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119 Abnormal Psychology Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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Abnormal psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on studying unusual patterns of behavior, thoughts, and emotions. This field explores mental disorders and their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. If you are studying abnormal psychology or have an interest in the subject, you may need to write essays on various topics related to this field. To help you get started, here are 119 abnormal psychology essay topic ideas and examples.

• The impact of childhood trauma on the development of mental disorders.
• The role of genetics in the development of psychological disorders.
• The relationship between substance abuse and mental illness.
• Exploring the effectiveness of different therapeutic approaches for treating anxiety disorders.
• The influence of social media on body image and eating disorders among adolescents.
• The psychological effects of long-term solitary confinement.
• Understanding the causes and consequences of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Exploring the connection between depression and physical health.
• The role of neurotransmitters in the development of schizophrenia.
• The impact of cultural factors on the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
• The relationship between sleep disorders and mental health.
• Examining the prevalence and treatment of borderline personality disorder.
• The effects of bullying on mental health in children and adolescents.
• Understanding the psychological impact of natural disasters on survivors.
• The relationship between childhood abuse and the development of dissociative identity disorder (DID).
• The role of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• Exploring the stigma surrounding mental illness and its impact on help-seeking behavior.
• The effects of parental divorce on the psychological well-being of children.
• Understanding the causes and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• The relationship between childhood adversity and the development of antisocial personality disorder.
• Examining the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for reducing stress and anxiety.
• The impact of social support on the recovery from substance use disorders.
• Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to the development of eating disorders.
• The role of trauma in the development of dissociative disorders.
• Exploring the link between childhood maltreatment and the risk of developing depression in adulthood.
• The effects of early-life stress on brain development and mental health outcomes.
• The relationship between personality traits and the risk of developing schizophrenia.
• Examining the role of genetics in the development of bipolar disorder.
• The impact of social isolation on mental health in older adults.
• Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to the development of agoraphobia.
• The effects of media violence on aggressive behavior in children.
• The relationship between childhood neglect and the risk of developing substance use disorders.
• Exploring the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy for treating phobias.
• The role of self-esteem in the development and maintenance of eating disorders.
• The impact of discrimination on mental health outcomes among marginalized populations.
• Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to the development of hoarding disorder.
• The effects of early attachment experiences on adult romantic relationships.
• The relationship between trauma and the development of dissociative amnesia.
• Examining the effectiveness of art therapy for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder.
• The role of parenting styles in the development of conduct disorder in children.
• The impact of chronic illness on mental health and well-being.
• Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to the development of gambling addiction.
• The effects of social media use on body dissatisfaction and eating disorder risk.
• The relationship between childhood ADHD and the risk of developing substance use disorders in adulthood.
• Exploring the effectiveness of exposure therapy for treating specific phobias.
• The role of early-life adversity in the development of borderline personality disorder.
• The impact of workplace stress on mental health and job performance.
• Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to the development of panic disorder.
• The effects of childhood abuse on self-esteem and self-worth in adulthood.
• The relationship between personality disorders and criminal behavior.
• Examining the effectiveness of cognitive remediation therapy for individuals with schizophrenia.
• The role of social support in the recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder.
• The impact of childhood neglect on cognitive development and academic achievement.
• Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to the development of body dysmorphic disorder.
• The effects of parental substance abuse on child development and mental health outcomes.
• The relationship between childhood trauma and the risk of developing dissociative disorders.
• Exploring the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy for treating depression.
• The role of trauma in the development of acute stress disorder.
• The impact of unemployment on mental health and well-being.
• Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to the development of social anxiety disorder.
• The effects of bullying on adolescent self-esteem and mental health.
• The relationship between childhood ADHD and the risk of developing conduct disorder.
• Examining the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy for individuals with borderline personality disorder.
• The role of social support in the recovery from eating disorders.
• The impact of parental divorce on adult romantic relationships.
• Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• The effects of childhood trauma on cognitive development and academic achievement.
• The relationship between personality traits and the risk of developing anxiety disorders.
• Exploring the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy for treating post-traumatic stress disorder.
• The role of mindfulness in the treatment of depression and anxiety.
• The impact of chronic pain on mental health and quality of life.
• Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to the development of generalized anxiety disorder.
• The effects of childhood neglect on emotional regulation and self-control in adulthood.
• The relationship between personality disorders and interpersonal relationships.
• Examining the effectiveness of family therapy for individuals with schizophrenia.
• The role of social support in the recovery from substance use disorders.
• The impact of parental substance abuse on child behavior and emotional well-being.
• Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to the development of postpartum depression.
• The effects of childhood trauma on social skills and peer relationships.
• The relationship between personality traits and the risk of developing mood disorders.
• Exploring the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for trauma-related disorders.
• The role of self-compassion in the treatment of eating disorders.
• The impact of chronic illness on family dynamics and relationships.
• Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to the development of specific phobias.
• The effects of childhood abuse on emotional intelligence and empathy in adulthood.
• The relationship between personality disorders and job performance.
• Examining the effectiveness of cognitive remediation therapy for individuals with bipolar disorder.
• The role of social support in the recovery from depression.
• The impact of childhood neglect on attachment styles and intimate relationships in adulthood.
• Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to the development of bipolar disorder.
• The effects of childhood trauma on executive functioning and decision-making abilities.
• The relationship between personality traits and the risk of developing personality disorders.
• Exploring the effectiveness of exposure therapy for treating panic disorder.
• The role of self-esteem in the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder.
• The impact of chronic stress on immune function and physical health.
• Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to the development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
• The effects of childhood abuse on social cognition and interpersonal relationships.
• The relationship between personality disorders and treatment outcomes.
• Examining the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy for individuals with social anxiety disorder.
• The role of social support in the recovery from anxiety disorders.
• The impact of childhood trauma on emotional regulation and impulse control.
• Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to the development of substance use disorders.
• The effects of childhood neglect on cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills.
• The relationship between personality traits and the risk of developing eating disorders.
• Exploring the effectiveness of trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy for treating post-traumatic stress disorder.
• The role of self-compassion in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
• The impact of chronic illness on psychological well-being and coping strategies.
• The effects of childhood abuse on emotional regulation and anger management in adulthood.
• The relationship between personality disorders and suicide risk.
• Examining the effectiveness of cognitive remediation therapy for individuals with anxiety disorders.
• The role of social support in the recovery from obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• The impact of childhood neglect on self-esteem and self-confidence in adulthood.
• Understanding the psychological factors that contribute to the development of dissociative identity disorder.
• The effects of childhood trauma on attachment styles and romantic relationships in adulthood.
• The relationship between personality traits and the risk of developing substance use disorders.
• Exploring the effectiveness of exposure therapy for treating generalized anxiety disorder.
• The role of self-esteem in the treatment of panic disorder.
• The impact of chronic stress on mental health and cognitive functioning.

