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101 Examples of Dissertation Research Topics for Psychology Students

Students looking for psychology dissertation topic ideas

The journey of a psychology student culminates in the all but dissertation stage and the challenging task of selecting a good dissertation topic for psychology. The decision you make at this point will set the stage for your academic and professional trajectory.

This momentous project is not just a rite of passage but an opportunity to delve deeply into a niche area of interest, contribute to a body of knowledge, and possibly even ignite a career-long pursuit. With the vast expanse of psychology stretching from the neural synapses of the brain to the complex social interactions of communities, the challenge lies not in finding a topic, but in narrowing down the multitude of possibilities!

In this article, we present an expansive list of dissertation topics for psychology students who are in the process of choosing a good dissertation topic .

The ideas provided are designed to encourage exploration of both traditional and avant-garde topics, reflecting the current trends and enduring questions that shape the evolving landscape of psychological research. From the psychological impacts of digital detox to the cognitive rehabilitation techniques for stroke survivors, these topics are designed to accommodate various interests and academic pursuits. They cater not only to a comprehensive academic challenge but also to the practical implications that such research can have on individuals, systems, and societies.

As you take a look at these suggestions, it’s important that you consider not only what interests you but also what excites you. The best dissertation topic is one that you can commit to with passion and curiosity, one that promises a journey of discovery replete with challenges and rewards.

Before we present the list of dissertation ideas for psychology students, let’s take a look at what makes a good dissertation research topic.

What Makes a Good Dissertation Research Topic for Psychology Students?

A good psychology research topic should meet several key criteria to ensure it is valuable, feasible, and has the potential to contribute to the field. Here’s an overview of the characteristics that make a research topic stand out:

  • Relevance : The topic should address current issues or gaps in the field of psychology. It needs to be pertinent to contemporary debates, practices, or policies. Relevance also means that the research could have practical applications or implications, potentially informing practitioners, policymakers, or the general public.
  • Originality : A good research topic brings a new perspective to a known issue or explores an understudied area. The aim is to contribute original knowledge or insights rather than replicating past studies without adding substantial value.
  • Specificity : Broad topics can be overwhelming and impractical to tackle within the constraints of a typical research timeline and budget. A well-defined and focused research question allows for a more thorough and in-depth study.
  • Clarity : The topic should be framed in a way that is understandable and clear. This means avoiding jargon when unnecessary and defining key terms. A clearly articulated research question guides the methodology and helps maintain focus throughout the project.
  • Feasibility : This involves considering the researcher’s access to subjects, resources, and data. The research should be achievable within the given time frame and with available resources. Feasibility also concerns the ethical considerations and approval processes required for conducting research.
  • Interest : A researcher’s personal interest and passion for a topic can significantly influence the quality of the research. It’s beneficial if the topic resonates with the researcher’s own scholarly interests and curiosities.
  • Scope for Scientific Method : Good psychology research topics should allow for systematic investigation through accepted scientific methods. This includes the potential for hypothesis testing, operationalization of variables, and the use of statistical analysis to draw conclusions.
  • Ethical Soundness : Psychology research often involves human subjects, which necessitates careful ethical consideration. A good topic should conform to ethical standards, ensuring the privacy, consent, and welfare of participants.
  • Implications : Lastly, a good research topic should have clear theoretical, practical, or clinical implications. It should contribute to a greater understanding of the human mind and behavior, potentially leading to better psychological interventions or therapies.

While selecting a research topic for your dissertation is important, you should never overlook the importance of the writing and editing process. Dissertation proofreading services can help you refine your final draft and ensure it presents you in the best possible light.

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101 Psychology Dissertation Ideas

  • The Role of Social Media in Adolescent Mental Health: Investigate how different levels of social media use affect mood disorders in adolescents.
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Depression: Analyze the efficacy of CBT interventions in treating depression among various age groups.
  • Neuroplasticity and Rehabilitation After Brain Injuries: Study how different rehabilitation techniques can affect the brain’s plasticity and recovery trajectory post-injury.
  • The Psychology of Pandemics: Explore the long-term psychological impact of pandemics on different populations, focusing on coping mechanisms and resilience.
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adulthood: Examine the challenges and support systems available for adults with autism, including employment, social relationships, and healthcare.
  • Sleep Patterns and Academic Performance: Investigate the correlation between sleep quality and academic success in college students.
  • The Impact of Parenting Styles on Child Development: Analyze how different parenting styles affect a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development.
  • Workplace Psychology and Employee Well-being: Explore the effects of workplace culture on mental health and job satisfaction.
  • Memory and Aging: Study the patterns of cognitive decline in memory with aging and the effectiveness of interventions to slow down this process.
  • The Influence of Cultural Background on Psychological Treatment Outcomes: Research how cultural beliefs and practices affect the efficacy of psychological treatments for mental health issues.
  • Psychological Resilience in First Responders: Investigate the coping strategies used by first responders to manage stress and trauma-related to their line of work.
  • The Effect of Nature on Mental Health: Examine how regular exposure to natural environments influences psychological well-being and stress levels.
  • Intergenerational Trauma and Healing: Study patterns of trauma transmission in families and communities and the effectiveness of interventions aimed at breaking these cycles.
  • The Psychology of Fake News: Explore the cognitive biases that contribute to the belief in and spread of misinformation, and strategies for critical thinking promotion.
  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Chronic Pain: Evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation practices in managing chronic pain and improving quality of life.
  • Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Grief and Mourning: Research how different cultures process and express grief and the implications for counseling practices.
  • The Impact of Bilingualism on Cognitive Development: Investigate how learning and using multiple languages from an early age affects cognitive abilities and neural plasticity.
  • Social Isolation and Cognitive Function in the Elderly: Examine the long-term cognitive effects of social isolation in senior populations and potential interventions.
  • Attachment Styles and Romantic Relationships: Study how early attachment patterns influence adult romantic relationships, including partner selection and relationship satisfaction.
  • Cyberpsychology and Identity Formation: Investigate how online environments and social networks contribute to or disrupt the process of identity formation in adolescents and young adults.
  • Emotional Regulation in High-Stress Professions: Study strategies and their effectiveness in managing emotional responses in professions such as surgery, law enforcement, or air traffic control.
  • Virtual Reality as a Tool for Phobia Treatment: Explore the use of VR environments in the systematic desensitization of individuals with specific phobias.
  • Influence of Dietary Patterns on Children’s Behavioral Disorders: Investigate the relationship between nutritional choices and behavioral outcomes in children with ADHD or autism spectrum disorders.
  • Psychological Impacts of Climate Change: Examine the effects of climate change on mental health, including anxiety, depression, and feelings of loss or grief.
  • The Role of Art Therapy in Treating PTSD: Evaluate the efficacy of art therapy interventions for veterans or victims of violence suffering from PTSD.
  • Gender Identity Development in Adolescence: Research the factors that influence gender identity and expression during the critical developmental stage of adolescence.
  • Cognitive Dissonance and Consumer Behavior: Study how cognitive dissonance affects purchasing decisions and brand loyalty in the retail sector.
  • Psychology of Pain Management: Investigate the role of psychological factors in the perception of pain and the effectiveness of psychological pain management techniques compared to pharmacological treatments.
  • Social Perception in Online vs. Face-to-Face Interactions: Compare the accuracy of social perception and formation of first impressions in online settings versus in-person encounters.
  • The Impact of Social Support on Recovery from Substance Abuse: Explore how different types and sources of social support contribute to the recovery process from drug and alcohol addiction.
  • Effects of Microaggressions on Workplace Performance: Investigate how subtle forms of discrimination impact employees’ job satisfaction and productivity.
  • The Psychology of Financial Decision-Making in Young Adults: Explore how psychological factors influence financial literacy and decision-making in the transition to adulthood.
  • The Role of Pet Ownership in Managing Chronic Mental Illness: Examine the therapeutic benefits of pet ownership for individuals with chronic mental health conditions.
  • Mindfulness Interventions in Elementary Education: Study the effects of mindfulness practices on attention and emotional regulation in young children.
  • Narrative Identity and Life Transitions: Analyze how personal storytelling and narrative identity evolve during major life transitions, such as retirement or career change.
  • Cultural Competence in Psychotherapy: Evaluate the importance of cultural competence in therapeutic practices and client outcomes.
  • Psychological Impact of Body Image Portrayed in Social Media: Explore the effects of social media on body image dissatisfaction and the development of eating disorders.
  • Eco-Anxiety and Environmental Activism: Examine the psychological effects of climate change concerns on environmental activism behaviors.
  • Psychological Processes in Extreme Sports: Study risk assessment, decision-making, and flow states in athletes who participate in extreme sports.
  • The Effect of Music Therapy on Cognitive Decline in Dementia Patients: Research the impact of music therapy sessions on the progression of cognitive symptoms in dementia.
  • Social Cognition in Virtual Teams: Evaluate how individuals understand and operate within teams that interact exclusively through digital means.
  • Attachment Patterns and Social Media Usage: Investigate the connection between attachment styles and usage patterns of social media platforms.
  • Psychological Safety and Learning in Academic Settings: Explore the concept of psychological safety and its impact on students’ willingness to engage in learning activities.
  • Humor and Coping Mechanisms in Stressful Occupations: Analyze the role of humor as a coping strategy for professionals in high-stress fields like emergency medicine.
  • Impact of Sleep Hygiene Education on Student Performance: Evaluate the effectiveness of sleep education programs in improving the sleep quality and academic performance of university students.
  • Color Psychology in Marketing and Branding: Study how color influences consumer perceptions and behaviors towards products and brands.
  • The Role of Psychological Flexibility in Chronic Pain Management: Explore how acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can aid individuals with chronic pain in improving their quality of life.
  • Cyberbullying and Self-esteem in Adolescents: Examine the long-term effects of cyberbullying on self-esteem and identity formation during adolescence.
  • Emotional Intelligence and Conflict Resolution: Investigate how emotional intelligence skills facilitate conflict resolution in personal and professional relationships.
  • Digital Detox and Psychological Well-Being: Examine the psychological effects of taking regular breaks from digital devices.
  • Stress Resilience in Space Exploration: Study psychological resilience strategies for astronauts during long-duration space missions.
  • Language Acquisition in Mixed-Language Households: Explore how children in bilingual homes acquire and separate languages cognitively.
  • The Role of Play in Child Development: Investigate different play therapies and their impact on developmental disorders in children.
  • Implicit Bias and Decision Making in Jury Deliberations: Examine how implicit biases can influence the decision-making process in legal settings.
  • Cognitive Effects of Chronic Sleep Deprivation: Research the long-term cognitive impacts of chronic sleep deprivation in adults.
  • The Psychology of Superstitions in Sports: Study the role and impact of superstitious behaviors on athletes’ performance.
  • The Mental Health Effects of Urban vs. Rural Living: Compare the prevalence and types of mental health issues in urban versus rural populations.
  • Psychological Outcomes of Genetic Testing: Explore the emotional and psychological impact of undergoing genetic testing for diseases.
  • Intergenerational Effects of Historical Trauma: Investigate the psychological effects across generations within communities that have experienced historical trauma.
  • The Impact of Social Comparisons on Self-Esteem: Examine how individuals’ self-esteem is affected by comparisons made on social media platforms.
  • Emotion Recognition and AI Interactions: Study how humans perceive and react to emotional expressions by artificial intelligences and robots.
  • Personality Development in Space Colonies: Speculate on how living in space colonies might affect personality development and social dynamics.
  • The Effect of Parental Leave on Child Psychological Development: Research the long-term effects of various lengths and types of parental leave on children.
  • Sensory Processing Disorders and Educational Outcomes: Examine the impact of sensory processing disorders on children’s educational achievements.
  • The Influence of Scent on Memory Recall: Explore the connection between olfactory cues and the accuracy or vividness of memory recall.
  • Peer Influence on Risky Behavior in Adolescence: Analyze how peer groups can impact the decision-making process in teenagers regarding risky behaviors.
  • The Effect of Minimalism on Mental Health: Study the psychological impact of adopting a minimalist lifestyle in a consumer-driven society.
  • Psychological Mechanisms of Radicalization: Investigate the cognitive and emotional pathways that lead individuals to adopt radical ideologies.
  • Multitasking and Cognitive Load: Investigate the limits of cognitive load and its impact on multitasking efficiency.
  • Psychological Effects of Long-Term Spaceflight: Explore the mental challenges astronauts face during extended missions.
  • Therapeutic Effects of Creative Writing: Study how creative writing can be used as a therapeutic tool for emotional expression.
  • Psychology of Religious Extremism: Examine the factors that contribute to religious extremism from a psychological perspective.
  • Mental Health Implications of Climate Migration: Research the psychological impact of relocating due to climate change.
  • Social Psychology of Urbanization: Explore how urban living influences social behavior and community dynamics.
  • Gestures and Language Development in Children: Investigate the role of gestural communication in early language acquisition.
  • Technology Addiction and Family Dynamics: Study the impact of technology addiction on interpersonal relationships within families.
  • Psychology of Solitude: Examine the effects of solitude on mental health and personal growth.
  • Cognitive Rehabilitation Techniques for Stroke Survivors: Explore effective cognitive rehabilitation methods for post-stroke recovery.
  • Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Music on Infant Development: Research the long-term developmental effects of prenatal music exposure.
  • Psychological Impacts of Participatory Art: Study how engagement with participatory art can affect psychological well-being.
  • Neuroethics of Brain-Computer Interfaces: Delve into the ethical implications of using BCIs in neurology and psychiatry.
  • Empathy Development in Virtual Reality Training: Investigate how VR can be used to enhance empathy in professional training programs.
  • Social Media and Collective Memory Formation: Examine how social media platforms influence the formation of collective memories.
  • Psychological Aspects of Cosmetic Surgery: Research the motivations and outcomes of cosmetic surgery from a psychological standpoint.
  • Personality Traits and Online Dating Success: Analyze how different personality traits affect success in online dating.
  • Psychological Strategies in Competitive Esports: Study the mental techniques used by esports players to enhance performance.
  • Attachment Security and Pet Ownership: Explore the connection between attachment styles and the bond with pets.
  • Psychological Effects of Autonomous Vehicles: Investigate how trust and control issues impact the acceptance of self-driving cars.
  • Mental Health Services in Rural Communities: Examine the challenges and effectiveness of delivering mental health care in rural areas.
  • Cross-Cultural Communication in Global Teams: Research the psychological barriers and facilitators of communication in international teams.
  • Psychology of Sustainable Behavior: Study the motivators and deterrents of engaging in environmentally sustainable behaviors.
  • Impact of Witnessing Parental Conflict on Children: Investigate the long-term effects of exposure to parental conflict during childhood.
  • Sleep Disorders and Emotional Regulation: Examine the relationship between sleep quality and the ability to regulate emotions.
  • Trauma-Informed Practices in Education: Explore the implementation and outcomes of trauma-informed approaches in schools.
  • Psychology of Menu Design: Analyze how menu layout and choice architecture influence dining decisions.
  • Motivational Factors in Crowdfunding: Investigate what psychological factors motivate people to contribute to crowdfunding campaigns.
  • Perception of Time in Different Cultures: Research how the cultural background affects the perception and value of time.
  • Psychological Resilience in Extreme Athletes: Study the mental toughness and resilience strategies of athletes in extreme sports.
  • Influence of Indoor Plants on Mood and Productivity: Explore the psychological benefits of having plants in indoor workspaces.

Each of these topics has a broad range of literature to draw from and the potential to contribute new knowledge or insights to the field of psychology. It’s important to refine these ideas further to create a specific, researchable question that can be addressed within the scope of a dissertation.

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32 Cognitive Psychology Dissertation Topics

Published by Owen Ingram at January 3rd, 2023 , Revised On August 11, 2023

The study of cognitive psychology focuses on how the brain processes and stores information. The underlying mechanisms are investigated using experimental methods, computer modelling, and neuropsychology.

The goal of brain theories is to understand how information is encoded at the macro and micro levels. Since this is a vast subject, there are numerous possible research areas you can choose from. You may further explore our selection if you wish to focus on cognitive psychology for your dissertation.

Related Academic Links: Neuro Psychology Dissertation Topics , Clinical Psychology Topics , Counselling Psychology Dissertation Topics , Forensic Psychology Dissertation Topics

Below Are Some Selected Cognitive Psychology Dissertation Topics

  • Describe the consequences of autism.
  • Using fMRI measures, can misleading information be accurately identified and separated from guilty knowledge?
  • How does colour psychology work in research on cognitive development?
  • How is attention span measured, and what does it mean?
  • How do memories impact how people behave?
  • According to the Network Neuroscience Theory, is general human intelligence a result of individual variances in brain network architecture and structure?
  • What elements can help kids’ problem-solving skills develop?
  • How does the development of cognition impact speech disorders?
  • Effective cognition involves choosing the proper information at the proper time and in the proper order.
  • Does subliminal perception exist, or does it only apply to certain circumstances?
  • Information flow and parallel distributed processing hierarchy explained.
  • The applicability of cognitive psychology research findings to actual behaviour and cognition, as well as their reliability, validity, and utility.
  • Factors that may cause a child’s mental development to be delayed.
  • What is the single parenting style best for a child’s mental development? The impact of romantic movies on children?
  • The gradual activation of forwarding brain regions is necessary for attention.
  • View-dependent theories of vision outperform view-independent theories in explaining natural perception.
  • Computer simulations of vision can cause people to misunderstand how the mechanisms of perception truly work.
  • How visual illusions to aid in the understanding of perception.
  • Evidence for the hippocampus’s function in memory encoding and consolidation: applicability to dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Working memory and attention bias: working memory and attention in the visual domain.
  • Describe the extent to which plasticity plays a role in the development of visual cognitive abilities.
  • Examine automated priming effects’ consequences on complex behaviour in real life
  • Discuss the importance of facial stimuli in assessing how the ventral pathway of the human body develops from childhood to adulthood.
  • Analyze the growth of out-group and in-group associations in implicit intergroup cognition.
  • What Are the Hierarchical Explanations of Information Flow and Parallel Processing Distribution?
  • Are the abilities of children with dyscalculia not impacted by the disorder, or are they comparatively independent?
  • Does the evidence support the idea that neural network theories can explain some lower-order brain operations but cannot explain the representations in higher areas?
  • Investigating Human Cognitive Development as A Stand-In for Understanding Human Brain Evolution.
  • Describe how the executive functions of the frontal brain distinguish humans.
  • An analysis of Fodor’s modular theory of the brain in the context of contemporary neuroscientific evidence.
  • Do You Know What a Cheater Detection Module Is, And Is It Real Or Just a Phrase?
  • Evaluating the accuracy of Gibson’s direct perception theory in light of constructivist explanations and other modern cognitive theories.

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It is essential for your cognitive psychology dissertation that you take advantage of the opportunity to make your presence felt in psychology. To help you with your study, also look for intriguing dissertation topics that contain a wealth of information. Consult your supervisor about improving your dissertation. Research is always more powerful when based on a good and comprehensive topic.

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How to find cognitive psychology dissertation topics.

To find cognitive psychology dissertation topics:

  • Study recent research trends.
  • Explore cognitive disorders or therapies.
  • Investigate memory, perception, learning.
  • Analyze brain-imaging techniques.
  • Consider AI’s impact on cognition.
  • Select a topic resonating with your passion and research goals.

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Do you have a dissertation topic in the field of information technology? If not, our competent dissertation writers are at your disposal. The importance of technology research cannot be overstated.

If you are writing a research paper on criminal psychology, you can discuss any relevant topic. Do psychopaths have an innate or developed nature? Is there a way to help criminals get better?

We have collected a list of 35 dissertation topic ideas on tort law curated by professionals of the subject to help you with a tort law dissertation.

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List of 150+ Psychology Dissertation Topics and Ideas to Write About

Updated 23 Jul 2024

Starting your psychology dissertation is like unlocking a treasure trove of fascinating discoveries. Psychology, the study of how our minds work and why we behave the way we do, offers a wide array of topics to explore. Selecting a compelling psychology dissertation topic can be challenging, so if you're feeling overwhelmed, you might consider hiring a professional to write my dissertation for me to ensure your research is thorough and well-structured. It's crucial to choose a dissertation topic in a subject not only of personal interest but also one where fresh insights can be gained.

