Doing the Essay

Psychology in the Real World

 Assessment: 3000 word Essay based on a topic taught as part
of the module.

 3000 words: 500 words (reflection on sources, content,

content) – 2500 essay

 Submitted through turnitin

 Your own title (see also examples).

 See Module Syllabus & Marking Rubric!

 Due date: 9th of January 2024

Objectives

An understanding of the elements of good psychological science that

are needed to think about using it;

An appreciation of the distance between the lab and the real world;

To learn to communicate your new knowledge, in plain English, to non-

experts, experts, the motivated and the uninterested (an audience
often contains representatives of all of these groups);

An ability to look behind the presentation of the science in the media;

To be able to identify and develop an idea in a real word setting.

Indicative topics
Mental Health across the Lifespan & Mental Health Literacy

Crime, Delinquency, Pro/Anti-Social Behaviour and Morality

Developmental Psychopathology – with a focus on the development of psychological

disorders and typical/atypical child development

Learning: Cognitive Development, memory and the Psychology of Learning

Social Groups: In-groups and out-groups, bullying, racism and inclusive practice.

Dreams and Psychoanalysis of sleep.

Psychometric scales/testing and applications.

Organic Hallucinosis.
 Essays in General:
Clearly lay out your topic and structure in the first
paragraph – and stick to this!

When it comes to doing an essay you might want to think about what is
generally referred to as the “3 S’s”: Say what you are going to say (in the
first paragraph), Say it (in the main or ‘middle’ part of your essay), and Say
what you have said (which refers to the summarising paragraph at the end
of the essay).

Critical discussion – making critical, evaluative links

between theories and studies..
Essays ~ Continued
◦ Include references. Avoid saying stuff like: Research has
shown that… - if you cannot back this up with a
reference.
◦ There is no preferred referencing style for BASC-coded
modules, so you may can use any referencing style, e.g.
Harvard, Vancouver, MLA, Chicago or APA, as long as
you are consistent!
◦ Don’t us SimplyPsychology as a reference and don’t
over-use websites please.
◦ See also Module syllabus for info re BASC-coded
modules!
◦ Essay support: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/writing-lab/online-
resources
Categorisation of AI use(!!)
Category 2: AI tools can be used in an
assistive role*
 *Note it is not permitted to use AI to

write/produce the essay for you. However,

students are permitted to use AI tools for
specific defined processes within the
assessment, namely:
 · As a support tutor;
 · Giving feedback on content, or

proofreading content.
Please share your essay ideas, by providing your
draft title and a 300 word summary/plan;

You can do this any time before the essay due

date (email this to w.sims-
schouten@ucl.ac.uk).
Good Luck!
 Opportunities for questions: before/after
sessions – tutorials – email;
 Session 9 & 10: Summary and Essay

Examples.