dissertation psychology examples

Home > School, College, or Department > CLAS > Psychology > Dissertations and Theses

Psychology Dissertations and Theses

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Crossover of Supervisors' Perceptions of Co-worker Support to Employees' Well-Being , Shalene Joyce Allen

Faculty Mentors' Influence on Latino/a/x STEM Undergraduates' STEM Identity Development , Sandy Cerda-Lezama

The Nuanced Relationship Between Mindfulness, Racial Prejudice, and Policy Support , Jared Michael Cutler

Individual and Structural Contributors to Implicit and Explicit Anti-Muslim Bias in the United States , Aeleah M. Granger

Peer Group Influence on the Antecedents of Academic Coping over the First Year of Middle School , Daniel Lee Grimes

Exploring the Social Processes Influencing the Well-Being and Social Integration of Systemically Marginalized Students in Higher Education: A Mixed-Methods Approach , Zeinab Abbas Hachem

Centering the Leader: An Investigation of Leader-Centric Variables in the Support Provision Process , Jordyn Jan Leslie

The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Juvenile Offender Typology , Aliza Beth Lipman

A Cognitive Approach to Supervisor Training Intervention Evaluation: Analyzing Change with Response Shift Theory and Models of Measurement Invariance , Luke Daniel Mahoney

The Exploration of Latino BIP Participants' Experiences of Oppression and Expressions of Critical Consciousness , Adrian Luis Manriquez

Permission to Play: A District's Initiative to Innovate Kindergarten and Promote Developmentally Appropriate Practices , Cristin McDonough

Dynamic Social Ecologies of Students' Motivational Resilience: The Complex Relationship between Family, Teacher, and Peer Support, and Students' Academic Coping and Reengagement , Kristen Elizabeth Raine

The Wage of Wellness: The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status, Race, and Work Recovery , Emily Julia Ready

Seguir Adelante: A Qualitative Exploration of Latino Farmworkers' Work and Non-Work Resources , Faviola Robles Saenz

It Takes a Village: An Examination of Social Relationships and Mental Health , Em Francis Trubits

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Examining Factors Impacting the Service Needs of Unhoused Women , Holly Brott

Main, Mediated, and Moderated Effects of Participating in an After-School Social and Emotional Learning Program on Young Children's Development of Social-Emotional Skills , Amy L. Cordier

Who Puts the "Support" in Supportive Housing? The Impact of Housing Staff on Resident's Well-Being, and the Potential Moderating Role of Self-Determination , Kenna Estell Dickard

Motivation to Collaborate: A Qualitative Exploration of the Perspectives of Service Providers on an Alternative First Response Program , Desiree' J. DuBoise

Tell Me, Do You Feel It Too? A Meta-analysis of Dyadic Emotional Contagion in the Workplace , Stefanie Fox

Left on "Read" and All Alone: Instigated Cyber Incivility, Shame, and Experienced Ostracism at Work , Alison Lucia Hunt

Exploring Associations between Military Identity and Well-being Outcomes among Post-9/11 Veterans after Separation , James David Lee

Experiences of People with Serious Mental Illness Seeking Services at Community Mental Health Centers During the COVID-19 Pandemic , Emily Leickly

Why So Serious? Using the Belongingness Need Tenet from the Self-Determination Theory to Examine Workplace Humor and Its Outcomes , Katharine Lucille McMahon

Emotion Knowledge, Its Applications, and Their Associations With African American Children's Social Relationships With Teachers and Peers in Kindergarten and First Grade , Brielle Emily Petit

Stress-Reduction from Positive Support: Impacts of Receiving Partner Capitalization Support on Veteran Stress/Work Stress , MaryAnn Dona Samson

Diversity in Recruitment: The Role of Realistic Website Job Previews for Racial and Ethnic Minority Applicants , Jennifer Saucedo

Antecedents of FSSB: Evaluating the Demographic Basis of Support , Erika Ann Schemmel

A Daily Investigation of the Recovery Paradox: Examining the Dynamic Interplay of Workload, Recovery Experiences, and Microbreaks , Morgan Rose Taylor

Not on the Menu: Customer Sexual Harassment in the Restaurant Industry , Fernanda Wolburg Martinez

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Model.Disclose(): Examination of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Disclosure at Work , Timothy Allen Carsey

Transforming Learning Communities, Transforming Ourselves: A Qualitative Investigation of Identity Processes in a Participatory Action Research-themed Undergraduate Course , Julia Sara Dancis

Clarifying and Measuring Inclusive Leadership , Kelly Mason Hamilton

Intersections of Masculinity, Culturally Relevant Factors, and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Asian American Men , Jason Z. Kyler-Yano

Sleeping to Support: An Examination of the Relationship Between Leader Sleep and Positive Support Behaviors , Jordyn Jan Leslie

Work-Related IPV Among Latinos: Exploring the Roles of Fatherhood Status, Gendered Expectations, and Support for Intimate Partner's Employment , Adrian Luis Manriquez

Masculinity Instability and Ideologies as Predictors of IPV Perpetration: The Mediating Role of Relationship Power , Emma Christine Marioles O'Connor

The Benefits of Social Support on Health and Well-Being in Military Populations: Examining Mechanisms, Source of Support, and the Reach of a Workplace Well-Being Intervention , AnnaMarie Sophia O'Neill

Do Motives Matter? The Role of Motivation in Shaping the Impact of Mindfulness Training on Teachers' Psychological Distress and Wellbeing , Cristi N. Pinela

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

The Longitudinal Effects of a Family and Sleep Supportive Intervention on Service Member Anger and Resilience , Shalene Joyce Allen

Drug Conviction and Employment Restriction: Experiences of Employees with Drug-Related Criminal Histories , Liana Bernard

Sustaining Boys' Motivation Over the Transition to Middle School: Can Interpersonal Resources Protect Boys from Engagement Declines Across Sixth Grade? , Brandy Anne Brennan

Returning to Rejection: Outcomes and Boundary Conditions of Mental Illness Stereotypes , Stefanie Fox

Guarding Against Strain: The Moderating Role of Nonwork Experiences in the Relationship Between Work-Related Hypervigilance and Strain in Correctional Officers , Samantha Getzen

Anti-Muslim Bias: Investigating Individual Differences, Threat Perceptions, and Emotions in Islamophobic Policy Support , Aeleah M. Granger

Black Children's Development of Self-Regulation within Stressful Contexts of Parenting: Investigating Potential Buffering Effects of a Kindergarten Social-Emotional Learning Program , Eli Labinger

"Like I Was an Actual Researcher": Participation and Identity Trajectories of Underrepresented Minority and First-Generation STEM Students in Research Training Communities of Practice , Jennifer Lynn Lindwall

Claiming Miscommunication to Justify Rape: The Role of Liking the Perpetrator , Alyssa Marie Glace Maryn

An "I" for an "I" : A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Instigated and Reciprocal Incivility , Lauren Sarah Park

Parenting and Children's Academic Coping as a Dynamic System: Feedforward, Feedback, and Mediators of Changes Across the School Year , Kristen Elizabeth Raine

Does Experiencing Spousal Support and Strain Impact the Quality of Family-Based Support that Supervisors Provide to Employees? , Joseph Alvin Sherwood

"B-ing Flexible" : Examining Creativity in Bisexual Employees , Megan Jane Snoeyink

Exploring the Relationships Between Community Experiences and Well-Being among Youth Experiencing Homelessness , Katricia Stewart

Mothers' Drinking Motives , Sheila Kathleen Umemoto

An Examination of Nurses' Schedule Characteristics, Recovery from Work, and Well-Being , Sarah Elizabeth Van Dyck

Preventing Sexual Violence Through Understanding Perceptions of Sexual Offenders , Judith G. Zatkin

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Examining Employee Needs at Work and Home: a Self-Determination Theory Perspective , Dana Anuhea Auten

Trajectories, Time Windows, and Alternative Pathways of Engagement: Motivational Resources Underlying Academic Development during Middle School , Heather Anne Brule

Examining Mindfulness Training for Teachers: Theoretical and Methodological Extensions of Intervention Effectiveness , Jaiya Rae Choles

Detecting Reinforcement Patterns in the Stream of Naturalistic Observations of Social Interactions , James Lamar DeLaney 3rd

An Investigation of the Temporal Relationship Between Agitation and Sleep Disturbances , Emily Catherine Denning

Peers' Academic Coping as a Resource for Academic Engagement and Motivational Resilience in the First Year of Middle School , Daniel Lee Grimes

Home Resources Supporting Workplace Resources: an Investigation of Moderated Intervention Effects From the Study for Employment Retention of Veterans (SERVe) , Sarah Nielsen Haverly

"It Puts a Face to All the Knowledge We've Gotten" : a Program of Research on Intimate Partner Violence Surrogate Impact Panels , Kate Louise Sackett Kerrigan

A Daily Examination of Anger and Alcohol Use Among Post-9/11 Veterans , James David Lee

An Examination of Daily Family-Supportive Supervisor Behaviors, Perceived Supervisor Responsiveness and Job Satisfaction , Luke Daniel Mahoney

Nurse Can't Even: the Immediate Impact of Incivility on Affect, Well-being, and Behavior , Katharine Lucille McMahon

Perceptions of Police Use of Force at the Intersection of Race and Pregnancy , Emma Elizabeth Lee Money

The Impact of Paternal Caregivers for Youth Who Commit Sexual Offenses , Miranda Hope Sitney

Human Energy in the Workplace: an Investigation of Daily Energy Management Strategies, Job Stressors and Employee Outcomes , Morgan Rose Taylor

Individual and Community Supports that Impact Community Inclusion and Recovery for Individuals with Serious Mental Illnesses , Rachel Elizabeth Terry

Investigating Sexual Fantasy and Sexual Behavior in Adolescent Offenders , Hayley Lauren Tews

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Integrating Work Ability into the Organizational Science Literature: Advancing Theory and Developing the Nomological Network , Grant Brady

Family Linked Workplace Resources and Contextual Factors as Important Predictors of Job and Individual Well-being for Employees and Families , Jacquelyn Marie Brady

The Role of Teacher Autonomy Support Across the Transition to Middle School: its Components, Reach, and Developmental Effects , Julia Sara Dancis

Does X Mark the Applicant? Assessing Reactions to Gender Non-Binary Job Seekers , Kelly Mason Hamilton

Urbanicity as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Stigma and Well-being Outcomes for Individuals with Serious Mental Illnesses , Emily Leickly

The Relationship Between Undergraduate Research Training Programs and Motivational Resources for Underrepresented Minority Students in STEM: Program Participation, Self-efficacy, a Sense of Belonging, and Academic Performance , Jennifer Lindwall

Perceived Partner Responsiveness, Sleep and Pain: a Dyadic Study of Military-Connected Couples , AnnaMarie Sophia O'Neill

Recruitment Marketing: How Do Wellness and Work-Life Benefits Influence Employer Image Perceptions, Organizational Attraction, and Job Pursuit Intentions? , Amy Christine Pytlovany

The Combined Effects of Parent and Teacher Involvement on the Development of Adolescents' Academic Engagement , Nicolette Paige Rickert

Examining the Development and Classroom Dynamics of Student Disaffection Over Multiple Time Periods: Short-term Episodes and Long-term Trajectories , Emily Anne Saxton

Drinking on a Work Night: a Comparison of Day and Person-Level Associations with Workplace Outcomes , Brittnie Renae Shepherd

Development and Validation of the Workplace Mental Illness Stigma Scale (W-MISS) , Nicholas Anthony Smith

Relational Thriving in Context: Examining the Roles of Gratitude, Affectionate Touch, and Positive Affective Variability in Health and Well-Being , Alicia Rochelle Starkey

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse and Juvenile Offending Through Parental Monitoring , Kelly E. Stewart

"To Call or Not to Call?" The Impact of Supervisor Training on Call Center Employee Attitudes and Well-Being , Whitney Elan Schneider Vogel

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

The Impact of Leader Race and Gender on Perceptions of Organizations in Response to Corporate Error , Nicolas Derek Brown

Impacts of Mindfulness Training on Mechanisms Underlying Stress Reduction in Teachers: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial , Jaiya Rae Choles

Student Motivation Profiles as a Diagnostic Tool to Help Teachers Provide Targeted Support , Cailin Tricia Currie

Insufficient Effort Responding on Mturk Surveys: Evidence-Based Quality Control for Organizational Research , Lee Cyr

Affirmative Consent Endorsement and Peer Norms Supporting Sexual Violence Among Vulnerable Students on College Campuses , Alyssa Marie Glace

Gendered Partner-Ideals, Relationship Satisfaction, and Intimate Partner Violence , Sylvia Marie Ferguson Kidder

Organizational Calling and Safety: the Role of Workload and Supervisor Support , Layla Rhiannon Mansfield

Bystander Intervention to Prevent Campus Sexual Violence: the Role of Sense of Community, Peer Norms, and Administrative Responding , Erin Christine McConnell

Benevolent Sexism and Racial Stereotypes: Targets, Functions, and Consequences , Jean Marie McMahon

Perceived Overqualification and Withdrawal Among Seasonal Workers: Would Work Motivation Make a Difference? , Anthony Duy Nguyen

Differential Well-Being in Response to Incivility and Surface Acting among Nurses as a Function of Race , Lauren Sarah Park

Financial Strain and the Work-Home Interface: a Test of the Work-Home Resources Model from the Study for Employment Retention of Veterans (SERVe) , MacKenna Laine Perry

Neighbor Perceptions of Psychiatric Supportive Housing : the Role of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors , Amy Leigh Shearer

Advanced Search

• Notify me via email or RSS
• Featured Collections
• All Authors
• Schools & Colleges
• Dissertations & Theses
• PDXOpen Textbooks
• Conferences
• Collections
• Disciplines
• Faculty Expert Gallery
• Submit Research
• Faculty Profiles
• Terms of Use
• Feedback Form

Home | About | My Account | Accessibility Statement | Portland State University

Privacy Copyright

• Study and research support
• Academic skills

Dissertation examples

Listed below are some of the best examples of research projects and dissertations from undergraduate and taught postgraduate students at the University of Leeds We have not been able to gather examples from all schools. The module requirements for research projects may have changed since these examples were written. Refer to your module guidelines to make sure that you address all of the current assessment criteria. Some of the examples below are only available to access on campus.

• Undergraduate examples
• Taught Masters examples

• Utility Menu

Psychology Undergraduate Program

• Department of Psychology
• Past & Current Theses

Current Approved Thesis Proposals

2024-25 Approved Thesis Proposals

2025-26 Approved Thesis Proposals

Lists of Past Theses

Class of 2024 /  2023 /  2022 /  2021 /  2020  / 2019  /  2018 /  2017 /  2016 /  2015 /  2014 2013 /  2012  /  2011  /  2010  /  2009 /  2008 /  2007 /  2006  /  2005  /  2004   2003  /  2002  /  2001  (PDF)/  2000  (PDF) /  1999  (PDF) List of Prize-Winning Theses, 2001 - Present

Reading Sample Theses

As you prepare for your thesis, you might want to get a sense of what you can accomplish in your finished product. Reading past theses can show you the scope and nature of well-done undergraduate projects. Because theses in different areas of psychology often look quite different, it will help you to examine several in the same general area you plan to conduct your research in.

The Psychology Undergraduate Office has hard copies of several prize-winning theses from the past five years that you may sign out to see what the best undergraduate work looks like. Above, you can browse the titles of past undergraduate theses to give you an idea of the topics of theses students typically write.

Only hard copies of recent prize-winning theses are currently available.

Please note: Recent theses stored in the Social Relations Library (which recently closed) are unavailable. Inquirers needing a thesis that is not listed in HOLLIS should contact the authors of theses directly to attempt to obtain a copy.  

Table of Contents

• 2025 February Thesis Deadlines
• 2025 May Thesis Deadlines
• 2026 February Thesis Deadlines
• 2026 May Thesis Deadlines

• USF Research
• USF Libraries

Digital Commons @ USF > College of Arts and Sciences > Psychology > Theses and Dissertations

Psychology Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Moderating Role of Momentary Social Anxiety in The Relationships Between Authenticity, Situational Appraisals, Expressivity, and Approach-Avoidance Motivation , Jessica A. Birg

The Prevalence and Perceptions of Self-relevant Research (“Me-search”) in Psychological Science , Andrew R. Devendorf

A Longitudinal Investigation of the Relationships Between Experiences with Sexual Harassment, Self-Objectification, and Self-Concept Clarity Among Women , Roxanne N. Felig

Mentorship in a Virtual World: How Remote Work Relates to Mentoring Relationships and Outcomes , Alyssa M. Lezcano

Examining Associations Between Social and Emotional Loneliness and Drinking in a Clinical Sample with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD): An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study , Brendan E. Walsh

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Improving the Subjective Well-Being of Autistic Youth Utilizing a Positive Psychology Intervention , Nicolette Bauermeister

An Experimental Study of Negative Performance Feedback: Consideration of a Cognitive Pathway and Individual Difference Factors , Ansley M. Bender

A Critical Analysis of the Graduate Socialization of Racially Minoritized School Psychology Students , Tatiana J. Broughton

The Influence of COVID-19 on Tobacco Racial Health Disparities: Testing the Differential Effects of COVID-19 on Smoking Motivation Variables across Black and White Smokers , Patricia F. Calixte-Civil

An Evaluation of Measurement Invariance of DSM-5 Borderline Personality Disorder Criteria Across Heterosexual, Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults , E. Elisa Carsten

The Development of a Behaviorally Based Mentoring Workplace Scale , Christina N. Falcon

Examining the Role of Executive Functions on the Intention-Behavior Gap of Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy Use , Becky K. Gius

The Effect of Psychopathy Trait Descriptions on Mock Juror Decision-Making , Bailey A. Hall

Context matters: Profiles of emotion regulation at work and home , Roxanne C. Lawrence

Planning to Behave Impulsively to Feel Better: An EMA Study of College Students' Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, Binge Eating, and Exercise Behaviors , Rose H. Miller

One Year Impact of the Advancing Coping and Engagement (ACE) Program on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Student Success , Amanda C. Moseley

The Effects of Divided Attention in Free Recall: Affecting Trace Accumulation by Dividing Attention , Anne Olsen

Investigating Risk Factors of the Development of Compulsive Exercise and Eating Disorder Symptoms in College Students , Madeline Palermo

Invisible Families, Clear Consequences: Work-Family Integration Among Employees in Same Gender Presenting Romantic Relationships , Joseph Regina

Threats to School Safety: Examining Levels of Community Violence and Its Relation to School-Related Threats , Dorie Ross

The Social Anxiety Stigma Scale (SASS): Development, Factor Structure, and Validation , Ruba Rum

Socio-emotional effects of rejection: An experience-sampling examination , Gabriella Silva

Observed Error Monitoring as an Index of Theory of Mind , Kipras Varkala

I'll Make a Man Out of You: Precarious Manhood Beliefs among Heterosexual-Cisgender Men and Queer Men , Serena L. Wasilewski

From Other and From World: Expanding the Current Model of Existential Isolation , Roger Young Jr.