To help you get started with brainstorming psychology dissertation topics, we have developed a list of the latest topics that can be used for writing your paper. We cover everything from cognitive psychology, and clinical psychology to how we think and act in social situations. This list is here to spark your creativity and help you find a topic that really speaks to you. So, let's dive into the amazing world of psychology together!

Top 30 psychology dissertation topics

  • The impact of social media on body image and self-esteem.
  • The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques in the workplace.
  • The role of parental involvement in children's academic achievement and emotional well-being.
  • The influence of sleep quality on cognitive functioning and mental health.
  • The psychological effects of chronic pain on quality of life and mental health.
  • The impact of bullying on adolescent mental health and academic performance.
  • The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating anxiety disorders.
  • The role of emotional intelligence in leadership and organizational success.
  • The impact of aging on memory and cognitive decline: Prevention strategies.
  • The relationship between personality traits and coping mechanisms during stress.
  • The effects of virtual reality therapy on phobia treatment outcomes.
  • The influence of childhood trauma on adult psychological disorders.
  • The role of genetics versus environment in the development of personality.
  • The impact of exercise on depression and anxiety in adults.
  • The psychological effects of unemployment on individuals and their families.
  • The role of psychological resilience in overcoming adversity.
  • The effectiveness of art therapy for individuals with PTSD.
  • The impact of social support systems on recovery from mental illness.
  • The relationship between job satisfaction and mental health among employees.
  • The influence of cultural factors on the manifestation and treatment of mental illnesses.
  • The role of technology in enhancing cognitive development in children.
  • The impact of meditation and yoga on mental health and cognitive function.
  • The relationship between stress, inflammation, and chronic diseases.
  • The psychological implications of infertility on couples.
  • The effectiveness of peer support groups in mental health recovery.
  • The role of psychoeducation in managing bipolar disorder.
  • The impact of attachment styles on romantic relationship satisfaction.
  • The influence of media violence on aggressive behavior in children.
  • The role of self-compassion in mental health and well-being.
  • The effectiveness of online therapy platforms in providing mental health support.

Social psychology dissertation topics

There are countless possible topics that one can explore when it comes to Social Psychology Dissertation Ideas, which delve into the way individuals behave within social contexts. Some interesting areas to consider include investigating how self-esteem is affected by social media, analyzing the influence of conformity on group decision-making, or investigating how stereotype threat can impact academic performance.

  • The influence of group identity on individual decision-making processes.
  • The impact of social norms on environmentally friendly behaviors.
  • The role of social media in shaping political opinions and activism.
  • The effects of stereotype threat on academic performance among minorities.
  • The psychological mechanisms behind conformity and disobedience.
  • The impact of first impressions on interpersonal relationships.
  • The role of empathy in reducing intergroup conflicts.
  • The influence of cultural diversity on team dynamics and performance.
  • The psychological effects of perceived social isolation in the digital age.
  • The role of social support in the recovery process of addiction.
  • The impact of parental attitudes on the development of children's prejudice.
  • The influence of social comparison on self-esteem and body image.
  • The role of communication in maintaining long-distance relationships.
  • The psychological effects of crowd behavior and mass gatherings.
  • The impact of social exclusion on mental health and behavior.
  • The role of social identity in consumer behavior and brand loyalty.
  • The influence of societal expectations on gender roles and identity.
  • The psychological mechanisms behind altruism and prosocial behavior.
  • The effects of social media on relationship satisfaction and longevity.
  • The role of group dynamics in organizational change and innovation.

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Clinical psychology dissertation ideas

  • The effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy in treating borderline personality disorder.
  • The role of early intervention in preventing the development of psychosis.
  • The impact of therapeutic alliance on treatment outcomes in psychotherapy.
  • The effectiveness of exposure therapy in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder.
  • The role of family therapy in the treatment of eating disorders.
  • The impact of neuropsychological assessment in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.
  • The effectiveness of cognitive remediation therapy for schizophrenia.
  • The role of psychological interventions in managing chronic pain.
  • The impact of attachment-based therapy on adult attachment styles.
  • The effectiveness of motivational interviewing in substance abuse treatment.
  • The role of psychoeducation in improving outcomes for bipolar disorder patients.
  • The impact of trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy on PTSD symptoms.
  • The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in treating depression.
  • The role of psychological support in enhancing cancer patients' quality of life.
  • The impact of cognitive-behavioral therapy on anxiety disorders in children.
  • The effectiveness of play therapy in addressing behavioral issues in children.
  • The role of lifestyle interventions in managing symptoms of ADHD.
  • The impact of sleep interventions on mental health disorders.
  • The effectiveness of group therapy in treating social anxiety disorder.
  • The role of positive psychology interventions in enhancing well-being and resilience.

Personality psychology dissertation topics 

  • The influence of personality traits on career success and job satisfaction.
  • The role of resilience in coping with life stressors among different personality types.
  • The impact of social media on personality development in adolescents.
  • The relationship between personality disorders and criminal behavior.
  • The effectiveness of personality assessments in organizational settings.
  • The influence of birth order on personality traits and family dynamics.
  • The role of genetics and environment in shaping personality.
  • The impact of personality traits on romantic relationship satisfaction and longevity.
  • The relationship between personality traits and coping mechanisms during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The influence of personality on consumer behavior and marketing strategies.
  • The role of personality in leadership effectiveness and team dynamics.
  • The impact of mindfulness practices on personality traits and emotional well-being.
  • The relationship between personality traits and academic achievement.
  • The effectiveness of psychotherapy interventions in modifying maladaptive personality traits.
  • The influence of cultural factors on personality development and expression.
  • The role of personality in the development and maintenance of psychological disorders.
  • The impact of early life experiences on adult personality structure.
  • The relationship between personality traits and physical health outcomes.
  • The influence of personality on social networking site usage and online behaviors.
  • The role of personality in resilience and recovery from trauma.

Cognitive psychology dissertation ideas

Cognitive psychology is a sub-field of psychology that delves into mental processes, including attention, perception, memory, and problem-solving. Students looking for dissertation ideas in this area can explore topics such as the effects of cognitive biases on decision-making, the interplay between emotions and cognitive processes, and the impact of technology on cognitive development. Let's look at a few of them!

  • The effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive functions and decision-making.
  • The role of attention in the perception of visual illusions.
  • The impact of aging on memory retention and retrieval processes.
  • The effectiveness of cognitive training programs in enhancing brain function.
  • The relationship between language development and cognitive growth in children.
  • The influence of emotion on memory formation and recall.
  • The cognitive processes involved in problem-solving and creativity.
  • The effects of digital technology usage on attention span and cognitive control.
  • The role of working memory in multitasking abilities.
  • The impact of stress on cognitive functions and mental flexibility.
  • The relationship between cognitive styles and learning outcomes.
  • The cognitive mechanisms of false memories and their implications.
  • The effects of bilingualism on cognitive flexibility and executive function.
  • The role of perception in decision-making and judgment.
  • The impact of mindfulness meditation on cognitive processes and mental health.
  • The relationship between cognitive biases and social perception.
  • The cognitive underpinnings of phobias and fear responses.
  • The effects of music on cognitive performance and mood regulation.
  • The role of cognitive dissonance in attitude change and decision-making.
  • The impact of neurofeedback training on cognitive enhancement.

Dissertation topics in counseling psychology

Dissertation topics in counseling psychology investigate the psychological and social factors that influence human behavior and explore ways in which counseling can promote mental health and well-being. Common areas of focus include the effectiveness of counseling interventions, the role of diversity in counseling, and the impact of trauma on mental health.

  • The effectiveness of online counseling services in reducing symptoms of depression.
  • The role of cultural competence in counseling diverse populations.
  • The impact of counselor self-disclosure on therapeutic alliance and client outcomes.
  • The role of mindfulness in enhancing therapeutic outcomes in counseling.
  • The impact of childhood trauma on adult mental health and counseling strategies.
  • The effectiveness of expressive arts therapy in treating PTSD.
  • The role of family counseling in addressing adolescent behavioral problems.
  • The impact of grief counseling on coping with bereavement.
  • The effectiveness of career counseling in improving job satisfaction and career development.
  • The role of counseling in managing chronic illness and improving quality of life.
  • The impact of counseling interventions on reducing substance abuse relapse rates.
  • The effectiveness of marriage and relationship counseling on relationship satisfaction.
  • The role of positive psychology interventions in counseling practice.
  • The impact of counseling on improving self-esteem and body image.
  • The effectiveness of trauma-informed counseling approaches.
  • The role of counseling in supporting LGBTQ+ individuals.
  • The impact of counselor training on empathy and client satisfaction.
  • The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in counseling settings.
  • The role of counseling in addressing internet and gaming addiction.

Dissertation topics in industrial psychology

Industrial psychology dissertation topics typically center around the application of psychological theories and principles in the workplace to enhance employee performance, motivation, and overall well-being. Possible subject matters may cover leadership skills acquisition, personnel training and development, job satisfaction, and achieving a healthy work-life balance.

  • The impact of organizational culture on employee motivation and productivity.
  • The effectiveness of leadership development programs on leadership skills and organizational outcomes.
  • The role of work-life balance initiatives in reducing employee burnout and turnover.
  • The impact of team diversity on innovation and performance in the workplace.
  • The effectiveness of performance appraisal systems in enhancing employee performance.
  • The role of psychological safety in promoting team learning and collaboration.
  • The impact of employee engagement strategies on organizational commitment and loyalty.
  • The effectiveness of conflict resolution training in improving workplace relationships.
  • The role of organizational justice in employee satisfaction and trust.
  • The impact of telecommuting on employee productivity and job satisfaction.
  • The effectiveness of reward systems in motivating employee performance.
  • The role of emotional intelligence in leadership effectiveness.
  • The impact of workplace bullying on employee mental health and organizational climate.
  • The effectiveness of training programs in reducing workplace accidents and injuries.
  • The role of job design in enhancing job satisfaction and performance.
  • The impact of corporate social responsibility on employee engagement and organizational reputation.
  • The effectiveness of mentoring programs in career development and succession planning.
  • The role of organizational change management in successful business transformations.
  • The impact of technology on job satisfaction and employee well-being.
  • The effectiveness of workplace wellness programs in improving employee health and reducing healthcare costs.

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Forensic psychology dissertation ideas

When it comes to forensic psychology dissertation ideas, the common themes usually involve the intersection between psychology and the criminal justice system. Prospective areas of investigation may include dissecting the psychological makeup of offenders, exploring the intricacies of eyewitness testimony and memory, delving into the psychology behind jury decision-making, and examining the evaluation and treatment of criminal offenders.

  • The effectiveness of risk assessment tools in predicting violent reoffending.
  • The role of psychological profiling in solving criminal cases.
  • The impact of eyewitness testimony reliability on jury decision-making.
  • The effectiveness of rehabilitation programs in reducing recidivism among juvenile offenders.
  • The role of mental illness in criminal defense and sentencing.
  • The impact of victim impact statements on sentencing outcomes in criminal trials.
  • The effectiveness of sex offender treatment programs in preventing reoffending.
  • The role of forensic psychology in child custody evaluations.
  • The impact of police interrogation techniques on false confessions.
  • The effectiveness of diversion programs in addressing mental health issues among offenders.
  • The role of psychological factors in the development of criminal behavior.
  • The impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on law enforcement officers.
  • The effectiveness of restorative justice programs in victim and offender rehabilitation.
  • The role of psychology in understanding and preventing terrorism.
  • The impact of substance abuse on criminal behavior and legal outcomes.
  • The effectiveness of psychological interventions in managing aggression in prison populations.
  • The role of forensic psychology in assessing competency to stand trial.
  • The impact of childhood trauma on adult criminality.
  • The effectiveness of psychological support services for crime victims.
  • The role of psychology in ethical issues and decision-making in forensic settings.

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50+ Research Topics for Psychology Papers

How to Find Psychology Research Topics for Your Student Paper

  • Specific Branches of Psychology
  • Topics Involving a Disorder or Type of Therapy
  • Human Cognition
  • Human Development
  • Critique of Publications
  • Famous Experiments
  • Historical Figures
  • Specific Careers
  • Case Studies
  • Literature Reviews
  • Your Own Study/Experiment

Are you searching for a great topic for your psychology paper ? Sometimes it seems like coming up with topics of psychology research is more challenging than the actual research and writing. Fortunately, there are plenty of great places to find inspiration and the following list contains just a few ideas to help get you started.

Finding a solid topic is one of the most important steps when writing any type of paper. It can be particularly important when you are writing a psychology research paper or essay. Psychology is such a broad topic, so you want to find a topic that allows you to adequately cover the subject without becoming overwhelmed with information.

I can always tell when a student really cares about the topic they chose; it comes through in the writing. My advice is to choose a topic that genuinely interests you, so you’ll be more motivated to do thorough research.

In some cases, such as in a general psychology class, you might have the option to select any topic from within psychology's broad reach. Other instances, such as in an  abnormal psychology  course, might require you to write your paper on a specific subject such as a psychological disorder.

As you begin your search for a topic for your psychology paper, it is first important to consider the guidelines established by your instructor.

Research Topics Within Specific Branches of Psychology

The key to selecting a good topic for your psychology paper is to select something that is narrow enough to allow you to really focus on the subject, but not so narrow that it is difficult to find sources or information to write about.

One approach is to narrow your focus down to a subject within a specific branch of psychology. For example, you might start by deciding that you want to write a paper on some sort of social psychology topic. Next, you might narrow your focus down to how persuasion can be used to influence behavior .

Other social psychology topics you might consider include:

  • Prejudice and discrimination (i.e., homophobia, sexism, racism)
  • Social cognition
  • Person perception
  • Social control and cults
  • Persuasion, propaganda, and marketing
  • Attraction, romance, and love
  • Nonverbal communication
  • Prosocial behavior

Psychology Research Topics Involving a Disorder or Type of Therapy

Exploring a psychological disorder or a specific treatment modality can also be a good topic for a psychology paper. Some potential abnormal psychology topics include specific psychological disorders or particular treatment modalities, including:

  • Eating disorders
  • Borderline personality disorder
  • Seasonal affective disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Antisocial personality disorder
  • Profile a  type of therapy  (i.e., cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, psychoanalytic therapy)

Topics of Psychology Research Related to Human Cognition

Some of the possible topics you might explore in this area include thinking, language, intelligence, and decision-making. Other ideas might include:

  • False memories
  • Speech disorders
  • Problem-solving

Topics of Psychology Research Related to Human Development

In this area, you might opt to focus on issues pertinent to  early childhood  such as language development, social learning, or childhood attachment or you might instead opt to concentrate on issues that affect older adults such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Some other topics you might consider include:

  • Language acquisition
  • Media violence and children
  • Learning disabilities
  • Gender roles
  • Child abuse
  • Prenatal development
  • Parenting styles
  • Aspects of the aging process

Do a Critique of Publications Involving Psychology Research Topics

One option is to consider writing a critique paper of a published psychology book or academic journal article. For example, you might write a critical analysis of Sigmund Freud's Interpretation of Dreams or you might evaluate a more recent book such as Philip Zimbardo's  The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil .

Professional and academic journals are also great places to find materials for a critique paper. Browse through the collection at your university library to find titles devoted to the subject that you are most interested in, then look through recent articles until you find one that grabs your attention.

Topics of Psychology Research Related to Famous Experiments

There have been many fascinating and groundbreaking experiments throughout the history of psychology, providing ample material for students looking for an interesting term paper topic. In your paper, you might choose to summarize the experiment, analyze the ethics of the research, or evaluate the implications of the study. Possible experiments that you might consider include:

  • The Milgram Obedience Experiment
  • The Stanford Prison Experiment
  • The Little Albert Experiment
  • Pavlov's Conditioning Experiments
  • The Asch Conformity Experiment
  • Harlow's Rhesus Monkey Experiments

Topics of Psychology Research About Historical Figures

One of the simplest ways to find a great topic is to choose an interesting person in the  history of psychology  and write a paper about them. Your paper might focus on many different elements of the individual's life, such as their biography, professional history, theories, or influence on psychology.

While this type of paper may be historical in nature, there is no need for this assignment to be dry or boring. Psychology is full of fascinating figures rife with intriguing stories and anecdotes. Consider such famous individuals as Sigmund Freud, B.F. Skinner, Harry Harlow, or one of the many other  eminent psychologists .

Psychology Research Topics About a Specific Career

​Another possible topic, depending on the course in which you are enrolled, is to write about specific career paths within the  field of psychology . This type of paper is especially appropriate if you are exploring different subtopics or considering which area interests you the most.

In your paper, you might opt to explore the typical duties of a psychologist, how much people working in these fields typically earn, and the different employment options that are available.

Topics of Psychology Research Involving Case Studies

One potentially interesting idea is to write a  psychology case study  of a particular individual or group of people. In this type of paper, you will provide an in-depth analysis of your subject, including a thorough biography.

Generally, you will also assess the person, often using a major psychological theory such as  Piaget's stages of cognitive development  or  Erikson's eight-stage theory of human development . It is also important to note that your paper doesn't necessarily have to be about someone you know personally.

In fact, many professors encourage students to write case studies on historical figures or fictional characters from books, television programs, or films.

Psychology Research Topics Involving Literature Reviews

Another possibility that would work well for a number of psychology courses is to do a literature review of a specific topic within psychology. A literature review involves finding a variety of sources on a particular subject, then summarizing and reporting on what these sources have to say about the topic.

Literature reviews are generally found in the  introduction  of journal articles and other  psychology papers , but this type of analysis also works well for a full-scale psychology term paper.

Topics of Psychology Research Based on Your Own Study or Experiment

Many psychology courses require students to design an actual psychological study or perform some type of experiment. In some cases, students simply devise the study and then imagine the possible results that might occur. In other situations, you may actually have the opportunity to collect data, analyze your findings, and write up your results.

Finding a topic for your study can be difficult, but there are plenty of great ways to come up with intriguing ideas. Start by considering your own interests as well as subjects you have studied in the past.

Online sources, newspaper articles, books , journal articles, and even your own class textbook are all great places to start searching for topics for your experiments and psychology term papers. Before you begin, learn more about  how to conduct a psychology experiment .

What This Means For You

After looking at this brief list of possible topics for psychology papers, it is easy to see that psychology is a very broad and diverse subject. While this variety makes it possible to find a topic that really catches your interest, it can sometimes make it very difficult for some students to select a good topic.

If you are still stumped by your assignment, ask your instructor for suggestions and consider a few from this list for inspiration.

  • Hockenbury, SE & Nolan, SA. Psychology. New York: Worth Publishers; 2014.
  • Santrock, JW. A Topical Approach to Lifespan Development. New York: McGraw-Hill Education; 2016.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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100 Psychology Thesis Topics for 2023

psychology thesis topics

Students know the importance of developing great psychology dissertation topics for a graduate assignment. However, many don’t have the time to brainstorm ideas that meet the requirements their professors expect. We’ve done a lot of the heavy lifting and have put together a list of 100 psychology thesis topics suitable for several situations. Feel free to pick a topic and start writing your thesis proposal .

General Psychology Topics for High School

  • Give five top reasons why you would want to become a psychologist.
  • What kind of influence has psychology research had in other sciences?
  • Why are teenagers at higher risk of developing an eating disorder?
  • How are phobias developed in children under the age of twelve?
  • In what ways did Pavlov’s conditioning experiment contribute to our understanding of addiction therapy?

Child Psychology Research Paper Topics

  • What are the major differences between psychiatry and psychology?
  • Discuss mental tools that can be used to determine when children are lying to adults.
  • What were the ethical complications involve 12d in the Little Albert Experiment?
  • What does research suggest is the origin of intelligence in children?
  • How does emotional intelligence in children affect their learning abilities?

Cognitive Psychology Topics

  • How did Alan Turing’s suggestion that the brain is an organized machine lead to computers?
  • Do the “seven chunks of information” still hold through in research?
  • Can we develop working memory to retain greater long-term memory?
  • Can a person that has been convicted of a felony charge change into a law-abiding citizen?
  • How can cognitive therapy be used to help patients suffering from emotional disorders?

