I need an idea on how I should start of a paper............?

Question

The topic is psychology a science why or why not? At first I was going to define psychology and then I was going to define science and then go from there. But people say starting off papers with definitions are boring any ideas on how to start off

Answer 1

Maybe start out with a little history about both to show how they are or are not the same. good luck!

Answer 2

I'm not sure about your level of education, but for me - I would look first at the current discourse on the topic becuase clearly this is an important field if interest. Here are some books I'd reocmmend

Gruber, "Creativity, psychology, and the history of science"
Pickren, "Psychology and the National Institute for Mental Health: a historical analysis"
Shamdasani, "Jung and the making of modern psychology"
Green, "the transformation of psychology: influences of 19th century philosophy, technology, and natural science"

The reason I think you should investigate the discourse and the history of psychology itself is because I do hold the humble belief that psychology is a science rather than a social science and should not be placed into the same category as history or economics. Of course, to the non-psychology student, the field may seem like a lot of creative interpretation, but when one gets down to it, all of psychology is based on principles of theory, error, postulates, mathematics that physics and chemistry is. Why then do people posit that psychology is a pseudo science? You can trace that to Freud and the pop-psychologists of today - there is a reason that the public is itnerested in them - it's because they're easy to understand and only expose the parts of the field that are interesting. Afterall, what person would want to actually learn the reason why dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex are highly correlated with reward and punishment, and that the stimulation of similar pathways can effect learning patterns? Pfft.

Answer 3

In writing a paper, there is a little saying that may help you: Tell them what your going to tell them, tell them about it and the tell them what you told them. Start with an outline. First the introduction, then the thesis, followed by the conclusion.

In the introduction briefly describe the points of the thesis (body) of the paper.

In the thesis provide 3 to 5 main points (sub-points as well if these will assist your position on the subject matter).

In the conclusion recap that which you said in the thesis.

Introduction, id est: While some say that psychology is science, there are those that feel psychology is void of any scientific basis whatsoever. Walk with me as I introduce you to the world of psychology from the earliest studies of the human mind to the present day scientific marvels surrounding the id.

Answer 4

I think its okay to start off with definitions if you make the definitions interesting. Maybe start with a generalization about psychology and then define it and then start a new generalization about science and then define it. When doing a two-tone topic you should be as careful as possible not to state your own biased opinions in the work, but rather state the opinions of others, both with people who believe psychology is a science, and those who do not... try to state their opinions as equally as possible, but make the paper fun too. Let's not just cite the facts, because your going need to entice your listeners to want to hear it, to want to read it again and again, no matter what the topic. Write it about the subject, sure, but it write it from the heart, and with passion. Pretend its your life-long dream to write this paper (I'm sure its not), but if you just try to pretend that it is, and that you make it fun even for yourself, it'll show through in your work.

Answer 5

-To be technical, psychology is considered a social science.
-Most psychologists must have a PhD to practice
-There are Social Psychologists, Sports Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists, Health Psychologists, Cognative Psychologists, Child Psychologists, Developmental Psychologists and many others

Definition of Psychology (from http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=38858

Psychology: The study of the mind and mental processes, especially in relation to behavior. There are a number of fields of psychology. Clinical psychology is concerned with diagnosing and treating disorders of the brain, emotional disturbances, and behavior problems. Child psychology is the study of the mental and emotional development of children and is part of developmental psychology, the study of changes in behavior that occur through the life span. Cognitive psychology deals with how the human mind receives and interprets impressions and ideas. Social psychology looks at how the actions of others influence the behavior of an individual

Just thought I'd write down a few things I remembered from PSY101, and then a bit from the web--to give you some ideas. Really though, why would the study of the mind not be a science?

Answer 6

Are you game?

What I would do is make up the first page with type-o's, notes scribbled in the margins and sloppily erased, maybe a little coffee or food spilled on one corner and the edge creased on another with two empty staple holes through it.

Then I would put a blank sheet of paper under it.

The third page I would repeat the first page but I would have it in pristine condition.

I would continue my paper on the fourth page and on to include however many pages it required to complete the paper.

Then, on the final page I would ask the reader how they immediately judged the author of the paper when they first seen the top page and then when they seen the third page? Was their judgement predictable? Could it be duplicated? If so, would that make the psychology of the judgement valid science? The answer to those questions would of course be a resounding yes.

Answer 7

You have gotten lots of great answers already. I can only add that I would try to make the first sentence -- or even non-sentence -- a hook, a grabber.

Something like
"Pschology: Is it science? Is it art? Or is it just plain voodoo? Is it something we can measure or can it only be divined?" and take it from there with examples of those ideas.

Actually, you may be better off using the above as a second paragraph if you can come up with a fascinating example that beg the questions.

Well, just a thought. As always, easier said than done! Good luck

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Just start writing. Don't worry, just write for 20 minutes and ignore what comes out. Later, go over your writing and you'll be surprised and what you've done.

Now is the time!