Temporal and Spatial Properties of Orientation Summary Statistic Representations , Jacob S. Zepp

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Boredom, Interoceptive Ability, and Emotional Eating , Erica Ahlich

Environmental Transmission of Career Interests Through a Genetic Lens: Understanding the Confounding Around Parental Occupation , Tyler Allan

Do Suicide Attempt Survivors Have Reduced Long-Term Well-Being? A Study of Veterans Across Three Nationally Representative Cohorts , Bradley A. Brown

Depersonalized, Dysregulated, and Demanded: The Impact of Burnout on Appraisal and Emotional Events , Katrina M. Conen

Breast Health Esteem to Motivate Breast Health Behavioral Intentions: An Application of the Terror Management Health Model , Emily P. Courtney

Gender Differences in College Drinkers: The Role of Masculine Norms , Jared A. Davis

Prevalence and Predictors of Careless Responding in Experience Sampling Research , Alexander J. Denison

Perceptions of Workplace Discrimination: A Closer Look , Jeremiah Doaty

The Impact of Cannabis on Motivational Processes for Smoked Tobacco and Cigarettes , Claire M. Gorey

Outcomes of a Telehealth Adaptation of a Trauma-Based Parent Training Program , Holland Hayford

Why Don’t They Just Ask?: Barriers to Directly Requesting Affirmative Sexual Consent by Gender and Sexual Orientation , Jessica A. Jordan

Examining the Social Validity of Parent Training: Post-Participation Parent Perceptions and Reflections of Group Triple P , Nycole C. Kauk

Individual Differences in Response to Hostile and Benevolent Sexism in a STEM Interview Context: The Moderating Role of Behavioral Activation , Elizabeth Kiebel

Do Sociability Expectancies Moderate Social Anxiety Predicting Alcohol Consumption Following a Social Stressor Speech Task , Jacob A. Levine

An Object for Sexual Pleasure: Does Viewing Sexualized Media Predict Increases in Self and Partner Objectification Impacting Feelings of Sexual and Romantic Closeness? , Kaitlyn Ligman

Influences of Sentence Context and Individual Differences in Lexical Quality on Early Phonological Processing during Silent Reading , Sara Milligan

Testing the Effects of Social Exclusion on Emotional Arousal: An Examination of the Effects of Psychological Pain and Rumination , Amanda L. Peterson

Creating a Short, Public-Domain Version of the CPAI-2: Using an Algorithmic Approach to Develop Public-Domain Measures of Indigenous Personality Traits , Mukhunth Raghavan

Equitable Implementation of the Good Behavior Game , Faith D. Reynolds

Ethnic-Racial Minoritized Adolescents’ Perceptions of Cyberhate, School Connectedness, Ethnic-Racial Identity, and Life Satisfaction , Alexis Taylor

Predicting Future Well-Being Among United States Youth Who Attempted Suicide and Survived , Bingjie Tong

Addressing Intersectional Stigma: LGBTQ+ Individuals Living with a Mental Illness , Jennifer T. Tran

Approach and Avoidance Food Craving: A Dual Cue Reactivity Investigation , Christina Lee Verzijl

Easing the Postpartum Return to Work: Workplace Resources, Work Interference with Family, and Health Behaviors , Aashna M. Waiwood

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

School Professional Coaching on Facilitation of Prevent-Teach-Reinforce (PTR) Model for Students with Persistent Problem Behavior , Rachel Ayres

Influencing Motivation for Alcohol through Social Bonding , Bryan Benitez

Case Studies in Applied Behavior Analysis: Using a Desensitization Procedure to Decrease Problem Behavior Towards Peers and Using a Treatment Package to Increase Time Spent in a Small Group , Mallamy I. Camargo Pena

Testing the Congruence of Espousals and Enactments Predicting Team Innovation , Rylan M. Charlton

The General Psychopathology Factor ( p ) From Adolescence to Adulthood: Disentangling the Developmental Trajectories of p Using a Multi-Method Approach , Alexandria M. Choate

An Ecological Momentary Assessment of Disordered Eating Behaviors within Alcohol Use Episodes: Determining Temporal Sequencing in Food and Alcohol Disturbance , Emily M. Choquette

The Influence of Maternal Body-Shaming Comments and Bodily Shame on Portion Size , Savannah R. Flak

Mental Health Problems, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Offending Behavior Among Persons Incarcerated in a County Jail , Lauren F. Fournier

The Adaptive, Social, Communication, and Cognitive Skills of Monolingual and Bilingual Toddlers with Autism , Marcela A. Galicia

Good Intentions Go Awry: Investigation of Unhelpful Supportive Leadership , Cheryl E. Gray

Hello Traitor: An Examination of Individual Differences in Perceptions of Technology-Related Incivility , David J. Howard

Measuring State Empathy: Exploring the Efficacy of a Film Clip Task and Examining Individual Differences in Empathic Responding , Stephanie R. Hruza

The Relationship of Hope to Goals and Psychological Outcomes in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer: A Test of Hope Theory , Kelly A. Hyland

Decisions and How Doctors Make Them: Modeling Multilevel Decision-Making within Diagnostic Medicine , Michelle S. Kaplan

Cultural Values as a Moderator of the Emotion Suppression to Strain Relationship: A Comparison of Two Dominant Theoretical Mechanisms , Roxanne C. Lawrence

How Enduring is Global Precedence? , Jong Lee

Cool Under Fire: Psychopathic Traits and Decision-Making in Law Enforcement-Oriented Populations , Sean J. McKinley

Cognitive Ability and Ambivalence toward Alcohol: An Examination of Working Memory Capacity’s Influence on Drinking Behavior , Emily T. Noyes

The Relationship Between Parenting Stress, Attendance, and Attrition in a Group-Based Parent Management Training Program , David Rubio Jr.

Unintended Consequences? Testing the Effects of Adolescent-Targeted Anti-Vaping Media upon Adult Smokers , Leslie E. Sawyer

“Just Joking”: Women’s Cardiovascular Responses to Sexist Humor , Samantha Shepard

Negative Performance Feedback and the Self-Regulatory Benefits of Mindfulness , Jeremiah Slutsky

Examining the Potential Interactions of Expectancies and Disordered Eating Behavior , Cody B. Staples

The nature of resilience: A person-centered approach using latent profile analysis , Yuejia Teng

Evaluation of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Fit Indices in Distinguishing between Circumplex and Other Factor Models , Andrew J. Thurston

Comparison of Parameter Estimation Approaches for Multi-Unidimensional Pairwise Preference Tests , Naidan Tu

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

The Impact of Cues on Autobiographical Memory Recall in Depression , Ena Begovic

Perfectionism, Negative Life Events, and Cognitive Appraisal: A Contextual Model of Perfectionism’s Maladaptive Nature , Ansley M. Bender

The Effect of Acute Interpersonal Racial Discrimination on Smoking Motivation and Behavior among Black Smokers , Patricia F. Calixte-Civil

Parent Coping and Sibling Relationship Quality in Pediatric Cancer: The Moderating Effects of Parental Emotion Socialization Beliefs , Esther Davila

Higher Sense of Control Predicts Long-term Well-being After Depression , Andrew R. Devendorf

Villains or Vermin? The Differential Effects of Discrimination and Dehumanization on Immigrant Cardiovascular Responses , Mona El-Hout

Alcohol Expectancy Associates as a Probe of the Motivational Processes that Lead to Drinking , Daniel C. Faraci

Features of borderline personality and related psychopathologies as a contemporaneously and temporally connected network , Haya Fatimah

Editing the Self Away: The Effects of Photo Manipulation on Perceptions of the Self , Roxanne N. Felig

Motivation Matters: The Interaction of Approach and Avoidance Alcohol Motivation and Self-Control Demands in College Drinkers , Becky K. Gius

Facilitators and Barriers to Treatment Engagement in a Behavioral Parent Training Program , Holland Hayford

Effects of Inter-Male Status Challenge and Psychopathic Traits on Sexual Aggression , Amy M. Hoffmann

If at First You Don’t Succeed...Your Coworkers Just Might Be Pleased: A Story of Workplace Schadenfreude , Kim Johnson

Motivation to Volunteer , Lendi N. Joy

Exploration of Drive for Leanness in Relation to Drives for Thinness and Muscularity, as well as their Concurrent Associations with Health-Related Outcomes , Brittany Lang

Affect and Craving: Examining the Differential Influences of Positive and Negative Affect on Inclinations to Approach and Avoid Alcohol Use , Jacob A. Levine

Threat-Induced Alterations in Cognition and Associations with Disinhibited Behavior , Julia B. McDonald

A Prospective Examination of Psychosocial Outcomes Following Gynecomastia Surgery , D. Luis Ordaz

Assessing the Impacts of Sensorimotor Stimuli and Nicotine Content on Cravings and Other Outcomes of E-Cigarette Use , Amanda M. Palmer

The Threat of Virality: Digital Outrage Combats the Spread of Opposing Ideas , Curtis Puryear

Why Are Women Leaving STEM? An Examination of Workplace Rivalry , Joseph Regina

A Fidelity-based Integration Model for Explicit and Implicit Ensemble Coding , Ke Tong

Care in Context: Constructing a Theory of Care in One Fifth Grade Classroom , Emily J. Wingate

Depression, Music Choice, and Affective Outcomes in Daily Life , Sunkyung Yoon

Advanced Search

• Email Notifications and RSS
• All Collections
• USF Faculty Publications
• Open Access Journals
• Conferences and Events
• Theses and Dissertations
• Textbooks Collection

Useful Links

• Psychology Department Homepage
• Rights Information
• SelectedWorks
• Submit Research

Home | About | Help | My Account | Accessibility Statement | Language and Diversity Statements

Privacy Copyright

101 Examples of Dissertation Research Topics for Psychology Students

The journey of a psychology student culminates in the all but dissertation stage and the challenging task of selecting a good dissertation topic for psychology. The decision you make at this point will set the stage for your academic and professional trajectory.

This momentous project is not just a rite of passage but an opportunity to delve deeply into a niche area of interest, contribute to a body of knowledge, and possibly even ignite a career-long pursuit. With the vast expanse of psychology stretching from the neural synapses of the brain to the complex social interactions of communities, the challenge lies not in finding a topic, but in narrowing down the multitude of possibilities!

In this article, we present an expansive list of dissertation topics for psychology students who are in the process of choosing a good dissertation topic .

The ideas provided are designed to encourage exploration of both traditional and avant-garde topics, reflecting the current trends and enduring questions that shape the evolving landscape of psychological research. From the psychological impacts of digital detox to the cognitive rehabilitation techniques for stroke survivors, these topics are designed to accommodate various interests and academic pursuits. They cater not only to a comprehensive academic challenge but also to the practical implications that such research can have on individuals, systems, and societies.

As you take a look at these suggestions, it’s important that you consider not only what interests you but also what excites you. The best dissertation topic is one that you can commit to with passion and curiosity, one that promises a journey of discovery replete with challenges and rewards.

Before we present the list of dissertation ideas for psychology students, let’s take a look at what makes a good dissertation research topic.

What Makes a Good Dissertation Research Topic for Psychology Students?

A good psychology research topic should meet several key criteria to ensure it is valuable, feasible, and has the potential to contribute to the field. Here’s an overview of the characteristics that make a research topic stand out:

• Relevance : The topic should address current issues or gaps in the field of psychology. It needs to be pertinent to contemporary debates, practices, or policies. Relevance also means that the research could have practical applications or implications, potentially informing practitioners, policymakers, or the general public.
• Originality : A good research topic brings a new perspective to a known issue or explores an understudied area. The aim is to contribute original knowledge or insights rather than replicating past studies without adding substantial value.
• Specificity : Broad topics can be overwhelming and impractical to tackle within the constraints of a typical research timeline and budget. A well-defined and focused research question allows for a more thorough and in-depth study.
• Clarity : The topic should be framed in a way that is understandable and clear. This means avoiding jargon when unnecessary and defining key terms. A clearly articulated research question guides the methodology and helps maintain focus throughout the project.
• Feasibility : This involves considering the researcher’s access to subjects, resources, and data. The research should be achievable within the given time frame and with available resources. Feasibility also concerns the ethical considerations and approval processes required for conducting research.
• Interest : A researcher’s personal interest and passion for a topic can significantly influence the quality of the research. It’s beneficial if the topic resonates with the researcher’s own scholarly interests and curiosities.
• Scope for Scientific Method : Good psychology research topics should allow for systematic investigation through accepted scientific methods. This includes the potential for hypothesis testing, operationalization of variables, and the use of statistical analysis to draw conclusions.
• Ethical Soundness : Psychology research often involves human subjects, which necessitates careful ethical consideration. A good topic should conform to ethical standards, ensuring the privacy, consent, and welfare of participants.
• Implications : Lastly, a good research topic should have clear theoretical, practical, or clinical implications. It should contribute to a greater understanding of the human mind and behavior, potentially leading to better psychological interventions or therapies.

While selecting a research topic for your dissertation is important, you should never overlook the importance of the writing and editing process. Dissertation proofreading services can help you refine your final draft and ensure it presents you in the best possible light.