These essay topic ideas provide a wide range of options to explore the fascinating field of abnormal psychology. Remember to choose a topic that interests you and allows you to delve deeper into the subject matter. Good luck with your essays!

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135 Unique Abnormal Psychology Essay Topics

Table of Contents

A study suggests that approximately 12.5% of people across the globe suffer from abnormal psychological disorders. As staggering as the numbers may be, very little research has been conducted on this subject. This is primarily because of the variation in culture. Subjectivity, context-dependent rules, change in society over a span of time, and difficulty in determining the clinical significance of emotions and behaviors are some other factors that contribute to it

However, it is important to conduct studies on the subject as it can significantly relieve patients from distress, reinstate functioning, and overcome impairment. Nonetheless, finding abnormal psychology essay topics that can grab the reader’s attention and help create an impactful and factual study is no walk in the park. But it is not a problem anymore. Here, we have provided a list of intriguing ideas.

What is Abnormal Psychology?

Abnormal psychology is the branch of psychology that deals with the degree of distress caused by behavior, sentiment and thought patterns. It leads to disruptions in personal life and in the proper functioning of activities. The subject also studies the impact that the disruptive and infrequent behavior of patients suffering from abnormal psychological disorders has on society. Abnormal psychology is separated into three parts:

• Subnormal psychology: It deals with psychological conditions where the mental abilities are below the normal level.
• Supernormal psychology: It deals with the mental condition where a person has mental capabilities that are above the normal level.
• Paranormal psychology: It refers to psychological conditions that cannot be explained through science, for example, telepathy.

Apart from them, there are nine types of abnormal psychology.

Types of Abnormal Psychology

Before you choose your abnormal psychology essay topics, it is important to have a clear idea of the types of abnormal psychology. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has laid out the nine main types of abnormal psychological disorders. It includes the following:

Also, Read: How to Write Effective Psychology Assignment

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

It is mainly found in people who have been victims or witnesses to shocking, scary, and dangerous situations. Patients with anxiety disorders may suffer from nightmares and flashbacks or try to completely avoid such situations. Common examples of anxiety disorders include situations when patients feel that they are harmed, or harassed, or that they have any supernatural power or fame.

Anxiety disorder

It is a mental condition in which patients respond to specific things or situations with dread and fear. Anxiety disorder can interfere with the ability to function in day-to-day life, make the patient overreact often to certain things that trigger emotions, and make them fail to control their emotions in certain situations. Typical symptoms of anxiety disorder are pounding of the heart and sweating.

