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DRG: DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH GUIDE

The Guide For Success

Psychology Majors

Alonte Dunn

Howard University
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Article Review

There are two articles that I recently reflected upon which opened my eyes to certain

topics and issues in our nation's health system and the effects of our nation's past on people

health. One article was from the NPR titled, “Black Mothers Keep Dying Afterving Birth.

Shalon Irving's Story.” This article speaks about the dangers black mothers face after giving

birth. The other article was from the Big Think editorial titled,” Black Mental Health Is Different

From White Mental Health.” One's race, tribe, values, and upbringing could play a major role on

ones mental health(BigThink,2017). This article speaks to how one's community and the

experiences unique to that community could contribute to a special state of mental illness within

them. It then speaks about the specific state of African Americans and how our past could be the

start to understand mental illness in the black community. They speak about different studies and

what implications they had in comparison to events in the African American history such as

slavery. From this article I also learned that there are many factors that could affect our mental

health. Our genes could affect it as well as our family history with mental illnesses. The last

thing I learned is life experiences (abuse or trauma) which is one I see being in accordance with

the articles that I have read as well as the one assigned to us for reflection.

Both of these articles show the aspects of studying abnormal psychology. Abnormal

Psychology is the branch of psychology that studies unusual patterns of behavior, emotion and

thought, which may or may not be understood as precipitating a mental disorder. I am slowly

leaning toward a career in Abnormal Psychology because of my personal experience with family

members diagnosed with mental illnesses.

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Academic Journals

Two academic journals I have used in the past that to this day are very credible is ​The American

Journal of Psychology​ and ​American Psychologist​. One can use these journals to find past and

current papers and works by scholars and psychologist that cover a broad range of issues and

information. ​The American Journal of Psychology​ was created by G. Stanley Hall and, “ AJP

explores the science of the mind and behavior, publishing reports of original research in

experimental psychology, theoretical presentations, combined theoretical and experimental

analyses, historical commentaries, and in-depth reviews of significant books”(JSTOR). It was

also edited in its early years by Titchener, Boring, and Dallenbach. It is published by the

University of Illinois Press. The ​American Psychologist​ journal was created by American

Psychological Association(APA). What makes this journal great is that it is a peer reviewed

journal and the journal publishes current high-impact papers of broad interest, including

empirical reports, meta-analyses, and scholarly reviews covering science, practice, education,

and policy. Contributions often address national and international policy issues (APA). It is now

edited by Anne E. Kazak. The journal is published only nine times a year, beginning in January.

A famous issue of the journal is the special issue of the APA journal American Psychologist,

Vol. 72, No. 8, November 2017. Articles within this certain journal discussed APA's 125-year

history, issues of policy involvement, relations with the media, involvement with the courts, and

developments related to social justice, education, science, practice, and publications.

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Undergraduate Organizations and Honor Societies

The first club or organization that I was introduced to by a classmate of mine was the HU

PSychology Club. This may be the most major club in terms of Psychology to join. From what I

know you can join as a freshman and the club is open to psychology majors and minors. The

purpose of the organization is to expand the members knowledge in Psychology and introduce

some research aspects required in the field. One can also meet new people and build different

relationships with the psych community including the faculty here at Howard. When getting a

membership to the club​​ you will have access to, “research opportunities, study groups,

scholarships, community service opportunities, our mentor/mentee program and more” (HU

Psychology Club, 2018).

There is another organization that is international and that is the International Honor Society in

Psychology, Psi Chi. ​Psi Chi was founded in 1929 with and their mission was to encourage

excellence in scholarship and advance the science of psychology. Some possible benefits of

becoming a member include but not limited to,” international recognition for academic

excellence, as well as access to our three publications and more than $400,000 in annual awards

and grants.”(Psi Chi, 2017). Psi Chi mission statement states, “Recognizing and promoting

excellence in the science and application of psychology.” They currently have a new vision for

the organization and they have three specific goals. The first goals deals with scholarly pursuits

and states that they want to, “Encourage members to conduct exemplary research, disseminate

and apply research findings, and maintain a lifelong interest in exploring the field of

psychology”(Psi Chi, 2017). The second goal deals with member development and states that

they want to, “Provide information and opportunities to enhance members' professional and
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personal lives”(Psi Chi, 2017). The last goal deals with chapter experiences and states that they

want to,” Foster a vibrant and meaningful environment for chapters and all members to

contribute to and benefit from continued engagement”(Psi Chi, 2017). Undergraduates majoring

or minoring in psychology or a field that is closely related may join if they meet the society's

minimum requirements and any additional chapter requirements.

Key Critical Terms (Obtained from APA.org)

1. Psychology- The scientific study of the behavior of individuals and their mental

processes.

2. Cognition- Processes of knowing, including attending, remembering, and reasoning; also

the content of the processes, such as concepts and memories.

3. Behaviorism- A scientific approach that limits the study of psychology to measurable or

observable behavior.

