Essay Writing Guidelines for a Psychology Assignment

Format and Submission Requirements

Essay * The text of your essay must be approximately  (not including references), written in clear and grammatical English, and submitted as double-spaced typed stapled hard copy with a cover page (there are staplers in the Library). You must have a minimum of three Psychology references, not including the textbook, websites etc. Use APA format for citations and quotations. The references should be listed in APA style on a ‘References’ page at the end of your essay. You do not need an Abstract. Your Psychology references should be psychology journal articles (ejournals are fine) or serious psychology books, not newspapers, magazines, general dictionaries, pop books or Wikipedia (You can use these but they won’t count towards the 3 major references!). You might wish to cite some non-Psychology sources (eg. biographies), depending on the topic you choose. Please include a word count at the end (you will not be penalized for going over the word count as long as this adds helpfully to your work). This assignment is worth 20 percent of your final grade. Choose ONE of the following types of topics: A biography of someone with a history of psychological disorder – e.g. musicians Kanye West, Lana Del Rey, Kurt Cobain, Franz List etc.; Senator Romeo Dallaire; psychiatrist Carl Jung etc. You might also consider biography of someone as known through a character in literature (ex. Jane Eyre, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) OR known through public media (actor, politician) (Anyone whom you find interesting!). Consider the piece as if it was a case study, from the perspective of Abnormal Psychology. What sort of disorder is illustrated (use DSM-5 criteria)? List the diagnostic criteria and show how the case meets each one. Discuss what is currently known about the disorder. What causes, or vulnerability factors might be involved? How may these factors act synergistically to increase vulnerability (perhaps consider a particular perspective i.e. biopsychosocial)? What forms of treatment might be suggested (or what might you not suggest? Consider NOT just the disorder but also the individual and their particular contexts)? What is the prognosis in this case (are there some protective factors or particular vulnerabilities)? Is the disorder as represented in the work a typical or unusual case? You will need to be familiar with the diagnostic criteria, etiological theories, assessment methods and standard treatment approaches for the disorder. Please note that I have a keen eye for what is authentic i.e. what is your own vs. some else’s analysis). OR 1. One of the following topics: • A critique of the framework of abnormal psychology • Research in positive psychology and strategies for mental health (be critical and delve a little into the research) • The history of mental health treatment in Canada • Perspectives on mental health and mental illness in a premodern era, such as the Renaissance or the Roman Empire • Gender and the perception of mental illness • Perspectives on mental health and mental illness in a non-Western country or region, compared with the West • The history of demonic possession as an explanation for mental disorder • The development of the DSM, from 1952 to the present • Prediction and prevention of suicidal behaviour • New technologies for the treatment of mental illness Controversies surrounding drug companies and the treatment of mental illness • Treatment of psychological problems using presently illegal or restricted drugs (eg. LSD, MDMA, Ayahuasca)