Mood disorders

They refer to a condition where a patient feels extreme happiness, sadness, anger, or irritability for several weeks, depending on the situation. It leads to a patient’s change in behavior and impacts their performance of regular duties. Depression, bipolar disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and disruptive mood deregulation disorder are common examples of mood disorders.

Personality disorders

They are not medical conditions. It refers to the distinct method of a person’s thinking, behavior, and feeling that makes him distinct from the rest. Personality disorders are often influenced by the situation in which an individual lives or experiences throughout their life. Typically, the personalities of these people stay the same almost throughout their lives. Twisted perceptions of reality, abnormal behavior, and distress are examples of personality disorders.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a disorder of the human brain where people have delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, problems with thinking, and a lack of motivation. It can affect daily functioning and disable a human being. Common symptoms of schizophrenia are disordered thinking and behavior.

Delusional disorder

It is a type of disorder where people suffering from it cannot distinguish real things from those of the imaginary. Delusional people gain an unshakeable belief that something is not true. Delusional objects or situations may not be a part of their culture or could involve things that may happen in the future. Popular examples of delusional disorders are the feeling of being followed from a distance, deceived, or loved. Misinterpretation of perceptions or experiences is also an example of delusional disorder.

Substance use disorder

This is a type of disease that impacts the brain and behavior of people. Substance use disorder makes patients incapable of controlling the use of legal or illegal drugs or medicines such as alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine. The continuation of using drugs in spite of the damage caused is a popular example of substance use disorder.

Dissociative disorder

People who suffer from dissociative disorder have mental confusion. They suffer from a separation of thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions, or identities. The patients try to move away from reality involuntarily. It causes problems in the functioning of their day-to-day lives. Unclear senses of identity, stress in relationships, the inability to cope with professional stress, or changing emotions are typical examples of dissociative disorder.

Impulse control disorder

A condition where an individual fails to resist an urge to do something is called impulse control disorder. This medical condition can affect a human’s quality of life negatively. Kleptomania and pyromania are noticeable examples of impulse control disorders.

Also read: Unique Psychology Research Topics and Ideas

List of Abnormal Psychology Essay Topics and Ideas

Are you in search of some unique ideas to write your abnormal psychology essays? If yes, then have a look at some of these matchless abnormal psychology essay topics.

Attractive Abnormal Psychology Essay Topics

Here are some impressive ideas for developing your abnormal psychology essays.

• What do you understand by abnormal Psychology?
• Disorders of Anxiety
• Antisocial personality disorder
• Things that make one a sociopath
• Exploration of self-harm disorders
• A psychotherapeutic technique for exploring antisocial behavior
• The reasons for mood disorders
• The main reason behind abnormal brain development
• Pathological liars: Is it a mental mechanism?
• The psychological facet of suicide
• Reasons behind personality disorders
• Symptoms of multiple personality disorder
• What causes Seasonal Affective Disorders?
• Reasons behind Suicide among the elderly
• The main causes of self-mutilation
• What is the best way out Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?
• What is the connection between brain development and abnormal behaviors?
• What are the causes of Narcissistic personality disorder?
• Impacts Of Negative Parenting On the Mental Makeup of a Child

Inspiring Abnormal Psychology Essay Topics

Get stimulating ideas for Abnormal psychology essays here.

• What is the relationship between Parapsychology and paranormal phenomena?
• Fixated disorders of a patient suffering from schizophrenia
• The structure of the brain of an ordinary person with cenesthopathic disorders
• How do people develop Sexual Perversion?
• Why is Self-mutilation a common tool for coping with situations in the case of people suffering from psychological disorders?
• How to define Separation Anxiety disorders
• What is the relationship between self-esteem and self-damaging behavior?
• What is your idea of Psychopathology?
• “Professional burnout is a specific type of professional destruction.” Share your views on the statement.
• Psychopathological characteristics of anorexia nervosa
• The reasons behind persistent hallucinations
• Latest treatment procedures for anorexia nervosa
• The features Of a typical human being suffering from schizophrenia
• Teenage Suicide is a type of Psychological Disorder. State your views on the statement.

Spectacular Abnormal Psychology Essay Topics

Are you searching for some breathtaking abnormal psychology essay topics? If yes, then take a look at these ideas:

• How can music relieve mental health disorders?
• What are the different methods of diagnosing schizophrenia?
• Psychological characteristics of teenagers suffering from neurogenic anorexia
• What are the causes of sleepwalking disorder in young adults?
• How would you define the Oedipus and Electra complexes?
• The symptoms of advanced Schizophrenia
• Describe the method through which Psychological Issues can bring about suicide.
• Self-mutilation is a common relief from mental stress for many young adults. What are the ways to reduce them?
• What is the connection between loneliness and mental disorders?
• Are sexual perversions curable?
• The crux of gender identity issues in modern psychoanalysis
• What are the different methods of teaching abnormal psychology?