101 Psychology Dissertation Ideas

• The Role of Social Media in Adolescent Mental Health: Investigate how different levels of social media use affect mood disorders in adolescents.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Depression: Analyze the efficacy of CBT interventions in treating depression among various age groups.
• Neuroplasticity and Rehabilitation After Brain Injuries: Study how different rehabilitation techniques can affect the brain’s plasticity and recovery trajectory post-injury.
• The Psychology of Pandemics: Explore the long-term psychological impact of pandemics on different populations, focusing on coping mechanisms and resilience.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adulthood: Examine the challenges and support systems available for adults with autism, including employment, social relationships, and healthcare.
• Sleep Patterns and Academic Performance: Investigate the correlation between sleep quality and academic success in college students.
• The Impact of Parenting Styles on Child Development: Analyze how different parenting styles affect a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development.
• Workplace Psychology and Employee Well-being: Explore the effects of workplace culture on mental health and job satisfaction.
• Memory and Aging: Study the patterns of cognitive decline in memory with aging and the effectiveness of interventions to slow down this process.
• The Influence of Cultural Background on Psychological Treatment Outcomes: Research how cultural beliefs and practices affect the efficacy of psychological treatments for mental health issues.
• Psychological Resilience in First Responders: Investigate the coping strategies used by first responders to manage stress and trauma-related to their line of work.
• The Effect of Nature on Mental Health: Examine how regular exposure to natural environments influences psychological well-being and stress levels.
• Intergenerational Trauma and Healing: Study patterns of trauma transmission in families and communities and the effectiveness of interventions aimed at breaking these cycles.
• The Psychology of Fake News: Explore the cognitive biases that contribute to the belief in and spread of misinformation, and strategies for critical thinking promotion.
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Chronic Pain: Evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation practices in managing chronic pain and improving quality of life.
• Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Grief and Mourning: Research how different cultures process and express grief and the implications for counseling practices.
• The Impact of Bilingualism on Cognitive Development: Investigate how learning and using multiple languages from an early age affects cognitive abilities and neural plasticity.
• Social Isolation and Cognitive Function in the Elderly: Examine the long-term cognitive effects of social isolation in senior populations and potential interventions.
• Attachment Styles and Romantic Relationships: Study how early attachment patterns influence adult romantic relationships, including partner selection and relationship satisfaction.
• Cyberpsychology and Identity Formation: Investigate how online environments and social networks contribute to or disrupt the process of identity formation in adolescents and young adults.
• Emotional Regulation in High-Stress Professions: Study strategies and their effectiveness in managing emotional responses in professions such as surgery, law enforcement, or air traffic control.
• Virtual Reality as a Tool for Phobia Treatment: Explore the use of VR environments in the systematic desensitization of individuals with specific phobias.
• Influence of Dietary Patterns on Children’s Behavioral Disorders: Investigate the relationship between nutritional choices and behavioral outcomes in children with ADHD or autism spectrum disorders.
• Psychological Impacts of Climate Change: Examine the effects of climate change on mental health, including anxiety, depression, and feelings of loss or grief.
• The Role of Art Therapy in Treating PTSD: Evaluate the efficacy of art therapy interventions for veterans or victims of violence suffering from PTSD.
• Gender Identity Development in Adolescence: Research the factors that influence gender identity and expression during the critical developmental stage of adolescence.
• Cognitive Dissonance and Consumer Behavior: Study how cognitive dissonance affects purchasing decisions and brand loyalty in the retail sector.
• Psychology of Pain Management: Investigate the role of psychological factors in the perception of pain and the effectiveness of psychological pain management techniques compared to pharmacological treatments.
• Social Perception in Online vs. Face-to-Face Interactions: Compare the accuracy of social perception and formation of first impressions in online settings versus in-person encounters.
• The Impact of Social Support on Recovery from Substance Abuse: Explore how different types and sources of social support contribute to the recovery process from drug and alcohol addiction.
• Effects of Microaggressions on Workplace Performance: Investigate how subtle forms of discrimination impact employees’ job satisfaction and productivity.
• The Psychology of Financial Decision-Making in Young Adults: Explore how psychological factors influence financial literacy and decision-making in the transition to adulthood.
• The Role of Pet Ownership in Managing Chronic Mental Illness: Examine the therapeutic benefits of pet ownership for individuals with chronic mental health conditions.
• Mindfulness Interventions in Elementary Education: Study the effects of mindfulness practices on attention and emotional regulation in young children.
• Narrative Identity and Life Transitions: Analyze how personal storytelling and narrative identity evolve during major life transitions, such as retirement or career change.
• Cultural Competence in Psychotherapy: Evaluate the importance of cultural competence in therapeutic practices and client outcomes.
• Psychological Impact of Body Image Portrayed in Social Media: Explore the effects of social media on body image dissatisfaction and the development of eating disorders.
• Eco-Anxiety and Environmental Activism: Examine the psychological effects of climate change concerns on environmental activism behaviors.
• Psychological Processes in Extreme Sports: Study risk assessment, decision-making, and flow states in athletes who participate in extreme sports.
• The Effect of Music Therapy on Cognitive Decline in Dementia Patients: Research the impact of music therapy sessions on the progression of cognitive symptoms in dementia.
• Social Cognition in Virtual Teams: Evaluate how individuals understand and operate within teams that interact exclusively through digital means.
• Attachment Patterns and Social Media Usage: Investigate the connection between attachment styles and usage patterns of social media platforms.
• Psychological Safety and Learning in Academic Settings: Explore the concept of psychological safety and its impact on students’ willingness to engage in learning activities.
• Humor and Coping Mechanisms in Stressful Occupations: Analyze the role of humor as a coping strategy for professionals in high-stress fields like emergency medicine.
• Impact of Sleep Hygiene Education on Student Performance: Evaluate the effectiveness of sleep education programs in improving the sleep quality and academic performance of university students.
• Color Psychology in Marketing and Branding: Study how color influences consumer perceptions and behaviors towards products and brands.
• The Role of Psychological Flexibility in Chronic Pain Management: Explore how acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can aid individuals with chronic pain in improving their quality of life.
• Cyberbullying and Self-esteem in Adolescents: Examine the long-term effects of cyberbullying on self-esteem and identity formation during adolescence.
• Emotional Intelligence and Conflict Resolution: Investigate how emotional intelligence skills facilitate conflict resolution in personal and professional relationships.
• Digital Detox and Psychological Well-Being: Examine the psychological effects of taking regular breaks from digital devices.
• Stress Resilience in Space Exploration: Study psychological resilience strategies for astronauts during long-duration space missions.
• Language Acquisition in Mixed-Language Households: Explore how children in bilingual homes acquire and separate languages cognitively.
• The Role of Play in Child Development: Investigate different play therapies and their impact on developmental disorders in children.
• Implicit Bias and Decision Making in Jury Deliberations: Examine how implicit biases can influence the decision-making process in legal settings.
• Cognitive Effects of Chronic Sleep Deprivation: Research the long-term cognitive impacts of chronic sleep deprivation in adults.
• The Psychology of Superstitions in Sports: Study the role and impact of superstitious behaviors on athletes’ performance.
• The Mental Health Effects of Urban vs. Rural Living: Compare the prevalence and types of mental health issues in urban versus rural populations.
• Psychological Outcomes of Genetic Testing: Explore the emotional and psychological impact of undergoing genetic testing for diseases.
• Intergenerational Effects of Historical Trauma: Investigate the psychological effects across generations within communities that have experienced historical trauma.
• The Impact of Social Comparisons on Self-Esteem: Examine how individuals’ self-esteem is affected by comparisons made on social media platforms.
• Emotion Recognition and AI Interactions: Study how humans perceive and react to emotional expressions by artificial intelligences and robots.
• Personality Development in Space Colonies: Speculate on how living in space colonies might affect personality development and social dynamics.
• The Effect of Parental Leave on Child Psychological Development: Research the long-term effects of various lengths and types of parental leave on children.
• Sensory Processing Disorders and Educational Outcomes: Examine the impact of sensory processing disorders on children’s educational achievements.
• The Influence of Scent on Memory Recall: Explore the connection between olfactory cues and the accuracy or vividness of memory recall.
• Peer Influence on Risky Behavior in Adolescence: Analyze how peer groups can impact the decision-making process in teenagers regarding risky behaviors.
• The Effect of Minimalism on Mental Health: Study the psychological impact of adopting a minimalist lifestyle in a consumer-driven society.
• Psychological Mechanisms of Radicalization: Investigate the cognitive and emotional pathways that lead individuals to adopt radical ideologies.
• Multitasking and Cognitive Load: Investigate the limits of cognitive load and its impact on multitasking efficiency.
• Psychological Effects of Long-Term Spaceflight: Explore the mental challenges astronauts face during extended missions.
• Therapeutic Effects of Creative Writing: Study how creative writing can be used as a therapeutic tool for emotional expression.
• Psychology of Religious Extremism: Examine the factors that contribute to religious extremism from a psychological perspective.
• Mental Health Implications of Climate Migration: Research the psychological impact of relocating due to climate change.
• Social Psychology of Urbanization: Explore how urban living influences social behavior and community dynamics.
• Gestures and Language Development in Children: Investigate the role of gestural communication in early language acquisition.
• Technology Addiction and Family Dynamics: Study the impact of technology addiction on interpersonal relationships within families.
• Psychology of Solitude: Examine the effects of solitude on mental health and personal growth.
• Cognitive Rehabilitation Techniques for Stroke Survivors: Explore effective cognitive rehabilitation methods for post-stroke recovery.
• Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Music on Infant Development: Research the long-term developmental effects of prenatal music exposure.
• Psychological Impacts of Participatory Art: Study how engagement with participatory art can affect psychological well-being.
• Neuroethics of Brain-Computer Interfaces: Delve into the ethical implications of using BCIs in neurology and psychiatry.
• Empathy Development in Virtual Reality Training: Investigate how VR can be used to enhance empathy in professional training programs.
• Social Media and Collective Memory Formation: Examine how social media platforms influence the formation of collective memories.
• Psychological Aspects of Cosmetic Surgery: Research the motivations and outcomes of cosmetic surgery from a psychological standpoint.
• Personality Traits and Online Dating Success: Analyze how different personality traits affect success in online dating.
• Psychological Strategies in Competitive Esports: Study the mental techniques used by esports players to enhance performance.
• Attachment Security and Pet Ownership: Explore the connection between attachment styles and the bond with pets.
• Psychological Effects of Autonomous Vehicles: Investigate how trust and control issues impact the acceptance of self-driving cars.
• Mental Health Services in Rural Communities: Examine the challenges and effectiveness of delivering mental health care in rural areas.
• Cross-Cultural Communication in Global Teams: Research the psychological barriers and facilitators of communication in international teams.
• Psychology of Sustainable Behavior: Study the motivators and deterrents of engaging in environmentally sustainable behaviors.
• Impact of Witnessing Parental Conflict on Children: Investigate the long-term effects of exposure to parental conflict during childhood.
• Sleep Disorders and Emotional Regulation: Examine the relationship between sleep quality and the ability to regulate emotions.
• Trauma-Informed Practices in Education: Explore the implementation and outcomes of trauma-informed approaches in schools.
• Psychology of Menu Design: Analyze how menu layout and choice architecture influence dining decisions.
• Motivational Factors in Crowdfunding: Investigate what psychological factors motivate people to contribute to crowdfunding campaigns.
• Perception of Time in Different Cultures: Research how the cultural background affects the perception and value of time.
• Psychological Resilience in Extreme Athletes: Study the mental toughness and resilience strategies of athletes in extreme sports.
• Influence of Indoor Plants on Mood and Productivity: Explore the psychological benefits of having plants in indoor workspaces.

Each of these topics has a broad range of literature to draw from and the potential to contribute new knowledge or insights to the field of psychology. It’s important to refine these ideas further to create a specific, researchable question that can be addressed within the scope of a dissertation.

Digital Commons @ SPU

Home > Academic Units > SPFC > IOP Dissertations

Industrial-Organizational Psychology Dissertations

The Seattle Pacific University Department of Industrial-Organizational Psychology offers both an M.A. and Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.

This series contains successfully defended doctoral dissertations.

Dissertations from 2024 2024

"Me? Be a Coach?" A Grounded Theory Investigation of Coach Identity Among Managers Who Coach , Sara Mary Cannon

Effects of Advertising Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) on Female Applicants’ Intentions to Pursue Employment Through Perceived Organizational Support , Jamie Crites

Exploring the Effects of Autotelic Personality, Proactive Personality, and Positive Affectivity on Dispositional Employee Engagement , Stormy Soldonia

Dissertations from 2023 2023

The psychometric evaluation of decent work in India , Jadvir K. Gill

Implicit Trait Policies and Situational Judgment Tests: How Personality Shapes Judgments of Effective Behavior , Alexander Edward Johnson

An Investigation of the Impact of Prosocial Action on Psychological Resilience in Female Volunteer Maskmakers During COVID-19 , Linda D. Montano

To make or buy: How does strategic team selection and shared leadership strategy interact to impact NBA team effectiveness? , Brandon Purvis

Dissertations from 2022 2022

“Intended Between a Man and a Woman”: Examining the LGBTQ Campus Climate of a Non-Affirming Free Methodist University , Justin Cospito

Adverse Work Experiences and the Impact on Workplace Psychological Well Being, Workplace Psychological Distress, Employee Engagement, Turnover Intention, and Work State Conscientiousness , Nicole J. DeKay

Managing One’s Anxiety When Work Narratives Misalign , Shannon Eric Ford and Shannon Ford

The HERO in you: The impact of psychological capital training and perceived leadership on follower psychological capital development and burnout , Alifiya Khericha

CoachMotivation: Leveraging Motivational Interviewing Methodology to Increase Emotion Regulation Ability in the Workplace , Michael R. Nelson

Effects of Pay Transparency on Application Intentions through Fairness Perceptions and Organizational Attractiveness: Diversifying the Workforce by Effectively Recruiting Younger Women , Phi Phan-Armaneous

The space between stress and reaction: A three-way interaction of active coping, psychological stress, and applied mindfulness in the prediction of sustainable resilience , Kait M. Rohlfing PhD

A Quantitative Comparison of Employee Engagement Antecedents , Kirby White

Dissertations from 2021 2021

RAD Managers: Strategic Coaching for Managers and Leaders , Audrey Mika Kinase Kolb

Can Gender Pronouns in Interview Questions Work as Nudges? , Fei Lu

Catalytic Resilience Practices: Exploring the Effects of Resilience and Resilience Practices through Physical Exercise , Mackenzie Ruether

Dissertations from 2020 2020

Softening Resistance Toward Diversity Initiatives: The Role of Mindfulness in Mitigating Emotional White Fragility , Vatia P. Caldwell

When Proenvironmental Behavior Crosses Contexts: Exploring the Moderating Effects of Central Participation at Work on the Work-Home Interface , Bryn E.D. Chighizola

Developing Adaptive Performance: The Power of Experiences and a Strategic Network of Support , Joseph D. Landers Jr.

Purposeful Investment in Others: The Power of a Character of Service , Kayla M. Logan

Developmental Experiences Impacting Leadership Differentiation in Emerging Adults , Gabrielle E. Metzler

Exploring the Impact of Self-Compassion on Lessons Learned from a Past Failure Experience , Emily Minaker

Fighting dirty in an era of corporate dominance: Exploring personality as a moderator of the impact of dangerous organizational misconduct on whistleblowing intentions , Keith Andrew Price

CoachMotivation: Developing Transformational Leadership by Increasing Effective Communication Skills in the Workplace , Megan L. Schuller

The Relationship Between Authentic Leadership and Resilience, Moderated by Coping Skills , Alice E. Stark

Building and Sustaining Hope in the Face of Failure: Understanding the Role of Strategic Social Support , Kira K. Wenzel PhD

Dissertations from 2019 2019

Exploring the Buffering Effects of Holding Behaviors on the Negative Consequences of Workplace Discrimination for People of Color , Heather A. Kohlman Olsen

Employee Engagement Around the World: Predictors, Cultural Differences, and Business Outcomes , Amanda Munsterteiger

Dissertations from 2018 2018

Ignatian Spirituality in Vocational Career Development: An Experimental Study of Emerging Adults , Scott Campanario

Narrative Leadership: Exploring the Concept of Time in Leader Storytelling , Helen H. Chung Dr.

Vulnerability in Leadership: The Power of the Courage to Descend , Stephanie O. Lopez

An Exploratory Study Examining a Transformational Salesperson Model Mediated by Salesperson Theory-of-Mind , Philip (Tony) A. Pizelo Dr.

Dissertations from 2017 2017

Developing Conviction in Women Leaders: The Role of Unique Work and Life Experiences , McKendree J. Hickory

The Role of Organizational Buy-in in Employee Retention , Serena Hsia

The Psychometric Evaluation of a Personality Selection Tool , James R. Longabaugh

Approaching Stressful Situations with Purpose: Strategies for Emotional Regulation in Sensitive People , Amy D. Nagley

Validation of the Transformative Work in Society Index: Christianity, Work, and Economics Integration , John R. Terrill

Seeking Quality Mentors: Exploring Program Design Characteristics to Increase an Individual’s Likelihood to Participate as a Mentor , Kristen Voetmann

Predicting Employee Performance Using Text Data from Resumes , Joshua D. Weaver

College for The Sake of What? Promoting the Development of Wholly Educated Students , Michael P. Yoder

Dissertations from 2016 2016

Am I a Good Leader? How Variations in Introversion/Extraversion Impact Leaders’ Core Self-Evaluations , Marisa N. Bossen

Dissertations from 2015 2015

The Development of Job-Based Psychological Ownership , Robert B. Bullock

Generational Differences in the Interaction between Valuing Leisure and Having Work-Life Balance on Altruistic and Conscientious Behaviors , Sandeep Kaur Chahil

Obtaining Sponsorship in Organizations by Developing Trust through Outside of Work Socialization , Katie Kirkpatrick-Husk

Managing Work and Life: The Impact of Framing , Hilary G. Roche

Men and Women in Engineering: Professional Identity and Factors Influencing Workforce Retention , Caitlin Hawkinson Wasilewski

Advanced Search

• Notify me via email or RSS
• Collections
• Disciplines

Contributors

• Submit Research
• Terms and Conditions
• SPU Department of I-O Psychology

Home | About | FAQ | My Account | Accessibility Statement

Privacy Copyright

ScholarWorks at UMass Boston

Home > CLA > PSYCH > PSYCH_THESES

Clinical Psychology Masters Theses Collection

This collection contains open access and campus access Masters theses, made possible through Graduate Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston. The full content of open access theses is available to all, although some files may have embargoes placed on them and will be made available as soon as possible. The full content of campus access theses is only available to those either on the UMass Boston campus or with a UMass Boston campus username and password. Click on the "Off-Campus UMass Boston Users" link on the record page to download Campus Access publications. Those not on campus and those without a UMass Boston campus username and password may gain access to this thesis through resources like Proquest Dissertations & Theses Global or through Interlibrary Loan.

