Applied Research in Psychology

Applied Research in Psychology

Write a 3-4 page paper that describes a possible solution for a clinical scenario, with support from both theory and research.

Introduction

For this assessment, you will learn about applied research. Psychological research is applied in many of our day-to-day experiences in places such as industry and businesses, schools, health care centers, and sports arenas. You will also learn about research methods that psychologists use to collect data on, analyze, and understand behavior—the scientific method—as well as some of the major approaches used to collect and measure behavioral data. The scientific method is what gives psychologists credibility when treating, assessing, and predicting behavior. In fact, the entire goal of psychology is that after studying behavior systematically, psychologists can apply their newly learned knowledge to real-world situations and assist humans in living better lives.

Preparation

Before beginning this assessment, preview the following:

• APA Paper Template [DOCX].
• Assessment 3 Example [DOCX].

Next, choose one of the scenarios described below. After you have selected a scenario to analyze, select theories to help you frame the problem described in the scenario. You will present possible solutions and support your work with a minimum of three scholarly research articles.

Research your chosen theory. Use the Capella University Library to find 3–4 scholarly research articles on your topic. For each scenario, you will find recommended search terms and databases that will help you get started. Use the following Capella University Library resources to conduct research:

• Database Guide: PsycARTICLES to find scholarly articles.
• Psychology Databases for researching a topic.

You may also find the Assignment Guide helpful, as it walks you through the steps of looking through the assessment, as well as how to create an outline. It also provides a checklist you can use to make sure all of your steps are completed.

SCENARIO 1: MARS MISSION

You are part of a psychological team planning to prepare astronauts for the manned mission to Mars. Your task is to identify solutions for possible psychological problems that may result as part of the trip.

Think about potential psychological problems that can occur during preparation for and during space travel. In your assessment, describe the potential problems so your reader has a good understanding of the negative psychological impact astronauts can experience. Consider and discuss possible prevention or intervention ideas in your paper, and support your thinking about potential problems and solutions with information you find from the scholarly research articles you selected.

• Possible theories or perspectives:
  • Positive psychology.
  • Humanistic psychology.
• Possible sources:
  • Botella, C., Banos, R. M., Etchemendy, E., Garcia-Palacios, A., & Alcaniz, M. (2016). Psychological countermeasures in manned space missions: “EARTH” system for the Mars-500 project. Computers in Human Behavior, 55(B), 898‒908.
  • Cohen, I., den Braber, N., Smets, N. J. J. M., van Diggelen, J., Brinkman, W-P., & Neerincx, M. A. (2016). Work content influences on cognitive task load, emotional state and performance during a simulated 520-days’ Mars mission. Computers in Human Behavior, 55(B), 642‒652.
• Possible search terms:
  • NASA, Spaceflight, Mars 500, Mars 520 (use alone and in the Summon Library Guide, Database Guide: PsycARTICLES, or Database Guide: PsycINFO).

SCENARIO 2: OFFICE DÉCOR

Your company is redesigning office spaces. You are tasked with examining the psychological effect on employees of different decorating options, with the goal of increasing productivity.

Think about and search for how color and use of space can impact people psychologically. What does the research say about environment and productivity?

• Possible theories:
  • Attention restoration theory.
  • Social identity theory.
• Possible sources:
  • Nieuwenhuis, M., Knight, C., Postmes, T., & Haslam, S. A. (2014). The relative benefits of green versus lean office space: Three field experiments. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 20(3), 199‒214.
  • Greenaway, K. H., Thai, H. A., Haslam, S. A., & Murphy, S. C. (2016). Spaces that signal identity improve workplace productivity. Journal of Personnel Psychology, 15(1), 35‒43.
• Possible search terms:
  • Office, space, well-being, productivity, applied psychology (use in combinations in the Database Guide: PsycARTICLES or Database Guide: PsycINFO).

SCENARIO 3: YOUTH SPORTS

You are coaching your child’s soccer team and want psychologically proven ways to motivate your players. Consider what research says about motivation and sports. What are some specific coaching strategies that can increase enthusiasm and motivation?

