self-esteem […]

Research Related to Personality Psychology and the Important Role of Research in Explaining it

In this text, we are learning together about personality psychology and the important role of research in explaining it. For this assignment, we read a Finnish study on how personality characteristics affect moods and are considering it against some of the ideas and concepts we have been learning in our text, our Ted Talk, and our discussion board. Personality was measured here by prompted responses to an electronic device taken throughout the day of a test subject's real, situational, daily […]

Jumping on the Bandwagon: the Psychology and Impact of Bandwagon Appeal

In the realm of persuasion, few tactics are as universally recognizable yet subtly influential as the bandwagon appeal. This persuasive strategy taps into a fundamental aspect of human nature: the desire to belong, to be part of a majority, or to be in line with popular opinion. Understanding the nuances of bandwagon appeal not only offers insights into human psychology but also sheds light on its pervasive role in marketing, politics, and social movements. At its heart, bandwagon appeal is […]

Short Story: Narrative of Two Twins, who have Lost Contact with each other

In this exposition, I chose the prompt "A set of long lost twins that end up finding themselves later in life." Primarily, the resemblance between two people has always fascinated people. Statistics illustrate that 22 percent of people living in the world are either fraternal or identical twins. According to Biological studies, identical twins share the same fingerprint pattern because their hormones are the same. Conversely, fraternal twins do not share the same fingerprint pattern like their identical counterparts. Moreover, […]

Sociocultural Psychology: Unraveling the Weave of Society and Mind

The complexities of the human mind and behavior have always been interesting and worth investigating. Sociocultural psychology stands out among other schools of thought in the study of human behavior because of its focus on the interaction between culture and the person. The study's overarching goal is to learn how societal expectations and cultural values affect and form people's ideas, sentiments, and actions. Core to the field of sociocultural psychology is the idea that people's actions are the result of […]

Margaret Floy Washburn: a Luminary in the World of Psychology

When recounting the annals of psychology, the names of Freud, Skinner, and Pavlov often dominate. Yet, interwoven in the tapestry of this field's rich history are lesser-celebrated pioneers whose contributions are nothing short of monumental. One such figure is Margaret Floy Washburn, a luminary whose work blazed trails, challenged norms, and left an indelible mark on the study of the human mind. Born in 1871 in New York City, Washburn's journey into the world of psychology began at Vassar College, […]

The Confluence of Brain and Behavior: Delving into Biological Psychology

Our understanding of human behavior and thought has always been a multifaceted endeavor, weaving together strands of philosophy, sociology, and health. Yet, one field emerges at the crossroads of biology and psychology, seeking to demystify the intricate dance between our neural circuitry and our behavior: biological psychology. By delving into the neural mechanisms that shape our emotions, thoughts, and actions, biological psychology offers profound insights into what truly makes us tick. Biological psychology, often termed behavioral neuroscience or psychobiology, ventures […]

Psychology in Practice: Defining the Contours of Shaping in Behavioral Approaches

As we wade through the sea of psychological terms and theories, the concept of shaping emerges as a fascinating island worth exploring. Shaping, in the realm of psychology, is far more than molding minds; it is a systematic method for teaching complex behaviors. Rather than expecting a leap from beginner to expert, shaping allows us to appreciate the gradual progression of learning, an artful dance between stimulus and response. This psychological tool is an instrumental technique derived from the behaviorist […]

Clifford Beers

Introduction The study of mind and behavior is not a new concept. For many years, people have been relating human mind with their behavior. With time, this study came to be recognized as psychology. In psychology, various scientists began studying human mind, its thoughts, feeling as well as behavior. Their main aim was to understand the role of mental functioning in individuals and social behavior. In today's society, psychology acts as one of the most important aspects in treating mental […]

Unlocking the Hidden Knowledge: Understanding Latent Learning in Psychology

In the realm of psychology, there’s a curious phenomenon where knowledge and skills are acquired quietly, lying dormant until the situation calls for them. This phenomenon is known as latent learning, a concept that challenges traditional understandings of the learning process and underscores the complexity of the human mind. Latent learning takes place without any obvious reinforcement or immediate evidence of learning. It is learning that occurs subtly and often goes unnoticed until it is demonstrated at a later time […]