Developmental Psychology Topics

  • How do our perceptions of our experiences affect development in teenagers?
  • What are the four levels of development and which is most important in children?
  • Can a moral judgment be taught to toddlers who have latent reasoning skills?
  • How are our personalities developed through the influence of others?
  • Are children naturally beholden to one parent or the other?

Social Psychology Topics for College Students

  • How are a person’s original opinions influenced by the opinions of larger groups?
  • What psychological effects does spending too much time on social media have?
  • How do social psychologists deal with aggression and violence in young adults?
  • What impact has social psychology had on our understanding of online bullying?
  • How do family dynamics change when a member of the immediate family dies?

Sports Psychology Research Topics

  • Does aging have a bigger impact on retired athletes’ mental health than head trauma?
  • How is mental health affected by long recovery schedules for serious body injuries?
  • How does neuro-linguistic programming in professional athletes affect performance?
  • How do professional athletes mentally prepare for competitions?
  • How have approaches to sports training and preparation been affected by developments in psychology?

Controversial Topics in Psychology

  • How did the Milgram Obedience Experiments of the 1960s help us understand how we view authority figures?
  • How did the Stanford Experiment help further our knowledge of situational variables on human behavior?
  • How did Harlow’s experiments of affection (especially the lack of affection) lead to advancements in child development theories?
  • Does the implementation of capital punishment on sex offenders prevent them from committing a crime?
  • What is the link between criminal acts and teenagers that were bullied?

Health Psychology Topics for College Students

  • What impact do regular exercise and healthy eating have on mental health in young adults?
  • How have the media’s depictions of body ideals have negatively impacted how young adults see themselves?
  • What are the most effective strategies for getting people to develop healthy eating habits?
  • What can local governments do to help people maintain mental health after a disaster?
  • How do stress management techniques help people cope with difficult situations in the workplace?

More Controversial Psychology Topics

  • What did the “lost in a mall” study lead to a better understanding of how memories are formed and stored?
  • Why was were the Voodoo Correlation studies of the 1960s so controversial and what did they reveal about human behavior?
  • What did showing a lack of affection in infants reveal about the need to nurture one’s young?
  • What did the Kirsch Anti-Depressant reveal about the impact that harmless placebos have on humans?
  • What are the potential risks of taking part in multiple health studies throughout a given year?

Great Educational Psychology Topics

  • How can different technologies help students perform better at school?
  • Does working in a small group help students retain more information?
  • How does physical activity help students perform better on standardized tests?
  • What psychological factors should teachers consider as they develop each year’s curriculum?
  • In what ways do psychologists help develop confidence in students with learning disabilities?

Excellent Cultural Psychology Topics

  • What are some of the most difficult cultural situations young people face?
  • In what ways does developing culture roots with one’s family positively impact social behavior?
  • What stresses do young people feel when they return to their native countries?
  • What impact does cultural learning have on students in elementary school?
  • How does family support help young people cope with difficult decisions?

Psychology Topics to Write About

  • Why are adolescents more at risk of developing some type of eating disorder?
  • What are the negative effects of insomnia in patients being treated in a medical facility?
  • In what ways does group therapy positively impact a patient’s ability to overcome addiction?
  • Why should therapists refrain from prescribing ADHD medications to children?
  • What are the most effective ways of treating PTSD without using prescription medication?

Abnormal Psychology Topics

  • What are the psychological effects of telling either a truth or a lie among young adults?
  • What are the major causes of borderline personality disorder in teenagers?
  • In what ways does the level of insanity change in patients under specific treatment?
  • Why are some people more prone to suffer from personality disorders?
  • Can the Oedipus complex first introduced by Freud be used in treatment today?

Developmental Psychology Research Topics

  • What role does television media play in promoting violence in adults?
  • What are the major psychological characteristics in a child prone to aggression?
  • What are the major factors in sociopathic behavior among youth?
  • What are some traditional ways of parenting that have been proven ineffective?
  • What environmental factors increase the chances of child abuse by a parent?

Biological Psychology Topics

  • How are cognitive diseases related to the development of certain disorders?
  • How are our perceptions of the world around us affecting the way we behave?
  • Can alcohol addiction and other drug-related dependencies be tied to genetics?
  • Does biology prevent humans from experiencing a pure sense of free will?
  • In what ways does functionalism play into biological psychology?

More Sports Psychology Topics

  • What are the negative effects on the mind of exercising to lose weight?
  • How is having a network of supporters important for athletic performance?
  • How does the attention of PHDs affect the way people feel about sports?
  • What impact do sports role models have on a youth’s development?
  • Is the NCAA giving an adequate education to its student-athletes?
  • What are the most effective ways of dealing with school bullying?
  • What are the major causes of psychopathic tendencies in teenagers?
  • How does our modern society deal with gender roles?
  • What are the key characteristics that improve the abilities to learn a new language?
  • Do children require a good foundation to excel academically?

Forensic Psychology Topics

  • How can psychology be used to identify and put suspects on trial for certain crimes?
  • How has forensic psychology assisted in the way we look at death penalty cases?
  • Can psychotic disorders be reevaluated as a result of better psych understanding?
  • Should mental diseases be considered in capital punishment cases?
  • How would you evaluate the mitigating effects of capital cases in people?

What did you think of our list of psychology thesis topics? Our professional dissertation writers keep our list of ideas up-to-date so that students are always pushing the envelope of research in every discipline. Check back for new general psychology topics or contact us to have a list custom-made for a specific research project.

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topics for dissertation in psychology

Research Topics & Ideas: Mental Health

100+ Mental Health Research Topic Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

If you’re just starting out exploring mental health topics for your dissertation, thesis or research project, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll help kickstart your research topic ideation process by providing a hearty list of mental health-related research topics and ideas.

PS – This is just the start…

We know it’s exciting to run through a list of research topics, but please keep in mind that this list is just a starting point . To develop a suitable education-related research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan of action to fill that gap.

If this sounds foreign to you, check out our free research topic webinar that explores how to find and refine a high-quality research topic, from scratch. Alternatively, if you’d like hands-on help, consider our 1-on-1 coaching service .

Overview: Mental Health Topic Ideas

  • Mood disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Psychotic disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorders
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Substance-related disorders

Research topic idea mega list

Mood Disorders

Research in mood disorders can help understand their causes and improve treatment methods. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

  • The impact of genetics on the susceptibility to depression
  • Efficacy of antidepressants vs. cognitive behavioural therapy
  • The role of gut microbiota in mood regulation
  • Cultural variations in the experience and diagnosis of bipolar disorder
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder: Environmental factors and treatment
  • The link between depression and chronic illnesses
  • Exercise as an adjunct treatment for mood disorders
  • Hormonal changes and mood swings in postpartum women
  • Stigma around mood disorders in the workplace
  • Suicidal tendencies among patients with severe mood disorders

Anxiety Disorders

Research topics in this category can potentially explore the triggers, coping mechanisms, or treatment efficacy for anxiety disorders.

  • The relationship between social media and anxiety
  • Exposure therapy effectiveness in treating phobias
  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder in children: Early signs and interventions
  • The role of mindfulness in treating anxiety
  • Genetics and heritability of anxiety disorders
  • The link between anxiety disorders and heart disease
  • Anxiety prevalence in LGBTQ+ communities
  • Caffeine consumption and its impact on anxiety levels
  • The economic cost of untreated anxiety disorders
  • Virtual Reality as a treatment method for anxiety disorders

Psychotic Disorders

Within this space, your research topic could potentially aim to investigate the underlying factors and treatment possibilities for psychotic disorders.

  • Early signs and interventions in adolescent psychosis
  • Brain imaging techniques for diagnosing psychotic disorders
  • The efficacy of antipsychotic medication
  • The role of family history in psychotic disorders
  • Misdiagnosis and delayed treatment of psychotic disorders
  • Co-morbidity of psychotic and mood disorders
  • The relationship between substance abuse and psychotic disorders
  • Art therapy as a treatment for schizophrenia
  • Public perception and stigma around psychotic disorders
  • Hospital vs. community-based care for psychotic disorders

Research Topic Kickstarter - Need Help Finding A Research Topic?

Personality Disorders

Research topics within in this area could delve into the identification, management, and social implications of personality disorders.

  • Long-term outcomes of borderline personality disorder
  • Antisocial personality disorder and criminal behaviour
  • The role of early life experiences in developing personality disorders
  • Narcissistic personality disorder in corporate leaders
  • Gender differences in personality disorders
  • Diagnosis challenges for Cluster A personality disorders
  • Emotional intelligence and its role in treating personality disorders
  • Psychotherapy methods for treating personality disorders
  • Personality disorders in the elderly population
  • Stigma and misconceptions about personality disorders

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

Within this space, research topics could focus on the causes, symptoms, or treatment of disorders like OCD and hoarding.

  • OCD and its relationship with anxiety disorders
  • Cognitive mechanisms behind hoarding behaviour
  • Deep Brain Stimulation as a treatment for severe OCD
  • The impact of OCD on academic performance in students
  • Role of family and social networks in treating OCD
  • Alternative treatments for hoarding disorder
  • Childhood onset OCD: Diagnosis and treatment
  • OCD and religious obsessions
  • The impact of OCD on family dynamics
  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Causes and treatment

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Research topics in this area could explore the triggers, symptoms, and treatments for PTSD. Here are some thought starters to get you moving.

  • PTSD in military veterans: Coping mechanisms and treatment
  • Childhood trauma and adult onset PTSD
  • Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) efficacy
  • Role of emotional support animals in treating PTSD
  • Gender differences in PTSD occurrence and treatment
  • Effectiveness of group therapy for PTSD patients
  • PTSD and substance abuse: A dual diagnosis
  • First responders and rates of PTSD
  • Domestic violence as a cause of PTSD
  • The neurobiology of PTSD

Free Webinar: How To Find A Dissertation Research Topic

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

This category of mental health aims to better understand disorders like Autism and ADHD and their impact on day-to-day life.

  • Early diagnosis and interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • ADHD medication and its impact on academic performance
  • Parental coping strategies for children with neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Autism and gender: Diagnosis disparities
  • The role of diet in managing ADHD symptoms
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders in the criminal justice system
  • Genetic factors influencing Autism
  • ADHD and its relationship with sleep disorders
  • Educational adaptations for children with neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders and stigma in schools

Eating Disorders

Research topics within this space can explore the psychological, social, and biological aspects of eating disorders.

  • The role of social media in promoting eating disorders
  • Family dynamics and their impact on anorexia
  • Biological basis of binge-eating disorder
  • Treatment outcomes for bulimia nervosa
  • Eating disorders in athletes
  • Media portrayal of body image and its impact
  • Eating disorders and gender: Are men underdiagnosed?
  • Cultural variations in eating disorders
  • The relationship between obesity and eating disorders
  • Eating disorders in the LGBTQ+ community

Substance-Related Disorders

Research topics in this category can focus on addiction mechanisms, treatment options, and social implications.

  • Efficacy of rehabilitation centres for alcohol addiction
  • The role of genetics in substance abuse
  • Substance abuse and its impact on family dynamics
  • Prescription drug abuse among the elderly
  • Legalisation of marijuana and its impact on substance abuse rates
  • Alcoholism and its relationship with liver diseases
  • Opioid crisis: Causes and solutions
  • Substance abuse education in schools: Is it effective?
  • Harm reduction strategies for drug abuse
  • Co-occurring mental health disorders in substance abusers

Research topic evaluator

Choosing A Research Topic

These research topic ideas we’ve covered here serve as thought starters to help you explore different areas within mental health. They are intentionally very broad and open-ended. By engaging with the currently literature in your field of interest, you’ll be able to narrow down your focus to a specific research gap .

It’s important to consider a variety of factors when choosing a topic for your dissertation or thesis . Think about the relevance of the topic, its feasibility , and the resources available to you, including time, data, and academic guidance. Also, consider your own interest and expertise in the subject, as this will sustain you through the research process.

Always consult with your academic advisor to ensure that your chosen topic aligns with academic requirements and offers a meaningful contribution to the field. If you need help choosing a topic, consider our private coaching service.

okurut joseph

Good morning everyone. This are very patent topics for research in neuroscience. Thank you for guidance

Ygs

What if everything is important, original and intresting? as in Neuroscience. I find myself overwhelmd with tens of relveant areas and within each area many optional topics. I ask myself if importance (for example – able to treat people suffering) is more relevant than what intrest me, and on the other hand if what advance me further in my career should not also be a consideration?

MARTHA KALOMO

This information is really helpful and have learnt alot

Pepple Biteegeregha Godfrey

Phd research topics on implementation of mental health policy in Nigeria :the prospects, challenges and way forward.

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Student Notebook

Choosing a dissertation topic.

Graduate students may take several approaches to choosing a dissertation topic. While a perfunctory approach may hasten a degree, establishing a standard of quality will enable you to both advance the field and also evolve our own career. Eight steps are presented below to aid the graduate student in selecting a dissertation topic.

1. THE DISSERTATION TAKES PRIORITY. Following completion of comprehensive examinations and coursework, graduate students may often view their graduate education as almost over. On the contrary, the dissertation actually marks a new era of study. As a doctoral candidate, your procedural formalities are no longer dictated by faculty. Rather, you must examine the selected topic, create a timeline for its development, and alter your lifestyle to assure its completion.

2. PICK AN INTERESTING TOPIC. If your topic is simply your professor’s pet area, you should be aware the topic may lose appeal before it’s even “housebroken.” Furthermore, if your professor moves on to another interest area, you will be stranded and possibly unable to complete your work. Remember, this is a topic that should keep you engrossed and motivated for at least one to two years. Pick it as carefully as you would a new pair of dress shoes.

3. BE AWARE OF ONGOING RESEARCH. Many students may spend a year researching a topic before finally selecting one for their dissertation. You must examine current literature both specifically and generally. One way to do this is to contact key researchers to help you identify published and unpublished studies. Conduct periodic key word searches in computerized databases to identify new angles or problems associated with your topic. Keep in mind this is a daunting and interminable task, as new research is always evolving. Be sure your time is not monopolized studying new research at the expense of analyzing your own.

4. DEFINE YOUR CONSTRUCTS CLEARLY. Terms such as “memory,” “intelligence,” and “educational level” may derive different meanings among diverse psychological scientists. Evaluate your constructs and obtain references to support your construct definition. If your definition veers from the accepted literature, be prepared to defend the definitional defiance to your committee and reviewers who may later, hopefully, publish your results.

5. EVALUATE WHETHER YOUR TOPIC IS PUBLISHABLE. While reviewing the literature, determine if your completed project will “fit” the Zeitgeist of an existing journal. You should be able to place yourself in the desk of a reviewer and assess, with minimal doubt, whether or not your dissertation would enhance the integrity of a reputable journal.

6. EVALUATE YOUR TOPIC’S IMPORTANCE. Certainly your topic must be important to you, but it must also add to your field of interest. Your topic should offer additional insight into an existing problem, and offer an opportunity to demonstrate your level of expertise and quality of scholarship.

7. ESTABLISH GOOD COMMITTEE RELATIONSHIPS. Your dissertation committee will establish either a direct or de facto relationship with both you and your topic. Obtain feedback from committee members if they can offer specialized support or, if individual members have an area of interest that can be incorporated as a hypothesis subtopic, try to include a discussion of this somewhere in the dissertation. The more committee members who “own” a part of your topic, the more who will support your defense, leading you toward appropriate publication.

8. ESTABLISH A TIMELINE FOR COMPLETION. A timeline will further assist you in selecting your topic. Some projects may be completed in one year, while others may take two years or longer. Select a topic that will be manageable within the selected deadline parameter.

Of course there are many other questions not answered above: Is the project fundable? Will it pass IRB review? Should you use parametric or non-parametric statistics? What is an appropriate research design? These are all very important questions that will also require evaluation. Making a list of your questions and carving out proposed answers may prove helpful in this process.

Completing a dissertation requires careful planning and insight from choosing a topic to the final defense. Perhaps, the above suggestions will aid in not only identifying an appropriate topic, but also prompt completion of a project that will add to the field of psychological science.

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About the Author

SCOTT SMITH is a graduate student in educational psychology at Texas A&M University at Commerce. His research interests include flashbulb memories, autobiographical memories, and effects of processing on cognitive tasks.

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130+ Psychology Dissertation Topics for Students in 2024

A psychology dissertation is a research project undertaken by graduate students seeking a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or PsyD) in psychology. It represents a significant part of their academic work and is usually completed at the end of their programme. The psychology dissertation topics aim to demonstrate the learner’s ability to conduct original research, contribute new knowledge to the field of psychology, and communicate his or her findings effectively.

To help you get started with psychology dissertation topics, we have created a list of the latest topics and ideas that can be used for writing your paper. We are the top online  Psychology Assignment Help service provider.

Psychology Dissertation Topics

How to Write a Good Psychology Dissertation Paper?

  • Decide Your Type Of Paper : Before starting to write, you must decide what type of paper you want to write. Some common types of psychology papers are literature reviews, lab reports, and original research.
  • Select The Best Idea For Your Report : After figuring out your type of research paper on psychology , you have to choose a good topic. In some cases, your instructor might choose a topic for you, but otherwise, you have the freedom to choose your own topic. While selecting your topic, try to avoid very generic ones. Always try to choose a topic that really interests you in all respects.
  • Develop Your Own Research Strategy : Here, you can take important notes on the data and information you already have and write the bibliography. Thus, you must always stay very organized while developing your psychology research paper strategy.
  • Make A Proper Outline : Before starting to write the research paper , you need to create a strong foundation. Your outline should always start with three basic sections: introduction, body, and conclusion. Now, you need to write the subsections based on the given topic. If you write your outline in detail, it will be easier for you to write the whole research paper.
  • Drafting, Revising, and Editing: You can start writing after making a detailed outline. Here, you can follow the APA format and find all the essential in-text citations. Always be sure to cite the information in your body with reference to the section at the end of your document.

Our experts will provide you with the best online Psychology dissertation writing services in the UK, Australia, the US and all academic countries.

How to Structure Your Psychology Dissertation

  • The Title : The title page of your research paper makes the first impression on your readers. Thus, you always need to write a very good and attractive title. A few features of a good and catchy title are succinct, representative, specific, etc. It needs to cover a very broad area of your research, sharply focus on the main area of your research paper , and indicate your own research design.
  • The Acknowledgement : The acknowledgement section allows you to show your gratitude to people who have helped you in your psychology paper writing journey. These people can be your supervisor, mentor, lecturer, professor, instructor, peer, friend, family member, relative, or advisor. This section needs to be brief but interesting.
  • The abstract: This part gives your reader a clear picture of your research project topic. Your abstract should help your first-time reader understand your research paper’s key points and findings.

Don’t worry; we will also provide you with ideas for a good psychology dissertation topic .

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List of 130+ Psychology Dissertation Topics and Ideas for You

Choosing a dissertation topic in psychology can be both exciting and challenging. It’s important to select a topic that aligns with your interests, fits within the scope of your program’s requirements, and contributes to the existing body of knowledge in psychology. Here are some ideas across different subfields of psychology:

Psychology Dissertation topics

  • Challenges and opportunities involved with childhood anxiety
  • Relapsing in various addictive behaviours
  • Hyperactivity Disorder takes place from attention deficiency
  • Effect on the mental health of women after suffering miscarriage
  • The usefulness of psychology therapy for family members
  • Social Anxiety vs Social Phobia
  • Mental illness among patients suffering from HIV/AIDS
  • Effects of PTSD
  • Biophysical significance of human aggression
  • How to cure insomnia- a psychological point of view

Social Psychology Dissertation topics

  • Effect of complicated behaviour in the daily life of the adult
  • Effectiveness of moral decision-making among the adult population
  • What are the major effects of cognitive dissonance?
  • Ill effects of spanking the kids
  • Effects of ADHD in later life
  • What are the main causes of antisocial behaviour?
  • Early signs of psychological disorders in kids
  • Ill Effects of Depression and Stress in the Modern Society
  • Bad effects of violent video games on the minds of growing children
  • Philological well-being of physically disabled people

Clinical Psychology Dissertation ideas

  • How social media inked people’s minds
  • Compare and contrast between different methods of clinical psychological therapies.
  • What are the different types of psychological therapies? Explain with examples
  • What are the different types of eating disorders, and how to deal with them?
  • How ageing affects mental illness
  • Things leading to adolescent depression and mental illness
  • Are online clinical phonological therapies and sessions really helpful?
  • Can media violence influence children’s behaviour?
  • What causes an anxiety disorder and why?
  • What are the main causes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD?)