Top Abnormal Psychology Essay Questions

Are you a research scholar in search of some distinctive abnormal psychology essay topics? If yes, then consider the following ideas:

• How would you define Social pathology?
• Workplace psychology of ex-criminals
• What criteria for diagnosis are mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Disorders?
• The psychological effects of online dating and social networks on teenagers
• What do you understand by Socio-psychological typology?
• Do all typical serial killers suffer from psychological disorders?
• The harmful effects of xenophobia
• Psychological boundary violations in adolescence
• The relationship between temperament and how adolescents lean toward abnormal behavior
• The causes of repeated depression
• The reasons behind social anxiety disorder
• Abuse of social intelligence
• The analysis of posttraumatic stress disorder
• The significance of cognitive behavior counseling
• The connection between character distinction and aggression among convicts
• Social anxiety disorder

Interesting Abnormal Psychology Essay Topics

Here are some fascinating abnormal psychology essay topics:

• Impact of childhood trauma on the growth of borderline personality disorder
• Cultural dissimilarity in the knowledge and expression of depression
• Genetic and environmental issues contribute to the growth of schizophrenia.
• The effect of technology on social anxiety disorder
• The efficiency of cognitive-behavioral therapy for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Substance abuse and its connection with mood disorders
• How do parenting styles affect the growth of conduct disorder?
• Role of psychology in controlling chronic pain in people with somatic symptom disorder
• How would you describe the development of post-traumatic stress disorder?
• Why a patient with schizophrenia has a higher chance of committing suicide
• Shed light on the mental disorders of Vincent Van Gogh.
• Examining the reasons behind alternative realities

Excellent Psychology Essay Topics for Graduates

Here are some remarkable ideas for graduates who want to develop their papers on abnormal psychology essay topics:

• The effect of childhood education on future academic success
• Impacts of mindfulness and meditation on lowering indications of anxiety and depression
• The connection between sleep patterns and cognitive performance
• How effective is play therapy in treating children with behavioral disorders?
• Shed light on the impacts of social media on body image and self-esteem in adolescents.
• Factors impacting the spirit and enthusiasm of individuals with a history of trauma
• Examine the placebo effect in psychological treatments.
• The function of personality traits in forecasting job satisfaction and performance
• Shed light on Post-traumatic stress disorders.
• Dangers of Borderline Personality Disorder
• Are bipolar disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder the same?
• Supporting pharmacotherapy for bipolar affective disorder

Also read: Original Research Proposal Topics and Ideas

Outstanding Abnormal Psychology Essay Topics

Find here some terrific abnormal psychology essay topics:

• The impacts of early childhood experiences on social development in later life
• How parenting styles influence adolescent risk-taking behaviors
• The role of nature and nurture in personality development
• The effect of bilingualism on cognitive development in children
• The impact of attachment styles on romantic relationships in adulthood
• What is the consequence of the use of technology on language and cognitive development in children?
• Explore the connection between early childhood nutrition and cognitive development.
• Find the long-term effects of gender identity development on the mental health of adolescents.
• Why is Autism Spectrum disorder so common among people of today’s generation?
• Possible solutions to death anxiety
• Psychological profile of a distinctive child abuser
• Cognitive disorders in endogenous psychoses

Abnormal Psychology Research Topics on Cognitive Disabilities

If you want to develop your Abnormal Psychology Research papers on the impacts of abnormal psychology on cognitive abilities, these topics can offer excellent help.

• The effect of sleep deprivation on cognitive functioning and decision-making
• What role does attention control play in emotion regulation?
• Examine the effects of aging on memory and cognitive processing.
• Why are cognitive mechanisms fundamental to creativity and problem-solving?
• What do you understand by cognitive biases in decision-making? What are their impacts on behavior?
• The connection between language and thought
• The neural center of consciousness and awareness
• The impacts of mindfulness training on cognitive and emotional well-being
• How eating disorders are connected to psychological issues
• What leads to difficulty in learning among some students?
• Why is dealing with past trauma more difficult than the trauma itself?
• Therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder must be made compulsory. What are your views on the statement?