Theses from 2024 2024

A Qualitative Meta-Analysis Examining the Functions and Meanings of Gender in Transgender Identity Development , Kelsey Kehoe

Emotional Social Support Among Asian Americans: Associations with Psychological Symptoms, Well-Being and Buffering Against Effects of Racism , Amelia Bijen Yang

Theses from 2023 2023

Taking Back the "Permission to Narrate": Examining a Grassroots Organization's Process of Supporting BIPOC Youth in Developing Counternarratives and Counterspaces as Decolonial Resistance , Michelle Gabriela Del Rio

Exploring Predictors of Healing from an Expressive Writing Intervention About Heterosexism and Why LGBTQ+ Clients Might Withhold from their Therapists , Ally B. Hand

Meta-Method Analysis on Therapists’ Experiences: An Inquiry into Qualitative Psychotherapy Research Methodology , Javier L. Rizo

We Resist, We Heal, We Transform: Exploring Youth of Color Journeys Towards Healing Justice in a Grassroots Organization in Urban Boston , Rhyann Leslie Robinson

A Re-Examination of the Role of Cognitive Reappraisal in Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder , Jenny Liang Wu

No Injustice So Peace: The Interaction Between Race-Related Stress, Colorblind Racial Attitudes, and Resistance and Empowerment Against Racism , Kaela A. Yamini

Theses from 2022 2022

Exploring the Association Between Mentoring Focus and Change in Mentee Depression Symptoms in Youth , Selen Amado

Associations Between the Content and Level of Parent Concerns Pre-Diagnosis and Timeliness of Autism Screening and Diagnostic Evaluation Among a Diverse Sample of Children in Part C Early Intervention , Kohrissa Joseph

"Until Society Evolves:" Access to Gender-Affirming Care in Historic Assessment Criteria and Current Models of Care , Elliot Marrow

Responders and Nonresponders Undergoing Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy (CBGT) for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): Trajectories of Symptom Change Across Treatment Stages as Potential Predictors of Outcome , Sriramya Potluri

Theses from 2021 2021

Acknowledgment of Culture and Stereotypes: Black Participants’ Perceptions of Specific Therapist Behaviors , Tsotso T. Ablorh

Religious Coping After Natural Disaster: Predicting Long-Term Mental and Physical Health in Survivors of Hurricane Katrina , Monica Arkin

Stigma and Prodromal Psychosis: Self-Disclosure of Symptoms and Diagnoses in At-Risk Youth , Caitlin Bryant

Excess Stress and Natural Mentors in the Lives of Sexual Minority Youth , Cherrelle Gipson

Addressing the White Problem Critically: An Exploratory Latent Profile Analysis of Racial Attitudes , Ryan Parigoris

Sex Differences in Symbolic Play of Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) , Looknoo Patcharapon Thammathorn

Developmental Profiles of 57,966 Children in Early Intervention: A Confirmatory Latent Profile Analysis , Mary E. Troxel

Theses from 2020 2020

Parent-Teacher Relationship Quality as a Predictor of Changes in Externalizing Behaviors at School for Children with ASD , Lana Andoni

Unique Syndemic-Related Clusters in a Sample of Sexual Minority Men , Christopher Chiu

Bilingual Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Language Abilities and Social Communication , Ingrid Hastedt

Examining the Interrelations Among Trajectories of Mindfulness, Acceptance, and Valued Actions in Acceptance-Based Behavioral Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder , Stephanie Marando-Blanck

The Association Between Anger in Response to Racism and Depression Among Black Americans: Exploring Potential Moderating Effects of Active Coping and Collective Self-Esteem , Darrick Scott

Theses from 2019 2019

Appraisals of Trust Development within the Therapist-Client Relationship: Impacts on Client Retention in a Hypothetical First Session of Therapy , Lorraine U. Alire

Parent Negative and Positive Impacts: Reciprocal Associations Between Child Behaviors and Parenting Experiences in Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder , Alison E. Chavez

A Heavy Burden: Associations Between Sexual Minority Status, Mental Health, and BMI in Women , Alison E. A. Goldblatt

Working Memory and Mindfulness in an RCT of ABBT and AR , Anna M. Hall

Racial Microaggression Distress and Depression among Black Americans: Examining the Roles of Racial Identity Importance, Social Support, and Gender , Shannon M. Hughley

“It’s More Complicated Than That!”: The Influence of Multiple Presenting Problems on Youth Outcomes in Formal Mentoring Programs , Yui Sum Poon

Theses from 2018 2018

Healing from Heterosexism Through Expressive Writing , Kathleen M. Collins

Clients’ Critical Experiences in Psychotherapy: Initial Measure Development , Lauren M. Grabowski

Neuropsychology and Neurogenetics of Mental Health: Risk, Resilience & Wellbeing , Keira E. O'Donovan

Reciprocal Associations between Language Ability and Social Functioning Development over a Two-Year Period in Young Pre-Verbal Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder , Devon R. Oosting

Effects of Racism-Related Stress on Resistance against Racism in Black Americans , Noor N. Tahirkheli

Identifying Child Correlates of Parent-Reported Executive Functioning Impairments in Preschool-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Examination of both Early and Concurrent Child Characteristics , Deanna Toner

Theses from 2017 2017

Attentional and Emotional Consequences of Emotional Acceptance and Suppression in an Elevated Anxiety Sample , Natalie Arbid

The Interpersonal Effects of Mindfulness and Social Anxiety in Romantic Relationships , Bryan Balvaneda

It’s Not You, it’s My Schedule: An Exploratory Study of Early Termination in School-Based Mentoring Programs , Samantha Burton

The Role of Athletic Coach Mentors in Promoting Youth Academic Success: Evidence from a National Longitudinal Study , Kirsten M. Christensen

Ethnic Differences in Race-Related Stress Among Blacks in the US: Racial Colorblindness as a Potential Moderator , Samantha Duterville

Social Skills as a Predictor of Peer Relationship Quality for School-Age Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder , Melanie S. Feldman

Examining Attentional Control and Processing Speed Deficits as Underlying Mechanisms of Neuropsychological Impairment in Schizophrenia , Mayte Forte

Drinking Motives, Drinking Problems, and Mental Health Symptoms in Sexual Minority Men , Hamish A. Gunn

Psychosocial Profiles of Youth who Acquire a Natural Mentor During a School Year , Matthew A. Hagler

Whether or not 'It Gets Better'…Coping with Parental Heterosexist Rejection , Cara Herbitter

Language Subdomains among Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Associations with Social Skills , Sarah A. Levinson

Relations between Family Demographic Characteristics and Early Intervention Service Receipt after Children's Initial ASD Diagnosis , Thanh Phuong Thi Nguyen

Theses from 2016 2016

The Importance of Action: Understanding Characteristics of Social Action Campaigns and Their Impact on Youth's Motivation and Engagement , Jacqueline G. Hargrove

Patterns of Parent-Teacher Disagreement on Behavior Problems of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder , Juliana Neuspiel

Theses from 2015 2015

The Trajectory of the Co-Occurrence of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorder , Amber L. Calloway

Developing Autism Screening Criteria for the Brief Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment (BITSEA) , Ivy Giserman Kiss

Being and Becoming an Ally: The Lived Experience of Social Justice Action from Privileged Spaces , Alissa L. Gross

Social Cost Bias, Probability Bias, and Self-Efficacy to Achieve a Specific Goal or Outcome as Mechanisms of Behavioral Action in Social Anxiety , Carol S. Lee

Coping With Racism: Emotional Acceptance and Systemic Attribution of Racism as Buffers against Social Anxiety among People of Color , Jennifer H. Martinez

Theses from 2014 2014

A Model of Social Functioning in Schizophrenia: Symptomatology, Personality, and Brain Region Volumes , Victoria Choate

Reductions in Experiential Avoidance as a Mediator of Change in Symptom Outcome and Quality of Life in Acceptance-Based Behavior Therapy and Applied Relaxation for Generalized Anxiety Disorder , Elizabeth Hemenway Eustis

Promoting Maternal Well-Being and Child Behavioral Health: The Role of Positive Beliefs , Sara Kaplan-Levy

Validation of the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory: Relationships between Perceived Post-Traumatic Growth and Measured Pre- to Post-Disaster Changes in Analogous Constructs in a Sample of Low-Income Mothers who Survived Hurricane Katrina , Emily E. Manove

Reciprocal Influences amongst Early Childhood Externalizing Behavior, Maternal Distress, and Parenting Style: A Longitudinal Analysis , Shirley Marie Immacula Poyau

Psychopathy and Disadvantageous, Risky Decision-Making in a Sample of Ex-Offenders , Ashley-Ann C. Shirai

The Relation between Cultural Values and Unprotected Sex among Latino Gay Men , Francisco I. Surace

Cognitive Processes and Moderators of Willingness in Individuals with Social Anxiety Disorder and Non-Anxious Controls in Response to a Social Performance Task , Lauren P. Wadsworth

Predictors of Change in Body Mass Index in Young Mothers after Hurricane Katrina , Elyssa Briann Weber

Mentor Motivation as a Predictor of Relationship Approach , Max B. Wu

Adults Who "Get": Adolescents' Perceptions of Relational Engagement with Key Adults , Laura A. Yoviene

Theses from 2013 2013

Latino Youth Experiences of Immigrant Policy, Enforcement, and Exclusion: Exploring Risk and Resilience , Darcy Alcantara

A Person-Oriented Approach to Identifying Parenting Styles in Mothers of Early School Age Children , Amy E. Heberle

The Effects of Racism Related Stress on Asian Americans; Anxiety and Depression among Different Generational Statuses , Charles M. Liu

Predictors of Psychotropic Medication Use in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders , Melissa P. Maye

The Effects of Nesting Environment on Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury , Laura Grace Rollins

Pathways to Well-Being in the Lives of Recently Returning Veterans , Sarah Krill Williston

Theses from 2012 2012

Implications of Self-Other Overlap in Unsuccessful Romantic Relationships , Josephine A. Bell

Exposure to Potentially Traumatic Events, Emotional Adjustment, and Social Competence in Preschoolers Facing Economic Risk , Hillary Hurst

Adolescent Males in Formal Youth Mentoring Programs: The Influence of Same Versus Cross-Gender Matching , Stella S. Kanchewa

Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Responsiveness to Infant Distress: Contingency Analyses of Home Mother-Infant Interactions at 3 Months , Fernanda Lucchese

Parental Well-Being within the Marital Subsytem: A Study of Mother-Father Dyads Raising Young Children with Autism , Frances de Lourdes Martinez-Pedraza

The Relation of Racism-Related Stress to Racial Identity, Ethnic Identity and Racism-Related Empowerment in Asian Americans , Fanny Ng

Young Children's Perspectives on Parent-Child Relationship Quality as Measured by the Berkeley Puppet Interview: Associations with Behavioral Adjustment , Marisa Murphy O'Boyle

The Neuropsychological Functioning of Older Adults Pre- and Post-Cognitive Training with a Brain Plasticity-Based Computerized Training Program , Shannon M. Sorenson

Examining the Relation between Sensory Sensitivity and Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorders as Moderated by Language Acquisition , Timothy W. Soto

Theses from 2011 2011

Children and Spirituality: Understanding the Meaning of Spirituality of Former Street Children in Bolivia , Katia Margarita Canenguez

A Lonely Road: Loneliness, Death Anxiety, Childhood Punishment, and Attributions of Hostility in a University Population , Melody Joy Blass Fisher

The Effects of Trauma Exposure on Cognitive Functioning in Toddlers , Danielle Forbes

The Impact of Exposure to Family and Community Violence on Children's Adaptive Coping and Mental Health Symptoms among Ethnic Minority Families Living in Poverty , Esroruleh Tamim Mohammad

The Practice Effect: The Relationships among the Frequency of Early Formal Mindfulness Practice, Mindfulness Skills, Worry, and Quality of Life in an Acceptance-Based Behavior Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder , Lucas Paul Kawika Morgan

Dyadic Flexibility during the Face-To-Face Still-Face Paradigm: Analysis of Infant-Caregiver Interactions within a Dynamic Systems Framework Using the State Space Grid Analytic Technique , Akhila Venkatachalam Sravish

Black Women's Mental Health in Response to Unwanted Sexual Experiences and Spirituality as a Protective Factor , Speshal T. Walker

Theses from 2010 2010

Latino Immigrant Mothers' Experiences and Adapations to Promote Personal and Family Wellness in Response to Increased Anti-Immigrant Climate , Hercilia B. Corona-Ordoñez

The Relationship between Racist Experiences and Anxiety in a Black Sample: Moderating Effects of Church-Based Social Support , Jessica Rose Graham

Caregiver, Family System, and Environmental Predictors of Child Maltreatment: An Ecological Transactional Approach , Kelly Brooke Graling

Trajectories of Early Externalizing Behaviors: Their Relation to Second Grade Reading , Sarah Gray

What Do You See in this Picture?: Bias and Reflexivity in Physician Narratives of Disparities , Michelle Levine

Advanced Search

• Notify me via email or RSS
• Collections
• Disciplines

Author Corner

• Information for Authors
• About ScholarWorks
• Psychology Department

Home | About | FAQ | My Account | Accessibility Statement

Privacy Copyright

This page has been archived and is no longer being updated regularly.

Degree In Sight

Starting the dissertation

Experts offer tips on picking a topic, conducting a lit review and narrowing your focus.

By MELISSA DITTMANN

gradPSYCH Staff

You've watched other classmates sweating over their dissertation topics, poring over the literature, agonizing over their research design, writing and editing. Now, it's your turn.

But, when and how do you begin?

Ideally, dissertation advisers say, students identify a research interest in the first or second year of their program and then use that general area as a theme throughout their coursework. But students don't need to view that general area as a trajectory of their career. Instead, experts encourage students to view the dissertation as a teaching exercise, in which they learn how to conduct, design and analyze independent research.

So first off, you need a topic.

"The topic is the foundation for everything-with a good topic and research question, you'll be set to go," says Melinda Stoops, PhD, a director of the counseling center at Framingham State College in Framingham, Mass., who has spoken at APA conferences on writing the dissertation.

Experts offer the following advice on tackling these beginning stages of your dissertation-from getting organized to narrowing your topic to identifying your problem and research questions.

Then, take it one chapter at a time, dissertation advisers say.

  PICKING A TOPIC

When deciding your topic, keep in mind that you will undoubtedly spend the next few years immersed in it, says psychologist John Cone, PhD, a professor emeritus at Alliant International University (AIU) and co-author with Sharon Foster, PhD, of "Dissertations and Theses from Start to Finish" (APA, 1993). Cone advises the following steps to pick a topic:

Ask a favorite professor, preferably one active in research, about possible topics.

Read departmental information on the research interests of the faculty to find a topic a faculty member is interested in as well. Consider asking the faculty member to be a part of your dissertation committee, which will help guide you in your research.

Read an empirical paper that interests you and see what future research is suggested in the discussion section.

Think about term papers you enjoyed writing and choose a topic that reflects those interests.

Sift through literature reviews in your areas of interest-such as in the Annual Review of Psychology, Psychological Bulletin and Clinical Psychology Review.

Avoid topics in which you are overly emotionally involved-such as research on depression if you or a family member is depressed. Such emotional elements can interfere with your research, Cone says.

To narrow your focus, identify what within your chosen topic area interests you, says Foster, a psychology professor at AIU. Bounce ideas off a mentor and consult the literature to determine what has been done before, she advises. Also, consider choosing a topic that you've already been exposed to, such as through your master's thesis or a research project.

That's exactly what sixth-year doctoral student Jody Ernst did. Ernst-who is in the University of Texas at Austin's individual differences and evolutionary psychology program-has spent her entire graduate career researching behavioral genetics.

"Selecting the topic sort of fell into place naturally as a product of the research I have been doing for the past five years," Ernst says. In particular, her dissertation investigates the genetic factors that influence problem behavior development over the life span.

"It is helpful to choose a topic that builds upon past work you have done," Ernst says. "I think this makes the process of identifying the big questions much easier because you are already familiar with the relevant literature."

But, make sure you have passion for the topic. Nate Tomcik-a fifth-year doctoral student in the clinical psychology program at the University of Tennessee-has an interest in his research on therapists' views of couples therapy because it allowed him to integrate research with his clinical work with couples.

"My advice would be to not choose a topic that is an unappealing offshoot of your adviser's work or a project that you have lukewarm feelings about in general," Tomcik suggests. "It's important to remember that the dissertation is a marathon, not a sprint, and lukewarm feelings can turn cold quickly.

"If I didn't love my dissertation idea as much as I do, I know it would have been much harder to stay on track and focused," he adds.

  CONDUCTING THE LIT REVIEW

Once you've identified a topic, the next step is to write a review of the literature in the area. The lit review section will include a brief introduction to your topic, introduce key concepts and review the existing literature.

But be prepared: The lit review often is the most difficult part of the dissertation, Foster maintains.

"Sometimes you are going to feel lost and like you don't know where you're going," Foster says. "The reason for that is because you are trying to do several things concurrently-you're trying to learn about this whole field and get a conceptual framework of how to map out this area of research."

But, it's nothing your classes haven't prepared you to take on, Foster says.

Cone and Foster also suggest that students:

Determine how experts in the field have organized their thinking by reading chapters or integrative articles they've written.

Find meta-analyses, journal articles or books on the topic and scan their reference sections for other references.

Identify key journals that cover the topic and scan their table of contents from the past five years for material.

Search electronic bibliographies-such as PsycINFO (which contains nearly 2 million citations of journal articles, books and dissertations in psychology) or the Education Resources Information Center, or ERIC, which offers a database of journal and other education literature.

Identify major authors in the area and search for them by name in databases, such as PsycLIT, to determine if they've written on other related items.

Determine if related research might be published under different keywords.

For example, Foster says in her research on girls' aggression, "aggression" as a keyword didn't cover it. Without trying other keywords, she would have missed key information on "delinquency" and "conduct disorders," which use similar criteria to define the population.

Jennifer Reese-a fourth-year doctoral student in the PsyD program at the University of Denver-used what she calls the "scavenger hunt" approach for her lit review; she scanned reference sections of relevant books and journal articles and then found those referenced sources as well. She is validating the use of Jane Elliott's Blue Eyes Brown Eyes exercise, a behavior training method that uses discrimination against a person's eye color to teach Caucasians about prejudice and oppression. Reese even spoke with Elliott-a retired schoolteacher who created the experiment in the 1960s-to get background on what similar studies had been done.

So how do you know when you've gathered enough for your lit review? "I know when I go to the reference sections, and I'm not finding any new things-when I keep turning up the same things over and over again," Foster says.

  IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM AND QUESTIONS

Once you feel confident that you've covered the literature, identify the rationale for your study, why it's important and what hasn't been studied about it before, Foster says.

To do that, Cone suggests writing a paragraph or two summarizing the literature review. Then, determine what unresolved issues are identified in the most recently cited studies-and most relevant to your study. Select one of these issues and formulate one or two research questions and associated hypotheses.

When formulating the research question, consider whether you'll be able to recruit enough participants, Stoops says. Ask your dissertation committee-which usually comprises three or four faculty members you choose when you first begin your dissertation-for feedback on whether they believe you'll be able to recruit enough participants or obtain animals, if needed, dissertation advisers suggest.

