Determine what your thesis is and state it clearly and concisely. It should briefly introduce your topic but more importantly should indicate that your purpose is to compare and contrast the merit of the pop psychology article with the merit of the empirical article. This will be the first sentence of your essay. 

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Compare and Contrast Critique (15% of final grade) You are to locate one source of pop psychology and one source of empirical research and compare and contrast the merit of the information in each as follows:

• Begin by searching in the appropriate place for 2 sources that are fittingly related to each other on any topic in Psychology. Empirical research can only be found in professional journals. The easiest way to find a professional journal article is by accessing PsycINFO through the portal at my.saintleo.edu then locating the online Library. Pop psychology  3 sources are newspapers, news magazines, tabloids, and other self-help articles found either online or on store shelves that offer advice. Examples include articles by Dr. Phil, Dear Abby, Dr. Laura, Tony Robbins, etc. Articles in Psychology Today and WorldHealth.net are pop psychology and, although they may report on or refer to empirical research, they are not professional journal articles.

• To prepare your essay, you should think critically about the merit of the information in each article by asking the following questions about each: a.) What is the main issue, problem, or intention of the article? b.) In what way(s) does the article investigate various points of view and assumptions? c.) What evidence is provided to support the issue? d.) In what way(s) does the article discuss consequences and implications of the reasoning provided? e.) In what way(s) does the information provided help you make an informed decision about the purpose?

• Now, focus on the answers to the above questions and compare and contrast the 2 sets of information.

• Determine what your thesis is and state it clearly and concisely. It should briefly introduce your topic but more importantly should indicate that your purpose is to compare and contrast the merit of the pop psychology article with the merit of the empirical article. This will be the first sentence of your essay.

• In the body of your essay, you may do a whole-to-whole comparison of the 2 sets of information or you may do a (less common) point-to-point comparison. For a whole-to-whole comparison, address the information about one of the articles by discussing its merit using the critical thinking concepts above, then, do the same for the second article. For point-by-point, you should address the first important point about one article then that same point about the other, discuss a second point about one then the other, and so on. You will want to be very thorough in the body as this is a very large percentage of your grade on the essay.

• Your conclusion should summarize how the merit of the pop psychology article compares and contrasts with the merit of the empirical article, thus reaffirming your thesis without restating it. This is where you conclude with inferences, clearly address implications or consequences of accepting the given information, and culminate any assertions. Additional Resources: For more help on how to search our library and a video lecture from one of our Saint Leo University librarians on how to do this assignment, copy and paste this link into your browser: http://saintleo.libguides.com/PSY110Critique. Here’s a very short video on APA Format: In-Text Citations, Quotations, and Plagiarism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FrJeRrLYe0 Here’s another video on How to do your Reference Page in APA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmcaYdZDa-U

Write a 750-1,000-word paper about your selected diagnosis. Use headings and include the following in your paper:

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Select a diagnosis from the following:

  1. PTSD
  2. Anorexia Nervosa
  3. Schizophrenia
  4. Bipolar Disorder
  5. Insomnia
  6. Other type of diagnosis with instructor approval

Write a 750-1,000-word paper about your selected diagnosis. Use headings and include the following in your paper:

  1. A brief summary of the chosen disorder that includes symptoms, prevalence, development, and course according to the most recent version of the DSM.
  2. An explanation of the types of tools that would be used in order to make a diagnosis of the disorder. One tool described should be the DSM‘s cross-cutting symptom measure.
  3. A minimum of two recommended psychological tests that could be used for the selected diagnosis.
  4. For each of the tests listed, include an explanation if the test is considered reliable and valid (use the Mental Measurements Yearbook in the GCU Online Library for this information). The Mental Measurements Yearbook can be found by navigating to the following link, then scrolling to the Mental Measurements Yearbook with Tests in Print: http://library.gcu.edu/Database/Subject?subject=Counseling_And_Psychology.
  5.  Would a personality assessment be an appropriate tool for diagnosis? Why or why not?
  6. Additional information about each test to include the price, length of time to administer, and any other relevant information.

Include at least three scholarly references in addition to the textbook in your paper.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

Review the accepted mechanisms of tobacco abuse and dependence and the etiologic theories of schizophrenia.

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ASSIGNMENT 1 – 250 WORDS

1. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. (2009). What is a stem cell? (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file].  Retrieved from the Films on Demand database.

  • This video       provides a discussion of the use of stem cells in management of illness       and trauma.

2. Intelecom. (n.d.). Brain injuries (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://searchcenter.intelecomonline.net/playClip.aspx?fromSearch=true&searchTerm=brain+injuries&fromMyClips=false&id=fXSknMNzL00NzLcBmc9INzL&ssp=0&lid=23596559

  • This video       provides an overview of rehabilitation methods in traumatic brain injury.