Trending Abnormal Psychology Essay Topics

Here are some trendy ideas for your abnormal psychology research:

• What is the best treatment for postpartum psychosis?
• Clinical demonstration of postpartum psychoses
• The principles behind the Stanford prison experiment
• How exposure to television impacts the emotional development of children
• Fetishes and sexually deviant behavior
• Characteristics of psychoses provoked by cannabinoids and smoking mixtures
• Characteristics of hypochondriac and senestopathic disorders
• How hypochondriac and senestopathic disorders show in patients with anorexia nervosa
• Is Internet addiction a mental issue?
• Impact of advertising on people with mental disorders
• Nature of mental and neurological disorders
• The first symptoms of bipolar disorder
• What do you mean by past life regression therapy?
• How math anxiety is a psychological issue
• The interconnection of traumatic experiences
• Aggressive behavior among convicted men

Also, Read – Unique Abnormal Psychology Essay Topics

Latest Abnormal Psychology Essay Ideas

The following are some informative essay topic ideas on abnormal psychology.

• Write about Abnormal Psychology in Mainstream Society.
• Prepare an essay on abnormal psychology and law enforcement.
• Explain the three elements that define abnormal psychology.
• What Leads to Abnormality in Psychology?
• What is the Concept of Psychodynamic Theory of Abnormality?
• Discuss the Signs of Abnormality.
• Multistage Analysis of Abnormal Human Behavior in Complex Scenes
• Classify and Evaluate Abnormal Behavior
• What Are the Six Abnormality Models?
• What Are the Approaches to the Study of Abnormal Behavior?

The Bottom Line

Psychology is still a subject that has a taboo associated with it. Therefore, disorders and physical and mental issues related to abnormal psychology are rarely discussed in essays. However, it is essential to discuss them to make people aware of the problems and approach a consultant if they identify themselves or their near and dear ones with the symptoms. It will also help these identified patients become aware of the accurate treatment procedures and overcome their condition easily.

The discussion above enlists abnormal psychology essay topics. Choose the one that you like best and develop a high-quality paper on it. Nonetheless, if you need help with abnormal psychology essay papers, connect with our essay helpers immediately. They will help you through all the stages of essay writing. Most importantly by taking our assignment help services online, you can also submit a premium-quality abnormal psychology essay in due time and secure good grades.

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50+ Research Topics for Psychology Papers

How to Find Psychology Research Topics for Your Student Paper

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.

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• Human Development
• Critique of Publications
• Famous Experiments
• Historical Figures
• Specific Careers
• Case Studies
• Literature Reviews
• Your Own Study/Experiment

Are you searching for a great topic for your psychology paper ? Sometimes it seems like coming up with topics of psychology research is more challenging than the actual research and writing. Fortunately, there are plenty of great places to find inspiration and the following list contains just a few ideas to help get you started.

Finding a solid topic is one of the most important steps when writing any type of paper. It can be particularly important when you are writing a psychology research paper or essay. Psychology is such a broad topic, so you want to find a topic that allows you to adequately cover the subject without becoming overwhelmed with information.

In some cases, such as in a general psychology class, you might have the option to select any topic from within psychology's broad reach. Other instances, such as in an  abnormal psychology  course, might require you to write your paper on a specific subject such as a psychological disorder.

As you begin your search for a topic for your psychology paper, it is first important to consider the guidelines established by your instructor.

Research Topics Within Specific Branches of Psychology

The key to selecting a good topic for your psychology paper is to select something that is narrow enough to allow you to really focus on the subject, but not so narrow that it is difficult to find sources or information to write about.

One approach is to narrow your focus down to a subject within a specific branch of psychology. For example, you might start by deciding that you want to write a paper on some sort of social psychology topic. Next, you might narrow your focus down to how persuasion can be used to influence behavior .

Other social psychology topics you might consider include:

• Prejudice and discrimination (i.e., homophobia, sexism, racism)
• Social cognition
• Person perception
• Social control and cults
• Persuasion, propaganda, and marketing
• Attraction, romance, and love
• Nonverbal communication
• Prosocial behavior

Psychology Research Topics Involving a Disorder or Type of Therapy

Exploring a psychological disorder or a specific treatment modality can also be a good topic for a psychology paper. Some potential abnormal psychology topics include specific psychological disorders or particular treatment modalities, including:

• Eating disorders
• Borderline personality disorder
• Seasonal affective disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Antisocial personality disorder
• Profile a  type of therapy  (i.e., cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, psychoanalytic therapy)

Topics of Psychology Research Related to Human Cognition

Some of the possible topics you might explore in this area include thinking, language, intelligence, and decision-making. Other ideas might include:

• False memories
• Speech disorders
• Problem-solving

Topics of Psychology Research Related to Human Development

In this area, you might opt to focus on issues pertinent to  early childhood  such as language development, social learning, or childhood attachment or you might instead opt to concentrate on issues that affect older adults such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Some other topics you might consider include:

• Language acquisition
• Media violence and children
• Learning disabilities
• Gender roles
• Child abuse
• Prenatal development
• Parenting styles
• Aspects of the aging process

Do a Critique of Publications Involving Psychology Research Topics

One option is to consider writing a critique paper of a published psychology book or academic journal article. For example, you might write a critical analysis of Sigmund Freud's Interpretation of Dreams or you might evaluate a more recent book such as Philip Zimbardo's  The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil .

Professional and academic journals are also great places to find materials for a critique paper. Browse through the collection at your university library to find titles devoted to the subject that you are most interested in, then look through recent articles until you find one that grabs your attention.

Topics of Psychology Research Related to Famous Experiments

There have been many fascinating and groundbreaking experiments throughout the history of psychology, providing ample material for students looking for an interesting term paper topic. In your paper, you might choose to summarize the experiment, analyze the ethics of the research, or evaluate the implications of the study. Possible experiments that you might consider include:

• The Milgram Obedience Experiment
• The Stanford Prison Experiment
• The Little Albert Experiment
• Pavlov's Conditioning Experiments
• The Asch Conformity Experiment
• Harlow's Rhesus Monkey Experiments

Topics of Psychology Research About Historical Figures

One of the simplest ways to find a great topic is to choose an interesting person in the  history of psychology  and write a paper about them. Your paper might focus on many different elements of the individual's life, such as their biography, professional history, theories, or influence on psychology.

While this type of paper may be historical in nature, there is no need for this assignment to be dry or boring. Psychology is full of fascinating figures rife with intriguing stories and anecdotes. Consider such famous individuals as Sigmund Freud, B.F. Skinner, Harry Harlow, or one of the many other  eminent psychologists .

Psychology Research Topics About a Specific Career

​Another possible topic, depending on the course in which you are enrolled, is to write about specific career paths within the  field of psychology . This type of paper is especially appropriate if you are exploring different subtopics or considering which area interests you the most.

In your paper, you might opt to explore the typical duties of a psychologist, how much people working in these fields typically earn, and the different employment options that are available.

Topics of Psychology Research Involving Case Studies

One potentially interesting idea is to write a  psychology case study  of a particular individual or group of people. In this type of paper, you will provide an in-depth analysis of your subject, including a thorough biography.

Generally, you will also assess the person, often using a major psychological theory such as  Piaget's stages of cognitive development  or  Erikson's eight-stage theory of human development . It is also important to note that your paper doesn't necessarily have to be about someone you know personally.

In fact, many professors encourage students to write case studies on historical figures or fictional characters from books, television programs, or films.

Psychology Research Topics Involving Literature Reviews

Another possibility that would work well for a number of psychology courses is to do a literature review of a specific topic within psychology. A literature review involves finding a variety of sources on a particular subject, then summarizing and reporting on what these sources have to say about the topic.

Literature reviews are generally found in the  introduction  of journal articles and other  psychology papers , but this type of analysis also works well for a full-scale psychology term paper.

Topics of Psychology Research Based on Your Own Study or Experiment

Many psychology courses require students to design an actual psychological study or perform some type of experiment. In some cases, students simply devise the study and then imagine the possible results that might occur. In other situations, you may actually have the opportunity to collect data, analyze your findings, and write up your results.

Finding a topic for your study can be difficult, but there are plenty of great ways to come up with intriguing ideas. Start by considering your own interests as well as subjects you have studied in the past.

Online sources, newspaper articles, books , journal articles, and even your own class textbook are all great places to start searching for topics for your experiments and psychology term papers. Before you begin, learn more about  how to conduct a psychology experiment .

What This Means For You

After looking at this brief list of possible topics for psychology papers, it is easy to see that psychology is a very broad and diverse subject. While this variety makes it possible to find a topic that really catches your interest, it can sometimes make it very difficult for some students to select a good topic.

If you are still stumped by your assignment, ask your instructor for suggestions and consider a few from this list for inspiration.

• Hockenbury, SE & Nolan, SA. Psychology. New York: Worth Publishers; 2014.
• Santrock, JW. A Topical Approach to Lifespan Development. New York: McGraw-Hill Education; 2016.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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Abnormal Psychology in 7 Studies

Travis Dixon January 20, 2021 Abnormal Psychology , Revision and Exam Preparation

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A challenging aspect of the IB Psychology course is remembering all the studies. It can be made easier. With some careful course planning (by teachers) and wise studying (by students), the Abnormal Psychology option could be covered in 7 studies. 

The IB Guide states that “Each option is divided into three topics. For each option, there will be three essay titles to choose from, one for each topic in the option.” (IB Guide, pg 35). This is incredibly important  to remember because it drastically reduces the amount of content you have to prepare.The following guidance is for the Abnormal Psychology option, since it’s the most popular.

Abnormal Psychology – Overview

The studies listed here are included in our revision resources .