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Personality Psychology Dissertation Topics

  • Can various personality traits affect one’s creativity?
  • How is the personality traits related to prosaic behaviour?
  • What are the effects of type A behaviour on children in schools?
  • Is there really any connection between personality traits and creative art?
  • How petting animals can really help with mental issues
  • What is personality assessment, and why is it needed
  • How do various personality traits influence families?
  • Does birth order affect personality traits?
  • How effective is music therapy on the psychological patients
  • Are people of different professional backgrounds bound to have different personality traits?

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Cognitive Psychology Dissertation ideas

  • What is autism?
  • How reliable are the fMRI measures
  • Will colour psychology research and experiments be successful in the future?
  • What is attention span, and how is it measured
  • Do memories impact people’s behaviour?
  • The architecture of the human intelligence system explains.
  • How to enhance problem-solving skills in kids
  • How cognitive ill development affects speech disorders
  • Is subliminal perception true?
  • Explain the concept of parallel and flow distribution in the hierarchy model.

Dissertation Topics in Counseling Psychology

  • Effect of happiness as well aggression in the parenting styles at various acts of youth
  • Delinquent Behavior vs Personality Traits
  • Explain various stages of Schizophrenia
  • Decision-making vs Self-awareness
  • Interacting with human beings and machines future from a psychological point of view
  • Effect of COVID-19 on mental health
  • How an t various self-help books and techniques help the mental well-being of people of different ages
  • Child mental development stages – explain
  • Are meditation and yoga helpful to reduce mental stress- justify
  • Effect of various family dynamics on people’s health

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Dissertation Topics in Industrial Psychology

  • The effect of shift duties and job stress on the policemen
  • Do bankers show organisational citizenship behaviour?
  • Effect of family conflicts among various industrialist families
  • Effect on the minds of the working women to carry out the responsibilities of both family and office
  • Explain pre-retirement anxiety and contact it with post-retirement depression.
  • Mental health issues of the doctors and the nurses post-COVID-19 pandemic
  • Mental health awareness among the fire brigade workers
  • Anxiety factors of factory workers in various industries
  • Exam anxiety among students at various education levels
  • Effect of night shift duties among BPO employees

Forensic Psychology Dissertation Ideas

  • Can Forensic psychologists decide on child custody?
  • How to become a juvenile offender
  • Is childhood trauma related to antisocial behaviour during the adolescent age?
  • What are the ethical considerations for interrogating kids as major eyewitnesses?
  • Are many Criminal Behaviors associated with the disorder of Schizophrenia?
  • Forensic psychological studies related to Mental Illness, Death Penalty and child abuse
  • Is rewarding mentally ill criminals with sentences justified- explain
  • What are the main guidelines for speaking with criminals for psychologists in court?
  • How to make the forensic assessments in the conjecture?
  • Are forensic psychologists more prone to exposure to danger in the future?

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Covid-19 Psychology Dissertation Topics

  • The mental health of the doctors under the pressure of COVID-19 pandemic patients
  • Psychological health of the nurses to deal with the COVID-19 patients during the pandemic
  • Mental stress on the non-medical staff in the hospitals too during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • How can the Corona patients cooperate with the health care practitioners?
  • How to abide by the coronavirus protocols and its psychological effects
  • Psychological effects of lockdown on people of the households
  • Post-COVID-19 trauma among the population and communities
  • How to remove the COVID-19 phobia now from the minds of the masses
  • How to keep kids safe from pandemic
  • Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic Trauma on the Minds of the elderly population

Organizational Psychology Dissertation Topics

  • Are there any limitations to the online reteaches and usage of various personal information?
  • Explain the process of selection and retirement via the Internet.
  • Effect of virtual office in the age of globalization
  • Workplace press vs corporate Coaching Strategies
  • Worker Relation with Employee Performance Development
  • How the psychological innovation of the company staff helps in company progress
  • Phycological effects of technology-driven training over manual hands-on training programs
  • Societal effects of various electronic platforms like apps and social media
  • Relation between Organization Profit with Employee mental Health
  • Explain the work-life balance of any individual from the psychological viewpoint

Best Abnormal Psychology Dissertation Topics

  • What are the various dimensions of Schizophrenia
  • Visual and social causes of face processing among people with autism
  • DSM-IV criticisms
  • Ways to study the frontotemporal lobe issues among patients with Schizophrenia by MRI studies
  • A detailed study of the long-term psychological effects of separations and divorces
  • Major mental health issues faced by the prisoners
  • Explain the clear link between unemployment and mental health
  • Explain how mental illness has a direct relationship with detreating physical health and vice versa
  • Effect of the TV ads on the mental health of the kids
  • Reconsider the state of mental under the tremendous influence of social media and smartphones

Choose Developmental and Educational Psychology Dissertation Topics

  • School vs college student counselling effects
  • How cultural differences affect higher education
  • The study time pressure of the college and university students- compare and contrast.
  • A detailed study and research of the emotional and social learning among British students
  • Does race, ethnicity or religion of the study play any role in their education?
  • Psychological effects of technical and online classes on the Minds of the Students
  • How can mentally disabled children be helped to study physiologically
  • Studies for the well-being of mentally stressed children
  • How to get over the exam stress for the students
  • How to develop a strong concert of maths among the students

Dissertation Topics on Mental Health

  • Cure for PTSD among the servicemen
  • Helping students to cope with the study pressure and tremendous competition
  • How to carry out successful psychological counselling sessions for the students
  • Rising cases of Alzheimer’s among the elderly population in the society
  • How to reduce stress, tension, anxiety and fatigue among working people of today’s era
  • How to take care of teenage mental health
  • Healing kids and adolescent people to cope after parents’ divorce
  • How to test the counselling success rate of the patients
  • How to cope with obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Explain the psychological issue of split personality- a very rare and complicated case.

Thus, you can understand from this blog that writing a psychology dissertation is not an essay. Thus, you always need the best online  Psychology Dissertation Help   from a reliable provider. The  casestudyhelp.com   is the best choice for you in this respect.

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39 Interesting Psychology Dissertation Topics and Ideas

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by  Antony W

June 28, 2024

psychology dissertation topics

Psychology can be an interesting area to explore in your dissertation assignment provided you choose the right topic. That’s why in this guide, we give you a list of 30+ psychology dissertation topics from which you can pick one interesting topic to investigate.

There are many areas to explore as a psychology student, including personality, social, biological, cognitive, behavioral, industrial, psychosocial, and personality psychology. So it should be easy to find an interesting topic that you can investigate provided it falls within the scope of the project.

Our guide to choosing topics for dissertation remains unchanged. That means the topic you choose to investigate has a gap in existing literature that your research can fill. With that said, let’s look at some of the psychology dissertation topics that you can explore right now.

Psychology Dissertation Topics: 30+ Examples

The following is a list of 30+ psychology dissertation topics. You can use them as inspiration to help you come up with a unique topic of your own. Or you can pick one topic idea from the list, improve it, talk to your supervisor about the topic, and then begin your investigation.  

Developmental Psychology Dissertation Topics

Development psychology explores how behaviors change from time to time based on motor skills, language, and intelligence.

Researchers develop a number of theories and models to explain how these changes take place, making this an interesting area to explore. Some of the topics that may be interesting to explore under this category of study include:

  • Explaining cognitive development change: one sort of learning mechanism or several learning paradigms for various problems
  • The extent to which knowing neuro development mechanisms can provide insight into how early cognition happens.
  • Conversational comprehension as a domain-wide enhancement in processing speed and working-memory capacity in cognitive effort.
  • The acquisition of culture and biological growth is critical for the development of a kid.
  • Are children with dyscalculia’s talents unrelated to numeracy affected by the disorder, or are they largely independent?
  • How the concept of plasticity in child development may account for a kid’s capacity to alter in response to both positive and bad life experiences.

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Abnormal Psychology Dissertation Topics

This area of study focuses on analyzing abnormal behavior with an effort to establish a positive change.

Ideally, this area of study suits students interested in studying psychological traits that go against what we consider to be normal and goes further into exploring uncommon conditions.

Some topics that may be worth exploring in this area of study are as follows:

  • Subtypes of drug dependency are linked to dissociable networks of disturbance in the limbic brain.
  • The efficacy of the DSM-V as a tool for categorizing aberrant psychiatric symptoms is being questioned.
  • How do the cognitive processes of people with schizophrenia vary from those of those with conventional cognitive processes?
  • What distinguishes Intellectual Development Disorders (IDD) from Autism Spectrum Disorders?
  • The relevance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in evaluating neurobiological ideas that schizophrenia is caused by aberrant fronto-temporal lobe connections.
  • Schizophrenia is studied as a multi-dimensional condition.
  • Is it possible that the fact that some autistics have isolated skills might assist explain the syndrome’s cause?
  • A malfunctioning amygdale and ventromedial prefrontal cortex have a role in psychopathology.

Evolutionary Psychology Dissertation Topics

In evolutionary psychology, the focus is on explaining psychological characteristics by applying evolutionary behavior with an effort to derive and explain adaptation and natural selection.

With this respect, researchers hold that humans’ psychological mechanisms are ancestral inheritance, which has played a major role in solving problems throughout human’s history .

Evolutionary psychology is an interesting area of study that lets you dig deeper into human history and explain the impact if evolutionary psychology on the modern society. Some interesting topics to explore here are: 

  • The relative relevance of face symmetry, averageness, and secondary sex features as valid predictors of mate selection.
  • The application of evolutionary psychology to group behavior helps explain how humans act in organizations, whether that behavior is logical or irrational.
  • Examining if artificially produced instances of evolutionary game theory may be used to evaluate human behavior in the actual world.
  • Why individual features and cognitive modules can’t account for the intricacies of human social behavior.
  • Understanding the evolution of the human brain through human cognitive growth.
  • Investigating if reciprocal altruism is sufficient to explain altruism in various social circumstances.
  • What role does evolutionary psychology play in explaining anomalies in human decision-making?

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Social Psychology Dissertation Topics

Social psychology is an interesting area of study that focuses on how people in groups interact through influential behavior.

You may study behavioral factors such as social influence, non-verbal communication, and attitudes in controlled situations to investigate how the behavior of individuals influences each other in groups.

Here are some suggestions of dissertation topics that you can explore under this category:

  • Behavioral game theory: How players learn from and influence others in strategic thinking.
  • The impact of priming’s automatic effects on complicated behavior in real-life circumstances.
  • Nature or nurture? The early development of nonverbal communication in infants: nature or nurture?
  • Assessing the amount and duration of factors affecting automatic priming effects in relation to social behavior.
  • The social intuitionist paradigm is used to assess the role of reason and emotion in moral judgment.
  • Demonstrating how cognitive neuroscience may inform social psychology by merging social cognition and understanding of brain networks and systems

Cognitive Psychology Dissertation Topics

If you’re interested in learning how the human brain perceives and represents information, then you should immerse yourself in studying cognitive psychology.

You’ll be studying the processes involved information presentation through computer modelling, neuropsychology, and experimentation to understand the encoding of information in the human brand at both micro and macro levels.

Some of the most interesting dissertation topics to explore in this area include the following:

  • Is MRI testing an accurate predictor of brain function?
  • The idea of “grandmother cells” is important for explaining neuronal selectivity to high-level information processing, such as during facial recognition.
  • Effective cognition entails picking the right information at the right moment and in the proper order.
  • Changes in brain processing in response to event segmentation: distinguishing between cause and effect in boundary recognition
  • Bias in visual working memory and attention: a study of the link between working memory and attention.
  • The connection between poor social cognition, emotion, and anxiety disorders.
  • The cerebellum’s contribution to higher-order cortical activities.
  • The dependability, validity, and applicability of cognitive psychology study findings to real-life behavior and cognition.
  • Evaluating Gibson’s theory of direct perception in comparison to constructivist explanations and more modern cognitive theories.
  • The concept that the right and left hemispheres of the brain have different processing methods is critical to understanding how the brain works.
  • The mature human brain’s adaptability is limited.
  • Is there really a thing as subliminal perception, or is it part of a more complicated phenomenon?

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

80 fascinating psychology research questions for your next project

Last updated

15 February 2024

Reviewed by

Brittany Ferri, PhD, OTR/L

Short on time? Get an AI generated summary of this article instead

Psychology research is essential for furthering our understanding of human behavior and improving the diagnosis and treatment of psychological conditions.

When psychologists know more about how different social and cultural factors influence how humans act, think, and feel, they can recommend improvements to practices in areas such as education, sport, healthcare, and law enforcement.

Below, you will find 80 research question examples across 16 branches of psychology. First, though, let’s look at some tips to help you select a suitable research topic.

  • How to choose a good psychology research topic

Psychology has many branches that break down further into topics. Choosing a topic for your psychology research paper can be daunting because there are so many to choose from. It’s an important choice, as the topic you select will open up a range of questions to explore.

The tips below can help you find a psychology research topic that suits your skills and interests.

Tip #1: Select a topic that interests you

Passion and interest should fuel every research project. A topic that fascinates you will most likely interest others as well. Think about the questions you and others might have and decide on the issues that matter most. Draw on your own interests, but also keep your research topical and relevant to others.

Don’t limit yourself to a topic that you already know about. Instead, choose one that will make you want to know more and dig deeper. This will keep you motivated and excited about your research.

Tip #2: Choose a topic with a manageable scope

If your topic is too broad, you can get overwhelmed by the amount of information available and have trouble maintaining focus. On the other hand, you may find it difficult to find enough information if you choose a topic that is too narrow.

To determine if the topic is too broad or too narrow, start researching as early as possible. If you find there’s an overwhelming amount of research material, you’ll probably need to narrow the topic down. For example, instead of researching the general population, it might be easier to focus on a specific age group. Ask yourself what area of the general topic interests you most and focus on that.

If your scope is too narrow, try to generalize or focus on a larger related topic. Expand your search criteria or select additional databases for information. Consider if the topic is too new to have much information published on it as well.

Tip #3: Select a topic that will produce useful and relevant insights

Doing some preliminary research will reveal any existing research on the topic. If there is existing research, will you be able to produce new insights? You might need to focus on a different area or see if the existing research has limitations that you can overcome.

Bear in mind that finding new information from which to draw fresh insights may be impossible if your topic has been over-researched.

You’ll also need to consider whether your topic is relevant to current trends and needs. For example, researching psychology topics related to social media use may be highly relevant today.

  • 80 psychology research topics and questions

Psychology is a broad subject with many branches and potential areas of study. Here are some of them:

Developmental

Personality

Experimental

Organizational

Educational

Neuropsychology

Controversial topics

Below we offer some suggestions on research topics and questions that can get you started. Keep in mind that these are not all-inclusive but should be personalized to fit the theme of your paper.

Social psychology research topics and questions

Social psychology has roots as far back as the 18th century. In simple terms, it’s the study of how behavior is influenced by the presence and behavior of others. It is the science of finding out who we are, who we think we are, and how our perceptions affect ourselves and others. It looks at personalities, relationships, and group behavior.

Here are some potential research questions and paper titles for this topic:

How does social media use impact perceptions of body image in male adolescents?

2. Is childhood bullying a risk factor for social anxiety in adults?

Is homophobia in individuals caused by genetic or environmental factors?

What is the most important psychological predictor of a person’s willingness to donate to charity?

Does a person’s height impact how other people perceive them? If so, how?

Cognitive psychology research questions

Cognitive psychology is the branch that focuses on the interactions of thinking, emotion, creativity, and problem-solving. It also explores the reasons humans think the way they do.

This topic involves exploring how people think by measuring intelligence, thoughts, and cognition. 

Here are some research question ideas:

6. Is there a link between chronic stress and memory function?

7. Can certain kinds of music trigger memories in people with memory loss?

8. Do remote meetings impact the efficacy of team decision-making?

9. Do word games and puzzles slow cognitive decline in adults over the age of 80?

10. Does watching television impact a child’s reading ability?

Developmental psychology research questions

Developmental psychology is the study of how humans grow and change over their lifespan. It usually focuses on the social, emotional, and physical development of babies and children, though it can apply to people of all ages. Developmental psychology is important for understanding how we learn, mature, and adapt to changes.

Here are some questions that might inspire your research:

11. Does grief accelerate the aging process?

12. How do parent–child attachment patterns influence the development of emotion regulation in teenagers?

13. Does bilingualism affect cognitive decline in adults over the age of 70?

14. How does the transition to adulthood impact decision-making abilities

15. How does early exposure to music impact mental health and well-being in school-aged children?

Personality psychology research questions

Personality psychology studies personalities, how they develop, their structures, and the processes that define them. It looks at intelligence, disposition, moral beliefs, thoughts, and reactions.

The goal of this branch of psychology is to scientifically interpret the way personality patterns manifest into an individual’s behaviors. Here are some example research questions:

16. Nature vs. nurture: Which impacts personality development the most?

17. The role of genetics on personality: Does an adopted child take on their biological parents’ personality traits?

18. How do personality traits influence leadership styles and effectiveness in organizational settings?

19. Is there a relationship between an individual’s personality and mental health?

20. Can a chronic illness affect your personality?

Abnormal psychology research questions

As the name suggests, abnormal psychology is a branch that focuses on abnormal behavior and psychopathology (the scientific study of mental illness or disorders).

Abnormal behavior can be challenging to define. Who decides what is “normal”? As such, psychologists in this area focus on the level of distress that certain behaviors may cause, although this typically involves studying mental health conditions such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and phobias.

Here are some questions to consider:

21. How does technology impact the development of social anxiety disorder?

22. What are the factors behind the rising incidence of eating disorders in adolescents?

23. Are mindfulness-based interventions effective in the treatment of PTSD?

24. Is there a connection between depression and gambling addiction?

25. Can physical trauma cause psychopathy?

Clinical psychology research questions

Clinical psychology deals with assessing and treating mental illness or abnormal or psychiatric behaviors. It differs from abnormal psychology in that it focuses more on treatments and clinical aspects, while abnormal psychology is more behavioral focused.

This is a specialty area that provides care and treatment for complex mental health conditions. This can include treatment, not only for individuals but for couples, families, and other groups. Clinical psychology also supports communities, conducts research, and offers training to promote mental health. This category is very broad, so there are lots of topics to explore.

Below are some example research questions to consider:

26. Do criminals require more specific therapies or interventions?

27. How effective are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treating mental health disorders?

28. Are there any disadvantages to humanistic therapy?

29. Can group therapy be more beneficial than one-on-one therapy sessions?

30. What are the factors to consider when selecting the right treatment plan for patients with anxiety?

Experimental psychology research questions

Experimental psychology deals with studies that can prove or disprove a hypothesis. Psychologists in this field use scientific methods to collect data on basic psychological processes such as memory, cognition, and learning. They use this data to test the whys and hows of behavior and how outside factors influence its creation.

Areas of interest in this branch relate to perception, memory, emotion, and sensation. The below are example questions that could inspire your own research:

31. Do male or female parents/carers have a more calming influence on children?

32. Will your preference for a genre of music increase the more you listen to it?

33. What are the psychological effects of posting on social media vs. not posting?

34. How is productivity affected by social connection?

35. Is cheating contagious?

Organizational psychology research questions

Organizational psychology studies human behavior in the workplace. It is most frequently used to evaluate an employee, group, or a company’s organizational dynamics. Researchers aim to isolate issues and identify solutions.

This area of study can be beneficial to both employees and employers since the goal is to improve the overall work environment and experience. Researchers apply psychological principles and findings to recommend improvements in performance, communication, job satisfaction, and safety. 

Some potential research questions include the following:

36. How do different leadership styles affect employee morale?

37. Do longer lunch breaks boost employee productivity?

38. Is gender an antecedent to workplace stress?

39. What is the most effective way to promote work–life balance among employees?

40. How do different organizational structures impact the effectiveness of communication, decision-making, and productivity?