• Possible theories:
  • Self-determination theory.
  • Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
• Possible sources:
  • Stenling, A., Lindwall, M., & Hassmén, P. (2015). Changes in perceived autonomy support, need satisfaction, motivation, and well-being in young elite athletes. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 4(1), 50‒61.
  • Amorose, A. J., & Anderson-Butcher, D. (2015). Exploring the independent and interactive effects of autonomy-supportive and controlling coaching behaviors on adolescent athletes’ motivation for sport. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 4(3), 206‒218.
• Possible search terms:
  • Coaching effectiveness, motivation, sport psychology (use alone or in combinations in the Database Guide: PsycARTICLES or Database Guide: PsycINFO).

SCENARIO 4: ANTI-MARIJUANA CAMPAIGN

You have been asked to create ideas for an awareness campaign to prevent teenagers from using marijuana. Consider ideas that have a chance to attract adolescents’ attention. What does the research say about prevention?

• Possible theories:
  • Behavioral theory.
  • Psychoanalytic theory.
• Possible sources:
  • Crano, W. D., Alvaro, E. M., Tan, C. N., & Siegel, J. T. (2017). Social mediation of persuasive media in adolescent substance prevention. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 31(4), 479‒487.
  • Alvaro, E. M., Crano, W. D., Siegel, J. T., Hohman, Z., Johnson, I., & Nakawaki, B. (2013). Adolescents’ attitudes toward antimarijuana ads, usage intentions, and actual marijuana usage. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 27(4), 1027‒1035.
• Possible search terms:
  • Drug use prevention, media campaign (use in combinations in the Database Guide: PsycARTICLES or Database Guide: PsycINFO).

Directions

After you have reviewed the Assessment 3 Example [DOCX], use the APA Paper Template [DOCX] to complete the following:

• Use one of the following scenarios and supporting resources (described in the Preparation section above) as the basis for this assessment:
  • Scenario 1: Mars Mission.
  • Scenario 2: Office Decor.
  • Scenario 3: Youth Sports.
  • Scenario 4: Anti-marijuana Campaign.
• Write a 3–4 page paper (in addition to the title page and references page) that describes a possible solution for your selected clinical scenario, with support from both theory and research.
• Use in-text citations in the paper and create title and reference pages.

Use the following sections to organize your paper:

Title page:

• Follow the template instructions.

Overview:

• Apply a foundation psychological theory to address the problem in the selected scenario.
  • Summarize the identified problem in the selected scenario.
• Propose a solution to the identified problem.
  • Describe your solution.

Foundational Theory:

• Describe the theory or theories that apply to your scenario.
  • Explain how theory shaped the proposed solution to the problem.

Research Method and Findings:

• Apply findings from scholarly research to develop a proposed solution to the problem in your scenario.
  • Explain how the research findings shape your proposed solution.
• Describe the research methods outlined in your scholarly research articles.

Mental Health and Well-Being:

• Speculate how your proposed solution could impact mental health and well-being through behavior changes.

References page:

• Follow the template instructions.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Written communication: Writing should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
• APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to the current APA style and formatting.
• Paper length: 3–4 typed, double-spaced pages of content, in addition to the title page and references page.
• Resources: 3–4 peer-reviewed sources.
• Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
• SafeAssign: Use SafeAssign to check your writing and ensure that you have paraphrased, quoted, and cited your sources appropriately.

Recommendations

The following resources may also be useful as you complete your assessment.

• Evidence and APA.
• Basic Library Skills Libguide.
• Writing Center.
• SafeAssign.
• RefWorks.
• Assignment Guide.

Refer to the scoring guide to ensure that you meet the grading criteria for this assessment.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies:

• Competency 1: Apply foundational theories in psychology to current issues in the field of psychology.
  • Apply theory to a proposed solution to a problem.
• Competency 2: Apply research findings from scholarly literature to current issues in the field of psychology.
  • Apply findings from scholarly research to develop a proposed solution to a problem.
• Competency 3: Apply psychology knowledge to promote mental health and well-being.
  • Summarize the identified problem in a selected scenario.
  • Explain how a proposed solution could impact mental health and well-being.
• Competency 4: Write using a clear purpose, organization, tone, and sentence structure.
  • Communicate clearly with appropriate purpose, organization, tone, and sentence structure.
  • Use in-text citations that include author and year.
  • Provide references that include author, year, and title.

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