Abnormal Psychology has three topics:

• Factors influencing diagnosis
• Etiology of abnormal psychology
• Treatment of disorder(s)

The fact that questions might link “…research, ethical considerations, or the approaches to understanding behaviour … to the topic heading” (IB Guide, p35) means that you must choose which specific topic you revise carefully.

The examples provided in this post are based on the material in our PTSD unit in the textbook.

• Exam Question Bank: Paper 2 Human Relationships
• Exam Topics in IB Psychology Paper Two: Overview
• Why do marriages end in divorce? A cognitive explanation

IB SL students can prepare for Paper Two in just 7 studies*. 

Abnormal Psychology – The Exam Questions

Before we know which studies to choose, we have to know what exam questions might appear. The content for the Etiology topic is simple:

• Explanations for disorder(s)
• Prevalence rates and disorder(s)

Plus the potential exam questions on the following:

• Research methods used to study the etiology of abnormal psychology
• Ethical considerations in studies on the etiology of abnormal psychology
• Biological approach to study the etiology of abnormal psychology
• Cognitive approach to study the etiology of abnormal psychology
• Sociocultural approach to the etiology of abnormal psychology

Careful study of the IB Guide can help you study smarter, not harder. (Taken from IB Guide p36).

Abnormal Psychology – The Studies

Explanations for disorders.

The following image shows how 7 studies can cover the topic “Explanations for disorders” (PTSD) in 7 studies. By carefully selecting explanations that are directly relevant to the three approaches, those questions are covered also.

Somes studies can be used for multiple approaches, like Urry (bio and cog) and Luby (soc-cult and bio).

Next we have “Prevalence.” When discussing prevalence of PTSD, we look at particular groups who have higher rates of diagnosis (i.e. PTSD is more prevalent in these groups). Three studies can cover three examples, including people from low socioeconomic status, racial minorities and women.

I encourage my students to become experts on socioeconomic status as a risk factor for PTSD, since this can be used for sociocultural explanations or  prevalence rates.

I recommend revising the same studies for research methods and ethics to make these questions more manageable. For instance, anonymity is always relevant in correlational studies, especially those gathering sensitive data like symptoms of PTSD. The following three correlational studies could be used for an essay question on research methods and anonymity.

Note:  It is possible you could be asked for a second research method. In this case, be prepared to write briefly about Urry et al. as a true experiment. Similarly, be prepared to write about a second ethical consideration, like informed consent (also relevant to Urry et al.)

Personally, I think Etiology of Abnormal Psychology lends itself to the best exam preparation. This is because it’s most logical how the three approaches are linked to this topic. Imagine how hard it would be to answer a question on how the biological approach is used to understanding factors influencing diagnosis. This is a potential question, albeit not a likely one.

Final Advice

Now you’ve made the exams easier by limiting the studies, focus on the concepts. This includes being able to explain  how and why   certain factors are associated with PTSD, as well as  how and why   research methods are used and ethical considerations are relevant. Develop your critical thinking as well and you’ll truly separate your answers from the rest. The goal isn’t about reducing studies, it’s about increasing your knowledge and understanding of psychology.

IB Psychology flashcards are now available here .

*This year (May 2021) Standard Level don’t actually have Paper Two since it’s cancelled due to covid. This means it’s actually HL students who can do Paper 2 in just 7 studies.

Travis Dixon is an IB Psychology teacher, author, workshop leader, examiner and IA moderator.

Abnormal Psychology: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Essay (Critical Writing)

In the years following the 9-11 terrorist attacks, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) gained wide spread concern, and today, this disorder that has undergone a great deal of research in psychology and related literature.

The relationship of this disorder with past trauma, and the method of reducing the effect of PTSD through psychological treatment and medication, has been studied by various scholars in the discipline. Although there has been a considerable amount of research on the topic since its official recognition as a disorder in 1980, most of our knowledge about PTSD has come from returning war veterans.

In addition, some of this research indicates that the differences in the degree of the disorder are due to the varying nature of the trauma experienced by that individual. This paper is a critical study of a peer-reviewed article on PTSD that aims to understand the nature of empirical research on PTSD and deduce inferences regarding the effectiveness of these researches.

PTSD research has also tried to understand the effect of previous trauma on PTSD victims and its effect on subsequent exposure to trauma. A study conducted by Breslau, Chilcoat, Kessler, & Davis (1999) tried to ascertain the effect of childhood trauma on trauma infested Vietnam veterans. The research collected a large sample of 2181 individuals who were interviewed over the telephone.

They used randomly selected index trauma to detect PTSD. The results of the study indicated that individuals who have traumatic experience in childhood were at a greater risk on exposure to subsequent trauma and at greater threat of PTSD. The empirical study thus pointed out that an individual who had experience childhood violence was more likely to experience PTSD in adulthood.

