1. THE INTRODUCTION Even though it is an essay, your introduction still needs to GET TO THE POINT. Also because the psych questions are worded so vaguely, you need to identify the factors and behavior that you will be speaking about. Do this right away. Then, those are the things you describe or define (not the general terms in the question).
Example Question: Discuss 2 ways environmental factors affect physiological processes.
What your DO NOT need to do: What you DO need to do
Define Environment Identify 2 environmental factors you will discuss
Define Physiology Identify 2 physiological processes you will discuss Start with a vague statement or fluff Define and Describe those factors and processes Turn the Question Around (TTQA) to answer immediately
Example beginning of introduction: Example beginning of introduction:
Physiology refers to the systems of the body and One environmental factor that can affect the body is the environment is any external factor that can stress and it will increase the bodys stress influence behavior. There are many ways that response (a physiological process). A second behavior is affected by things and learning an environmental factor is learning a new skill or new skill can influence physiology. This essay practicing that skill daily. This will lead to more will talk about stress and neuroplasticity. neural connectionsa physiological process known as neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity occurs through dendritic branching The Problems: You dont need to define physiology and The Good Things: environment and even if you did, the definitions Sentence one is already answering the question are incorrect. to the point Even though stress and neuroplasticity are It is clearly labeledone environmental factor, a mentionedit is not clear whether they are second environmental factor environmental or physiological factors. The physiological processes are also clearly identified.
To Do: Check your own introduction. How did you do? Where can you make improvements next time?
2. BUILDING AN ARGUMENT An essay is making an argument paragraph by paragraph. The way you build an argument is by using Topic Sentences that make a claim. Your research studies are support for this claim but should not be the claim. Example of the WRONG way Example of the RIGHT way (where the research is the claim) (where the research supports the claim)
Another study related to neuroplasticity and Learning a new skill can increase the neural environment is the study of Draganski et al. connections in the brain. An example would The aim of this study was to see if the brains be what Draganski found in a study about of people would change after juggling. juggling.
Why it is wrong: It isnt saying anything Why it is right: This is specific. It says specific about the environment and learning increases neuroplasticity. Juggling is neuroplasticity. only 1 of many examples that supports the claim. Paragraph 2: Paragraph 2:
Another study that supports the idea of Although learning can induce neuroplasticity, neuroplasticity is Maguires taxi driver study. regular practice of a behavior can also have an impact on the structure of the brain. This is seen in the study Maguire did with taxi drivers.
To Do: An easy way to test this is to check the first sentence of your body paragraphs. You should NOT be talking about a study. Check your essay to see how you did.
3. APPLYING CRITICAL THINKING
After you make a point (topic sentence) and support it with research, you must demonstrate your ability to think critically about that point. You do this by adding strengths and limitations. Be sure that you choose the best strengths and limitations for each study. Once you include them, explain how those strengths or limitations influence your overall argument.
An example of strengths and limitations that are An example of strengths and limitations that NOT APPLIED to the argument ARE APPLIED to the argument
One strength is that there is a strong One limitation is that an MRI machine can be correlation in the number of years as a taxi expensive to use which means that replicating driver and hippocampus size but a limitation is Maguires study with other groups of people might that an MRI machine is expensive. be difficult to do. This would limit the extent their findings could be generalized to other people. However, a strength is that there seems Another study is. to be a strong correlation in the number of years as a taxi driver and hippocampus size. Therefore, their conclusion about learning a new skill leading to neuroplasticity in the hippocampus seems to be correct.
To Do: Check each paragraph where you make a point and support it with research. Do you include strengths and limitations? Do you say the implications of those on your bigger argument? GENETICS OUTLINE
Q: TO WHAT EXTENT DOES GENETIC INHERITANCE INFLUENCE 1 BEHAVIOR?
(Purple =Critical Thinking Opportunities)
Introduction TTQA to answer the question/Thesis
Identify the behavior
Argument 1
Topic Sentence:
Research Details that support the claim in your topic sentence:
Why the research/theory is believable (Strengths):
Backed up by any other supporting research?
Poke holes in the research studies or concepts (Limitations):
Argument 2
Topic Sentence:
Research Details:
Why the research/theory is believable (Strengths):
Backed up by any other research?
Poke Holes in the research studies or concepts (Limitations):
Argument 3
Topic Sentence:
Research Details:
Why the research/theory is believable (Strengths):
Backed up by any other research?
Poke Holes in the research studies or concepts (Limitations):
Conclusion What are the main ideas of your essay? EVOLUTION OUTLINE Q: Examine 1 evolutionary explanation for behavior
Introduction
TTQA/Answer the question (Thesis)
Identify the behavior
The Command Term Examine=Underlying Assumptions and Inter-relationships
What are those assumptions and inter-relationships?(give 3 or 4)
Argument
Topic Sentence 1:
What are the details of the research to support your claim (study 1)
Why is this believable research (strengths)?
Can you poke holes in this research (limitations)?
Can you support this claim with other researchWhat will your topic sentence be:
What are the details of the research to support your claim (study 2)?
Why is this believable research (strengths)?
Can you poke holes in this research (limitations)?
Can you poke holes in the overall argument about evolutionary psychology?
Conclusion
How do your 2 studies work together to make your argument?
How do your 2 studies support the assumptions/inter-relationships you talked about in
