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Biopsychology Information

This 5–7 page paper focuses on challenging a flawed source of information about biopsychology using evidence from credible and scholarly sources. The easy availability of poor quality, outdated, or inaccurate information about how our brains work can make it difficult to find trustworthy information. The objective of this assignment is to practice finding and using credible evidence to counter flawed sources.

 

Preparation

Choose one of the following controversial statements:

• • • Obesity is caused by lack of willpower.
    • There are large differences between men and women’s cognitive ability.
    • Only women should compete in women’s sports.
    • Topic of your choice related to the content in the chapters on Motivation, Sex, Gender, or Emotion.

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 3rd 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.

Then, find three peer-reviewed journal articles in the Capella library focused on the actions of the brain and body that underlie your topic.

Instructions

In your paper:

• • • Describe ONE other field (such as biology or medical sciences) that studies your topic.
      • Compare this field to psychology.
      • Contrast this field to psychology.
      • For your topic, what is the benefit of the two fields working together?
    • Summarize your flawed source, including any evidence provided.
    • Provide evidence from your 3 peer-reviewed journal articles.
      • For each source:
        • Discuss the methods participants and results.,
        • Explain the reliability validity and generalizability of the sources.,
        • Discuss whether the research is ethically based on the 5 APA ethical principles of psychologists.., Refer to the specific principles and cite the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of ConductLinks to an external site..,
    • Relate the actions of the mind and body to psychological and physical health.,
      • Describe the actions of brain and body involved.,
      • Connect these biological actions to your topic.,
    • Describe one of the psychological or behavioral theories that explain your topic,
      • Describe the value and limitation of using theories to explain behavioral phenomena.,
    • Construct your own explanation to explain the cause of your topic.,
      • Explain your rationale.
      • Refer back to evidence already presented in your paper.

Biopsychology Information

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)

Additional 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 Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of ConductLinks to an external site. and three peer-reviewed journal articles.
    • APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to APA style and formatting.
      • Refer to Academic WriterLinks to an external site. for guidance in using proper APA style. See the Evidence and APALinks to an external site. section of the Writing Center for instructions on accessing and using Academic Writer.
    • Length: 5–7 double-spaced, typed pages.
    • Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12-point.

Biopsychology Information

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and rubric criteria:

• • Competency 1: Relate the actions of the mind and body to psychological and physical health.
    • Explain the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration.
    • Relate the actions of the mind and body to psychological and physical health.
  • Competency 2: Construct alternative explanations based on perceived flaws in behavioral claims.
    • Describe a psychological theory.
    • Construct an alternative explanation based on perceived flaws in behavioral claims.
  • Competency 3: Examine psychological research from the standpoint of adherence to the APA Ethics Code in psychological research involving human or nonhuman research participants.
    • Explain psychological research from the standpoint of adherence to the APA Ethics Code in psychological research.
  • Competency 4: Expose flawed sources of information.
    • Choose a flawed source of information.
    • Explain peer-reviewed evidence.
  • Competency 5: Write for purpose in a well organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.
    • Use headers to organize paper.
    • Use APA style formatting for citations and reference list with only minor errors.
    • Address assignment purpose in a well-organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.