Forensic psychology research questions

Some questions to consider exploring in this branch of psychology are:

41. How does incarceration affect mental health?

42. Is childhood trauma a driver for criminal behavior during adulthood?

43. Are people with mental health conditions more likely to be victims of crimes?

44. What are the drivers of false memories, and how do they impact the justice system?

45. Is the media responsible for copycat crimes?

Educational psychology research questions

Educational psychology studies children in an educational setting. It covers topics like teaching methods, aptitude assessment, self-motivation, technology, and parental involvement.

Research in this field of psychology is vital for understanding and optimizing learning processes. It informs educators about cognitive development, learning styles, and effective teaching strategies.

Here are some example research questions:

46. Are different teaching styles more beneficial for children at different times of the day?

47. Can listening to classical music regularly increase a student’s test scores?

48. Is there a connection between sugar consumption and knowledge retention in students?

49. Does sleep duration and quality impact academic performance?

50. Does daily meditation at school influence students’ academic performance and mental health?

Sports psychology research question examples

Sport psychology aims to optimize physical performance and well-being in athletes by using cognitive and behavioral practices and interventions. Some methods include counseling, training, and clinical interventions.

Research in this area is important because it can improve team and individual performance, resilience, motivation, confidence, and overall well-being

Here are some research question ideas for you to consider:

51. How can a famous coach affect a team’s performance?

52. How can athletes control negative emotions in violent or high-contact sports?

53. How does using social media impact an athlete’s performance and well-being?

54. Can psychological interventions help with injury rehabilitation?

55. How can mindfulness practices boost sports performance?

Cultural psychology research question examples

The premise of this branch of psychology is that mind and culture are inseparable. In other words, people are shaped by their cultures, and their cultures are shaped by them. This can be a complex interaction.

Cultural psychology is vital as it explores how cultural context shapes individuals’ thoughts, behaviors, and perceptions. It provides insights into diverse perspectives, promoting cross-cultural understanding and reducing biases.

Here are some ideas that you might consider researching:

56. Are there cultural differences in how people perceive and deal with pain?

57. Are different cultures at increased risk of developing mental health conditions?

58. Are there cultural differences in coping strategies for stress?

59. Do our different cultures shape our personalities?

60. How does multi-generational culture influence family values and structure?

Health psychology research question examples

Health psychology is a crucial field of study. Understanding how psychological factors influence health behaviors, adherence to medical treatments, and overall wellness enables health experts to develop effective interventions and preventive measures, ultimately improving health outcomes.

Health psychology also aids in managing stress, promoting healthy behaviors, and optimizing mental health, fostering a holistic approach to well-being.

Here are five ideas to inspire research in this field:

61. How can health psychology interventions improve lifestyle behaviors to prevent cardiovascular diseases?

62. What role do social norms play in vaping among adolescents?

63. What role do personality traits play in the development and management of chronic pain conditions?

64. How do cultural beliefs and attitudes influence health-seeking behaviors in diverse populations?

65. What are the psychological factors influencing the adherence to preventive health behaviors, such as vaccination and regular screenings?

Neuropsychology research paper question examples

Neuropsychology research explores how a person’s cognition and behavior are related to their brain and nervous system. Researchers aim to advance the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral and cognitive effects of neurological disorders.

Researchers may work with children facing learning or developmental challenges, or with adults with declining cognitive abilities. They may also focus on injuries or illnesses of the brain, such as traumatic brain injuries, to determine the effect on cognitive and behavioral functions.

Neuropsychology informs diagnosis and treatment strategies for conditions such as dementia, traumatic brain injuries, and psychiatric disorders. Understanding the neural basis of behavior enhances our ability to optimize cognitive functioning, rehabilitate people with brain injuries, and improve patient care.

Here are some example research questions to consider:

66. How do neurotransmitter imbalances in specific brain regions contribute to mood disorders such as depression?

67. How can a traumatic brain injury affect memory?

68. What neural processes underlie attention deficits in people with ADHD?

69. Do medications affect the brain differently after a traumatic brain injury?

70. What are the behavioral effects of prolonged brain swelling?

Psychology of religion research question examples

The psychology of religion is a field that studies the interplay between belief systems, spirituality, and mental well-being. It explores the application of the psychological methods and interpretive frameworks of religious traditions and how they relate to both religious and non-religious people.

Psychology of religion research contributes to a holistic understanding of human experiences. It fosters cultural competence and guides therapeutic approaches that respect diverse spiritual beliefs.

Here are some example research questions in this field:

71. What impact does a religious upbringing have on a child’s self-esteem?

72. How do religious beliefs shape decision-making and perceptions of morality?

73. What is the impact of religious indoctrination?

74. Is there correlation between religious and mindfulness practices?

75. How does religious affiliation impact attitudes towards mental health treatment and help-seeking behaviors?

Controversial topics in psychology research question examples

Some psychology topics don’t fit into any of the subcategories above, but they may still be worthwhile topics to consider. These topics are the ones that spark interest, conversation, debate, and disagreement. They are often inspired by current issues and assess the validity of older research.

Consider some of these research question examples:

76. How does the rise in on-screen violence impact behavior in adolescents.

77. Should access to social media platforms be restricted in children under the age of 12 to improve mental health?

78. Are prescription mental health medications over-prescribed in older adults? If so, what are the effects of this?

79. Cognitive biases in AI: what are the implications for decision-making?

80. What are the psychological and ethical implications of using virtual reality in exposure therapy for treating trauma-related conditions?

  • Inspiration for your next psychology research project

You can choose from a diverse range of research questions that intersect and overlap across various specialties.

From cognitive psychology to clinical studies, each inquiry contributes to a deeper understanding of the human mind and behavior. Importantly, the relevance of these questions transcends individual disciplines, as many findings offer insights applicable across multiple areas of study.

As health trends evolve and societal needs shift, new topics emerge, fueling continual exploration and discovery. Diving into this ever-changing and expanding area of study enables you to navigate the complexities of the human experience and pave the way for innovative solutions to the challenges of tomorrow.

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topics for dissertation in psychology

Possible educational psychology dissertation topics

The topics in educational psychology are related to learning and its related aspects. Examples include:

6. The relationship between harsh parenting on a secondary school student's performance. The idea can be used to determine the impacts of harsh parenting on the performance of students in secondary schools.

7. Impacts of bullying on student learning outcomes in tertiary education level institutions. One can use the idea to study the forms of bullying and how they affect learning outcomes in tertiary institutions.

8. The role of educational psychologists in cognitive development studies for children born with autism spectrum disorders. One can use this idea to inquire about the contribution of educational psychologists in enabling a child born with an autism spectrum disorder to excel at a better educational attainment level.

9. Cultural perceptions and differences of autism spectrum disorders in educational psychology. The topic idea can be used to determine the impacts of cultural differences on the perception of autism among educational psychologists.

10. Assessing and managing anxiety disorders among doctors in tertiary institutions through formal training workshops. This idea can be used to determine the role of formal training workshops in reducing/managing anxiety among doctor trainees in tertiary learning institutions.

Developmental psychology dissertation ideas

Developmental changes in human societies result from various developmental disorders. Dissertation topics in developmental psychology include:

11. Tracing the link between antisocial behavior and developmental psychology among adults. A literature review approach can be used to determine whether certain antisocial behaviors may have resulted from developmental psychology.

12. The relationship between happiness and performance in children and adults. The idea can be used to determine whether happiness can enhance how children and adults perform their tasks in different settings.

13. Developmental differences between children who spend the most time watching television and those who play a lot. One can use this idea to find out whether spending time watching television or playing outdoors can affect child development.

14. Maternal stress in pregnancy and the cognitive development of children. A qualitative study can be carried out on this topic idea to determine the impacts of maternal stress during pregnancy on the cognitive development of the child.

15. The relationship between religious orientations and spiritual/moral development. One can research the topic to determine whether a relationship exists between religious orientation and the spiritual or moral development of an individual.

Abnormal psychology dissertation topics

The psychology branch entails the study of abnormal patterns of behavior, thoughts, or emotions that may lead to mental disorders. In dissertation writing, psychology students can use abnormal psychology ideas such as:

16. Professional contributions and learning in promoting the mental health and psychological well-being of children. A multidisciplinary team can be used to study how professional and learning environments can contribute to the psychological and mental well-being of children.

17. Children's home routines and the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A study on the topic idea can be used to explore the relationship between home routines and treatment procedures for ADHD among children.

18. Depression and diet. One can use the idea to find out whether eating certain foods can reduce depression levels.

19. Social media and self-harm among adolescents. The idea can be used to explore the relationship between exposure to social media sites with self-harm among adolescents.

20. Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among assaultive violence victims. One can explore the relationship between assaultive violence and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Social psychology dissertation topics

Social psychology research aims at understanding the nature and types of individual behaviors in social situations. Possible research topics in social psychology dissertation writing include:

21. Gender bias and individual attitudes and behaviors. The idea can be used to explore the impact of gender issues on individual attitudes and behaviors and their role in increasing gender inequalities.

22. Social attitudes to mental illness. One can use the topic idea to assess the change in social attitudes on mental health after the target audience is subjected to certain stimuli.

23. Music and crime rates. One can explore the role of music in reducing crime rates among youths.

24. Patterns of cognitive dissonance among smokers. A study on this topic can be used to determine the impact of cognitive dissonance on subsequent intentions to quit smoking.

25. Use of women's images in website branding. One can use this idea to assess whether gender plays a significant role in marketing, branding, and online presence.

Counseling psychology dissertation topic ideas

The counseling branch of psychology focuses on the growth of an individual and interpersonal development. Possible topic ideas in counseling psychology include:

26. The gap between social expectations from counseling and its practical impacts. A study can be conducted on the topic idea to determine whether there are gaps between what is expected from counseling to the practical impacts on the target audience.

27. Empathy in counseling psychology. The idea can be used to determine whether being empathetic can improve patient outcomes in counseling psychology.

28. The role of gender in seeking help with psychological and physical issues. One can explore the reasons men find it difficult to seek help more than women.

29. Counseling and management of obesity in children. The idea can be used to determine the role of counseling in managing obesity among children.

30. Counseling psychology and teenage pregnancies. One can explore whether incorporating counseling sessions into the school curriculum can help in reducing teenage pregnancies.

Cognitive psychology dissertation topics

Cognitive psychology involves the study of the processes of the human mind such as thinking, problem-solving, perceiving, neuropsychology, and language use among others. Topic ideas for dissertations in cognitive psychology include:

31. Color psychology in cognitive development studies. The idea can be used to determine the role of color in enhancing visual cognitive development in children.

32. Emotions and cognitive flexibility. The student can explore the impacts of emotional memory on the cognitive flexibility of individuals.

33. Cognitive vulnerability and depression. One can use this topic idea to find out whether there is an association between depression and cognitive vulnerability.

34. Video games in the psychological development of children with special needs. The topic idea can be used to explore whether video games can promote successful learning outcomes among children with special needs.

35. Emotion, anxiety disorders, and impaired social cognition. The idea entails determining the relationship between impaired social cognition, emotions, and anxiety disorders.

Forensic psychology dissertation ideas

Forensic psychology deals with legal aspects in social environments such as police stations and rehabilitation centers. Forensic psychology dissertation topic ideas include:

36. Use of self-appraisal questionnaires in assessing the risks of antisocial and aggressive behaviors. One can study the efficacy of self-appraisal questionnaires used by forensic psychologists in predicting the risk of antisocial behavior and aggressiveness.

37. Childhood trauma, aggression, and adult antisocial behavior. The idea can be used to explore the relationship between childhood trauma, aggression, and antisocial behavior in adults.

38. YouTube in forensic psychologists' learning and information gathering. The research aim for this topic idea will be to evaluate the effectiveness of YouTube as a source of information and learning in forensic psychology.

39. The internet, video games, movies, and copycat crimes. This topic idea can be used to determine the role played by the internet movies, and video games in increasing emulated crimes.

40. Societal attitudes and perception of domestic violence inflicted on men. One can use the idea to determine the reasons why society may neglect cases of domestic violence against men.

41. Upbringing and serial killing. A student can write a dissertation on this topic idea to find out whether there is a correlation between child upbringing and the curbing of a serial killer.

Possible mental health dissertation topic

Possible mental health psychology dissertation ideas include:

42. Divorce/separation and psychological child development. The study seeks to explore the psychological impacts of divorce on the children of divorcees.

43. Child trauma, quality of life, and the mental health/self-worth of a child. The topic idea can be used to assess the long-term impacts of childhood trauma and quality of life on an individual's mental health and self-worth.

44. Social media and aggression. The topic idea aims at determining the role of media in provoking aggression among certain internet users.

45. Emotional attachment and mental well-being. A psychology student can use this topic idea to determine the relationship between emotional attachment and the mental well-being of partners in long-distance relationships.

Organizational or industrial psychology dissertation ideas

Industrial psychologists help in managing issues in marketing, sales, administration, human resources, or operations faced by organizations. Possible dissertation topics in this branch of psychology include:

46. Employee rewards, motivation, and productivity. The research aims at studying the relationship between the productivity of an organization and employee motivation levels.

47. Interior design and industrial psychology. A dissertation written on this topic idea would focus on determining how the interior design/appearance of a working environment can affect employee motivation and productivity.

48. Industrial psychology and hate crime. One can use the idea to design a research study to explore the psychological consequences of hate crime in a specified target population.

49. Psychological management, motivation, and depression/boredom among employees. The study seeks to determine the role of effective psychological management and employee motivation in reducing repetitive work-related depression and boredom.

50. Work attitudes of the digital generation and the quality of professional decisions. The dissertation topic idea can be used to explore the attitudes of the modern generation towards work and the impacts of such attitudes on professional decision-making

Among the topics addressed in this article, one can choose an idea that is most appropriate for their research objectives, specialty area, or the type of psychological disorder they seek to address.

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Psychology Undergraduate Program

  • Department of Psychology
  • Past & Current Theses

Current Approved Thesis Proposals

2024-25 Approved Thesis Proposals

2025-26 Approved Thesis Proposals

Lists of Past Theses

Class of 2024 /  2023 /  2022 /  2021 /  2020  / 2019  /  2018 /  2017 /  2016 /  2015 /  2014 2013 /  2012  /  2011  /  2010  /  2009 /  2008 /  2007 /  2006  /  2005  /  2004   2003  /  2002  /  2001  (PDF)/  2000  (PDF) /  1999  (PDF) List of Prize-Winning Theses, 2001 - Present

Reading Sample Theses

As you prepare for your thesis, you might want to get a sense of what you can accomplish in your finished product. Reading past theses can show you the scope and nature of well-done undergraduate projects. Because theses in different areas of psychology often look quite different, it will help you to examine several in the same general area you plan to conduct your research in.

The Psychology Undergraduate Office has hard copies of several prize-winning theses from the past five years that you may sign out to see what the best undergraduate work looks like. Above, you can browse the titles of past undergraduate theses to give you an idea of the topics of theses students typically write.

Only hard copies of recent prize-winning theses are currently available.

Please note: Recent theses stored in the Social Relations Library (which recently closed) are unavailable. Inquirers needing a thesis that is not listed in HOLLIS should contact the authors of theses directly to attempt to obtain a copy.  

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Home > School, College, or Department > CLAS > Psychology > Dissertations and Theses

Psychology Dissertations and Theses

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Faculty Mentors' Influence on Latino/a/x STEM Undergraduates' STEM Identity Development , Sandy Cerda-Lezama

The Nuanced Relationship Between Mindfulness, Racial Prejudice, and Policy Support , Jared Michael Cutler

Individual and Structural Contributors to Implicit and Explicit Anti-Muslim Bias in the United States , Aeleah M. Granger

The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Juvenile Offender Typology , Aliza Beth Lipman

A Cognitive Approach to Supervisor Training Intervention Evaluation: Analyzing Change with Response Shift Theory and Models of Measurement Invariance , Luke Daniel Mahoney

The Exploration of Latino BIP Participants' Experiences of Oppression and Expressions of Critical Consciousness , Adrian Luis Manriquez

Permission to Play: A District's Initiative to Innovate Kindergarten and Promote Developmentally Appropriate Practices , Cristin McDonough

The Wage of Wellness: The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status, Race, and Work Recovery , Emily Julia Ready

Seguir Adelante: A Qualitative Exploration of Latino Farmworkers' Work and Non-Work Resources , Faviola Robles Saenz

It Takes a Village: An Examination of Social Relationships and Mental Health , Em Francis Trubits

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Examining Factors Impacting the Service Needs of Unhoused Women , Holly Brott

Main, Mediated, and Moderated Effects of Participating in an After-School Social and Emotional Learning Program on Young Children's Development of Social-Emotional Skills , Amy L. Cordier

Who Puts the "Support" in Supportive Housing? The Impact of Housing Staff on Resident's Well-Being, and the Potential Moderating Role of Self-Determination , Kenna Estell Dickard

Motivation to Collaborate: A Qualitative Exploration of the Perspectives of Service Providers on an Alternative First Response Program , Desiree' J. DuBoise

Tell Me, Do You Feel It Too? A Meta-analysis of Dyadic Emotional Contagion in the Workplace , Stefanie Fox

Left on "Read" and All Alone: Instigated Cyber Incivility, Shame, and Experienced Ostracism at Work , Alison Lucia Hunt

Exploring Associations between Military Identity and Well-being Outcomes among Post-9/11 Veterans after Separation , James David Lee

Experiences of People with Serious Mental Illness Seeking Services at Community Mental Health Centers During the COVID-19 Pandemic , Emily Leickly

Why So Serious? Using the Belongingness Need Tenet from the Self-Determination Theory to Examine Workplace Humor and Its Outcomes , Katharine Lucille McMahon

Emotion Knowledge, Its Applications, and Their Associations With African American Children's Social Relationships With Teachers and Peers in Kindergarten and First Grade , Brielle Emily Petit

Stress-Reduction from Positive Support: Impacts of Receiving Partner Capitalization Support on Veteran Stress/Work Stress , MaryAnn Dona Samson

Diversity in Recruitment: The Role of Realistic Website Job Previews for Racial and Ethnic Minority Applicants , Jennifer Saucedo

Antecedents of FSSB: Evaluating the Demographic Basis of Support , Erika Ann Schemmel

A Daily Investigation of the Recovery Paradox: Examining the Dynamic Interplay of Workload, Recovery Experiences, and Microbreaks , Morgan Rose Taylor

Not on the Menu: Customer Sexual Harassment in the Restaurant Industry , Fernanda Wolburg Martinez

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Model.Disclose(): Examination of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Disclosure at Work , Timothy Allen Carsey

Transforming Learning Communities, Transforming Ourselves: A Qualitative Investigation of Identity Processes in a Participatory Action Research-themed Undergraduate Course , Julia Sara Dancis

Clarifying and Measuring Inclusive Leadership , Kelly Mason Hamilton

Intersections of Masculinity, Culturally Relevant Factors, and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Asian American Men , Jason Z. Kyler-Yano

Sleeping to Support: An Examination of the Relationship Between Leader Sleep and Positive Support Behaviors , Jordyn Jan Leslie

Work-Related IPV Among Latinos: Exploring the Roles of Fatherhood Status, Gendered Expectations, and Support for Intimate Partner's Employment , Adrian Luis Manriquez

Masculinity Instability and Ideologies as Predictors of IPV Perpetration: The Mediating Role of Relationship Power , Emma Christine Marioles O'Connor

The Benefits of Social Support on Health and Well-Being in Military Populations: Examining Mechanisms, Source of Support, and the Reach of a Workplace Well-Being Intervention , AnnaMarie Sophia O'Neill

Do Motives Matter? The Role of Motivation in Shaping the Impact of Mindfulness Training on Teachers' Psychological Distress and Wellbeing , Cristi N. Pinela

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

The Longitudinal Effects of a Family and Sleep Supportive Intervention on Service Member Anger and Resilience , Shalene Joyce Allen

Drug Conviction and Employment Restriction: Experiences of Employees with Drug-Related Criminal Histories , Liana Bernard

Sustaining Boys' Motivation Over the Transition to Middle School: Can Interpersonal Resources Protect Boys from Engagement Declines Across Sixth Grade? , Brandy Anne Brennan

