PSYC 401.

09 Term Paper

You will complete a term paper that will be worth 20% of your grade. The purpose of this
paper is to connect information that is presented outside of the classroom (i.e. a movie of your
choice) to information provided in the textbook and an article published in a peer-reviewed journal.
The body of your paper should be four-five pages, excluding the title page and reference page. The
paper should be in 12-point, Times New Roman font, double spaced, and in accordance in APA
format. For the purposes of this paper, start by selecting one of the nine movies listed below:

1. Memento (2000, R)
2. Black Swan (2010, R)
3. I Am Sam (2001, PG-13)
4. A Beautiful Mind (2001, PG-13)
5. Girl, Interrupted (1999, R)
6. Sybil (1976 or 2007, NR)
7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004, R)
8. Prozac Nation (2001, R)
9. Rain Man (1988, R)

These movies are available in multiple places which include UNH Library and Youtube for free
and inexpensive rentals on Amazon Video, Google Play, and other online outlets. If you are having
difficulty locating a movie, please come see me. Watch the movie at least one time, although it is
recommended that you watch the movie two times or more. Next, consider three psychological
theories/concepts that you feel relate to the movie and to the textbook/information (e.g.
stereotyping, drug addiction, psychoanalytic theory, personality, etc.) that are covered in your text
book. For each of three psychological theories/concepts:

1. Describe the relevant part of the movie. Please ensure to adequately describe the plot
so that even a reader that has not watched the movie could understand what is going
on.
2. Demonstrate how the scene either illustrates or seems to contradict the psychologically
theory/concept that is covered in the textbook/discussed in class.

** Please note that for at least one of the three psychological theories/concepts that you are
discussing, you must obtain a minimum of one article from an outside peer-reviewed
journal that will help support your argument.

You will participate in 3 writing workshops: 1) Friday, February 19 th an online assignment

involving seeking peer reviewed journal articles from the library 2) Friday, March 25 th an online
assignment involving APA formatting, and 3) Friday, April 15 th an in-class peer-review session. Each
of these workshops will contribute to your final term paper grade and are integral to your success on
this assignment.

Please do not hesitate to come to my office hours to speak with me if you have questions or
concerns about your final paper. A full draft of this paper is required for the peer-review session in
class on Friday, April 15th. A paper copy of the final paper is due in class on April 22 nd. Papers must
also be uploaded to safe-assign prior to class on April 22 nd. Papers must be formatted in APA style.
See https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ for APA formatting resource.
 PSYC 401.09 Term Paper

Grading Criteria Points Possible

Writing workshops 30
Participation in writing workshop 1 journal article
Participation in writing workshop 2 APA formatting
Participation in writing workshop 3 peer-review session

Introduction 20
Clear introduction of what the paper will discuss that introduces three
concepts/theories

1st concept/theory 30
Clear and concise explanation of relevant movie aspect
Clear explanation of relevant concept/theory
Analysis of difference between movie presentation and research based
concept/theory

2nd concept/theory 30
Clear and concise explanation of relevant movie aspect
Clear explanation of relevant concept/theory
Analysis of difference between movie presentation and research based
concept/theory

3rd concept/theory 30
Clear and concise explanation of relevant movie aspect
Clear explanation of relevant concept/theory
Analysis of difference between movie presentation and research based
concept/theory

Conclusion 20
Clear conclusion of what the paper has discussed with relevant summary
of analysis

Grammar/Spelling 20
There are only one or two minor errors

APA Formatting 20
Title page, reference page and in-text citations are present and in correct
formatting
Peer reviewed journal article is cited and included

Total Possible Points 200