Final Paper: A Literature Review
Conduct a literature review. You will review and summarize relevant theory and research in order to defend a particular position (your thesis).
The topic of your literature review might come from the following list, or you may identify a different area of interest.
However, if you choose something other than the options below, you must obtain permission from your instructor prior to writing/submitting the paper. It is up to the instructor's discretion to allow/disallow alternative topics.
Here are some ideas you might choose to explore:
• Accuracy of Proverbs
o Example: "Don't judge a book by its cover" or "Beauty is a good letter of introduction"? In other words, what can one conclude based on appearance alone?
o Example: "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" or "Out of sight, out of mind"? In other words, do long distances or extended amounts of time strengthen relationship ties, or weaken them?
o Example: "Birds of a feather flock together" or "Opposites attract"? In other words, are people attracted to similar or dissimilar others?
• Impact of Titles/Labels
o Example: How do team mascots (such as the Redskins or Braves) impact Native Americans (self-esteem, stereotype threat, etc.)?
o Example: How do labels (such as smart/stupid, crazy or criminal, etc.) impact people's mental processes and behaviors?
• Altruism
o Example: Does true altruism exist? What motivates people to help?
• Explanatory Style
o Example: Do optimists experience better life outcomes than pessimists?
• Persuasive Appeals
o Example: How do political campaigns utilize various techniques?
• Self-esteem
o Example: Is there a dark side? Can one be too confident?
• School Size
o Example: Do students fare better in big schools or small schools? Why?
• Reactance
o Example: What is the theory behind "reverse psychology"?
• Gender Differences
o Example: in aggression, sex, etc.
• A Form of Prejudice
o Example: fat prejudice, racial prejudice, etc.
• Psychology and the Law
o Example: jury behavior, etc.
• Other: Must be approved by your instructor in advance!
The Final Paper
• Must be at least 5 to 7 double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style.
• Must include a separate title page (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. with the following:
o A header
o Title of paper
o Student's name
o Course name and number
o Instructor's name
o Date submitted
• Must begin with an introductory paragraph (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. that has a succinct thesis statement (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
• Must utilize academic voice (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
• Must address the topic with critical thought (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
• Must end with a conclusion (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. that reaffirms the thesis.
• Must use at least five peer-reviewed scholarly sources. Additional scholarly sources are encouraged.
o Be sure to integrate your research (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. smoothly rather than simply inserting it.
o In general, paraphrase (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. material rather than using direct quotes.
o The Scholarly, Peer Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for a particular assignment.
• Must document all sources in APA style as outlined here . and here (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
• Must include a separate reference page . that is formatted according to APA style.
• Must be submitted to Grammarly. for review and correction prior to submitting.