The study indicates that the intensity of PTSD is affected by the number of previous traumatic events in the individuals’ childhood, recency of the traumatic event, and the nature of previous trauma. Empirical research suggested that higher number of exposure to trauma led to greater possibility of PTSD in individuals. It also indicated one isolated exposure to trauma did not hold high risk for the disorder to occur.

Further, the research indicated that individuals were at higher risk of PTSD, if they had single or multiple exposures to assaultive violence previously. The research also indicated that in case of assaultive violence such as rape or combat in childhood, individuals were at greater risk, approximately within 5 years period, of PTSD.

The data analysis was done on randomly selected 1922 respondents who experienced previous trauma since the age of 5 years. The research findings show that the risk of PTSD depended on the type of index trauma. In this assaultive violence concurred greatest risk. Further, the research also showed no significant relation between age and PTSD.

The research findings supports the initial hypothesis that previous traumatic even causes greater risk of PTSD in case of subsequent trauma. The research indicates that when individuals were exposed to assaultive trauma in their childhood, it has greater association with PTSD. However, the limitation of the study is its hypothesis from the previous researches on PTSD.

The research shows that the victims who had been exposed to previous trauma are at a greater risk of PTSD in case subsequent trauma. The empirical research using a vast number of respondents demonstrates the effect of previous trauma is higher in case of assaultive violence. This research too confers the findings by Breslau et al. (1999).

Breslau, N., Chilcoat, H., Kessler, R. C., & Davis, G. C. (1999). Previous Exposure to Trauma and PTSD Effects of Subsequent Trauma: Results from the Detroit Area Survey of Trauma. American Journal of Psychology, 156(6) , 902-907.

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IvyPanda. (2018, October 11). Abnormal Psychology: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. https://ivypanda.com/essays/abnormal-psychology/

"Abnormal Psychology: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder." IvyPanda , 11 Oct. 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/abnormal-psychology/.

IvyPanda . (2018) 'Abnormal Psychology: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder'. 11 October.

IvyPanda . 2018. "Abnormal Psychology: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder." October 11, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/abnormal-psychology/.

1. IvyPanda . "Abnormal Psychology: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder." October 11, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/abnormal-psychology/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Abnormal Psychology: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder." October 11, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/abnormal-psychology/.

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Home — Essay Samples — Psychology — Branches of Psychology — Abnormal Psychology

Essays on Abnormal Psychology

Abnormal psychology essay topics and outline examples, essay title 1: understanding the spectrum of mental disorders: causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

Thesis Statement: This research essay delves into the diverse world of mental disorders, examines their underlying causes, discusses methods of diagnosis, and explores various approaches to treatment and therapy.

• Introduction
• Defining Abnormal Psychology and Mental Disorders
• Biological, Psychological, and Environmental Causes of Mental Disorders
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM): A Tool for Classification
• Common Methods of Diagnosis: Interviews, Tests, and Observations
• Treatment Approaches: Medication, Psychotherapy, and Alternative Therapies
• Case Studies: Real-Life Examples of Diagnoses and Treatments
• Conclusion: Advancing Understanding and Compassion for Mental Health

Essay Title 2: Psychological Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence: Early Identification and Intervention

Thesis Statement: This research essay focuses on psychological disorders that manifest in childhood and adolescence, emphasizes the importance of early identification, and explores evidence-based intervention strategies.

• Prevalence of Childhood and Adolescent Mental Health Issues
• Common Psychological Disorders in Youth: Anxiety, Depression, and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Challenges in Identifying and Diagnosing Mental Health Issues in Young Individuals
• Effective Intervention Approaches: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Therapy, and School-Based Programs
• Preventive Measures and Early Intervention Initiatives
• Success Stories: Case Studies of Early Intervention and Positive Outcomes
• Conclusion: Enhancing Mental Well-being in Young Populations

Essay Title 3: Stigmatization of Mental Illness: Impact, Reduction Strategies, and Advocacy

Thesis Statement: This research essay explores the damaging effects of stigmatization surrounding mental illness, presents strategies to reduce stigma, and highlights the role of advocacy in reshaping public perception.

• The Social and Emotional Consequences of Stigmatization
• Media Portrayals and Stereotypes of Mental Illness
• Efforts to Combat Stigma: Anti-Stigma Campaigns, Education, and Awareness Programs
• Advocacy Movements: Voices for Change in Mental Health Policy and Care
• Personal Narratives: Individuals Who Have Overcome Stigma
• Future Directions: Promoting Inclusivity and Compassion for Those with Mental Health Challenges
• Conclusion: Striving for a Stigma-Free Society

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