Returning to Rejection: Outcomes and Boundary Conditions of Mental Illness Stereotypes , Stefanie Fox

Guarding Against Strain: The Moderating Role of Nonwork Experiences in the Relationship Between Work-Related Hypervigilance and Strain in Correctional Officers , Samantha Getzen

Anti-Muslim Bias: Investigating Individual Differences, Threat Perceptions, and Emotions in Islamophobic Policy Support , Aeleah M. Granger

Black Children's Development of Self-Regulation within Stressful Contexts of Parenting: Investigating Potential Buffering Effects of a Kindergarten Social-Emotional Learning Program , Eli Labinger

"Like I Was an Actual Researcher": Participation and Identity Trajectories of Underrepresented Minority and First-Generation STEM Students in Research Training Communities of Practice , Jennifer Lynn Lindwall

Claiming Miscommunication to Justify Rape: The Role of Liking the Perpetrator , Alyssa Marie Glace Maryn

An "I" for an "I" : A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Instigated and Reciprocal Incivility , Lauren Sarah Park

Parenting and Children's Academic Coping as a Dynamic System: Feedforward, Feedback, and Mediators of Changes Across the School Year , Kristen Elizabeth Raine

Does Experiencing Spousal Support and Strain Impact the Quality of Family-Based Support that Supervisors Provide to Employees? , Joseph Alvin Sherwood

"B-ing Flexible" : Examining Creativity in Bisexual Employees , Megan Jane Snoeyink

Exploring the Relationships Between Community Experiences and Well-Being among Youth Experiencing Homelessness , Katricia Stewart

Mothers' Drinking Motives , Sheila Kathleen Umemoto

An Examination of Nurses' Schedule Characteristics, Recovery from Work, and Well-Being , Sarah Elizabeth Van Dyck

Preventing Sexual Violence Through Understanding Perceptions of Sexual Offenders , Judith G. Zatkin

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Examining Employee Needs at Work and Home: a Self-Determination Theory Perspective , Dana Anuhea Auten

Trajectories, Time Windows, and Alternative Pathways of Engagement: Motivational Resources Underlying Academic Development during Middle School , Heather Anne Brule

Examining Mindfulness Training for Teachers: Theoretical and Methodological Extensions of Intervention Effectiveness , Jaiya Rae Choles

Detecting Reinforcement Patterns in the Stream of Naturalistic Observations of Social Interactions , James Lamar DeLaney 3rd

An Investigation of the Temporal Relationship Between Agitation and Sleep Disturbances , Emily Catherine Denning

Peers' Academic Coping as a Resource for Academic Engagement and Motivational Resilience in the First Year of Middle School , Daniel Lee Grimes

Home Resources Supporting Workplace Resources: an Investigation of Moderated Intervention Effects From the Study for Employment Retention of Veterans (SERVe) , Sarah Nielsen Haverly

"It Puts a Face to All the Knowledge We've Gotten" : a Program of Research on Intimate Partner Violence Surrogate Impact Panels , Kate Louise Sackett Kerrigan

A Daily Examination of Anger and Alcohol Use Among Post-9/11 Veterans , James David Lee

An Examination of Daily Family-Supportive Supervisor Behaviors, Perceived Supervisor Responsiveness and Job Satisfaction , Luke Daniel Mahoney

Nurse Can't Even: the Immediate Impact of Incivility on Affect, Well-being, and Behavior , Katharine Lucille McMahon

Perceptions of Police Use of Force at the Intersection of Race and Pregnancy , Emma Elizabeth Lee Money

The Impact of Paternal Caregivers for Youth Who Commit Sexual Offenses , Miranda Hope Sitney

Human Energy in the Workplace: an Investigation of Daily Energy Management Strategies, Job Stressors and Employee Outcomes , Morgan Rose Taylor

Individual and Community Supports that Impact Community Inclusion and Recovery for Individuals with Serious Mental Illnesses , Rachel Elizabeth Terry

Investigating Sexual Fantasy and Sexual Behavior in Adolescent Offenders , Hayley Lauren Tews

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Integrating Work Ability into the Organizational Science Literature: Advancing Theory and Developing the Nomological Network , Grant Brady

Family Linked Workplace Resources and Contextual Factors as Important Predictors of Job and Individual Well-being for Employees and Families , Jacquelyn Marie Brady

The Role of Teacher Autonomy Support Across the Transition to Middle School: its Components, Reach, and Developmental Effects , Julia Sara Dancis

Does X Mark the Applicant? Assessing Reactions to Gender Non-Binary Job Seekers , Kelly Mason Hamilton

Urbanicity as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Stigma and Well-being Outcomes for Individuals with Serious Mental Illnesses , Emily Leickly

The Relationship Between Undergraduate Research Training Programs and Motivational Resources for Underrepresented Minority Students in STEM: Program Participation, Self-efficacy, a Sense of Belonging, and Academic Performance , Jennifer Lindwall

Perceived Partner Responsiveness, Sleep and Pain: a Dyadic Study of Military-Connected Couples , AnnaMarie Sophia O'Neill

Recruitment Marketing: How Do Wellness and Work-Life Benefits Influence Employer Image Perceptions, Organizational Attraction, and Job Pursuit Intentions? , Amy Christine Pytlovany

The Combined Effects of Parent and Teacher Involvement on the Development of Adolescents' Academic Engagement , Nicolette Paige Rickert

Examining the Development and Classroom Dynamics of Student Disaffection Over Multiple Time Periods: Short-term Episodes and Long-term Trajectories , Emily Anne Saxton

Drinking on a Work Night: a Comparison of Day and Person-Level Associations with Workplace Outcomes , Brittnie Renae Shepherd

Development and Validation of the Workplace Mental Illness Stigma Scale (W-MISS) , Nicholas Anthony Smith

Relational Thriving in Context: Examining the Roles of Gratitude, Affectionate Touch, and Positive Affective Variability in Health and Well-Being , Alicia Rochelle Starkey

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse and Juvenile Offending Through Parental Monitoring , Kelly E. Stewart

"To Call or Not to Call?" The Impact of Supervisor Training on Call Center Employee Attitudes and Well-Being , Whitney Elan Schneider Vogel

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

The Impact of Leader Race and Gender on Perceptions of Organizations in Response to Corporate Error , Nicolas Derek Brown

Impacts of Mindfulness Training on Mechanisms Underlying Stress Reduction in Teachers: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial , Jaiya Rae Choles

Student Motivation Profiles as a Diagnostic Tool to Help Teachers Provide Targeted Support , Cailin Tricia Currie

Insufficient Effort Responding on Mturk Surveys: Evidence-Based Quality Control for Organizational Research , Lee Cyr

Affirmative Consent Endorsement and Peer Norms Supporting Sexual Violence Among Vulnerable Students on College Campuses , Alyssa Marie Glace

Gendered Partner-Ideals, Relationship Satisfaction, and Intimate Partner Violence , Sylvia Marie Ferguson Kidder

Organizational Calling and Safety: the Role of Workload and Supervisor Support , Layla Rhiannon Mansfield

Bystander Intervention to Prevent Campus Sexual Violence: the Role of Sense of Community, Peer Norms, and Administrative Responding , Erin Christine McConnell

Benevolent Sexism and Racial Stereotypes: Targets, Functions, and Consequences , Jean Marie McMahon

Perceived Overqualification and Withdrawal Among Seasonal Workers: Would Work Motivation Make a Difference? , Anthony Duy Nguyen

Differential Well-Being in Response to Incivility and Surface Acting among Nurses as a Function of Race , Lauren Sarah Park

Financial Strain and the Work-Home Interface: a Test of the Work-Home Resources Model from the Study for Employment Retention of Veterans (SERVe) , MacKenna Laine Perry

Neighbor Perceptions of Psychiatric Supportive Housing : the Role of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors , Amy Leigh Shearer

The Role of Caregiver Disruption in the Development of Juvenile Sexual Offenders , Miranda Sitney

Intrapersonal and Social-Contextual Factors Related to Psychological Well-being among Youth Experiencing Homelessness , Katricia Stewart

Age-based Differences in the Usefulness of Resources: a Multi-Study Investigation of Work and Well-being Outcomes , Lale Muazzez Yaldiz

Pathways to Kindergarten Growth: Synthesizing Theories of the Kindergarten Transition to Support Children's Development , Rita Yelverton

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

The Force of Manhood: the Consequences of Masculinity Threat on Police Officer Use of Force , Aurelia Terese Alston

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topics for dissertation in psychology

Research Topics

Cutting-edge research into the workings of the human mind

Our faculty conducts scientific research on topics that span across all areas of psychology. Some themes of research concentration are listed below. Click the topics to see the list of department faculty associated with each theme.

slot machin

Addictive Behaviors

elderly hands and cane

Computational Approaches

girl with plants

Decision Science

Lego blocks

Developmental Approaches

textbooks and a red apple on a desk

Interventions

heads talking to each other

Learning & Memory

mathematical notations in the shape of a brain

Mathematical Cognition

swiss army knife inside brain

Meaning & Mental Representation

competitive swimmer

Motivation & Emotion

brain imaging

Neuroimaging

tree branches intersecting

Plasticity & Change

neurons firing inside brain

Psychopathology & Risk

rubik's cube

Reasoning & Problem Solving

chess pieces and mirror

Self & Identity

pile of chocolate chip cookies

Self-Regulation & Control

brains with cogs inside

Social Cognition

clip art people

Stereotyping & Stereotype Threat

eye iris

Vision Science

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Words & Categories

Department of Psychology

You are here, recent ph.d. dissertation titles.

Bailey, April H ,   Men at the Center: Androcentric Bias in Cultural Practices and Cognitive Structure

Boswell, Rebecca G ,  Food Craving and Its Regulation: Implications for Obesity and Binge Eating Disorder

Casados, Ava T ,   Understanding Parents’ Judgments of Childhood Mental Illness: Development of the Perceptions of Psychological Symptom Scale

Chung, Yoonho ,   Deviance in Neuroanatomical Maturity as a Biological Marker to Predict the Onset of Psychosis in Youth at Clinical High Risk

Crossman, Molly K ,   Establishing the Influence of Interactions With Animals on Psychological Distress

Jordan, Matthew R ,  Misbelieving: Optimism, Self-deception, and the Shape of Beliefs

Kraft-Todd, Gordon ,   Leading By Example Motivates Prosociality through Second-Order Belief Inference

Lambert, Robert C ,   From Probability to Familiarity: Explorations on the Relationship between Statistical Learning and Processing Fluency

Melnikoff, David E ,   Towards a Goals-First Framework of Cognitiion and Action

O’Connell, Thomas P,   Reconstructing Visual Cognition

Santascoy, Nicholas,   Hostile Attribution for Bias

Vanderlind, William M ,   Understanding Positive Emotion in Depression: The Role of Emotion Regulation

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201 Best Psychology Dissertation Topics for Research

Table of Contents

Are you ready to delve into the fascinating world of psychology dissertation topics? Whether you’re embarking on your dissertation journey or simply seeking inspiration, let’s explore some captivating dissertation topics in psychology together.

Picture this: you’re sitting in your favorite spot, sipping on a warm cup of coffee, and brainstorming ideas for your psychology dissertation topics. The possibilities are endless, but fear not, for we’re here to guide you through this exhilarating process.

Let’s start with the basics. How about investigating the impact of social media on mental health? In today’s digital age, it’s a topic that’s both timely and relevant.

You could explore the effects of excessive screen time on anxiety levels or delve into the phenomenon of FOMO (fear of missing out) and its psychological implications.

Feeling a bit more adventurous? How about exploring the psychology of decision-making? From consumer behavior to political choices, our decisions shape every aspect of our lives. Dive deep into the cognitive processes behind decision-making and uncover the factors that influence our choices.

Or perhaps you’re intrigued by the power of positive psychology? Delve into the science of happiness and well-being and explore interventions that promote resilience and mental flourishing. Who knows, you might just uncover the secret to leading a fulfilling life!

But wait, there’s more! What about the psychology of dreams? Explore the mysterious realm of the subconscious mind and unravel the meanings behind our nocturnal adventures. From Freudian theories to modern-day interpretations, the world of dreams is ripe for exploration.

And let’s not forget about the psychology of persuasion. Investigate the tactics used in advertising and politics to influence our behavior and examine the ethical implications of such techniques.

No matter which paths you choose, remember that your dissertation is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the field of psychology. So, go forth and explore, dear scholar, for the world of psychology awaits your unique insights and discoveries.

Tips to Find Good Dissertation Topics for Psychology

Selecting an intriguing and relevant dissertation topic on Psychology is the foundation of a successful research endeavor. Here are tips to help you find compelling psychology dissertation topics:

  • Explore Social Psychology Dissertation Topics: Investigate social psychology dissertation topics to uncover areas that intersect with your interests and have the potential for unique contributions.
  • Consider Mental Health in Psychology Dissertation Ideas: Delve into psychology dissertation ideas related to mental health, exploring issues that are both timely and critical in contemporary society.
  • Positive Psychology Research Topics for College Students: Explore positive psychology research topics tailored for college students, focusing on promoting well-being and positive mental health in educational settings.
  • Personal Appeal for Sustained Interest: Choose a topic that personally appeals to you to maintain enthusiasm throughout the writing process, ensuring the quality of your dissertation remains high.

Cognitive Psychology Dissertation Topics:

  • a. The effects of multitasking on cognitive performance in college students.
  • b. Investigating the role of memory consolidation during sleep.
  • c. The impact of mindfulness meditation on attentional control.
  • d. Cognitive biases in decision-making processes.
  • e. Examining the relationship between language acquisition and cognitive development in infants.

Clinical Psychology Dissertation Topics:

  • a. Exploring the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating anxiety disorders.
  • b. The role of family dynamics in the development of eating disorders among adolescents.
  • c. Examining the efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy for phobias.
  • d. Investigating the relationship between childhood trauma and adult psychopathology.
  • e. Evaluating the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for depression.

Social Psychology Dissertation Topics:

  • a. The influence of social media on self-esteem and body image perception.
  • b. Examining conformity and obedience in group settings.
  • c. Investigating the bystander effect in emergency situations.
  • d. The impact of stereotypes on academic performance among minority students.
  • e. Exploring the psychology of online dating and mate selection.

Developmental Psychology Dissertation Topics:

  • a. Examining the effects of parental attachment styles on adolescent identity formation.
  • b. Investigating the role of play in early childhood development.
  • c. The impact of divorce on children’s socioemotional development.
  • d. Parental influences on gender identity development in children.
  • e. Exploring the effects of bullying on adolescent mental health and social adjustment.

Health Psychology Dissertation Topics:

  • a. Investigating the psychological factors influencing adherence to medical treatments.
  • b. The role of stress in the development and progression of chronic illnesses.
  • c. Examining the effects of exercise on mental health and well-being.
  • d. Exploring the relationship between personality traits and health outcomes.
  • e. Investigating the psychological impact of chronic pain on quality of life.

Forensic Psychology Dissertation Topics:

  • a. The reliability of eyewitness testimony in criminal investigations.
  • b. Investigating the effectiveness of forensic interviewing techniques with children.
  • c. psychological profiling in criminal investigations: methods and limitations.
  • d. The role of mental illness in criminal behavior and legal responsibility.
  • e. Evaluating the impact of media portrayals of crime on public perceptions and attitudes towards offenders.

Industrial-Organizational Psychology:

  • a. Examining the relationship between job satisfaction and employee turnover.
  • b. The impact of leadership styles on organizational culture and employee morale.
  • c. Investigating the effectiveness of diversity training programs in reducing workplace discrimination.
  • d. The role of emotional intelligence in workplace success and job performance.
  • e. Exploring the psychology of work-life balance and its implications for employee well-being.

Educational Psychology Dissertation Topics:

  • a. The effects of classroom environment on student motivation and academic performance.
  • b. Investigating the role of self-efficacy beliefs in academic achievement.
  • c. The impact of technology on learning outcomes and student engagement.
  • d. Examining the effectiveness of interventions for students with learning disabilities.
  • e. Exploring the psychology of bullying in schools and strategies for prevention.

Neuropsychology:

  • a. Investigating the neural correlates of decision-making processes in the brain.
  • b. The effects of traumatic brain injury on cognitive functioning and behavior.
  • c. Examining the relationship between sleep disorders and cognitive impairment.
  • d. Neural mechanisms underlying addiction and substance abuse disorders.
  • e. Exploring the role of genetics in neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Environmental Psychology:

  • a. The psychological impacts of urbanization and city living on mental health.
  • b. Investigating the effects of natural environments on stress reduction and well-being.
  • c. The role of environmental attitudes and behaviors in promoting sustainable living.
  • d. Exploring the psychology of environmental activism and collective action.
  • e. Examining the relationship between built environments and social interactions in public spaces.
  • Investigating the psychological effects of urban environments on stress and well-being
  • Exploring the role of nature exposure in promoting cognitive restoration and mental health
  • Assessing the impact of environmental sustainability initiatives on individual and collective behavior
  • Examining the psychological barriers to pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors
  • Exploring the role of environmental justice in addressing disparities in health and well-being

Social Psychology

  • Exploring the dynamics of social identity and its influence on intergroup relations
  • Investigating the psychological mechanisms underlying conformity and obedience to authority
  • Examining the role of empathy in prosocial behavior and altruism
  • Assessing the impact of prejudice and discrimination on individual and group outcomes
  • Exploring the intersection of psychology and social justice, including advocacy and activism

Personality Psychology Dissertation Topics

  • Investigating the stability and change of personality traits across the lifespan.
  • Exploring the genetic and environmental influences on personality development
  • Examining the role of personality in romantic relationships and partner selection
  • Assessing the effectiveness of personality assessment tools in predicting behavior and outcomes
  • Exploring the implications of personality disorders for individual functioning and treatment approaches

Positive Psychology Dissertation Topics

  • Investigating the factors that contribute to subjective well-being and life satisfaction.
  • Exploring the role of gratitude, forgiveness, and resilience in promoting mental health and thriving
  • Assessing the effectiveness of positive interventions such as mindfulness, gratitude journals, and acts of kindness
  • Examining the relationship between positive emotions and physical health outcomes
  • Exploring the application of positive psychology principles in educational, clinical, and organizational settings

Cultural Psychology Dissertation Topics

  • Investigating cultural variations in cognition, emotion, and behavior
  • Exploring the impact of globalization on cultural identity and psychological well-being
  • Examining the role of cultural norms and values in shaping social interactions and relationships
  • Assessing the implications of cultural diversity for multicultural competence and intercultural communication
  • Exploring the intersectionality of culture with other social identities such as race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality

Top Dissertation Topics in Psychology

Social media influence on body image.

  • How social media use affects adolescents’ perception of their bodies.
  • Exploring the correlation between social media engagement and body dissatisfaction in teens
  • The role of celebrity endorsements on body image ideals among adolescents
  • Investigating the impact of body-positive social media campaigns on self-esteem in adolescents
  • Examining gender differences in social media’s influence on body image perception

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Depression

  • Evaluating the effectiveness of CBT in treating depression compared to other therapeutic approaches.
  • Investigating the long-term outcomes of CBT for individuals with recurrent depressive episodes
  • Exploring the role of cognitive restructuring in CBT interventions for depression
  • Examining the impact of therapist-client rapport on CBT outcomes for depression
  • Assessing the feasibility of integrating mindfulness techniques into CBT for depression treatment

Parental Attachment and Child Development

  • The influence of parental attachment styles on children’s emotional regulation abilities
  • Exploring the relationship between parental attachment and social competence in children
  • Investigating the role of parental warmth and responsiveness in fostering secure attachment in infants
  • Examining the impact of early attachment experiences on later romantic relationships in adulthood
  • Assessing the effects of insecure attachment patterns on children’s academic performance and behavior

Mindfulness for Stress Reduction

  • The physiological mechanisms underlying the stress-reducing effects of mindfulness practices.
  • Exploring the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programs in workplace settings
  • Investigating the role of mindfulness in buffering the effects of chronic stress on mental health
  • Examining the impact of mindfulness interventions on reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression
  • Assessing the feasibility of incorporating mindfulness techniques into daily life for stress management

Sleep Quality and College Performance

  • Exploring the relationship between sleep duration and academic achievement in college students
  • Investigating the effects of sleep quality on cognitive functioning and learning outcomes in college students
  • The role of sleep hygiene practices in improving academic performance among college students
  • Examining the impact of irregular sleep schedules on college students’ psychological well-being
  • Assessing the effectiveness of sleep intervention programs in promoting better sleep habits and academic success among college students

Parental Divorce and Children’s Mental Health

  • Understanding the psychological effects of parental divorce on children’s emotional well-being
  • Exploring the factors that moderate the relationship between parental divorce and children’s mental health outcomes.
  • Investigating the role of co-parenting dynamics in mitigating the negative effects of divorce on children’s adjustment
  • Examining the long-term consequences of parental divorce on adult children’s mental health and relationship functioning
  • Assessing the efficacy of therapeutic interventions for children coping with the aftermath of parental divorce

Related Post:

  • Business Psychology Dissertation Topics Ideas
  • Sports Psychology Dissertation Topics Ideas

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The top 10 journal articles from 2023 examined the effects of social media, CBT for substance use, and the psychology of gig work

APA’s 89 journals published more than 5,500 articles in 2023. Here are the top 10 most read

Vol. 55 No. 1 Print version: page 22

person wearing a hoodie laying down and using a smartphone

1. Looking through a filtered lens: Negative social comparison on social media and suicidal ideation among young adults.

Spitzer, E. G., et al.