Unlocking Memories: the Intricacies of Encoding Specificity in Psychology

Imagine trying to recall a vivid memory but being unable to do so until a particular scent or sound triggers it. This phenomenon is at the heart of the encoding specificity principle, a concept in psychology that explains how the conditions present at the time of learning are intricately linked to the retrieval of that information. This principle challenges the traditional understanding of memory as a mere storage and retrieval system, instead positing that the context plays a crucial role […]

Conservation Psychology: Decoding the Human-Nature Connection

When we talk about conservation psychology, we're diving into an exciting and relatively new territory where psychology meets environmentalism. This field isn't just a niche in academic circles; it's a vibrant and essential discipline that's all about getting to the heart of why we, as humans, interact with our environment the way we do. It's about unpacking our relationship with nature and figuring out how to steer those interactions towards a healthier and more sustainable direction. At its essence, conservation […]

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Essay on Psychology Psychology uses the scientific method to study and concentrate on human/animal thinking and behavior. Psychology can be known to be scientific as it follows the empirical method. Empirical evidence is information taking by observation or experimentation. John Locke, David Hume, and David Hartley and many more were British empiricists who addressed the value of experience in the findings of knowledge. The main source of knowledge would be the world is a sensory experience which is information that comes to our senses or our inferences between the relationships of sensory facts. Empirical is often used with the concept of science which implies that science used observation, measurement of the world and collecting data in the environment. This view is in contrast with the Rationalists who accepted that knowledge is innate and inborn. All scientists use the empirical method. The scientist then analyse and evaluate this data to form theories that explain these observations. Psychological research must reach such levels of criteria in order for it to be considered scientific. It must ensure that it has to be Replicable and precise. Replicable research must be repeated several times to ensure they receive the same results. If shown the same results it shows the truth of the original research. Researchers must make sure they evaluate there research and were they received the information from, and clearly explain how their experiment was structured and how they achieved them results. There are two main concepts for a scientific approach which are theory and hypothesis. There are many different forms of scientific methods that can be used such as, experiments, descriptive studies, case studies and surveys. Scientific research is manipulated so that we observe the effect this has on something else to Control observation. Observations is our existing knowledge that determines our judgment and our viewpoint. Using scientific methods with tight control of variables allows for cause and effect relationships to be determined. This together with replication adds strength and validity to the theories produced. Sigmund Freud was one of the most influential scientists in the fields of psychology and psychiatry. It has been over 100 years since Freud published his theories, yet he still influences what we think about personality and the mind. Freud was best known for his theories of the unconscious mind, dreams, infantile sexuality, libido, repression, and transference, ego, and the superego. Through the development of a novel observational method, Sigmund Freud made possible the collection of reliable data about man's inner life. The scientific hypotheses he formulated about these formed the initial version of psychoanalysis. Many of these first thoughts have had to be revised in the light of subsequent scientific findings of the operations of the central nervous system, but even these refuted propositions often had much heuristic value. Despite the passage of a whole century, many Freudian hypotheses have retained their scientific standing. Most important among these was Freud's realization that human thought is usually unconscious. His understanding of the role of the automatic repetition of basic patterns of behavior, of the fateful consequences of early childhood emotional vicissitudes in structuring enduring mental dispositions, and of the distinction between two distinct modes of thinking are the most significant among his many contributions. 

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psychology short essay

How to Write a Psychological Essay: 6 Tips for Students

How to Write a Psychological Essay: 6 Tips for Students

Students who study the field of Psychology often write various written works: reports, term papers, and essays. In the article, we tell you how to write an essay on psychology, what its structure is, and what the rules of writing are.

1. What is a psychological essay?

An essay in psychology is a short paper in which the author describes their thoughts and reflections on a given or free topic. This type of essay is written by college and university students, as well as psychologists, for their professional activities. Sometimes, these people think, "Can I find someone to write my essay for me ?" The reason is that they don't know how such papers should be written. But don't worry, as we are going to tell you how to do it right.