4. Functionalism- The perspective on mind and behavior that focuses on the examination of

their functions in an organism's interactions with the environment.

5. Structuralism- The study of the structure of mind and behavior; the view that all human

mental experience can be understood as a combination of simple elements or events.

6. Humanistic perspective- A psychological model that emphasizes an individual's

phenomenal world and inherent capacity for making rational choices and developing to

maximum potential.

7. Behavior- The actions by which an organism adjusts to its environment.

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8. Experimental methods- Research methodologies that involve the manipulation of

independent variables in order to determine their effects on the dependent variables.

9. Independent variable- In experimental settings, the stimulus condition whose values are

free to vary independently of any other variable in the situation.

10. Dependent variable- In an experimental setting, any variable whose values are the results

of changes in one or more independent variables.

APA Style Guide (Information Provided by Purdue Online Writing Lab)

General Guidelines include : Your work should be typed, double-spaced on standard-sized paper

(8.5" x 11") with 1" margins on all sides. APA recommends using 12 pt. Times New Roman

font. Include a page header (also known as the "running head") at the top of every page. To

create a page header/running head, insert page numbers flush right. Then type "TITLE OF

YOUR PAPER" in the header to the left using all capital letters. The running head is a shortened

version of your paper's title and cannot exceed 50 characters including spacing and punctuation.

The work or essay must include a title page, abstract, main body, and references.

Citations:

1. In-text:

(Last name, year of publication) — more than five authors add “et al.”

EX: “...constitute a chronic stressor(Chakraborty, McKenzie, 2002).”

2. Format for books:

Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Location:

Publisher.
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EX: “Finney, J. (1970). Time and again. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.”

3. Format for Online Articles:

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of article. Title of Online Periodical,

volume number(issue number if available). Retrieved from

http://www.someaddress.com/full/url/

EX: “Editors, Big Think. “Black Mental Health Is Different From White Mental Health.” Big

Think,

26 Aug. 2015, bigthink.com/big-think-mental-health-channel/mental-illness-in-black-america.”

4. Format for Motion Pictures:

Producer, P. P. (Producer), & Director, D. D. (Director). (Date of publication). Title of motion

picture [Motion picture]. Country of origin: Studio or distributor.

EX: “Smith, J. D. (Producer), & Smithee, A. F. (Director). (2001). Really big disaster movie

[Motion picture]. United States: Paramount Pictures.”

5. Format for Tv Shows:

Writer, W. W. (Writer), & Director, D. D. (Director). (Date of broadcast or copyright). Title of

broadcast [Television broadcast or Television series]. In P. Producer (Producer). City, state of

origin: Studio or distributor.

EX: ”Bell, W. (Executive Producer). (2001). Off centre [Television series]. Universal City, CA:

Dreamworks Television.”
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Job Opportunities and Internships

Because psychology has a broad range of career opportunities, this makes the possibilities of ​ ​of

finding an internship or job very possible. In some field in fact, there has been a high demand for

work. Here at Howard the professors in the psychology department encourage students all they

time to take some time out of their summer to gain some research experience. Here are some

possible jobs/ internship opportunities.

1. Department of Defense Student Trainee- The selectee will serve as a Student Trainee

(Psychology) in the Office of Human Resources, Research and Assessment Division, and

will receive practical on-the-job experience and formal training in the field of

Psychology.

2. Internships at the APA- The mission of the APA Internal Internship Program (IIP) is to

provide a stimulating and rewarding training experience for students who are passionate

about the education and application of psychology in today’s complex society.

3. ACOS, Mental Health (Psychologist)- The ACOS, Mental Health Service, in conjunction

with the Chief of Staff, is responsible for planning, organizing, developing,

implementing, controlling and refining a comprehensive patient management/clinical

support/administrative program which provides services and technical counsel necessary

to meet clinical, procedural, legal and administrative requirements relating to the care and

treatment of patients to achieve maximum utilization of patient care resources in a

cost-effective, efficient and timely manner.

4. Saint Frances Academy Counseling Internship- Intern responsibilities includes providing

necessary counseling and other related services to students with disabilities according to
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their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), provides counseling and consultation for

other students as necessary.

5. U.S. Federal Government Clinical Psychologist- This position is that of a clinical

psychologist and is located in the Family Court Social Services Division of the District of

Columbia Superior Court.

6. Clinical Psychologist for Government of the District of Columbia- The incumbent of this

position serves as Clinical Psychologist in the Forensic Division, Behavioral Health

Authority and is responsible for providing the full range of psychological and

neuropsychological services and assessments for consumers.

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References

APA. (n.d.). Retrieved February 14, 2018, from

http://www.apa.org/research/action/glossary.aspx?tab=1

Psi Chi. (2017). Retrieved February 14, 2018, from

https://www.psichi.org/?page=welcome#.WoS1v6jwbIU

Welcome to the Purdue OWL. (1995-2018). Retrieved February 14, 2018, from

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/11/