After reading Chapter 13 of your course text and viewing Brain Injuries and What is a Stem Cell?, which cover brain injury and repair, analyze the clinical, biological, and psychological factors that are important in successful brain function recovery outcomes. How can the brain repair itself or restore lost function after TBI or other brain damage (focus on the concept of neuroplasticity)?  Wilson (2012) lists ways that the brain can repair itself, but reminds us later in the chapter that, in most areas of the brain, replication of neurons by mitosis to replace lost/dead neurons only occurs in immature brains (i.e., essentially those younger than age two). There are some areas (e.g., the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory) that have neurogenesis, but other areas of the brain must utilize neuroplasticity to restore lost function.
In addition, discuss what clinical, biological, and psychological factors are important in successful brain function recovery outcomes. What are some clinical interventions (e.g., medication, surgery, stem cell therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation techniques, and psychotherapy) that help facilitate the restoration of lost brain function? Include information on brain structures, pathways, neurotransmitters/receptors, and psychological factors when discussing the topic areas above. Additional emphasis should be placed on relating the underlying pathology of brain trauma and damage to the actual biologic mechanism of how various treatments support repair or restoration of function.
In keeping with the focus of this class, the emphasis should be placed on the role of neurotransmitter and receptor systems, neuroanatomical structures, and neurological functional pathways. You must use a minimum of one peer-reviewed source that was published within the last five years, documented in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.  Your post should be a minimum of 250 words.  You may cite and reference your textbook, required reading and/or multimedia, but these will not fulfill the source requirement.

ASSIGNMENT 2 – 250 WORDS

1. Sussman, S., & Sussman, A. N. (2011). Considering the definition of addiction (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8(10): 4025–4038.  Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3210595/

  • This article       provides a discussion on the terminology of addictionology.

After reading Chapter 11 and 12 in your course text and the article “Considering the Definition of Addiction (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.” which covers the biological basis of emotion, addiction (substance abuse disorder), and disordered behavior, analyze the high rate of smoking in those diagnosed with schizophrenia compared to the general population.  Why are smoking cessation interventions less successful in these individuals? Review the accepted mechanisms of tobacco abuse and dependence and the etiologic theories of schizophrenia. What are the biological and/or psychological mechanisms between schizophrenia and smoking?  Include information on brain structures, pathways, neurotransmitters/receptors, and psychological factors when discussing the topic areas above.  Additional emphasis should be placed on relating the underlying pathology of schizophrenia to tobacco dependence/abuse and the biological or psychological mechanism of the observed association of smoking behavior to the diagnosis of schizophrenia.
In keeping with the focus of this class, the emphasis should be placed on the role of neurotransmitter and receptor systems, neuroanatomical structures, and neurological functional pathways.  You must use a minimum of one peer-reviewed source that was published within the last five years, documented in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. How does the data support the proposed mechanism in the article you chose?  What other possible mechanisms might explain this relationship?  Is it possible that biology has nothing to do with the relationship between smoking and schizophrenia?  Your post should be a minimum of 250 words.  You may cite and reference your textbook, required reading and/or multimedia, but these will not fulfill the source requirement.

Explain whether you believe it is appropriate to apply psychoanalytic theory to women and individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups.

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socw 6060- Discussion: Evaluating Psychoanalytical Theory

Sigmund Freud is often hailed as the father of psychoanalytical theory. His theory was the first to point to the influence of early childhood experiences. However, psychoanalytical theory has received a lot of criticism. Although theories are supposed to be objective and value-free, they are developed within a sociocultural and political context. For example, with historical perspective, it is possible to see that values within the Western Victorian era influenced Freud as he developed his theory. Another criticism is that many psychoanalytical concepts cannot be measured. For example, how do you measure the id, ego, and superego or the notion of unconscious conflicts? As a result, it is difficult to test the accuracy of these concepts using social science research methods.

It is important to critically evaluate theories for their practical use. For example, is it appropriate to use a theory when working with diverse populations or with populations different from those with whom the theory was normed (e.g., women, racial and ethnic minority groups, those who are economically disadvantaged)? Finally, are the assumptions of theories consistent with the values underlying the field? In this Discussion, you respond to some of these concerns.

To prepare, read the following from the Learning Resources:

  • Auld, F., Hyman, M., & Rudzinski, D. (2005). How is therapy with women different? In Resolution and inner conflict: An introduction to psychoanalytic therapy (pp. 217–236). Washington DC: American Psychological Association.
  • National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
  • Post: Summarize the assumptions of Freud’s psychoanalytical theory in 2 to 3 sentences.
  • Explain whether you believe it is appropriate to apply psychoanalytic theory to women and individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups.
  • Explain whether you believe psychoanalytic theory is consistent with social work values and social work ethics.

socw 6301- Discussion: Formulating Research Questions

Research problems can come from a variety of places. A topic can come up during a discussion with a colleague that motivates you to want to learn more about it. You may have a question for which you cannot find an answer, so you decide to conduct a research study in hopes of finding an answer. You may identify a particular gap in knowledge and be inclined to investigate that gap and close it with the results of a research study.

For this Discussion, consider how crafting a good research question is the cornerstone for designing robust studies that yield useable data. Review the Sessions episode on the Talia Johnson case. Locate two articles authored by the researcher David Lisak on the topics of the undetected rapist and predatory nature.

Post two potential research questions related to the Sessions episode. Consider potential ethical or political issues related to the feasibility of investigating the questions.  Evaluate each question in terms of how it might:Contribute to development of new knowledge for social workLead to more effective practice interventionsLead to social changeBe useful to other researchersFinally, explain the criteria you used to decide which sources of information should be included. Please use the resources to support your answer.