- Social Psychology research proposal
The impact of social media like Facebook contributes to individuals comparing their body image with those of others. People are surrounded by images that emphasise thinness for women, and muscularity/leanness for men. Past research has found that women who engage in comparisons through social media sites experience more appearance and body dissatisfaction. However, recent research has found that this dissatisfaction is not just limited to women. Men also experience body dissatisfaction as a result of comparisons through social media sites.
Design a study to test the idea that body image on Facebook will be related to body dissatisfaction in either men or women. Be sure to develop a study that is ethically feasible.
Starting reference: Manago, A. M., Ward, M., Lemm, K. M., Reed, L., & Seabrook, R. (2015). Facebook involvement, objectified body consciousness, body shame, and sexual assertiveness in college women and men. Sex Roles, 72, 1-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s1199-014-0441-1.
Cognitive Psychology
Human memory is fallible. Rather than being like a recording of events experienced, our memories are vulnerable to errors due to such phenomena as forgetting. The impact of forgetting varies from not remembering where you left your car keys, struggling to recall a question on an exam to more serious implications relating to early onset dementia. In recent times, interventions designed to boost memory performance represent a growing multibillion-dollar industry.
Design a study to test an intervention that can improve either long term or working memory performance in humans. Be sure to develop a study that is ethically feasible.
Starting Reference: Macpherson, H., Ellis, K.A., Sali, A. et al. (2012) Memory improvements in elderly women following 16 weeks treatment with a combined multivitamin, mineral and herbal supplement. Psychopharmacology, 220, 351-365. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-011-2481-3.
- Abnormal Psychology
There is now little doubt that genetic factors contribute to the development of schizophrenia. Adoptive children whose biological parents have schizophrenia are more likely to develop the disorder themselves, even though families with no history of schizophrenia had adopted them. However, pure inheritability does not entirely explain the development of schizophrenia. For example, when one identical twin develops schizophrenia there is only a 50% chance that the other twin will also develop the disorder. This suggests that environmental factors also contribute to the development of schizophrenia. Thus, the heredity versus environment debate remains; exactly what environmental factors are involved, and to what extent do these factors influence the development of schizophrenia?
To help answer this debate, design a study to assess the influence of one environmental factor (e.g. drug use, malnutrition, childhood upbringing) on the development of schizophrenia.
Starting Reference: Heins, M., Simons, C., Lataster, T., Pfeifer, S., Versmissen, D., Lardinois, M., & Myin-Germeys, I. (2011). Childhood trauma and psychosis: a case-control and case-sibling comparison across different levels of genetic liability, psychopathology, and type of trauma. American Journal of Psychiatry, 168(12), 1286-1294.