Young adults who engage in comparisons to others on social media and thus feel bad about themselves are more likely to think about suicide, this research in Psychology of Popular Media (Vol. 12, No. 1) suggests. Researchers surveyed 456 college students about their frequency of social media use and used scales to assess participants’ tendency to engage in negative social comparison on Instagram and Facebook, suicidal ideation, and thwarted belongingness (i.e., feeling as if lacking connections or meaningful relationships with others). Results indicated that participants who engaged in negative social comparisons were more likely to report suicidal ideation than those who did not. Specifically, on Instagram, those who negatively compared themselves to others the most also showed the highest levels of association between thwarted belongingness and suicidal ideation. These findings suggest the need for limits on social media use and education around its mental health effects. DOI: 10.1037/ppm0000380

2. Self-compassion and women’s experience of social media content portraying body positivity and appearance ideals.

Rutter, H., et al.

The type of social media content women view can affect their self-compassion—how kind to themselves and accepting of their flaws they are—suggests this study in Psychology of Popular Media (advance online publication). In two experiments, a total of 247 women viewed content consistent with appearance ideals (fitspiration body photos; faces with makeup), appearance-neutral content (landscapes), or body-positive content (body-positive body photos, body-positive quotes, faces without makeup). In both experiments, women who viewed content consistent with appearance ideals reported a state of worse self-compassion and worse thoughts about themselves than those who viewed body-positive or appearance-neutral content. Women who already had daily low self-compassion or high disordered-eating symptoms were the most affected by viewing content consistent with appearance ideals. On the contrary, viewing body-positive content increased the state of self-compassion relative to viewing appearance-neutral content. DOI: 10.1037/ppm0000453

3. Reducing social media use improves appearance and weight esteem in youth with emotional distress.

Thai, H., et al.

Reducing smartphone social media use to 1 hour per day might improve body image and weight esteem in youth with emotional distress who are heavy social media users, this study in Psychology of Popular Media (advance online publication) suggests. The researchers randomly assigned 220 participants (ages 17 to 25 who used social media at least 2 hours per day) to either a 4-week intervention in which they limited their social media use to 1 hour per day or to a control condition with unrestricted access to social media. After the 4-week intervention, the group with restricted social media use felt better about their appearance and weight relative to before the intervention, whereas the other group showed no changes. Thus, reducing smartphone social media use appears to be a good method to improve how youths feel about their appearance and weight and could become a component in the prevention and treatment of body image-related disturbances. DOI: 10.1037/ppm0000460

4. Interventions to reduce the negative impact of online highly visual social networking site use on mental health outcomes: A scoping review.

Herriman, Z., et al.

In this review, published in Psychology of Popular Media (advance online publication), researchers identified 39 studies published between 2011 and 2022 that examined how interventions designed to reduce the negative impact of online highly visual social networking site (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) use impact mental health. Most of the studies were conducted on Western adults younger than age 35 and varied widely in terms of the variables assessed, making it difficult to highlight overall conclusions. Nevertheless, results indicate that interventions focused on reducing the exposure to highly visual social media platforms benefited well-being but may also reduce social connectedness. Interventions focused on social media literacy programs may reduce addiction and improve body image. Other interventions that adopted varied psychological approaches did not appear to lead to significant results. The researchers also highlighted the gaps in research that should be addressed to improve the efficacy of such interventions, including a need for interventions that are more guided by psychological theories and assessments of these interventions that are rigorous and include diverse populations. DOI: 10.1037/ppm0000455

5. On the outside looking in: Social media intensity, social connection, and user well-being: The moderating role of passive social media use.

Roberts, J. A., & David, M. E.

According to this study in the Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science (Vol. 55, No. 3) , heavy passive social media use may be linked with a weaker sense of social connection and well-being. In two survey-based studies with 226 participants in the United States, researchers found that passive engagement with social media (viewing social media but not regularly posting or interacting through the platform) was associated with less social connection, lower well-being, and higher stress. In a third, experimental study, with 160 participants, the researchers asked participants to use social media heavily (10 minutes) or lightly (5 minutes) and engage with it actively or passively. The results indicated that heavy social media use had a negative impact on feelings of social connection when used passively but a positive effect when used actively. DOI: 10.1037/cbs0000323

6. Social media usage is associated with lower knowledge about anxiety and indiscriminate use of anxiety coping strategies.

Wolenski, R., & Pettit, J. W.

Social media might not be the best source to learn about anxiety and how to reduce it, this study in Psychology of Popular Media (advance online publication) suggests. Young adults (N=250) responded to an online survey in which they reported their sources of information about anxiety, the strategies they use to cope with anxiety, and their anxiety symptoms and severity. The researchers also tested participants’ knowledge about anxiety. Participants rated the internet (e.g., Wikipedia, medical websites) as their most used information source, followed by friends and family, therapy, and social media. Participants with an anxiety diagnosis or severe symptoms sought information on social media more frequently than the other participants. Across all participants, those who sought information on social media more frequently showed a lower knowledge about anxiety and were more likely to report using both adaptive and maladaptive strategies to reduce anxiety. On the contrary, using the internet was associated with more knowledge about anxiety. These findings suggest the need to promote the dissemination of accurate information about anxiety on social media. DOI: 10.1037/ppm0000456

7. The psychological scaffolding of arithmetic

Grice, M., et al.

In this article in Psychological Review (advance online publication), the authors propose that arithmetic has a biological origin, rather than philosophical, logical, or cognitive basis. This assertion rests on four principles of perceptual organization—monotonicity, convexity, continuity, and isomorphism—that shape how humans and other animals experience the world. According to the authors, these principles exclude all possibilities except the existence of arithmetic. Monotonicity is the idea that things change in the same direction, so that approaching objects appear to expand, while retreating objects appear to shrink. Convexity deals with betweenness, such that the four corners of a soccer pitch define the playing field even without boundary lines connecting them. Continuity describes the smoothness with which objects appear to move in time and space. Isomorphism is the idea of analogy, allowing people to recognize that cats are more similar to dogs than rocks. The authors’ analysis suggests that arithmetic is not necessarily an immutable truth of the universe but rather follows as a natural consequence of our perceptual system. DOI: 10.1037/rev0000431

8. An evaluation of cognitive behavioral therapy for substance use disorders: A systematic review and application of the society of clinical psychology criteria for empirically supported treatments.

Boness C. L., et al.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an empirically supported treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), is the conclusion of this review in Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice (Vol. 30, No. 2) . The researchers reviewed five meta-analyses of the effect of CBT on SUD, but only one had sufficient quality for inclusion to evaluate the size of the effects of CBT. This meta-analysis found that CBT produced small to moderate effects on SUD when compared with minimal treatment (e.g., waitlist, brief psychoeducation) and nonspecific treatment (e.g., treatment as usual, drug counseling). These effects were smaller in magnitude when compared with other active treatments (e.g., motivational interviewing, contingency management). The effects of CBT on SUD tended to diminish over time (i.e., CBT was most effective at early follow-up of 1 to 6 months posttreatment compared with late follow-up of at least 8 months posttreatment). The researchers recommend CBT to be used as an evidence-based approach to SUD but highlight the need for more research to identify patient characteristics that might moderate response to CBT and the best deployment of CBT (e.g., as a standalone or an adjunct intervention). DOI: 10.1037/cps0000131

9. A network approach to understanding parenting: Linking coparenting, parenting styles, and parental involvement in rearing adolescents in different age groups.

Liu, S., et al.

Mothers’ and fathers’ behaviors that promote a sense of family integrity (i.e., coparenting integrity), warmth, and emotional involvement are central components of the parenting network in two-parent families, according to this study in Developmental Psychology (Vol. 59, No. 4) . Researchers used network analysis to explore different facets of maternal and paternal coparenting (e.g., integrity, conflict), parenting styles (e.g., rejection, warmth), and parental involvement (e.g., emotional support, discipline) in two-parent families in China with a total of 4,852 adolescents at different stages of adolescence. They found that maternal and paternal coparenting integrity, warm parenting style, and emotional involvement were key to the parenting network, as indicated by the central spot they occupied in the network analysis. They also found that the expected influence of these characteristics varied for adolescents in different developmental stages—maternal integrity, warmth, and emotional involvement were important throughout adolescence, but paternal integrity, warmth, and emotional involvement were particularly important in early adolescence. The results suggest that supportive parenting might be a prime target for enhancing parenting systems. DOI: 10.1037/dev0001470

10. Seeking connection, autonomy, and emotional feedback: A self-determination theory of self-regulation in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Champ, R.E., et al.

In this article in Psychological Review (Vol. 130, No. 3) , the authors propose a new framework on the basis of self-determination theory (SDT) for understanding attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and developing treatment approaches. The researchers suggest that using SDT, which proposes that humans have a natural tendency toward growth and self-actualization, supporting intrinsic motivation and self-organization, can offer a new positive understanding of ADHD and its symptoms. This approach counters the negative characterizations of ADHD; moves beyond symptom reduction and the focus on how ADHD presents motivation, engagement, and self-regulation issues; and instead focuses on potential positive aspects of ADHD and well-being. In addition, the framework highlights the need to help individuals with ADHD better understand how they function, tell the difference between biological and individual needs, and develop self-autonomy and self-regulation skills. According to this SDT approach, treatments that are autonomy supportive and increase self-determination could improve the functioning of individuals with ADHD. DOI: 10.1037/rev0000398

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What Are Common Topics In (DClinPsy) Clinical Psychology Doctorate Interviews?

Saul McLeod, PhD

Editor-in-Chief for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester

Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

Learn about our Editorial Process

Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc

Associate Editor for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education

Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.

On This Page:

Prepare for common interview themes, not specific questions.

While it might be tempting to try and predict exact interview questions, we caution against this approach.

Clinical psychology (DClinPsy) interviews are designed to assess your potential and suitability for the field, not to test your ability to provide “correct” answers.

Instead, focus on common topical themes that underpin many clinical psychology interview questions.

These themes include the applicant’s understanding of the NHS, their knowledge of clinical interventions and relevant research, their experience in multidisciplinary teams, and their reflections on their own personal and professional development.

By thoroughly reflecting on these themes and preparing to discuss them in the context of their own experiences, applicants can demonstrate a deeper understanding of the field and their place within it.

Common topics discussed in clinical psychology interviews include:

NHS Structure & Values

Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the National Health Service (NHS) and its impact on clinical psychology. Be prepared to discuss current healthcare policies, service delivery challenges, and your awareness of relevant debates within the field.

Simply listing current issues is not enough.

Applicants should be prepared to discuss how these issues shape their own thinking about mental health services and the role of psychology within the NHS.

For example:

  • Changes in mental health structure (interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being)
  • Changes in the NHS and how they might affect the role of a clinical psychologist
  • Changes in NHS funding
  • The impact of privatization within the NHS
  • Role of technology

This goes beyond simply listing topics like privatization. It involves articulating how these issues impact the role of a clinical psychologist.

The role of a clinical psychologist

Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the role of a clinical psychologist and how your skills and experiences align with this role.

Interviewers are not seeking candidates who have mastered every type of therapy or worked with every client group. Instead, they are interested in individuals who demonstrate potential for growth and development within the field.

Privatization

For instance, simply stating “privatization is a current issue” lacks depth.

Instead, consider discussing how the increasing privatization of mental health services might influence a clinical psychologist’s referral pathways, treatment options, and professional autonomy.

You could also explore the ethical dilemmas this trend might pose for practitioners committed to equitable access to care.

NHS funding

When discussing changes in NHS funding, avoid generic statements and focus on the practical implications for clinical psychologists.

For instance, you could discuss how funding cuts might impact service provision, waiting times, and the availability of resources for clients with specific needs.

Additionally, you could explore how these challenges might influence your role in advocating for clients’ rights and navigating ethical dilemmas related to resource allocation.

NHS policies

Familiarizing yourself with relevant NHS policies influencing clinical psychology is crucial.

This might involve understanding local delivery plans, equality and diversity initiatives, and other policy drivers shaping mental health service delivery.

  • Ethics: Ethical dilemmas and scenarios are common topics in clinical psychology interviews, designed to assess your ethical reasoning and decision-making skills during patient interactions. Show respect for individual autonomy and preferences when making decisions about treatment options like medication management, where patient perspectives are paramount.
  • Formulating informed opinions about the future of the NHS: Articulating a vision for how clinical psychology can contribute to a more equitable and effective NHS.
  • Critiquing existing systems and policies: Demonstrating an ability to engage in critical thinking about the NHS’s strengths and weaknesses, particularly as they relate to mental health provision.
  • Service issues: Be prepared to discuss current service issues and how clinical psychology can address them. This might involve demonstrating awareness of waiting times, access to services, and the need for innovative service delivery models.
  • Local delivery plans: These plans outline how local NHS organizations intend to meet the needs of their population. Familiarizing oneself with these plans demonstrates an understanding of local priorities, service gaps, and opportunities for innovation within a specific geographical area.
  • Increased emphasis on evidence-based practice: The NHS prioritizes interventions supported by research evidence. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their understanding of evidence-based practice and how they would ensure their clinical work aligns with current research findings.

Clinical Experience

Showcase a well-rounded understanding of clinical practice, acquired through diverse experiences that highlight your commitment to the field and readiness for the challenges of a clinical psychology doctorate program.

This allows interviewers to assess:

  • How applicants have been shaped by their clinical experiences
  • How they have handled difficult situations
  • Experience in multidisciplinary teams
  • Their ability to reflect on their experiences and demonstrate growth and learning
  • Ethical considerations and your approach to risk assessment and management

What constitutes clinical experience?

Clinical experience refers to hands-on involvement in settings where you directly interact with patients facing mental health challenges. This experience should provide insights into the realities of clinical practice and demonstrate your commitment to working in a patient-facing role within the mental health field.

Clinical experience encompasses a broad spectrum of roles and settings, extending beyond the conventional pathway of assistant psychologist (AP) positions. While an AP role is valuable, it is not the sole determinant of a strong application.

Here are some examples of what constitutes relevant clinical experience:

  • Support worker
  • Healthcare assistant (HCA)
  • Psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP)
  • Assistant psychologist (AP)
  • Roles in mental health charities, such as Samaritans or Mind
  • Research assistant positions: While primarily research-focused, these positions can offer valuable clinical experience if they involve direct patient contact.
  • Lived experience: Having personal experience with mental health difficulties can provide unique insights. However, it’s crucial to reflect on how this experience might influence your work and to address any potential challenges in a professional manner.
  • S ituation – Describe the situation you were in.
  • T ask – Explain the task you had to complete.
  • A ction – Describe the specific actions you took to complete the task.
  • R esult – Close with the results of your efforts.

Demonstrate learning from clinical experiences

It is important to demonstrate what you’ve learned from your experiences and how they’ve shaped you as a potential clinician.

It’s not merely about listing roles but about articulating the skills and insights gained. This can include:

  • Applying psychological frameworks
  • Understanding different therapeutic approaches, such as CBT
  • Gaining experience in risk assessment and management
  • Working within multidisciplinary teams (MDTs)
  • Reflecting on ethical dilemmas and professional values

When discussing clinical experiences, highlight the importance of reflection, not just description.

Instead of merely recounting what you did, focus on what you learned from challenging situations, how you navigated ethical dilemmas, and how these experiences contributed to your professional development.

For instance, you could discuss when your theoretical assumptions were challenged, how you adapted your approach, and the insights gained about your biases or limitations.

Reflective journals can strengthen interview performance

A reflective journal is highly recommended for aspiring clinical psychologists because it helps develop and demonstrate key skills and qualities valued in the field.

Regularly documenting experiences and analyzing them through a reflective lens helps aspiring psychologists learn from their encounters, both positive and challenging.

This process accelerates professional development and cultivates a mindset of continuous improvement, which is highly desirable in the field.

  • While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to reflection, sources suggest exploring different reflective models, such as Gibbs’ model or Rolfe’s model , to find a framework that resonates with the individual. These models provide a structured approach to guide the reflective process and ensure comprehensiveness
  • Reading reflective essays or listening to experienced clinicians discuss their practice to gain a deeper understanding of how reflection manifests in the field. Books like “ Surviving Clinical Psychology ” can provide valuable insights and examples to inspire aspiring psychologists in their own reflective writing

When asked about past experiences, challenges, or their motivations for pursuing clinical psychology, applicants with well-maintained reflective journals can draw on specific examples and demonstrate their capacity for self-awareness and growth.

Psychological Models

While not a memory test, interviewers expect applicants to be able to demonstrate an understanding of psychological models and how they can be applied to clinical practice.

  • The most common model used, and therefore the easiest to practice with is CBT .
  • Familiarity with risk assessment and management is also important.

While knowing specific models is important, interviewers are more interested in your ability to apply theoretical understanding to practice.

Rather than memorizing models, focus on demonstrating how you would use your knowledge to formulate a client’s difficulties, select appropriate interventions, and tailor your approach based on individual needs and preferences.

  • Focus on the “why” and “how” of models: Instead of simply listing the principles of a model, applicants should be prepared to explain why they find certain models compelling, how they have used those models in their clinical work, and how their understanding of those models has evolved.
  • Highlight experiences that showcase model application: Applicants should reflect on their clinical experiences and identify situations where they effectively applied psychological models. When discussing these experiences, they should clearly outline the model used, the rationale for its application, and the outcomes observed.
  • Articulate a coherent approach to model selection: Applicants should be prepared to discuss the factors they consider when choosing a model, such as the client’s presenting issues, their therapeutic goals, and the evidence base for different interventions.
  • Acknowledge the limitations of a purely theoretical approach: Applicants should be prepared to discuss the challenges of applying models in real-world settings and how they navigate the complexities of clinical work.

Research Knowledge & Experience

Be prepared to discuss your research background, analyze research papers, and articulate your research interests. Interviewers may also assess your understanding of research methodologies and statistical concepts.

Interviewers may ask applicants to discuss:

  • Research they have conducted
  • Research papers they have read
  • Research ideas they have

When discussing research, highlight your ability to think critically and apply research methodologies.

Instead of simply summarizing studies, articulate what you found interesting, any methodological limitations, and how the findings might inform your clinical practice.

How can research experience benefit an interviewee?

Research experience can significantly benefit an applicant to a clinical psychology doctorate program, as it highlights key competencies desired in aspiring clinicians.

It is crucial for applicants to articulate how their research experience has shaped their clinical perspective and prepared them for the demands of a doctorate program.

Simply listing research activities is insufficient; instead, interviewees should focus on the transferable skills acquired, the insights gained, and the overall impact of these experiences on their professional development.