An essay on psychology gives students many useful skills:

  • Essay helps develop creative skills in students.
  • It helps organize the independent work of students.
  • An essay on psychology consolidates and expands students' knowledge.
  • This type of work teaches students to express their thoughts.
  • The psychology essay teaches students to work with additional sources of information.

2. Psychological essay structure

A psychological essay does not have strict writing requirements; however, it is better to adhere to a certain composition:

  • Introduction
  • Argumentation
  • Conclusion.

In the introduction, you need to tell what the paper will be about. You can start from afar or jump straight to the topic of the essay:

"A person, being a part of society, every day becomes a participant in some kind of relationship. For example, in the morning, they have breakfast with their family; at lunch, they are already among their work colleagues; in the evening – in the company of friends, and in the interval, they manage to meet an acquaintance and exchange a few words with them, then ride on the bus and give up their seat to the old lady, etc.

Moreover, with everyone with whom they had any contact, they had a certain "distance." What does distance in a relationship even mean? This is a certain level of communication, namely the closeness of people between each other, while everyone sets this distance themselves, and it depends on how close a person is ready to let another into their life, how much they are ready to open up to them and trust.

Therefore, the people with whom we communicate should not cause any discomfort or inconvenience; if, after all, there are such individuals in our environment, relations with them are regulated by distance. Namely, it goes to the maximum limit." (Essay on the topic: "Distance in relationships between people," introduction).

In the introduction, you need to write down a thesis - what you will prove throughout the paper:

"Therefore, the people with whom we communicate should not cause any discomfort or inconvenience; if, after all, there are such individuals in our environment, relations with them are regulated by distance, namely, it goes to the maximum limit." (Essay on the topic: "Distance in relationships between people," thesis).

Next comes the argument, which consists of evidence of the thesis. These could be examples from life or literary works, quotes from philosophers, or research works by psychologists:

"Well, what should be the distance between people so that people do not feel pain so that suffering does not take over? Because personal inner life can be empty and monotonous, society brings people together, but their flaws can drive them apart. The average measure of distance that they finally find as the only possible way to stay together is politeness and good morals.

In England, they say to someone who does not observe proper measures when approaching, "Keep your distance!" Although under such conditions, the need for mutual warm participation is satisfied only very imperfectly, the pricks of needles are also felt. Those who have a lot of their own inner warmth should better stay away from society so as not to burden themselves or others." (Essay on the topic: "Distance in relationships between people," argumentation).

At the end, there is a conclusion. Here, you need to summarize what was said above, draw conclusions, and show that the thesis has been proven:

"Of course, distance is needed. I think the most important thing is to be able to understand people. After all, from the first words, you can understand whether this is your person or not, and even if it seems that they are yours, you don't need to immediately let them into your life until you are completely convinced whether this person will be worth your suffering later.

There cannot be many loved ones; each person has their own. They are unique in their own way and perhaps even similar to each other. The main thing is to take care of them and show that you value them, and they will respond in kind. I think it's sad to be alone when there are so many people around who can share all the good and bad with you.

And no formal relationship can fill that inner emptiness that pushes us to communicate with people because you can get rid of it only by filling it with the warmth of people and feelings that formal relationships can never give, only if the formality disappears." (Essay on the topic: "Distance in relationships between people," conclusion).

3. Tips on how to write an essay on psychology

When you write an essay on psychology, use our tips:

  • 1. Try to keep within the recommended amount. Typically, this is 2-4 pages of printed text.
  • Do not jump to other topics; strictly adhere to the topic of the paper.
  • Psychology is a science, so support all your opinions and thoughts with examples and quotes.
  • 4. Do not overuse unclear scientific terms and abbreviations.
  • Do not use other people's thoughts; an essay is an author's work; it should reflect the students' thoughts.
  • At the end of your paper, check the text for errors and consistency of presentation.

4. Essay on psychology: example for students

If you don't know how to write an essay on psychology, look at the ready-made example:

4.1 Essay on the topic "E. Fromm "The Art of Loving"

Only after reading Erich Fromm's book "The Art of Loving" did I fully understand its title. At first, it seemed that the author used this phrase more as a pun. But no. The author examined the phenomenon of love so deeply and multifacetedly that it cannot be called anything other than "art."

