Topic: There are large differences between men and women’s cognitive ability.
Preparation
Find one flawed source of information on the Internet. To find a flawed source, look for one with a substantial number of errors.
- Read what the textbook says about the controversial statement.
- Use the controversial statement mentioned above and use it as your search word/phrase.
- If you don't see a flawed source on the first page of results, skip to the third page of results or further.
- Look for sources that are not accurate based on the information in your textbook.
- Tips for finding flawed sources:
- Scroll through your social media feeds.
- Scroll through your results and look for sources that are NOT:
- .gov websites.
- News or press websites.
Find three peer-reviewed journal articles in the Capella University Library that summarize a research study focused on the actions of the brain and body that underlie your topic. Reviews of literature or meta-analyses are not appropriate for this assessment.
Review the information about reliability, validity, and generalizability provided in the excerpt from Jhangiani et al.’s (2025) Research Methods in Psychology:
- Excerpts From Chapter 4, “Psychological Measurement” [PDF].
Review the APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.
Instruction
In your paper, address the following components:
- Identify ONE other academic field (e.g., biology, medical sciences) that also studies your chosen topic.
- Compare and contrast this field with psychology in terms of approach, methods, and focus.
- For your topic, what are the benefits of the two fields working together? In other words, explain the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Summarize your flawed source and explain why it is considered flawed.
- Use three peer-reviewed journal articles to support your analysis. For each article:
- Discuss the research methods, participants, and key results.
- Evaluate the reliability, validity, and generalizability of the sources.
- Discuss, using evidence from the article, the study’s adherence to TWO of the APA’s five Ethical Principles of Psychologists:
- Beneficence and Nonmaleficence.
- Fidelity and Responsibility.
- Integrity.
- Justice.
- Respect for People's Rights and Dignity.
- Relate the actions of the mind and body to psychological and physical health.
- Describe the biological processes of the brain and body involved.
- Connect these biological mechanisms to your topic.
- Describe ONE psychological or behavioral theory that explains your topic.
- Describe the value and limitations of using theories to explain behavioral phenomena.
- Construct your own explanation to explain the cause of your topic.
- Clearly explain your rationale.
- Refer back to evidence presented earlier in your paper.
Headings
Use headers to organize your paper. Recommended headers:
- Flawed Source (Level 1).
- Peer-Reviewed Sources (Level 1).
- Source 1 (Level 2).
- Source 2 (Level 2).
- Source 3 (Level 2).
- Biological Mechanisms (Level 1).
- Theories (Level 1).
- Conclusion (Level 1).
- References (Level 1 — start on a new page).
Requirements
- Written communication: Written communication is in professional style with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
- Resources: Use a minimum of six sources: your flawed source, your textbook, the APA's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, and three peer-reviewed journal articles.
- APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to APA style and formatting.
- Use Academic Writer for guidance in citing sources in proper APA style. See the Writing Center for more APA resources specific to your degree level.
- Length: 5–7 double-spaced, typed pages.
- Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
Resources
Physiological Motivation
This chapter discusses physiological motivation and the various factors involved, such as the drive theory and homeostasis. When individuals achieve their desires, their body returns to homeostasis.
- Garrett, B., & Hough, G. (2021). Brain and behavior: An introduction to behavioral neuroscience (6th ed.). Sage.
- Chapter 6, "Motivation and the Regulation of Internal States."
Sex and Gender
This chapter discusses the biological basis for sex and gender.
- Garrett, B., & Hough, G. (2021). Brain and behavior: An introduction to behavioral neuroscience (6th ed.). Sage.
- & Chapter 7, “The Biology of Sex and Gender.”
Emotion and Health
This chapter discusses further connections between the brain, emotions, and health.
- Garrett, B., & Hough, G. (2021). Brain and behavior: An introduction to behavioral neuroscience (6th ed.). Sage.
- Chapter 8, “Emotion and Health.”