After her extensive lit review, Ernst was able to pinpoint her research questions for her dissertation on problem behavior development, including: Are there predictable developmental trajectories for problem behaviors? What factors influence the development of problem behaviors for vulnerable individuals across the life span? She identified these questions by finding the gaps within the problem behavior development literature.

Both the statement of the problem and research questions will be lumped in the introduction of your dissertation, which provides an overview of your study. But, while the introduction is sometimes the first chapter in your dissertation, don't feel compelled to have it be the first thing you do, says Framingham State College's Stoops. She didn't write her introduction until after doing her lit review and methodology.

However, Ernst wrote her statement first and then continually added relevant citations as she came upon them.

"Writing the intro first helped me to organize my thoughts about gaps in current research and helped me to identify what new and relevant information I would be adding to this line of research," she says.

  STAYING ON TRACK

Whatever methods you choose, even these beginning stages to your dissertation may seem overwhelming. So treat your dissertation as a job, Cone advises. He suggests committing 10 to 20 hours per week for 12 to 18 months to avoid becoming a casualty to the All But Dissertation (ABD) label. Set specific work hours and choose a specific place to work, he advises.

And tap the guidance of others-such as professors, peers or other mentors-who can help you through the process, Foster adds. (For tips to finding a mentor, see Building mentorships for success .)

"People who are a little ahead of you in the process can be very helpful," Foster says. "They will tell you what they've gone through and normalize your experience and give you leads."

One way to get a peer network for your dissertation: Join the APAGS dissertation listserv . 

Another is taking a class on the dissertation process. That certainly helped Chris Bernuth, a sixth-year counseling psychology doctoral student at University of Missouri-Columbia, to stay on track. The professor's due dates and the class's extra support prevented procrastination, he says.

"Very smart people can become ABD because they procrastinate or think they can write the dissertation in a couple of all-night sessions, and you cannot do that with a dissertation," Foster says.

When Stoops was working on her dissertation, she combated tendencies to procrastinate by setting deadlines with her dissertation chair. One way to set those deadlines, Cone says, is to list each step in chronological order and then use it to create a milestone chart.

And most importantly, Cone says students can be confident about their ability to complete the dissertation.

"After all," he says, "you have made it this far."

The dissertation, start to finish

Letters to the editor.

Scholarship at UWindsor

Home > FAHSS > PSYCHOLOGY > PSYCHOLOGY_ETD

Psychology Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Pathways from Childhood Sexual Abuse to Sexual Risk Behaviour in MSM: A Mixed Methods Study , Daniel Provenzano

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Bullying and Body Image: Body image disturbance in emerging adults with a history of bullying victimization , Rebecca Antonacci

The Self-Reference Effect on Memory Among 4- To 6-Year-Olds: The Role of Active Encoding and Cognitive Abilities , Alicia Nicole Bartlett

The Aphasia Friendly Business Campaign: Program Expansion and Evaluation , Julia Borsatto

Exploring the Relationship Between of Subjective and Objective Cognition among Older Adults Living in Canada , Astrid Dawn Coleman

Emotion profiles in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy: Early Observations Anticipate Treatment Outcome , Florencia Andrea Cristoffanini

Engagement, Satisfaction, and Positive Student Outcomes: The Most Prevalent Factors at Canada's Public Universities , Denise DeBlock

Revealing the Invisible Cage: Understanding Coercive Control through the Eyes of Survivors in the Era of COVID-19 , Chloë Elizabeth Eidlitz

Body Dissatisfaction and Depression: Investigating the Moderating Roles of Maladaptive Investment in Appearance and Rumination , Mallory Forward

Factors Influencing Post-Traumatic Growth in Emerging Adults with Chronic Medical Illness , Alana Marie Gyemi

The Role of Self-Talk in Regulating Public Speaking Anxiety in Ethnically Diverse Young Adults in Canada , Clare Denise Russell Hinch

Investigating Visual Vigilance following Chronic Behavioural Immune System Activation , Jessica Hurtubise

Effects of Discrete Emotions on Associative Memory Binding , Davin D. Iverson

The Association of Perceived Stress with Anxiety-related Symptoms during Use of the MindShift app , Emily Jerome

The Impact of Cognitive Reserve on Baseline Neuropsychological Functioning of Older Adults Without Dementia , Jarod Joshi

A Psycholinguistic Analysis of Neuropsychological Tests , Brette Lansue

Validating and Optimizing Performance Validity Cut-Off Scores in a Pediatric Sample , Malayna Malleck

ADHD Symptoms and Inattentional Blindness in an Undergraduate Sample , Katherine Rose Matchett

Mental Health, Sport-Related Concussion, and App-Based Mindfulness: A Pilot Study with Female University Student-Athletes , Taylor May McEachnie

Loneliness, Risk-Taking, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic , Rebecca Nurgitz

Academic Stress and Cultural Coping: The Moderating Effect of Heritage Language Proficiency on Well-Being in a Multilingual Sample , Noah Marcel Philipp-Muller

If It Walks Like a Duck…Is It a Duck?: A Mixed Methods Investigation of Differences Between Machiavellian and Non-Machiavellian Substance Users , Daniel Pillersdorf

Homelessness and Intimate Partner Violence: Women’s Barriers and Experiences With Accessing Formal Support Services and the Impact of Their Intersecting Identities , Marissa Marie Rakus

Student Financial Well-Being, Health Behaviours, and Social Participation: A Mixed Methods Study , Evan Ripley-McNeil

“A Very Resilient Bunch”: A Photographic Exploration into the Experiences of Women with Turner Syndrome , Kristin M. Schramer

Romantic Relationships in Young Adults: The Influence of Parents and Friends , Jenna Elizabeth Thompson

Associations Between Parent Stress, Parent Mobile Technology Use, and Parenting Behaviours on Children’s Psychological Functioning , Amy Wei Yan Tran

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

The Role of Objectification, Rape Myth Acceptance, Situational Context, and Gender in Individual’s Perceptions of Image-Based Sexual Abuse Victims and Perpetrators , Jewels Adair

" Move&Connect Caregivers: The feasibility of a virtual group-based intervention for caregivers of youth with persistent post-concussion symptoms" , Hiba Al Hakeem

Effects of Chairwork in Individual Psychotherapy: A Meta-Analytic and Systematic Review , Tabarak Baher

Coping During COVID: Child Technology Use and Coping During the COVID-19 Pandemic , Anissa Barnes

The Role of Disclosure and Social Support on Quality of Life in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) , Noelle Citron

#MeToo: Effects of Cyber Sexual Aggression Victimization on Women’s Health and Relationship Quality , Samantha Daskaluk

Embodied and Empowered: Evidence for Ashtanga Yoga as a Novel Intervention for Women with Disordered Eating , Nicole A. Dignard

The Influence of Semantic Neighbourhood Density and Concreteness on Episodic Memory for Single Words , Brinna Fougere

How Animal-Assisted Therapy Is Understood and Perceived by Health Care Providers and the General Public in Canada , Healey M. Gardiner

“You’re not my Leader.” The Impact of Gender and Ethnic Stereotypes on Leadership Evaluations , Arief B. Kartolo

Parenting Practices, Technology Use, and Preschoolers' Self-Regulation During COVID-19: A Thematic Analysis , Rachel Katzman

Effects of Social Isolation on Wellbeing: Undergraduate Student Engagement in Positive and Negative Coping Behaviours During the Coronavirus Pandemic , Krista L. Lucier MA

The Meaning of Words: For Richer or For Poorer , Susan Lutfallah

The Role of Companion Animals in the Lives of University Students During the Coronavirus Pandemic , Cindy Ly

Contributions of Social Support to Mitigate the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pediatric Depressive and Irritability Symptoms , Alexandra Mactavish

Men High in Conforming to Masculine Norms have Less Intent to Practice Yoga: A Serial Mediation Analysis , Connor J. Motzkus

Understanding Men’s Use of Tactics in Sexual Coercion: A Network Analysis , Lennox Mou

The Effect of State/Trait Rumination on a Prospective Memory Task Delivered Remotely Using a Real-Time and Repeated Approach , Iulia Niculescu

The Impact of Food Allergy Education for Nursing Students , Aleksandra J. Redko

A Qualitative Grounded Theory Study of Black Canadian Mental Health Service Use , Renee Taylor

The Creation and Validation of the Coercive Control Screening Scale , Kathleen Wilson

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Predicting Recidivism versus Desistance in Adolescents with Sexual Offenses Using Tools Developed for Adults: The Static-99 and SAPROF , Meredith Awrey

Women’s Experiences of Self-Objectification and Sexualization and Their Impact on Attitudes Towards Online Sex Work , Storm Balint

Body Image Disturbance and Social Networking Site Behaviours , Alicia Marie Berze-Butts

Neurocognitive Profiles Associated with Limited English Proficiency in Cognitively Intact Adults , Maeme Adwoa Brantuo

Asian Canadian Therapists’ Experience and Coping with Racial Microaggression: A Qualitative Examination with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis , Yiu-Yin Chang

Good Risk or Bad Risk: Development of a Holistic Assessment of Risk Perception , Joan C. Craig

Therapist Effects on the Outcomes of Psychotherapy and Their Perspectives on Training , Chris Edmondstone

Understanding Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Aggression in Young Children: An Affective Dyadic Systems Approach , Lerna Hanceroglu

Moral Centrality Predicts Better Mental Health: Evidence for the Protective Effects of Integrating Agency and Communion , Joseph John Hoyda

Further Investigating the Predictors of Aggressive Driving: Vulnerable Narcissism, Implicit Self-Esteem, and Rebelliousness , Cassidy Kost

Pathological Personality Traits and Social Behaviour: Informant and Within-Person Variability Perspectives , Paige Brianne Lamborn

Victim Perpetrator Relationship Characteristics and Perceptions of Personal Sexual Assault and Coercion Experiences , Frasia Margaret Morrison

Control, Alter, and Delete: Investigating the Manipulation of Memory and Memorial Beliefs By Suspected Psychopaths in Interpersonal Relationships , Kendra Nespoli

Influence of Sexual Socialization, Gender Roles and Patriarchal Norms on Rape Myth Acceptance among South Asian Students in Canada , Dayanga Radeniya

The Association between Self-Reported Psychiatric Symptoms and Performance Validity Test Failure across Brain Injury Severity Levels , Alana G. Sabelli

The Role of Protective Factors in Relation to Attentional Abilities in Emerging Adults , Sanya Sagar

Think First: Examining Impulsivity among University Students , Antonette Scavone

The Role of Anxiety Sensitivity in the Etiology of Anxiety and Cognitive Symptoms of Eating Disorders , Rachel Small-Crevier

Social Contexts in Ethnic Identity Development: How Does it Affect Bicultural Stress Between Generations? , Carolyn Tran

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Barriers to Reporting Sexual Harassment: What Encourages Disclosure? , Emma Claire Bailey

A Hybrid Hypothesis for Understanding the Relation Between ADHD Symptoms, Facebook Use, and Social Distress and Loneliness , Shanna Deasley

Perception and Performance of Working Memory: Insights into Test Anxiety , Rebecca Grossman

Coping with Intergenerational Conflict Among Chinese Canadian Emerging Adults: Testing a Cultural and Contextual Model with a Mixed-Methods Approach , Siqi Huang

Distinguishing Appraisals of Memory Accuracy and Occurrence: A Functional Neuroimaging Study , Kassandra Helena Korcsog

Image-based sexual violence: Victim experiences and bystander responses , Michelle A. Krieger

What Trying to Forget Tells Us About Trying to Remember: A Link Between Associative Memory and Directed Forgetting , Brette E. Lansue Burns

What Do You See When You Look at Me? Social Media, Socialized Gender Variables, and Disordered Eating Among Adolescent Girls , Annamaria McAndrew

The Effect of Motivation Status on Performance Validity in Concussion Baseline Testing , Isabelle Messa-Hamidi

What Clients Say about their Single Largest Change in Treatment: Comparing Sudden Gains across Treatment Approaches and Phases of Therapy , Orrin-Porter Morrison

Aggression in Dark Personalities: The Role of Self-Esteem , Anastasia Skobkareva

The Role of Psychological Safety in Predicting Proactive Behaviour , Siddardh Thirumangai Alwar

Navigating Online and Offline Social Spaces: Interpersonal Relationships and Problematic Gaming Behaviour in MMORPG Players , Aranda Christine Wingsiong

Narrative Coherence of Child Maltreatment Memories in Adults , Na Zhu

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Performance Validity Testing for Individuals with Limited English Proficiency , Kelly An

The Influence of Coparenting Support on Fathers’ Involvement with their Children with Autism , Jason L. Bloom

The Aphasia Friendly Business Campaign , Julia Borsatto

Resolving Distressing Autobiographical Memories: The Role of Perspective in Imagery, Writing, and Self-Reflection , Chantal M. Boucher

The effects of an Internet-delivered mindfulness-based intervention on perceived stress, psychological symptoms, and emotion regulation , Molly Cairncross

Selfies On Social Media: The Role Of Appearance Contingent Self-Worth And Impact On Self-Esteem , Felicia M. Chang

Supporting Treatment Selection in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Educational Workshop with Acceptance and Commitment Training , Brianne E. Drouillard

Therapeutic Benefits of Online Psychological Screening for Depressive Symptomology , Natalie Frost

An empirical investigation of Barriga’s mediational model of moral cognition and antisocial behaviour: Moral reasoning recognition versus response generation assessments in models for general delinquency and sexually coercive behaviours , Sarah Gardiner

Mapping Patterns of Restricted and Repetitive Behaviours and Media Use in Youth Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing Youth , Eric Gilliland

Social Information Processing Deficits, Intimate Partner Violence, and Coercive Control in Dating Couples , Jillian Glasgow

Rape Acknowledgement in the Context of the #MeToo Movement , Brandin Glos

Measuring the Flexibility of Delusion-Like Beliefs in Non-Clinical Samples: Development and Validation of the Windsor Belief Flexibility Scale (WBFS) , Bahar Haji-Khamneh

Help Seeking Behaviours of Adolescents in Foster Care: Multiple Perspectives , Emily Marie Johnson

The Role of Pornography Consumption in Intimate Partner Aggression/Violence in Emerging Adult Couples: A Prospective Longitudinal Study , Katherine Jongsma

Eye-Tracking Attentional Deployment: Emotion Regulation and Processing Visual Information in University Students , Abirami R. Kandasamy

Measuring Affective Processes In Traumatic Brain Injury , Eva Keatley

Exploring Causes of Academic Entitlement: A Mixed-Method Approach , Chelsea McLellan

Contributions of Emotional Competence to the Link between Childhood Maltreatment and Adult Attachment , Ashley Erica Mlotek

Page 1 of 14

Advanced Search

• Notify me via email or RSS
• Collections
• Disciplines
• Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author Corner

• How to Submit
• About Open Access
• Department of Psychology

Home | About | FAQ | My Account | Accessibility Statement

Privacy Copyright

No notifications.

Dissertations on Psychology

Psychology is the study of human behaviour and the mind, taking into account external factors, experiences, social influences and other factors. Psychologists set out to understand the mind of humans, exploring how different factors can contribute to behaviour, thoughts, and feelings.

View All Dissertation Examples

Latest Psychology Dissertations

Including full dissertations, proposals, individual dissertation chapters, and study guides for students working on their undergraduate or masters dissertation.

Applications of Carl Rogers’ Person-Centered Therapy and Student-Centered Learning

Dissertation Examples

An in-depth look at the application of Carl Rogers' person centred therapy and student centred learning....

Last modified: 22nd Nov 2023

Effect of Low Self Esteem on Academic Performance

The aim of this study was to inspect the self-esteem and contingencies of self-worth used to see the relationship of students academic performance....

How Psychological Interventions and Skills can Improve Performance in Athletes

This paper examines and analyses psychological interventions and skills that are being utilised by competitive athletes in today’s world....

Last modified: 2nd Mar 2022

Effect of Sleep Behaviours on Team Sports

Example Literature Reviews

The purpose of this literature review is to provide a summary of the current literature on sleep behaviours in team sport, and more specifically in Rugby League....

The Link Between PTSD and Interpersonal Violence

This review concentrated on providing evidence to prove that there was a significant link between PTSD and interpersonal violence....

Last modified: 1st Mar 2022

Literature Review on Sexual Objectification Instruments

Evaluating sexual objectification instruments and the cumulative evidence of their psychometric properties: A Systematic Review....

Comparative Study Exploring Cognitive Patterns in Dementia and Functional Cognitive Impairment

This study explores cognitive patterns in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Lewy body dementia (LBD) and FCI....

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Group Proposal

Dissertation Proposals

The following is a proposal for an Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) group using a combination of the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association’s (EAGALA) therapy model....

Anxiety, Depression and Self-Esteem in Students: Comparison Against Dyslexic Students

Dyslexic students experience secondary characteristics such as anxiety, depression and low self-esteem when studying. Are these though common to all students in higher education? Introdu...

Emotional Intelligence and Self-efficacy of Preschool Teachers

The study examined the relationship between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy of preschool teachers in Johor area....

The Effect of Increasing Working Memory Load on Static Postural Control in Young and Old Adults

In the current study, the specific cortical and postural changes influenced by a working memory task with varying cognitive load during a no vision static balancing task will be explored in healthy young and old adults....

Last modified: 28th Feb 2022

Effect of Positive Morning Commutes on the Rest of the Day

It has been well established that your mood in the morning influences the rest of your day, and for many students, a large part of their morning is spent on the bus to university....