  • Strengthens research skills: Engaging in research, whether through undergraduate projects, master’s theses, or research assistant positions, equips applicants with practical skills in research methodologies, data analysis, and interpretation. This hands-on experience enables them to confidently discuss research concepts during interviews and demonstrate their ability to apply these skills in a clinical setting.
  • Demonstrates critical thinking: The ability to critically evaluate research, identify methodological strengths and weaknesses, and propose alternative approaches is highly valued in clinical psychology. Research experience provides opportunities to hone these critical thinking skills, which are essential for evidence-based practice.
  • Showcases intellectual curiosity: Applicants with research experience demonstrate a genuine interest in advancing knowledge within the field. This intellectual curiosity is appealing to doctorate programs as it suggests a commitment to lifelong learning and a desire to contribute to the scientific foundations of clinical psychology.

Personal Qualities & Self-Reflection

Interviewers are particularly interested in candidates who can articulate their growth and learning from challenging situations.

They value individuals who can demonstrate self-awareness, resilience, and a commitment to continuous learning.

Clinical psychology interviews often involve questions about personal strengths and weaknesses, values, and self-care practices. It’s important to be able to articulate:

  • Your motivations for pursuing clinical psychology
  • How your personal qualities align with the values of the profession
  • Your capacity for self-reflection and personal growth
  • Reflections on their own personal and professional development
  • Your strengths and weaknesses
  • How you manage stress and prioritize your well-being (a crucial aspect of clinical practice)

Connecting personal qualities to clinical practice

Applicant must reflect on how their personal strengths, values, and even perceived weaknesses might influence their clinical work.

This self-awareness is seen as crucial for both effective client interaction and for navigating the challenges of a demanding profession. For instance, an applicant might be asked to reflect on how their personal experiences with diversity might shape their approach to working with a diverse clientele.

It is crucial for aspiring clinicians to critically examine how their own experiences might influence their work, ensuring they can navigate potential triggers and power dynamics appropriately.

This includes engaging in personal therapy and working towards resolving personal issues to prevent them from hindering their professional practice.

Focus on linking your personal qualities to the profession’s values and the specific competencies required of a clinical psychologist.

For example, instead of simply stating you are “empathetic,” provide a concrete example demonstrating this quality in action and how it contributes to your effectiveness as a clinician.

Self-Reflection

Success in clinical psychology interviews hinges not just on knowledge, but also on demonstrating strong self-reflection skills.

Applicants who can articulate their personal journey of growth, connect their experiences to their professional development, and demonstrate an openness to continuous learning are more likely to make a favorable impression.

Strategies for showcasing self-reflection:

Interviewees should go beyond describing what they did and articulate what they learned, how they might approach a situation differently next time, and how specific experiences shaped their professional development.

This demonstration of reflection offers interviewers insight into an applicant’s ability to learn and grow, qualities essential for clinical practice.

  • The STAR Model: This model, standing for Situation, Task, Action, and Reflection, provides a structured approach to discussing experiences. It encourages concise and coherent answers that highlight reflection.
  • Context, Content, Reflection: A similar framework, focusing on Context (of the experience), Content (answering the question), and Reflection, helps applicants organize their thoughts and deliver impactful responses.

Tell me about yourself

When asked “Tell me about yourself” in a clinical psychology interview, it’s crucial to provide a response that goes beyond a simple recitation of your resume.

Interviewers use this question to gain a more holistic understanding of who you are as a person and how your unique experiences and qualities have prepared you for the demanding and rewarding journey of becoming a clinical psychologist.

One helpful approach is to imagine yourself in a relaxed setting, like a pub, where a friend asks about your aspirations to become a clinical psychologist. This analogy emphasizes the importance of authenticity and ease in your response.

The interviewers want to hear your genuine voice, your passion for the field, and the experiences that have shaped your desire to pursue this career path.

Remember, the goal is to present a genuine and thoughtful representation of who you are, highlighting your unique strengths, experiences, and passion for clinical psychology.

By approaching this question with authenticity and self-awareness, you can leave a lasting impression on the interviewers and demonstrate your potential to thrive in the field.

Current Issues Impacting Clinical Practice

Interviewers assess your awareness and engagement with current issues. Therefore, it’s crucial to stay informed about relevant policies, debates, and developments within the field and demonstrate your ability to think critically about their implications for clinical practice.

Demonstrating a nuanced understanding of these current issues during clinical psychology interviews, going beyond simply listing challenges to critically analyzing their implications for practice.

Aspiring clinicians should be prepared to discuss how these issues intersect with their personal values, career aspirations, and understanding of the evolving role of clinical psychology within the NHS.

Anti-racism work and diversity

Understanding how systemic racism and lack of diversity affect mental health service provision is crucial.

This includes demonstrating an awareness of systemic barriers, a commitment to anti-racism work, and an ability to reflect on how their own identities and experiences shape their approach to clinical practice.

Diversity in this context encompasses not only race and ethnicity, but also factors such as disability, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background.

A lack of diversity among practitioners is identified as a significant concern within the field. This lack of representation has contributed to a perception that clinical psychology is “geared to white middle-class people,” which can create additional stress for trainees from minority and marginalized groups.

Interviewees are encouraged to engage in critical self-reflection to identify their own biases and assumptions, particularly as they relate to working with diverse populations. This process of examining one’s privilege is deemed essential for ethical practice.

Anti-racism

Simply increasing diversity is not enough. Clinical psychology training programs must also prioritize anti-racism work, which involves actively dismantling racist structures and practices within the field itself. This includes critically examining:

  • Curriculum content: Ensuring that training materials and case studies reflect the experiences of diverse populations.
  • Teaching practices: Creating inclusive learning environments that value and incorporate diverse perspectives.
  • Placement allocation: Addressing potential biases in placement assignments that may disadvantage trainees from certain backgrounds.
  • Faculty and staff diversity: Increasing representation from marginalized groups among those who train and mentor future clinicians.

Climate anxiety

This trending area of concern highlights the need for clinicians to be aware of the psychological impact of climate change.

This highlights the need for clinicians to be well-informed about this issue to engage in modern discussions and address the psychological impact of climate change effectively.

Lived experience in clinical practice

Recognizing the value of lived experience in shaping mental health services is increasingly important.

Aspiring clinicians should be prepared to encounter a diverse range of experiences and perspectives from their patients, including those shaped by factors like race, culture, and personal struggles.

Growing Role of IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies)

IAPT is a national program aimed at increasing access to evidence-based psychological therapies for common mental health problems.

Understanding the role of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) and its potential benefits and drawbacks is relevant.

For example, you could discuss how the increasing emphasis on IAPT shapes referral pathways and treatment options.

For example, you could discuss the potential benefits of IAPT in increasing access to evidence-based treatments for common mental health difficulties while also acknowledging the model’s limitations in addressing complex mental health needs that might require more specialist interventions.

Ethical considerations and power dynamics

Interviewees are encouraged to critically examine their own biases and assumptions, recognizing how social inequalities and systemic barriers can influence mental health presentations and access to care.

This critical lens extends to questioning traditional power structures within clinical settings, advocating for greater service user involvement in treatment planning and decision-making.

Who might applicants encounter at an interview?

It is important to note that the specific composition of interview panels may vary depending on the institution and the stage of the selection process. Applicants should review the information provided by each program to understand the format of their interviews and the types of individuals they may encounter.

At an interview for a Clinical Psychology Doctorate program, applicants may encounter a variety of individuals, typically including:

  • Members of the course staff: This may include professors, lecturers, or other academic staff involved in the program.
  • Local psychologists: These individuals are typically practicing clinicians from the area where the training program is located. Their presence on the panel provides a perspective on the specific challenges and opportunities of working in that region.
  • Service user representatives or experts by experience: Recognizing the importance of service user perspectives, many courses include individuals with lived experience of mental health services on their interview panels. These representatives offer valuable insights into the needs and experiences of the client population.
  • Current trainees (often third years): In some cases, senior trainees from the program may be involved in the interview process. This allows applicants to gain insights from students who have recently navigated the program’s demands and can offer a unique perspective on the training experience.

In addition to these common panel members, some institutions may also include:

  • Service users and carers: This further emphasizes the commitment to incorporating diverse perspectives into the selection process.
  • Individuals involved in specific aspects of the selection process : Applicants may encounter administrative staff responsible for logistics, individuals facilitating group tasks, or those conducting research or clinical vignettes.

What should I wear to the interview?

When deciding what to wear to a Clinical Psychology Doctorate interview, it is important to present oneself professionally while remaining authentic to one’s own identity.

Ultimately, the goal is to present yourself as a capable, confident, and authentic individual who is genuinely interested in the program and the profession. Choosing attire that balances professionalism with your own personal style is key.

  • Professionalism is key: Dress in a way that demonstrates respect for the interviewers and the profession, aiming for “smart casual” or slightly more formal attire.
  • Comfort and authenticity: While dressing professionally, it is crucial to also feel comfortable and confident in your attire. Interviewers are interested in getting to know the real you, so choose clothing that reflects your personality and allows you to feel at ease.
  • Context is important: Consider the specific context of the interview and the program to which you are applying. Researching the program’s culture and observing the attire of current clinicians or trainees might offer helpful cues.

Reflect on experiences to build interview stories

Interviewers look for candidates who can articulate what they have learned from their experiences, how they have grown, and how these experiences have shaped their understanding of the field.

Thinking about experiences in terms of context, content, and reflection can be a helpful framework.

This reflective practice not only helps structure interview answers but also allows applicants to demonstrate the capacity for self-awareness and growth that are essential qualities of a clinical psychologist.

Practice for different interview styles

Clinical psychology interviews can vary greatly in format, often including individual interviews (focused on clinical and research experience), service user panels, and group tasks. It’s beneficial to practice in settings that simulate these diverse formats.

For example, while practicing with colleagues can be helpful, seeking mock interviews with individuals outside one’s immediate circle can provide a more realistic interview experience.

This practice allows individuals to familiarize themselves with the structure and flow of different interview styles, reducing anxiety and enhancing their ability to think on their feet.

Caution against over-preparation and rote learning

While practicing responses to common questions can be helpful, striking a balance is crucial.

Excessive rehearsal can make your responses sound scripted and inauthentic.

Instead, focus on reflecting on your experiences, clarifying your motivations for pursuing clinical psychology, and developing a flexible interview approach.

British Psychological Society. (2023). Alternative handbook 2023: Postgraduate training courses in clinical psychology. https://explore.bps.org.uk/binary/bpsworks/ce5d8f58a20ecf32/fcd8f2a79b191dce9493d5d99041b36b99db8e35b67f53a786fbc5941068eb56/prelims.pdf

Hui, A. (2020, September 21). DClinPsy Applications & Interviews – Frequently Asked Questions [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/HGbYxccVQgY

Murphy, D. (2019, March 24). Success in Clinical Psychology Interviews – Part 1: Preparing for interviews [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/HwlEVev7TSs

Murphy, D. (2019, March 25). Success in Clinical Psychology Interviews: Part 2 – Managing the Interview Day [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/09E_dkZfxyE

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Luis Francisco Vargas Madriz: Oral Defence ECP

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Oral Defence Poster

The Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology

Dr. Chiaki Konishi is proud to announce that Luis Francisco Vargas Madriz , a doctoral candidate in Educational and Counselling Psychology, will be defending their dissertation on June 10, 2024 at 1:00 PM via Zoom.

The topic of their dissertation is:

“Promoting the Social Inclusion of Newcomer Emerging Adults in Canadian Post-Secondary Schools: An Online Social-Emotional Learning Intervention.”

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topics for dissertation in psychology

Presentation Master's thesis - Julia Michalewski - Work & Organisational Psychology

Roeterseilandcampus - Building G, Street: Nieuwe Achtergracht 129-b, Room: GS.05

IMAGES

  1. Psychology Dissertation Topics: 30+ Examples You Can Explore

    topics for dissertation in psychology

  2. 50 interesting ideas and topics for your psychology dissertation

    topics for dissertation in psychology

  3. Clinical Psychology Dissertation Ideas

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  4. 101 Examples of Dissertation Research Topics for Psychology Students

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  5. PPT

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  6. 😍 Good psychology topics to write about. Psychology Research Paper

    topics for dissertation in psychology

COMMENTS

  1. 101 Examples of Dissertation Research Topics for Psychology Students

    101 Psychology Dissertation Ideas. The Role of Social Media in Adolescent Mental Health: Investigate how different levels of social media use affect mood disorders in adolescents. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Depression: Analyze the efficacy of CBT interventions in treating depression among various age groups.

  2. Psychology Dissertation Topics and Titles

    Psychology Dissertation Topics in Social Sciences. Topic 1: Kids and their relatives with cancer: psychological challenges. Topic 2: Hematopoietic device reaction in ophthalmology patient's radiation therapy. Topic 3: Psychological effects of cyberbullying Vs. physical bullying: A counter study.

  3. 61 Interesting Psychology Research Topics (2024)

    Examples of systemic racism-related psychology research topics include: Access to mental health resources based on race. The prevalence of BIPOC mental health therapists in a chosen area. The impact of systemic racism on mental health and self-worth. Racism training for mental health workers.

  4. 32 Cognitive Psychology Dissertation Topics

    32 Cognitive Psychology Dissertation Topics. Published by Owen Ingram at January 3rd, 2023 , Revised On August 11, 2023. The study of cognitive psychology focuses on how the brain processes and stores information. The underlying mechanisms are investigated using experimental methods, computer modelling, and neuropsychology.

  5. 150+ Psychology Dissertation Topics to Write About

    Top 30 psychology dissertation topics. The impact of social media on body image and self-esteem. The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques in the workplace. The role of parental involvement in children's academic achievement and emotional well-being.

  6. 50+ Research Topics for Psychology Papers

    Find inspiration for your psychology paper from a list of topics covering various branches, disorders, therapies, experiments, and more. Learn how to choose a topic that interests you and meets your instructor's guidelines.

  7. Research Topics In Psychology (+ Free Webinar)

    Find over 100 psychology topic ideas for your dissertation or thesis, spanning various sub-disciplines. Learn how to refine your topic, identify a research gap, and get extra help from Grad Coach.

  8. 100 Best Psychology Topic Ideas for Research

    100 Psychology Thesis Topics for 2023. Students know the importance of developing great psychology dissertation topics for a graduate assignment. However, many don't have the time to brainstorm ideas that meet the requirements their professors expect. We've done a lot of the heavy lifting and have put together a list of 100 psychology ...

  9. 100+ Mental Health Research Topic Ideas (+ Free Webinar)

    Overview: Mental Health Topic Ideas. Mood disorders. Anxiety disorders. Psychotic disorders. Personality disorders. Obsessive-compulsive disorders. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Neurodevelopmental disorders. Eating disorders.

  10. Starting the dissertation

    Cone advises the following steps to pick a topic: Ask a favorite professor, preferably one active in research, about possible topics. Read departmental information on the research interests of the faculty to find a topic a faculty member is interested in as well. Consider asking the faculty member to be a part of your dissertation committee ...

  11. Choosing a Dissertation Topic

    Remember, this is a topic that should keep you engrossed and motivated for at least one to two years. Pick it as carefully as you would a new pair of dress shoes. 3. BE AWARE OF ONGOING RESEARCH. Many students may spend a year researching a topic before finally selecting one for their dissertation.

  12. 130+ Psychology Dissertation Topics for Students in 2024

    Psychology Dissertation topics. Challenges and opportunities involved with childhood anxiety. Relapsing in various addictive behaviours. Hyperactivity Disorder takes place from attention deficiency. Effect on the mental health of women after suffering miscarriage. The usefulness of psychology therapy for family members.

  13. Psychology Dissertation Topics: 30+ Examples You Can Explore

    That means the topic you choose to investigate has a gap in existing literature that your research can fill. With that said, let's look at some of the psychology dissertation topics that you can explore right now. Psychology Dissertation Topics: 30+ Examples. The following is a list of 30+ psychology dissertation topics.

  14. Psychology Research Questions: 80 Ideas For Your Next Project

    Cognitive psychology is the branch that focuses on the interactions of thinking, emotion, creativity, and problem-solving. It also explores the reasons humans think the way they do. This topic involves exploring how people think by measuring intelligence, thoughts, and cognition. Here are some research question ideas: 6.

  15. Dissertation Topics in Psychology

    Developmental Psychology Dissertation Topics. Lifespan development topics you can use for your dissertation include: Attachment and the parent/child relationship. Cognitive development and the ...

  16. PDF Identifying a topic for a psychology dissertation: A process map for

    Identifying a topic for a psychology dissertation: A process map for students Andrew J. Holliman & Tim Jones Identifying a 'promising' topic for a psychology dissertation is widely recognised as one of the most important, challenging, and stressful parts of the research process. Students are required to work in a

  17. 50 Psychology Dissertation Topic Ideas

    50 Psychology Dissertation Topic Ideas. In the study of mental processes and human behavior, students have a wide range of psychology dissertation topic ideas to explore depending on their specialization. The trends demonstrate the need for more psychologists to promote mental health and well-being among populations.

  18. Past & Current Theses

    The Psychology Undergraduate Office has hard copies of several prize-winning theses from the past five years that you may sign out to see what the best undergraduate work looks like. Above, you can browse the titles of past undergraduate theses to give you an idea of the topics of theses students typically write. Only hard copies of recent ...

  19. Psychology Dissertations and Theses

    Theses/Dissertations from 2023. PDF. Examining Factors Impacting the Service Needs of Unhoused Women, Holly Brott. PDF. Main, Mediated, and Moderated Effects of Participating in an After-School Social and Emotional Learning Program on Young Children's Development of Social-Emotional Skills, Amy L. Cordier. PDF.

  20. Research Topics

    Cutting-edge research into the workings of the human mind. Our faculty conducts scientific research on topics that span across all areas of psychology. Some themes of research concentration are listed below. Click the topics to see the list of department faculty associated with each theme.

  21. Psychology topics

    Psychology topics. Psychology is a diverse discipline grounded in science, but with nearly boundless applications in everyday life. Scientific research conducted by psychologists can inform and guide those seeking help with issues that affect their professional lives, family relationships, and emotional wellness. ...

  22. Recent Ph.D. Dissertation Titles

    Kraft-Todd, Gordon, Leading By Example Motivates Prosociality through Second-Order Belief Inference. Lambert, Robert C, From Probability to Familiarity: Explorations on the Relationship between Statistical Learning and Processing Fluency. Melnikoff, David E, Towards a Goals-First Framework of Cognitiion and Action. O'Connell, Thomas P ...

  23. 201 Best Psychology Dissertation Topics in 2024

    Social Psychology Dissertation Topics: a. The influence of social media on self-esteem and body image perception. b. Examining conformity and obedience in group settings. c. Investigating the bystander effect in emergency situations. d. The impact of stereotypes on academic performance among minority students. e.

  24. The top 10 journal articles from 2023 examined the effects of social

    In this review, published in Psychology of Popular Media (advance online publication), researchers identified 39 studies published between 2011 and 2022 that examined how interventions designed to reduce the negative impact of online highly visual social networking site (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) use impact mental health. Most of the studies ...

  25. What Are Common Topics In (DClinPsy) Clinical Psychology Doctorate

    Common topics discussed in clinical psychology interviews include: NHS Structure & Values. Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the National Health Service (NHS) and its impact on clinical psychology. Be prepared to discuss current healthcare policies, service delivery challenges, and your awareness of relevant debates within the field. ...

  26. References

    References provide the information necessary for readers to identify and retrieve each work cited in the text. Consistency in reference formatting allows readers to focus on the content of your reference list, discerning both the types of works you consulted and the important reference elements with ease.

  27. Luis Francisco Vargas Madriz: Oral Defence ECP

    The Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology Dr. Chiaki Konishi is proud to announce that Luis Francisco Vargas Madriz, a doctoral candidate in Educational and Counselling Psychology, will be defending their dissertation on June 10, 2024 at 1:00 PM via Zoom. The topic of their dissertation is: "Promoting the Social Inclusion of Newcomer Emerging Adults in Canadian Post-Secondary ...

  28. Presentation Master's thesis

    Presentation Master's thesis - Julia Michalewski - Work & Organisational Psychology. Last modified on 21-08-2024 16:49. share. ... PPLE - Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics (bachelor) Preservation and Presentation of the Moving Image (duale master) ... Important topics Toggle item. Go to Toggle item. Information for Toggle item. Contact ...