Perhaps I would think more about the term "science." The science of love... But no. Yet behind this feeling, there is much more emotion and creation. It cannot be calculated, proven, or described according to laws and axioms.

After reading Erich Fromm's book "The Art of Love," I gained a better understanding of what love really is. Fromm's idea views love in its true light. He begins with a few facts about the meaning in which people usually view love.

Two strangers meet, they break personal boundaries between each other, and they feel so close, like one whole. And here, many can say, "Yes, this is true love, genuine, without conditions!" But Fromm writes that this is not true love; this is an infatuation.

The author of the book describes this feeling as "one of the most exciting events in life." Fromm argues that this is an initial craze, and it has a natural tendency to gradually fade away as people get to know each other better and better and understand that not everything is so simple and magical.

Fromm discusses what has disappeared from love in our time. One of the most common and familiar reasons for the distortion of love is the distortion of its perception. For the average person, love is about creating the perfect union, where you find yourself together against the rest of the world. But we must understand that the surrounding reality is not created for us personally, and it is not a computer program.

The art of love requires courage, maturity, self-discovery, and, inevitably, hard work. This book is an excellent starting point for those who want to find genuine answers to how the concept of the Art of Love coincides with the concept of the Art of Living.

At the end of the book, Fromm comes to the conclusion that love is not an emotion or even a feeling; it is a decision, and it is a judgment, a promise. To love means to trust another without expecting any guarantees in return. Love is an act of boundless extreme faith. After reading this book, I feel like I have a better understanding of what true love is.

It seems to me that if more people read this book, they would come to understand that true love is not about being loved but about loving yourself and being in this feeling. Then, it seems to me this world would be much better and more honest.

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Home / Essay Samples / Psychology

Psychology Essay Examples

Psychology is a fascinating field that delves into the complexities of human behavior, emotions, cognition, and more. An essay example in psychology serves a crucial purpose in offering insights into the application of psychological theories, research methods, and analysis of human experiences. It provides readers with a tangible illustration of how psychological concepts can be explored and discussed in written form. A psychology essay example effectively illustrates theoretical concepts, such as theories of personality, cognitive development, or social behavior. It demonstrates how these theories can be applied to real-life scenarios, making the abstract ideas more relatable and understandable for readers. Essay examples in psychology often showcase how research methods are employed to investigate various psychological phenomena. Readers can see how experiments, surveys, case studies, and observations are conducted to gather data and draw meaningful conclusions. Psychology essay examples involve critical analysis of research findings, theories, or concepts. This analysis highlights the strengths and limitations of different approaches and encourages readers to think critically about psychological research and its implications. Writing Tips for Essays About Psychology:

Clear Thesis: Begin with a clear and concise thesis statement that outlines the main argument or point of your essay. Evidence-Based: Support your arguments with relevant research findings, empirical evidence, or case examples. Structure: Organize your essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph should focus on a specific point and connect logically to the next. Analysis: Engage in critical analysis and evaluation of psychological theories, research, or concepts. Discuss strengths, weaknesses, and implications. Cohesiveness: Ensure that your essay flows smoothly, with coherent transitions between paragraphs and ideas. References: Properly cite your sources using the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA) to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism.

A psychology essay example serves as a valuable tool for demonstrating the practical applications of psychological concepts and research methods. By studying and analyzing these examples, readers can gain insights into how to effectively convey complex psychological ideas through written essays and deepen their understanding of the field.

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  • Child Development
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Psychologist
  • Operant Conditioning
  • Growth Mindset
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Procrastination
  • Problem Solving
  • Intelligence
  • Big Five Personality Traits
  • William James
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Attribution Theory
  • Birth Order
  • Conflict Resolution Theory
  • Covert Observations
  • Critical Reflection
  • Educational Psychology
  • Experimental Psychology
  • Milgram Experiment
  • Neuroscience
  • Personal Development Planning
  • Positive Attitude
  • Positive Psychology
  • Psychological Theories
  • Short Term Memory
  • Social Psychology
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  • The Bystander Effect

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