Emotion Regulation in Adults

Emotion regulation has been studied extensively in the psychological literature, and results suggest that difficulty regulating emotion is associated with mental disorders, impaired functioning, and negative health outcomes...

The Impact of Spousal Abuse Against Women and Men from the Perspective of the Abused and the Abuser

This project was written as for publication in journal of family issues: Spousal abuse is a kind of domestic abuse and violence which is vast becoming rampant not just a personal issue but also a public health and psychological problems....

Factors Associated with the Non-progressive Moves of Offenders Within the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway

Investigation into factors associated with the non-progressive moves of offenders within the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway....

Relationship Between Neural Functioning During Stroop Task and Risky Sexual Behavior

To investigate the relationship between neural functioning during the Stroop task and risky sexual behavior, as well as the effect of individual differences in urgent impulsivity on this relationship....

Framing Intimate Partner Violence in Late Life: Public Reactions to Newspaper Reports

The purpose of this study was to investigate public responses to newspaper articles about Intimate Partner Violence incidents among older women....

Sleep Stages Classification from EEG Signal based on Stockwell Transform

In this study, we proposed new features for sleep stages classification from EEG signal based on Stockwell transform....

Psychology Undergraduate Attitudes Towards Male Sex Offenders: The Impact of the Victim’s Gender

Research that investigates the relevance of attitudes for the successful treatment outcome of the sexual assault victims is scarce. This study attempts at investigating this gap in literature....

Do Psychopaths Have Abnormal Brains?

The aim of this article is to review the research on the neurodevelopment of psychopaths in order understand the biology behind psychopathy a bit clearer....

Pathways to Resilience in the Context of Somali Culture and Forced Displacement

This study employed a participatory, sequential, mixed-method (qualitative-quantitative) research design to explore resilience in the context of Somali culture and forced displacement....

A Phenomenological Study of Adoption, Attachment, and Identity Formation

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how eight adoptees viewed the impact of adoption on attachment and identity formation, which in turn would emphasize the need for competency standards for mental health professionals....

Face Perception: Development, Maturation and Decline?

The aim of this study was to investigate if face perception is an ability that develops, matures and subsequently declines with age....

Effect of Intentional Activity on Happiness Levels

This experiment will test the effect of intentional activity on happiness levels, using strategies that have been empirically demonstrated to be effective in increasing happiness....

The Effects of Religiosity and Spirituality on Depressed Adults

The purpose of this paper is to determine the effects of religiosity and spirituality on depressed adults....

Popular Tags

• Browse All Tags
• Biomedical Science
• Business Analysis
• Business Strategy
• Computer Science
• Construction
• Consumer Decisions
• Criminology
• Cultural Studies
• Cyber Security
• Electronics
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Studies
• Food And Nutrition
• Health And Social Care
• Human Resources
• Information Systems
• Information Technology
• International Business
• International Relations
• International Studies
• Mental Health
• Pharmacology
• Social Policy
• Sustainability
• Young People

Dissertation Writing Service

Dissertation Proposal Service

Topic with Titles Service

Samples of our work

• Schools & departments

Dissertation archive

Student dissertations held by the library.

Undergraduate dissertations

PPLS Library holds undergraduate Psychology dissertations submitted from 1947 to 2019. These are available on request from the librarian.  If you are unable to visit the library, the librarian can make a search on your behalf.  Since 2006 dissertations were submitted online to the Edinburgh Research Archive.  EASE login is required to see full-text.

Undergraduate dissertations are not publicly available until one academic year after their original submission.

Edinburgh Research Archive

Postgraduate theses and dissertations

Doctoral and MPhil  theses are held in the Centre for Research Collections at the University Library.

Centre for Research Collections

Most can be found by searching DiscoverEd and are now usually available online.

PPLS Masters dissertations were submitted electronically from 2006 onwards and are held online in the Edinburgh Reseseach Archive (ERA).  Psychology Masters dissertations from 1998 to 2004 are held in the PPLS library. They are available on request from the librarian.

Masters dissertations are not available publicly until one academic year after their original submission.

  Edinburgh Research Archive

Find theses on your subject

The library also subscribes to useful resources for accessing  dissertations and theses worldwide and can offer help finding literature for your research.

Useful resources for accessing theses

Library support for your dissertation or research project

Home > SCIE > PSYC > PSYC_ETD

Psychology Theses and Dissertations

This online database contains the full-text of PhD dissertations and Masters’ theses of Wilfrid Laurier University students from 1982 forward. These documents are made available for personal study and research purposes only, in accordance with the Canadian Copyright Act and the Creative Commons license—CC BY-NC-ND (Attribution, Non-Commercial, No Derivative Works). Under this license, works must always be attributed to the copyright holder (original author), cannot be used for any commercial purposes, and may not be altered. Any other use would require the permission of the copyright holder. Students can choose to withdraw their dissertation and/or thesis from this database. For additional inquiries, please contact the repository administrator via e-mail or by telephone at 519-884-0710 ext. 2073.

Theses/Dissertations from 2025 2025

Social Behavior & Personality in Corn Snakes , Maggie-Rose Johnston

The role of the individual in animal collectives , Tanya T. Shoot

Affective Forecasting with a Chance of Collective Action: Women’s Anticipated Affect After Acting Against Sexism and its Relationship to Collective Action Intentions , Adrianna Tassone

Theses/Dissertations from 2024 2024

PROPOSING A LIBERATORY PRAXIS FOR COMMUNITY WELLBEING AND MENTAL HEALTH IN LEBANON , Ramy Barhouche

Historical to Contemporary: Afro-Indigenous Experiences of Public Education and Gendered Violence in Colonial Canada , Ann Marie Beals

Freedom of Emotional Expression: Exploring the Effects of Emotional Expression Restriction on Marginalized Identities , Erik Caceros

Is Trust a Zero-Sum Game? What Happens When Institutional Sources Get It Wrong , Andrew Dawson

Exploring the Transition from Childhood to Adulthood for Adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder , Lauren Gnat

Grammatical Aspect, Temporal Adverbs, and Situation Models , Valerie Hemeon

The influence of visual perspective on the cognitive effort required for mental representation , Jeffrey P. Hong

Meta-Understanding: Implications for Psychological Well-Being in Diverse Communities , Ting Hsueh

Social-Emotional Outcomes in Emerging Adults with ADHD: The Influence of Self-Compassion on Peer Rejection, Rejection Sensitivity, and Psychological Distress , Alia Hussain

Language Acquisition, Mental Health, and Acculturation among Migrants in Canada , Ali Jasemi

Moving Forward While Looking Back: How Expectations of Future Success are Linked with Past Experiences , Claire Jordan

“You do not need to be skinny or look like an athlete to still live a healthy life”: Exploring anti-fat bias within health-related undergraduate programs , Maddie Katz

Predictors of Canadians’ Psychological Well-Being in Retirement: A Mixed Methods Approach , Jessica Miller

Overcoming the unseen: Understanding diverse Canadian workers’ well-being during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic , Tyler M. Pacheco

Understanding the Significance of Object Recognition in Cowbirds: Exploring the Interplay of Cognition, Social Behaviour and Reproductive Success , Eric Rushton

Dancing around and through harm: Examining the lived experiences of women of colour with gender-based violence in the Toronto & Kitchener-Waterloo Latin dance communities , Lexi Salt

Addressing Racial Trauma in Psychotherapy , Rajni Sharma

SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES ON CRIME: EMPATHY, COGNITIVE REAPPRAISAL, AND MEDIA SOURCES , Gillian Sherman

Disentangling Counter-Empathy: Scale Development and Structural Analysis of an Emerging Construct , Jake Siamro

Navigating Domestic Violence Service Provision for Diasporic South Asian Communities in Canada: From the Perspectives of South Asian Service Providers Using a Multi-level Systems Approach and Culture Circles , Amandeep Kaur Singh

Social Interaction, Social Cognition, and Personality in Gartersnakes and Ball pythons , Morgan Skinner

Workplace Wellbeing and Sense of Mattering Among Small and Medium Enterprise Workers in Canada , Kyle Smilovsky

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Inspirational Bullshit: The Good, the Bad, and the Vacuous , Esther Abel

I am Queer and Asian: The Crossroad of Race and LGBTQIA+ Identity among Queer Asian Canadian Youth and the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic , Kenny Chee

Vapourized Cannabis Extract Administration Impairs Memory and Alters Neural Activity in Laboratory Rats , Megan Chladny

Experiences of quality of life among youth experiencing homelessness, mental health problems, and addictions , Wilsy Choudhary

Transformations Towards Just Urban Sustainabilities: A community psychology approach to analyzing and fostering urban changes , Bianca C. Dreyer

A Close Look at the Connections Between Mental-State Talk, Theory of Mind, and Source Monitoring During Parent-Child Reminiscing of Emotional Events , Mallory Earnshaw

Intermittent sucrose access: Sweetness versus calories , Jarret Folmer and Rudy Eikelboom

The Contribution of Phonological Overlap to the Cognate Effect: An Event-Related Potential Study of Persian-English Bilinguals , Zahra Fotovatnia

Still, We Thrive: Understanding How Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men (GBTMSM) Experience Structural Barriers & Facilitators to Wellness , Lucas Gergyek

The Long-term Effects of Cannabis on Attention to Motion , Rachel McCaig

The Power of Dissent: Mitigating False Polarization and Cross-Party Dislike in Online Interactions , Victoria Parker

Examining the Effects of Noise and Task Dependent Performance in Prosody Perception in Autistic Individuals , Zehranur Sasal

How narcissism relates to perceived conflict and cooperation in social situations , Sydney Sharp

Distinctiveness and Similarity: How the Sub-Trait Facets of the Big Five Self-Organize to Create Personality Types , Jonathan Thiessen

Investigating The Role of Implicit Theories of Relationships on The Interpretation of Investments in Relationship Decision-Making , Sarah Wall

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Early Predictors: The Impact of Childhood Exposure to Interparental Conflict on Developmental Outcomes for Emotion Self-Regulation and Related Problem Behaviour. , Katrina Abela

Community stress and resilience during covid-19: Assessing the emotional profile of the City of Hamilton using a social media analysis , Senyo Agbeyaka

Relationships Between Executive Functioning, Memory, and Source Judgements on Children’s Responses to Online Advertising , Samantha Barbosa

Impression Management Among Municipal Employees as a Barrier to Engagement: An Explorative Study , Alicia Bevan

Inducing Kindness to Cope with Social Stress: Comparing Self-Compassion with Cognitive Reappraisal , Cortney Burnham

How Narcissism Relates to (Non-) Cooperation , Christopher Chinn

An Examination of External Threats on Romantic Behaviour in People with Low Self-Esteem , Melanie Christoforou

Feeling Fat: Theorizing Intergenerational Body Narratives Through Affect , Katie Cook

B-SURE (Bereavement Support Research): The Differential Experiences of Peer and Professional Support in Grief , Andrea Crowley

The Avian Hippocampal Declarative Memory System , Chelsey C. Damphousse

Thinking About Making a Connection: Exploring the Role of Metacognition in Recognition Memory for Associative Information , Mario E. Doyle

An Exploration on the Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Services Among South Asian Youth , Oeishi Faruquzzaman

“The system is not set up for individuals with FASD”: Lived and Caregiver Perspectives Regarding Current and Ideal Housing Supports for Canadian Adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder , Siann Gault

The Electrophysiological Correlates of Text Integration and Direct vs. Indirect Articles: A Centralized and Lateralized Examination , Deanna C. Hall

Exploring individuals’ views on the malleability of their moral self-concept , Steven Hertz

First Language Loss and Maintenance in Adolescents and Young Adults from Immigrant Backgrounds , Wanxin Li

AGENTS AT WORK: MODELING HOW SPACE CAN INFLUENCE PEOPLE IN THE WORKPLACE , Jovan Poposki

Examining harm reduction in Housing First for youth experiencing homelessness and concurrent mental health and substance use issues , Victoria Rozycki

“What if this happiness doesn’t last forever?”: Stressors faced by racialized SOGIE refugees , Moni Sadri-Gerrior

Using Online Training Modules to Enhance Parents' Early Literacy Training Skills and Understanding , Ayodele Sanni

The Impact of Social Media Influencers on Emerging Adults , Avnee Sharma

Impact of Inducing Self-Compassion on the use of Safety Behaviours in Social Situations , Kamila Szczyglowski

Exploring Intersectional Factors Associated with Mental Health Service Utilization in a Sample of LGBT2Q+ Canadians , Samson Tse

"If we're not loud, we're not cared for": Empowerment in transgender peoples' healthcare experiences , Chase Valiant

When a Seat at the Table is not Enough: A Participatory Action Research Study on Collaborative Partnerships in Ontario Developmental Services Organizations , Kaylagh Vanwyck

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

HOW DO YOU TALK TO YOURSELF? – THE EFFECTS OF PRONOUN USAGE AND INTERPERSONAL QUALITIES OF SELF-TALK , Sonya M. Bisol

Sucrose Solution Access Influences Intake Value in Rats , Adam Celejewski

A Tale of Two Tweets: What Factors Predict Forgiveness of Past Transgressions on Social Media? , Andrew Dawson

Bicultural Identity and Academic Achievement: The Second-Generation Immigrant Student Experience , Karimeh Haddad

Rainbow Writes: Peer-Led Creative Writing Groups’ Potential for Promoting 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Wellbeing , Ceilidh Harrison

Reducing Anticipatory Anxiety: Does Values-Affirmation Increase Self-Compassion? , elena harwood

A Low Self-Esteem Perspective on Support Provision , Alexandra Hirniak

How Did We Learn About Sex? —— Sex Education and Sexual Health in Chinese Youth , Yujuan Liu

The Perceived Deservingness of Narcissistic Individuals , Danielle Lynch

To Like or to Want? Exploring the Psychobiological Processes of Human Food Reward , Angela Mastroianni

Microaggressions and Microaffirmations Experienced by LGBTQ2S+ People with Disabilities , Kathleen McKee

Investigating the Use of Mental-State Talk in Parent-Child Joint Reminiscing and Storytelling on Children’s Source Monitoring , Holly Autumn Nelson

Reading in Kapampangan, Filipino, and English: A Look at Multilingual Children in an Economically Challenging Philippine Community , Portia Padilla

Investigating the Inhibition of the Return of Attention in the Tactile Domain , Robert Plax

MOTHER-CHILD SHARED STORY TELLING OF WORDLESS AND WORDED PICTURE BOOKS: A WITHIN-SUBJECT DESIGN STUDY OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN , Katherine Reid and Alexandra Gottardo

Is it just a dream? How attributions for successful and unsuccessful social mobility attempts maintain the myth of the American Dream , Erin Shanahan

Cambridge-North Dumfries Ontario Health Team: An Exploratory Evaluation of Service Integration Planning , Megan Strazds-Esenbergs

"Learning" to Feel Valued: Exploring the Impact of Community Service Learning on Student Mattering and Mental Health , Emily Weatherhead

Attained and Retained Employment of Employees with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Ontario , Michelle Willson

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

A Housing First Model for Youth and its Relation to Social Integration , Alexandra Amiri

A program implementation fidelity assessment of a Housing First program in Ontario , Steven Bigioni

Positive Wellbeing Among University Students from Diverse Communities: A Place-Based Approach , Kevin Bonnell

Examining Gender Differences in Perceptions of Pay Negotiation and Remuneration Among Late-Adolescents , Meghan Borg

Domain-Specific Self-Compassion in Individuals High versus Low in Social Anxiety , Leah Brassard

Social Transition, Coming Out, and Challenging Transnormativity: Non-Binary Experiences in Healthcare , Drew Burchell

There is No Free: An Indigenous Informed Perspective on Free, Prior and Informed Consent , Nicole Burns

The Inclusive Nature of Mindfulness-Based Practice: Does Executive Functioning Play a Role in Children's Mindful Experience? , Kaitlyn Butterfield

Well-being, discrimination, and self-management among racialized LGBQ+ newcomers living in Waterloo Region, Ontario , Emily Cox

Exploring Young ACB Women’s Experiences of Navigating Sexual Health in the Greater Toronto Area. , Natasha Afua Darko

SPATIAL MEMORY AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING IN THE GOTO-KAKIZAKI RAT MODEL OF DIABETES , Lorielle Dietze

Picture This: The Effect of Imagery Perspective on Affective Forecasting , Giselle Durand

Be Kind to Your Mind: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Benefits of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion vs. Social Skills Training Among Children and Adolescents , Lindsey Feltis

Using Our Past to Predict Our Future: Applying Reference Class Forecasting to Debias Individual Project Completion Predictions , Rebecca Friesdorf

What Makes an Image Memorable? Effects of Encoding on the Mechanism of Recognition , Asiya Gul

The role of life events in older women's psychosocial development and well-being , Taylor Hill

Page 1 of 8

Advanced Search

• Notify me via e-mail or RSS
• Collections
• Disciplines

Author Corner

• Submit Research
• Laurier Library

Home | About | FAQ | My Account | Accessibility Statement

Privacy Copyright

Department of Psychology

You are here, recent ph.d. dissertation titles.

