INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
Optional writing assignments

As an alternative to participating in psychology experiments, you can obtain some or all of your 6 required credits by writing papers.  Each paper must be one page long (single spaced, with 1-inch margins, 12-point font).  A list of topics on which you can write appears below.

Each paper will be graded based on 1) presenting a logical argument or case, and 2) following the formatting requirements.  Each paper will be graded on a pass/fail basis.  You will receive 1 credit if you pass, 0 if you fail.  If you fail a paper you have one chance to rewrite it for a passing grade.

All papers are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, April 27th.  I must receive a paper copy by 5:00 pm or your paper will not be graded.  No e-mail submissions will be accepted.  You must give me a paper copy by 5:00 pm on April 27th.  No exceptions.

Potential questions you can address in a paper

1.  Antidepressant medications are used to treat depression.  Some people have argued that these medications should be made available to people who don't necessarily have depression; if they make people happier, everyone should have access to them.  Describe why you agree OR disagree with this proposition.

2.  The human "fight-or-flight" response to stressful situations had evolutionary utility at one point in time, but may be more destructive than helpful in modern times.  Describe the disadvantages of this stress response, and offer one suggestion about how to reduce its negative impact.

3.  In Alzheimer's disease, patients experience a gradual deterioration in memory and other cognitive functions.  At some point in the progression of the disease, patients may not recognize friends or even close family members.  At this point, the patient is no longer "the person she once was."  Citing some of psychological functions we've discussed in class, explain why you agree or disagree with this statement.

4.  Research in psychology has demonstrated that memory can be fallible.  For instance, eye witnesses recall things that didn't actually happen, and don't recall things that did.  Using what you know about memory, describe how police investigators should handle witnesses at a crime scene to ensure the most accurate recollection by eye witnesses.

5.  Parents have different philosophies about corporal punishment (e.g., spanking children).  Based on principles of learning, describe whether you think corporal punishment is or is not an effective form of guiding children's behavior.

6.  Legislation in several states prohibits implementing the death penalty with criminals under a certain age.  Using what you know about cognitive and moral development, describe why you think this type of legislation is reasonable or unreasonable.

7.  "Children should be raised at home by their biological mothers or fathers, not placed in day care."  Describe why you agree or disagree with this statement, considering what you know about cognitive and social development in children.

8.  Women have rates of depression that tend to be higher than rates seen in men.  Describe 2 possible explanations for this discrepancy in rates.

9.  Many corporations use "personality tests" with applicants as they decide whether to hire someone.  Describe why you are in favor or oppose this practice.

10.  If you were redesigning the human brain, what would you do differently to render humans more adaptive to their environment?

11.  Eat a portion of your next meal with your eyes closed.  Describe how your senses work together to help you avoid eating food that might be dangerous.

12.  Suppose you work for a company and wanted people to buy one of your products that you believe they need.  How could you use principles of conditioning to encourage people to buy this product?

13.  If it appears that some animals can be taught rudimentary language or language-like skills, what distinguishes humans from other animals?

14.  Describe how you have developed cognitively in the last 3 years.  In what ways do you think differently now?