Psychology SHE Task – Structure
Use this document to assist you to plan out your SHE task in terms of each section and paragraph. Remember, you need to do
extensive research to understand your chose topic well enough to create a logical sequence. You will need to reference
(footnote) with full citations.
Title Catchy, Provocative or Ironic Title – Grab the reader’s attention!
Introduction Set the scene, draw the reader in i.e., what is your core topic/issue?
100-150 words Summarise the key points you will be making in the report (I should clearly
see in the intro what SHE concepts you have focused on) and summarise the
main findings i.e., future developments and considerations (see ‘writing an
introduction’ below)
Psychological Give an in depth explanation of the science that sits behind your scientific
background discovery/advancement/issue/concept.
200-300 words Include a diagram/image (if applicable) to support your psychological
explanation - make sure you label the diagram/photograph appropriately
and include a reference. i.e., Figure 1 – rates on social media and mental
health.
SHE Concept/s This should be an explanation of how the focus of the investigation illustrates
500-600 words the interaction between science (psychology) and society, including a
discussion of the purpose, potential impact, or application of the focus of the
investigation, e.g., further development, effect on quality of life, societal
implications, economic impact, community impact, health and wellbeing
This should also provide evidence for the relevant SHE Key Concept that
you have also picked: you can identify previous investigations made by
others; provide supportive evidence in the form of diagrams and data;
critically analyse the reliability of the data/charts.
Use the terms of your SHE concepts as much as possible
Choose two (maximum) of the SHE concepts that support your topic.
Refer to the SHE PPT to help you with this section
Future Discuss what needs to happen next with your scientific
developments development/advancement/concept/issue i.e., further research? Funding?
and uses? problems etc...but the focus is not on the now it’s on what needs to
considerations happen to move this work forwards or what may stop it from moving
200-250 words forwards.
Conclusion Summarise the key points made in the report and draw your final conclusion
200 words in regard to what the future now holds for this development/advancement.
Make sure that you are thorough and actually leave the reader knowing
where things stand at the moment (see ‘writing a conclusion’ below)
Appropriate quantity and quality of information sources
Communication of key concepts
Use of appropriate psychological terms
Appropriate data and diagrams (only where applicable)
Communication
Grammar, spelling, sentence construction
Appropriate length and balance
A properly formatted Bibliography using Harvard referencing
At least 5 references - A+ standard would have 10+ references
Don't forget to reference! Use footnotes (not endnotes!) with full Harvard
citations.
File name: SACEID-2PSG20-AT1-SHE Task
Writing an Introduction
The purpose of the introduction is to give your reader a clear idea of what your report will cover. It should
provide some background information on the specific problem or issue you are addressing
and should identify what you will talk about (your response to the issue). It also (for this assignment)
identifies what your SHE focus will be.
Key elements of your introduction
● Short background information
● What you will describe
● What SHE concept/s will be addressed.
Sample introduction
Human activity has been predicted to have a detrimental impact on sea levels and the consequent effects
for humans and other species (source, 2018). Interest groups as well as government and scientific
organisations are exploring how to respond to the projected impacts caused by this activity (source,
2017). This report will explore how the media and the public are exerting pressure to change government
policy to help minimise some of the activities that contribute to these impacts. This will link clearly to the
SHE focus of influence, in particular how the use of scientific knowledge can be influenced by social,
economic, cultural, and ethical considerations.
Legend: Background ; What will be described ; SHE concept to be addressed
Writing the Conclusion
The purpose of the conclusion is to draw together the main ideas discussed in the body of the report.
When writing a conclusion, begin by re-stating or re-emphasising your position on the topic, then
summarise some key points. Finish off with a broad statement, e.g., by commenting on the significance of
the issue, making a prediction about the future of the issue, or a recommendation to deal with the
problem at hand.
Key elements of your conclusion
● Reflect on why the topic is still so important
● Discuss why it is difficult to arrive at a definitive answer to the question posed
● Make a prediction about what will happen to the phenomenon under investigation
Sample conclusion
For all of the efforts of the media and the public to exert pressure to force policy changes that may help to
minimise the impacts of human activity, it does not appear that change is happening quickly enough. Many
communities remain threatened by rising sea levels, and there are possibly increasing future extinctions of
animal species. Strategies to reduce impact include…Perhaps the most important response will be the
public pressure for reduction in fossil fuel driven power generation as a major step towards reducing our
impact.
Legend: Link to original position ; Summary of key points ; Broad statement
SHE Concepts
As you conduct your research, copy and paste/paraphrase information from sources that link to the below
SHE concepts as you go. This will help you determine which SHE concept/s you should focus on when it
comes time to expand on your report.
Communication and Collaboration
Science is a global enterprise that relies on clear communication, international conventions, and review and verification of
results.
Collaboration between psychologists and stakeholders advances research and understanding. It requires shared evidence
from many sources in a multidisciplinary approach.
Development and Application
Developments in research and technology lead to advances in psychological understanding.
The application of psychological understanding can enable scientists to develop solutions, design actions, and evaluate and
respond to economic, sociocultural, and environmental factors.
Influence
Psychological knowledge and its application are both influenced by, and influence economic, sociocultural, religious,
ideological, political, and environmental perspectives in a local, national, and global context.
The use of psychological knowledge may have positive, negative, or unexpected consequences that require monitoring,
assessment, and evaluation. The use of psychological knowledge must take into account risks and ethical considerations.
Bibliography
Keep a record of your sources below so you can complete the bibliography. Remember full Harvard citations!