Bailey, April H ,   Men at the Center: Androcentric Bias in Cultural Practices and Cognitive Structure

Boswell, Rebecca G ,  Food Craving and Its Regulation: Implications for Obesity and Binge Eating Disorder

Casados, Ava T ,   Understanding Parents’ Judgments of Childhood Mental Illness: Development of the Perceptions of Psychological Symptom Scale

Chung, Yoonho ,   Deviance in Neuroanatomical Maturity as a Biological Marker to Predict the Onset of Psychosis in Youth at Clinical High Risk

Crossman, Molly K ,   Establishing the Influence of Interactions With Animals on Psychological Distress

Jordan, Matthew R ,  Misbelieving: Optimism, Self-deception, and the Shape of Beliefs

Kraft-Todd, Gordon ,   Leading By Example Motivates Prosociality through Second-Order Belief Inference

Lambert, Robert C ,   From Probability to Familiarity: Explorations on the Relationship between Statistical Learning and Processing Fluency

Melnikoff, David E ,   Towards a Goals-First Framework of Cognitiion and Action

O’Connell, Thomas P,   Reconstructing Visual Cognition

Santascoy, Nicholas,   Hostile Attribution for Bias

Vanderlind, William M ,   Understanding Positive Emotion in Depression: The Role of Emotion Regulation

Dissertation Topics: 190 Best Ideas

Coming up with the right dissertation topics is one of the most important decisions you'll make in your academic life. With so many fields to explore, finding a subject that not only interests you but also has enough research material can feel overwhelming. In 2024, some topics are gaining particular attention:

• Sustainability and environmental challenges
• Artificial intelligence and its impact on society
• Mental health and well-being
• The future of work and remote employment
• Social media's role in shaping political discourse

In this article, we'll guide you through these trending dissertation topics and provide insights into choosing one that suits your interests and goals. We'll also cover how to approach your research and craft a strong argument without getting lost in the process. If you still find yourself stuck after reading, DoMyEssay offers top-tier assistance to help you with writing a dissertation and beyond.

Top 10 Dissertation Topics for 2024

When it comes to writing a dissertation, choosing a topic that's relevant, engaging, and forward-thinking is crucial. For 2024, some topics stand out due to their timeliness and the growing body of research around them. Here are ten new dissertation topics that are particularly relevant this year:

• Climate Change Adaptation Policies: How are governments evolving their strategies to cope with the ever-accelerating climate crisis?
• AI in Healthcare: The ethical implications and potential benefits of integrating AI into patient care and medical diagnostics.
• Cryptocurrency Regulation: The impact of government regulations on the crypto market and investor behavior.
• Mental Health in the Post-Pandemic Workplace: How have remote work and hybrid models changed employee mental health support systems?
• Sustainable Fashion: How is the fashion industry responding to sustainability demands from consumers and environmental groups?
• Cybersecurity in a Data-Driven World: Assess the rise of cyber threats as industries increasingly rely on big data.
• Renewable Energy Transition: The challenges and breakthroughs in moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
• Social Media's Influence on Public Opinion: How are platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok shaping global political movements?
• The Future of Education: The role of virtual and augmented reality in transforming traditional learning environments.
• Gender Equality in Corporate Leadership: Progress and roadblocks in achieving gender parity in executive roles.

Economics Dissertation Topics

Here are 10 unique topics that offer a fresh perspective on key economic issues, giving you a solid starting point for in-depth research.

• How do cryptocurrency regulations impact global financial stability?
• What role does AI play in shaping modern economic forecasting models?
• How has remote work affected productivity and wage inequality in developed economies?
• Can universal basic income reduce poverty in high-income countries?
• How does climate change influence global trade patterns and resource allocation?
• What are the long-term economic effects of the gig economy on traditional labor markets?
• How does social media advertising impact consumer behavior and economic growth?
• What are the economic consequences of shifting to renewable energy sources?
• How do international sanctions affect the economic development of targeted countries?
• What is the impact of rising inflation on small businesses in emerging markets?

Business Dissertation Topics

When it comes to business dissertations, focusing on current trends and challenges is key. Each question below tackles a unique aspect of the evolving business landscape.

• How does corporate social responsibility influence consumer loyalty in 2024?
• What are the most effective leadership styles in hybrid work environments?
• How do start-ups use innovation to compete with established brands in crowded markets?
• What is the role of emotional intelligence in modern business negotiations?
• How do data-driven strategies improve decision-making in the retail sector?
• What are the key factors affecting the success of mergers and acquisitions in tech companies?
• How does influencer marketing impact brand credibility and sales growth?
• What are the long-term effects of supply chain disruptions on global business operations?
• How do sustainability practices impact profitability in the fashion industry?
• What is the role of workplace diversity in enhancing creativity and innovation?

Dissertation Ideas in Management

These management-focused ideas offer timely topics for research while addressing real-world challenges in modern organizations.

• How can companies build a resilient workforce in the face of global crises?
• What are the most effective strategies for managing remote teams across multiple time zones?
• How does emotional intelligence in leadership improve employee performance and satisfaction?
• What role does digital transformation play in streamlining operations in large organizations?
• How can change management frameworks help companies adapt to disruptive technologies?
• What are the best practices for managing diversity and inclusion in the workplace?
• How can performance management systems be redesigned to suit hybrid work models?
• What impact does ethical leadership have on organizational culture and long-term success?
• How can agile project management be effectively implemented in non-tech industries?
• What strategies help reduce employee burnout and improve retention in high-pressure industries?

Finance Dissertation Ideas

Finance is a field rich with complex, evolving topics. Here are ten dissertation ideas in finance, each presenting a unique angle for exploration:

• How do interest rate changes impact investment decisions in emerging markets?
• What are the effects of fintech innovations on traditional banking practices?
• How can risk management strategies be optimized for volatile cryptocurrency markets?
• What role does behavioral finance play in stock market volatility?
• How do environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors influence investment portfolios?
• What are the economic implications of high-frequency trading on market stability?
• How do regulatory changes affect financial market efficiency and investor behavior?
• What impact does corporate governance have on financial performance and shareholder value?
• How can predictive analytics improve credit risk assessment for financial institutions?
• What are the financial risks and opportunities associated with sustainable investment funds?

Dissertation Topics in Marketing

These topics focus on contemporary issues and innovations in marketing, providing a range of options for impactful research.

• How does personalized marketing affect customer loyalty and retention in e-commerce?
• What are the impacts of influencer marketing on brand perception and sales conversion?
• How can companies leverage big data to enhance their digital marketing strategies?
• What role do mobile marketing strategies play in influencing consumer purchasing decisions?
• How do environmental and sustainability claims influence consumer brand trust and purchase behavior?
• What are the effects of social media advertising on brand equity and consumer engagement?
• How can businesses effectively use customer feedback to drive product development and marketing strategies?
• What are the challenges and opportunities of integrating artificial intelligence into marketing automation?
• How does cross-cultural marketing impact global brand positioning and market entry strategies?
• What are the trends and effectiveness of experiential marketing in enhancing brand experiences?

Dissertation Topics in Accounting

Accounting is important for managing financial health and ensuring compliance. Here are ten dissertation topics in accounting, each offering a fresh perspective on key issues and developments:

• How do blockchain technologies improve transparency and reduce fraud in financial reporting?
• What are the effects of new accounting standards on financial statements and investor decisions?
• How can forensic accounting techniques be enhanced to better detect financial irregularities?
• What impact do tax reforms have on corporate financial strategies and compliance?
• How does environmental accounting contribute to corporate sustainability and reporting practices?
• What role does artificial intelligence play in automating and improving auditing processes?
• How do international accounting standards affect financial reporting for multinational corporations?
• What are the implications of revenue recognition changes on performance metrics and financial health?
• How can small businesses effectively manage and report financial risks in a volatile economy?
• What are the challenges and benefits of integrating cost management systems into strategic decision-making?

Human Resources Dissertation Topics

These topics cover contemporary issues and advancements in HR, providing a range of options for in-depth and impactful research.

• How can organizations effectively implement remote work policies while maintaining employee engagement and productivity?
• What are the impacts of AI and automation on HR practices and job roles?
• How does diversity and inclusion training influence workplace culture and employee performance?
• What strategies can HR departments use to address and reduce employee burnout in high-stress industries?
• How does employee well-being and mental health support impact organizational performance and retention?
• What are the best practices for managing talent acquisition in a competitive job market?
• How can HR analytics be utilized to improve decision-making and workforce planning?
• What role does leadership development play in preparing employees for succession planning?
• How do compensation and benefits strategies affect employee satisfaction and organizational loyalty?
• What are the challenges and opportunities in implementing effective performance management systems?

Political Science Dissertation Titles

Political Science examines the dynamics of power, governance, and policy.

• How do migration and refugee crises affect national security policies and international diplomacy?
• What are the consequences of foreign interference in democratic elections on national sovereignty?
• How does the rise of authoritarian regimes challenge global human rights standards?
• What role does political ideology play in shaping public policy and legislative outcomes?
• How do social media platforms influence political mobilization and public opinion?
• What are the effects of populist movements on democratic institutions and governance?
• How do international sanctions impact the political stability and economic development of targeted nations?
• What role does political corruption play in undermining democratic processes and reforms?
• How do environmental policies shape political agendas and international relations?
• What are the impacts of electoral system reforms on political representation and voter participation?

Get the Dissertation Support You Need to Succeed!

We'll help with topic selection, research, and writing.

Law Dissertation Topics

Law is a vast field with many evolving areas of interest. Here are ten dissertation topics in law, each focusing on contemporary issues and legal challenges:

• How do recent changes in data protection laws impact corporate compliance and consumer privacy?
• What are the legal implications of autonomous vehicles on liability and insurance frameworks?
• How do international human rights treaties influence domestic legal systems and practices?
• What role does corporate governance play in preventing financial fraud and ensuring ethical business practices?
• How effective are current anti-terrorism laws in balancing national security and civil liberties?
• What are the legal challenges and opportunities in regulating cryptocurrency and digital assets?
• How does the rise of environmental litigation affect corporate environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance?
• What are the legal implications of remote work on labor laws and employment contracts?
• How do family law reforms impact child custody decisions and parental rights?
• What are the effects of legal reforms on access to justice and legal representation for marginalized communities?

History Dissertation Topic Ideas

These history dissertation topics are designed to shed light on significant and unique aspects of the past:

• How did the rise of industrialization impact social structures and labor conditions in 19th-century Europe?
• What were the long-term effects of colonialism on indigenous cultures and economies in Africa?
• How did the Cold War influence global political alignments and conflicts in the Middle East?
• What role did women play in social and political movements during the early 20th century?
• How did the Great Depression shape economic policies and social welfare programs in the United States?
• What were the causes and consequences of the fall of the Roman Empire on European civilization?
• How did technological advancements during World War II alter warfare strategies and post-war geopolitics?
• What impact did the Civil Rights Movement have on legislation and race relations in post-1960s America?
• How did the Silk Road facilitate cultural and economic exchanges between East and West in ancient times?
• What were the effects of political revolutions in Latin America on regional stability and international relations?

Psychology Dissertation Topics

The psychology dissertation topics below cover a wide range of topics related to human behavior and mental processes.

• What role does early childhood trauma play in the development of personality disorders?
• How do sleep patterns affect cognitive functioning and emotional regulation in young adults?
• What are the psychological effects of remote work on employee motivation and job satisfaction?
• How does attachment style influence romantic relationships and relationship satisfaction?
• What are the impacts of virtual reality exposure therapy on treating phobias and PTSD?
• How does social media use impact adolescent self-esteem and mental health?
• What are the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on anxiety and depression in adults?
• How do cognitive biases influence decision-making in high-stress environments?
• How does cultural background affect the perception and treatment of mental health issues?
• What are the psychological factors contributing to addiction and effective strategies for intervention?

Sociology Dissertation Topics

Here are ten social work dissertation topics that examine the complex interactions between individuals and society:

• What are the social consequences of rising political polarization and partisan identity?
• How does the gig economy impact traditional employment structures and worker rights?
• What are the effects of environmental degradation on marginalized communities and social justice?
• How does the rise of digital technologies influence social relationships and interpersonal communication?
• What are the implications of aging populations on healthcare systems and social policies?
• How does social media influence identity formation and self-perception among teenagers?
• What are the effects of urbanization on community cohesion and social networks in modern cities?
• How does economic inequality impact access to education and social mobility?
• What role does family structure play in shaping children's academic and social outcomes?
• How do migration and globalization affect cultural identity and integration in host societies?

PhD Dissertation Topics

PhD dissertations often tackle complex and advanced subjects.

• How can adaptive algorithms improve real-time decision-making in autonomous drone systems?
• What are the long-term impacts of synthetic biology on ecological balance and biodiversity?
• How do blockchain technologies influence transparency and accountability in supply chain management?
• What are the effects of neuroplasticity-focused interventions on cognitive rehabilitation for brain injury survivors?
• How can advanced data analytics reshape predictive models for rare disease diagnostics?
• What role does gene-environment interaction play in the development of complex psychiatric disorders?
• How does the integration of augmented reality in educational settings affect student engagement and learning outcomes?
• What are the implications of nanotechnology in the development of next-generation drug delivery systems?
• How do sociopolitical narratives shape the perception and policy responses to emerging infectious diseases?
• What are the ethical considerations and societal impacts of using AI in autonomous legal decision-making systems?

Ecology Dissertation Ideas

These topics explore different aspects of ecosystems and environmental interactions:

• How does climate change affect the migration patterns of avian species?
• What are the impacts of deforestation on biodiversity and ecosystem services in tropical rainforests?
• How do invasive species alter native ecosystems and food webs?
• What role do urban green spaces play in supporting local wildlife and improving ecological health?
• How does pollution from agricultural runoff affect aquatic ecosystems and water quality?
• What are the effects of habitat fragmentation on animal behavior and population dynamics?
• How do conservation strategies influence the recovery and resilience of endangered species?
• What is the impact of ocean acidification on marine biodiversity and coral reef ecosystems?
• How do changes in land use impact soil health and ecosystem productivity?
• What role do ecological interactions play in the spread and control of zoonotic diseases?

Biology Dissertation Topics

Biology covers the study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment.

• How do genetic modifications impact the resistance of crops to pests and diseases?
• What are the effects of climate change on marine biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics?
• How do microbial communities in the gut influence human health and disease?
• What are the mechanisms of resistance development in bacteria against antibiotics?
• How does habitat loss affect the genetic diversity and survival of endangered species?
• What role do epigenetic changes play in cancer development and progression?
• How can CRISPR technology be used to address genetic disorders and enhance gene therapy?
• What are the ecological impacts of plastic pollution on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems?
• How do plant-pollinator interactions affect crop yields and ecosystem stability?
• What are the implications of evolutionary biology for understanding human diseases and treatments?

Dissertation Topics in Educational Leadership

These education dissertation topics focus on critical issues and trends in the field:

• How do transformational leadership styles impact teacher motivation and student achievement?
• What are the effects of school leadership on implementing inclusive education practices?
• How does distributed leadership influence decision-making and collaboration in schools?
• What role does educational leadership play in addressing and reducing achievement gaps?
• How can leaders effectively manage and support the integration of technology in the classroom?
• What are the challenges and benefits of leadership in diverse and multicultural school settings?
• How do principal leadership practices affect school culture and climate?
• What strategies can educational leaders use to foster professional development and continuous learning among teachers?
• How does leadership in early childhood education differ from leadership in K-12 settings?
• What are the impacts of policy changes on school leadership and educational outcomes?

Dissertation Topics in Education

Here are ten education dissertation topics covering a range of issues within the field.

• How does early childhood education impact long-term academic success and social development?
• What are the effects of differentiated instruction on student engagement and learning outcomes?
• How can educational institutions effectively support students with learning disabilities?
• What is the role of parental involvement in enhancing student performance and motivation?
• How do online learning platforms compare to traditional classroom settings in terms of student achievement?
• What are the challenges and opportunities of implementing culturally responsive teaching practices?
• How does formative assessment influence student learning and instructional strategies?
• What impact does school leadership have on teacher job satisfaction and retention?
• How can schools address and prevent bullying through educational programs and policies?
• What are the effects of integrating social-emotional learning into the school curriculum on student behavior and academic performance?

Dissertation Topics in Higher Education

Higher education is a dynamic field with many areas ripe for exploration.

• How do university admissions policies impact diversity and inclusion in higher education institutions?
• What are the effects of online learning platforms on student engagement and academic performance in higher education?
• How can higher education institutions better support first-generation college students?
• What role does academic advising play in student retention and success in university settings?
• How do financial aid programs influence students' academic choices and career outcomes?
• What are the impacts of global exchange programs on students' cultural competence and academic growth?
• How does campus climate affect student mental health and well-being in higher education institutions?
• What strategies can universities employ to enhance the integration of career readiness into the curriculum?
• How do faculty development programs impact teaching effectiveness and student learning in higher education?
• What are the challenges and opportunities of implementing sustainability practices within university operations and curricula?

Need Help with Your Dissertation?

Let our expert writers at DoMyEssay make it easier.

How to Choose a Dissertation Topic?

Choosing topics for dissertation on your own doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here's a straightforward approach to help you land on the perfect subject:

• Check the Research Gaps: Look for areas in your field that haven't been fully explored yet, offering you a chance to contribute something new.
• Consider Relevance: Make sure the topic is timely and has a connection to current trends or future developments in your field.
• Scope It Right: Don't choose a topic that's too broad or too narrow. Aim for one with enough material to explore but manageable within your timeline.
• Availability of Resources: Ensure you have access to the necessary data, studies, and experts to support your research.
• Consult Your Advisor: Don't hesitate to discuss your dissertation ideas with your advisor. Their feedback can help refine your topic and make it more focused.

Where to Look For a Unique Dissertation Topic?

Here are some simple yet effective ways to discover truly great topics for dissertation :

• Academic Journals: Browse the latest issues of relevant journals to spot emerging trends or unexplored areas of research.
• Conferences and Seminars: Attending academic events can expose you to cutting-edge research and provide inspiration for your topic.
• Online Databases: Platforms like Google Scholar or JSTOR are excellent for identifying recent studies and some great examples of dissertation topics.
• Current News and Industry Reports: Look for real-world issues in your field by staying up to date with news articles and industry reports. These sources often highlight hot topics.
• Your Own Work Experience: If applicable, draw from any personal experience or previous research projects that you can expand upon or dive deeper into.

What Does a Good Dissertation Title Look Like?

Once you've settled on a topic, crafting the right title is the next critical step. A strong dissertation title should do more than just summarize your research—it should grab attention and clearly communicate the focus of your study. Here's what makes a good dissertation title:

• Clarity: Your title should be straightforward and easy to understand, leaving no room for confusion about what your dissertation ideas cover.
• Specificity: A good title narrows down your topic to a specific area, highlighting exactly what your research will focus on.
• Relevance: Ensure the title reflects current issues or debates within your field. It should immediately signal why your research matters.
• Conciseness: Keep it short and to the point. Long, complicated titles can be overwhelming and less memorable.
• Keywords: Include key terms related to your topic that will help others find your work during searches.

What are Some Relevant Ideas to Research in 2024?

As we move through 2024, certain areas of research are more relevant than ever, especially in fields like AI, technology, and politics. These subjects are constantly evolving, offering plenty of opportunities for fresh and impactful research:

• Artificial Intelligence: Focus on the ethical implications, advancements in machine learning, or AI's impact on industries such as healthcare, education, or the job market.
• Technology: Explore emerging technologies like blockchain, quantum computing, or virtual reality and how they're transforming sectors like finance, entertainment, or data security.
• Politics: Research the influence of social media on political movements, the rise of populism, or how global events are shaping new policies and governance models.

Final Remarks

In 2024, some of the hottest areas for research include:

• The ongoing challenges of climate change policies
• AI's role in modern industries
• Mental health in the workplace
• Cryptocurrency regulations
• The rise of sustainable practices across different sectors.

Whether you're drawn to technology's advancements, the future of education, or gender equality in leadership, there's no shortage of fascinating directions you can take your research. If you're still feeling unsure about which topic is right for you, DoMyEssay's dissertation writing service is ready to step in and assist—not only with writing but even helping you pinpoint a unique topic that suits your interests and academic goals.

Forensic Psychology MSc

Can't attend? See more open events

Course Overview

• Full-time - September 2025
• Part-time day - September 2025

* Price per academic year

Course summary

Forensic Psychologists work as scientist-practitioners in the domains of criminal investigation, policing, courts, probation, criminal and civil justice systems, secure clinical settings, offender management and private practice.  

This British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited (pending) Forensic Psychology MSc course will provide you with Stage 1 empirical and theoretical knowledge necessary to enable you to move to complete the next stage of professional training (BPS Stage 2 or Health Care Practitioner Council (HCPC) route).  

You’ll gain a critical academic understanding of the factors that may contribute to a wide variety of forms of offending. You’ll be encouraged to consider the role and limitations of causal explanations for offending in the development of offender treatments and services. This course will prepare you to work in settings where forensic psychology is practised, providing you with the key skills , from inter-disciplinary working, risk for violence assessment, vulnerability and ethics, to continuing professional development and report writing. Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped with knowledge of the legal system and the role of a forensic psychologist, as well as the ways theory and research in psychology can be applied to legal issues.  

The course explores current topics within Forensic Psychology, including Vulnerability and Neurodiversity in Criminal Justice, Sexual and Violent Crime, Investigative Psychology, and Ethical Practice. These topics, plus the opportunity to complete a Forensic Volunteering placement and the application of real-world data in our Forensic Data Analysis module ensure that you’ll graduate ready to begin work as a trainee Forensic Psychologist and apply your learning to real cases and scenarios.  

Top reasons to study with us:

• Explore cutting-edge topics in our investigative forensic psychology module, introducing you to investigative processes and how psychological theory and empirical understanding can impact investigative forensic practices and outcomes  
• Gain hands-on work experience through our forensic volunteering work experience module, providing you with valuable experience before graduation  
• Our emphasis on real world data analysis and key topical modules such as vulnerability and neurodiversity, ethical practice and sexual and violent crime will prepare you for the scenarios you’ll come across during professional practice 
• Gain valuable insights and training from our experienced course team with experience working as Forensic Psychologists, as well as with organisations including the UK Police, the International Criminal Court, US High Value Detainee Interrogation Group, and FBI  
• Our teaching methods are designed to be authentic and inclusive, supporting career advancement and professional practice in forensic psychology by addressing biases within research and practice and engaging with issues of sexuality, gender, diversity, and culture 

Course structure

The following modules are indicative of what you study on this course.  

Core Modules

Criminal justice: vulnerability and neurodiversity.

This module will explore how vulnerabilities and neurodiversity emerge and are subsequently accounted for (or not) in the criminal justice system and the impact of imprisonment and the prison system for neurodiverse and vulnerable individuals. The module will address current issues, including understanding psychological theories relevant to offending and risk factors for offending and re offending by vulnerable and neurodiverse individuals. Trauma-informed forensic practices within the criminal justice system will be central to the module.

Forensic Data Analysis: Real World Applications

This module is designed to equip you with a range of methodological research skills to enable you to move towards becoming a professional practitioner in forensic psychology. The module provides postgraduate-level learning and practical application of various statistical, data coding and interpretation techniques. The research methodologies covered include a broad range of quantitative and qualitative approaches relevant to forensic psychology practice in the workplace. The module has been designed to support you in applying the skills taught using a building block week-by-week approach. Classroom/practical teaching and learning instruction will enable you to prepare a portfolio evidencing learning and applying research skill sets.

Forensic Volunteering Work Experience

Students will work in voluntary or paid positions in settings related to Forensic Psychology. This will enable students to gain valuable forensic psychology-related work experience, develop reflective practice skills and experience of a practice diary in preparation for the workplace and completion of Stage 2 of professional training, consider future career development plans and how to evidence person specification criteria when applying for competitive Stage 2 employment.

Investigative Forensic Psychology

This module introduces you to the psychology of investigative processes and practices relevant to forensic psychology practitioners. Topics include investigative interviewing (witnesses, victims and persons of interest), intermediaries and their involvement in achieving the best evidence, advocacy and vulnerability, and investigation models and protocols. This module also touches on a number of emerging criminal justice challenges centred on the victim/offender nexus and county lines drug dealing. Topics introduced have been selected to allow you to develop a critical understanding of investigative processes, the role of psychologists, and how psychological theory and empirical understanding can impact investigative forensic practices and outcomes.

Professional Ethical Forensic Practice

This module introduces you to forensic psychology professional practice, including ethical practice, developing and maintaining professional standards, training and knowledge exchange, professional wellbeing and advice and consultancy across various forensic settings. You will be introduced to key themes and theories underpinning forensic psychology professional practice, including ethics, ethical professional practice, applying psychological scientific understanding and empirical knowledge to professional practice, teamwork, interpretation of needs for different client groups and the planning and delivery of bespoke training. Importantly, this module encourages you to develop a critical understanding of significant gaps in knowledge – e.g., cross-cultural forensic psychology – and the potential impact of gaps in knowledge on professional practice. The unit aims to equip you with an understanding of the forensic environment, specialist forensic populations and ways of working across the criminal justice system. At the Stage I level, we aim for this unit to afford you insight into core aspects of forensic psychology practice that are not typically addressed in forensic undergraduate modules. The module also aims to highlight the link between Stage I and Stage 2 training to assist you in tailoring and furthering your learning.

Research Based Project: Forensic Psychology

This module is designed to allow you to develop core skills in reflective research, planning, implementing and reporting a forensic-based empirical research project towards realising your training in the context of a particular research problem, aspect of methodology, or policy. Bringing together elements of taught material from the course, this module offers maximum flexibility in selecting a research topic and methodology in accordance with individual professional and personal interests towards advancing existing psychological knowledge in forensic contexts.

You will work closely with an individual supervisor on your chosen project, who will give guidance on the scope of the project and the development of an application for ethical approval. Generic taught sessions will introduce the module, encourage Q and As, provide meetings with supervisors, discuss ethical considerations in forensic research and detail resources and support available to you.

Sexual and Violent Crime: Risk Assessment and Interventions

This module delves into the origins of violent sexual offending, focusing on the complexities involved in investigating, assessing, and managing associated risks. You will gain a nuanced understanding of intervention strategies for violent sexual offenders and the support mechanisms for 'at risk' populations, including victim/survivors.

Professional accreditation

This course is pending accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Once accreditation has been granted, this course will provide you with Stage 1 empirical and theoretical knowledge necessary to enable you to move to complete the next stage of professional training (BPS Stage 2 or Health Care Practitioner Council (HCPC) route).  

Open evenings

Join us at an open evening online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Next open evening

The Forensic Psychology MSc course is a prerequisite for pursuing Stage 2 training leading to Registration with the HCPC as a Forensic Psychologist. This route is only available if you have Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) with the BPS. (Note: accreditation pending).    

Graduates from the course will be equipped to work as trainees or assistant psychologists in various settings, including prisons, probation services, forensic mental health units, the NHS and various charities. Graduates may also be eligible for further study opportunities and advanced training in research and practice, such as a professional doctorate in Forensic Psychology. 

Gain real-world experience

Our Forensic Volunteering work experience module allows you to gain real-world experience and put your learning to practice.  

Accreditation pending

This course is seeking accreditation from the BPS, so will prepare you to complete the next stage of professional training 

Work with real data

Our focus on real data and case studies will help you prepare for professional practise.

Industry Links

Guest presentations by professionals working in several forensic fields will provide further knowledge and guidance in professional settings. Students will also have the opportunity to connect to a number of employability resources available at the University. The forensic volunteering work experience module will allow you to gain experience of working in the industry, completing a work experience placement with one of the various organisations that we have a relationship with.  

Graduate employers:  

Graduates from this course will be prepared to work at organisations such as:  

• HMPPS 
• Charities 
• Private health and care providers  
• Civil Service: Home office, UK Police 
• Courts and justice systems 
• Academia and research 

Job roles:  

This course will immediately prepare you for roles in a variety of areas, including: 

• Trainee Forensic Psychologist 
• Assistant Psychologist/Forensic Psychologist 
• Forensic research and teaching 
• Charity worker 
• Support worker 
• Research Assistant 

Westminster Employability Award

Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.

The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities. 

Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.

Read more about our Westminster Employability Award .

Course Leader

Professor Coral Dando

Professor of psychology.

Professor Dando returned to education in 2002 following almost 10 years service as a London Police Officer, completing a BSc. (Hons) Psychology and a PhD in Applied Forensic Cognition, awarded in 2008. She completed a Post-Doctoral Research post at the University of Leicester, followed by 5 years as a Lecturer at Lancaster University. In 2014 she joined the University of Wolverhampton as a Reader, before moving to the University of Westminster in 2016 as a Professor of Psychology.  

Coral is an expert witness, a Health and Care Practitioner Council Consultant Forensic Psychologist (Rg. No. PYL28287), a BPS Chartered Psychologist (177597), Chartered Scientist, and Associate Fellow. She is also a Restorative Justice practitioner and a National Teaching Fellow. Coral designs and delivers advanced interview training for national and international government and non-government organizations including the NHS, Police and security organizations, and is a subject expert advisor for television and other creative industries. 

Taught by leading experts in the field, this practitioner focused academic course has been designed to allow you to progress to a career in the public/private and third sectors.  

Course Team

• Dr Alessandra Caso - Lecturer
• Dr Jay-Marie Mackenzie - Reader
• Dr Nikolaos Souvlakis - Senior Lecturer
• Dr Andreas Aresti - Senior Lecturer

Why study this course

Learn from experts

You’ll be taught by a team of academic experts and guest speakers who can provide valuable insight and training for the role of a Forensic Psychologist. 

Inclusive learning environment

Study in an inclusive environment committed to nurturing ethical, inclusive professionals who value diversity.  

Current and topical modules

Our focus on current topics in forensic psychology such as ethical practice, neurodiversity and sexual and violent crimes will equip you for practice in today’s world.  

Entry Requirements

• International

A 2:1 or above in a BPS-accredited psychology undergraduate degree (or equivalent through a (psychology conversion course) conferring Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) is typically required. Applicants with a 2:2 or equivalent in an eligible degree are also encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with International qualifications, will be required to show evidence that their undergraduate degree is eligible for GBC. Applicants must contact the British Psychological Society independently to verify this and upload the proof along with their application. For information, please check the BPS website. 

As statistical procedures are a key element of Psychology, we require applicants to demonstrate competence in mathematics, for example through having obtained GSCE mathematics (or equivalent). We also encourage applicants to provide evidence of interest in the discipline of psychology and reflection on the ways that their experience to date would enable them to succeed at Masters level. 

If your first language is not English you should have an IELTS 6.5 overall with no less than 5.5 in all components.

Recognition of prior learning and experience

If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page .

Application process 

Visit our How to apply page for more information on:

• the application process
• what you need to apply
• deadlines for application

Learn new skills

Volunteer and gain new skills

We offer a number of different volunteering opportunities for you to learn new skills, create connections, and make a difference in the community.

Develop your entrepreneurial skills

Our award-winning  Westminster Enterprise Network  offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your start-up projects.

Get extra qualifications

We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.

How you’ll be taught

Teaching methods across all our postgraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into two broad categories:

• Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
• Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, dissertation/final project research, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision

How you’ll be assessed

Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into three broad categories:

• Written exams: end of semester exams
• Practical: examples include presentations, podcasts, blogs
• Coursework: examples include essays, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation

Research groups

Our research achieves real-world impact and we are proud to claim a rich and diverse profile of high-quality research and knowledge exchange in a wide range of disciplines.

Find out more about our research groups related to this course:

• Criminal Investigative and Forensic Research - CIFR  

Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

• Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
• Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
• Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
• Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Course location

With state-of-the-art science and psychology labs and refurbished computer suites, our Cavendish Campus offers our science and technology students a range of learning spaces that are both dynamic and inspiring,

Located in central London, our Cavendish Campus is just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.

For more details, visit our Cavendish Campus page .

Related Courses

Psychology MSc

Health Psychology MSc

Counselling PGDip

Call our dedicated team on:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

[email protected]

More information

Your westminster.

Book an open day. Order a prospectus. Sign up for newsletters.

We use cookies to ensure the best experience on our website.

By accepting you agree to cookies being stored on your device.

Some of these cookies are essential to the running of the site, while others help us to improve your experience.

Functional cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility.

Analytics cookies help us improve our website based on user needs by collecting information, which does not directly identify anyone.

Marketing cookies send information on your visit to third parties so that they can make their advertising more relevant to you when you visit other websites.

Professional/Short course Dissertation in Psychology

45 credit level 7 module

Page last updated 24 September 2024

Introduction

On successful completion of this 45 credit Dissertation in Psychology module, you should be able to:

• Carry out a critical literature review in a chosen area of psychology, appropriate to programme undertaken (i.e. MSc in Health Psychology students must undertake research within Health Psychology)
• Identify and locate a research question within that area; select and defend approach to the research question
• Design a research study
• Plan and execute a piece of independent research
• Analyse and interpret the data collected and defend both the analysis and the interpretation
• Critically locate the research findings in relation to published work
• Produce a written report of the research demonstrating an in-depth understanding of the chosen area of study
• Engage appropriately with supervision, demonstrating an ability to present ideas and respond appropriately to feedback.

Entry requirements

For those undertaking the MSc in Health Psychology and MSc in Sports and Exercise Psychology, at least a lower second class Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant discipline.

Careers / Further study

This level 7 (Masters level) module can contribute towards:

• MSc Health Psychology
• MSc Sports and Exercise Psychology
• MSc Occupational Psychology.

The module syllabus typically covers:

• the specialist area of study within psychology selected by the student with the advice of a supervisor with expertise in psychological research methods and/or health research, sports and exercise research, or counselling/psychotherapy research dependent upon programme registered for  
• research methods advice appropriate to the selected area of study  
• understanding and adhering to relevant ethical codes of conduct  
• understanding and adhering to best practice for communicating research.

Learning and Teaching

You will be expected to attend around 8 hours of dissertation workshops, and spend around one day per week completing your research and dissertation portfolio.

Scheduled learning: You will be allocated a dissertation supervisor. Supervision will be on an individual basis. A programme of regular supervision sessions (minimum of eight) will be planned with you. Once the research question and protocol are established a research timetable will be agreed with you.

A programme of dissertation workshops will be offered in particular aspects of the research process, including applying for University Ethics approval, approaches, data analysis and research communication, as appropriate.

Independent learning: You will be expected to carry out a literature review in your chosen research area, to read widely in this area, to plan and design an appropriate research project, to obtain ethical approval for your research, to undertake your research (in keeping with relevant ethical codes of conduct) and to communicate your research in the form of a presentation and a written dissertation.

Dissertation portfolio including a 6,000 to 8,000 word report of an original piece of research (word count excludes reference list and appendices).

Study facilities

The College of Health, Science and Society has an excellent reputation for the quality of its teaching and the facilities it provides.

Get a feel for the Psychology, Sociology and Criminology facilities we have on offer here from wherever you are.

Prices and dates

There is currently no published fee data for this course.

Supplementary fee information

Please visit full fee information to see the price brackets for our modules.

Please click on the Apply Now button to view dates.

How to apply

Please click on the Apply Now button to apply for your CPD module, which you can take as a stand-alone course or as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate (Masters level) programme.

Extra information

If the course you are applying for is fully online or blended learning, please note that you are expected to provide your own headsets/microphones.

For further information

• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 44 (0)117 32 81158