Psychology Unlocked
The free online psychology textbook, social psychology research topics.
January 24, 2017 Daniel Edward Blog , Social Psychology 0
Whether you’re looking for social psychology research topics for your A-Level or AP Psychology class, or considering a research question to explore for your Psychology PhD, the Psychology Unlocked list of social psychology research topics provides you with a strong list of possible avenues to explore.
Where possible we include links to university departments seeking PhD applications for certain projects. Even if you are not yet considering PhD options, these links may prove useful to you in developing your undergraduate or masters dissertation.
Lots of university psychology departments provide contact details on their websites.
If you read a psychologist’s paper and have questions that you would like to learn more about, drop them an email.
Lots of psychologists are very happy to receive emails from genuinely interested students and are often generous with their time and expertise… and those who aren’t will just overlook the email, so no harm done either way!
Psychology eZine
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for videos, articles, news and more.
We use Sendinblue as our marketing platform. By Clicking below to submit this form, you acknowledge that the information you provided will be transferred to Sendinblue for processing in accordance with their terms of use
- The Dunning-Kruger Effect: Why we think we know more than we do
- The Yale Food Addiction Scale: Are you addicted to food?
- Addicted to Pepsi Max? Understand addiction in six minutes (video)
- Functional Fixedness: The cognitive bias and how to beat it
- Summer Spending Spree! How Summer Burns A Hole In Your Pocket
What social factors are involved with the development of aggressive thoughts and behaviours? Is aggression socially-defined? Do different societies have differing definitions of aggression?
There has recently been a significant amount of research conducted on the influence of video games and television on aggression and violent behaviour.
Some research has been based on high-profile case studies, such as the aggressive murder of Jamie Bulger in 1993 by two children (Robert Thompson and Jon Venables). There is also a significant body of experimental research.
Attachment and Relationships
This is a huge area of research with lots of crossover into developmental psychology. What draws people together? How do people connect emotionally? What is love? What is friendship? What happens if someone doesn’t form an attachment with a parental figure?
This area includes research on attachment styles (at various stages of life), theories of love, friendship and attraction.
Attitudes and Attitude Change
Attitudes are a relatively enduring and general evaluation of something. Individuals hold attitudes on everything in life, from other people to inanimate objects, groups to ideologies.
Attitudes are thought to involve three components: (1) affective (to do with emotions), (2) behavioural, and (3) cognitive (to do with thoughts).
Research on attitudes can be closely linked to Prejudice (see below).
Authority and Leadership
Perhaps the most famous study of authority is Milgram’s (1961) Obedience to Authority . This research area has grown into a far-reaching and influential topic.
Research considers both positive and negative elements of authority, and applied psychology studies consider the role of authority in a particular social setting, such as advertising, in the workplace, or in a classroom.
The Psychology of Crowds (Le Bon, 1895) paved a path for a fascinating area of social psychology that considers the social group as an active player.
Groups tend to act differently from individuals, and specific individuals will act differently depending on the group they are in.
Social psychology research topics about groups consider group dynamics, leadership (see above), group-think and decision-making, intra-group and inter-group conflict, identities (see below) and prejudices (see below).
Gordon Allport’s (1979) ‘The Nature of Prejudice’ is a seminal piece on group stereotyping and discrimination.
Social psychologists consider what leads to the formation of stereotypes and prejudices. How and why are prejudices used? Why do we maintain inaccurate stereotypes? What are the benefits and costs of prejudice?
This interesting blog post on the BPS Digest Blog may provide some inspiration for research into prejudice and political uncertainty.
Pro- and Anti-Social Behaviour
Behaviours are only pro- or anti-social because of social norms that suggest so. Social Psychologists therefore investigate the roots of these behaviours as well as considering what happens when social norms are ignored.
Within this area of social psychology, researchers may consider why people help others (strangers as well as well as known others). Another interesting question regards the factors that might deter an individual from acting pro-socially, even if they are aware that a behaviour is ‘the right thing to do’.
The bystander effect is one such example of social inaction.
Self and Social Identity
Tajfel and Turner (1979) proposed Social Identity Theory and a large body of research has developed out of the concepts of self and social identity (or identities).
Questions in this area include: what is identity? What is the self? Does a social identity remain the same across time and space? What are the contributory factors to an individual’s social identity?
Zimbardo’s (1972) Stanford Prison Experiment famously considered the role of social identities.
Research in this area also links with work on groups (see above), social cognition (see below), and prejudices (see above).
Social Cognition
Social cognition regards the way we think and use information. It is the cross-over point between the fields of social and cognitive psychology.
Perhaps the most famous concept in this area is that of schemas – general ideas about the world, which allow us to make sense of new (and old) information quickly.
Social cognition also includes those considering heuristics (mental shortcuts) and some cognitive biases.
Social Influence
This is one of the first areas of social psychology that most students learn. Remember the social conformity work by Asch (1951) on the length of lines?
Other social psychology research topics within this area include persuasion and peer-pressure.
Social Representations
Social Representations (Moscovici, 1961) ‘make something unfamiliar, or unfamiliarity itself, familiar’ (Moscovici, 1984). This is a theory with its academic roots in Durkheim’s theory of collective representations.
Researchers working within this framework consider the social role of knowledge. How does information translate from the scientific realm of expert knowledge to the socially accessible realm of the layperson? How do we make sense of new information? How do we organise separate and distinct facts in a way that make sense to our needs?
One of the most famous studies using Social Representations Theory is Jodelet’s (1991) study of madness.
- Social Article
- Social Psychology
Copyright © 2024 | WordPress Theme by MH Themes
Current Research in Social Psychology
Editors: michael lovaglia, university of iowa; shane soboroff, st. ambrose university.
Current Research in Social Psychology ( CRISP ) is a peer reviewed, electronic journal publishing theoretically driven, empirical research in major areas of social psychology. Publication is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Group Processes at the University of Iowa, which provides free access to its contents. Authors retain copyright for their work. CRISP is permanently archived at the Library of the University of Iowa and at the Library of Congress. Beginning in April, 2000, Sociological Abstracts publishes the abstracts of CRISP articles.
Citation Format: Lastname , Firstname . 1996. "Title of Article." Current Research in Social Psychology 2:15-22 https://crisp.org.uiowa.edu
RECENT ISSUES
Finding Positives in the Pandemic: The Role of Relationship Status, Self-Esteem, Mental Health, and Personality.
Examining Public Attitudes And Ideological Divides Through Media Engagement: An Empirical Analysis of Moral Foundations Theory Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic.
When Race is Not Enough: Lessons Learned Using Racially Tagged Names.
Formation of a Positive Social Identity: How Significant are Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Perceived Similarity Concerning Group Identification?
Passive Social Network Usage and Hedonic Well-Being Among Vietnamese University Students: A Moderated Mediation Model Involving Self-Esteem and Sense of Self.
Cognitive Dissonance and Depression: A Qualitative Exploration of a Close Relationship.
Gender Differences in Support for Collective Punishment: The Moderating Role of Malleability Mindset.
Hard Feelings? Predicting Attitudes Toward Former Romantic Partners.
Perceived Control in Multiple Option Scenarios: Choice, Control, and the Make-a-Difference Metric.
Drivers of Prosocial Behavior: Exploring the Role of Mindset and Perceived Cost.
Malleability of Laïcité: People with High Social Dominance Orientation Use Laïcité to Legitimize Public Prayer by Catholics but not by Muslims.
Differences and Predictive Abilities of Competitiveness Between Motivation Levels, Contexts, and Sex.
Parental Rejection and Peer Acceptance: The Mediating Role of Cognitive Bias.
A Novel Approach for Measuring Self-Affirmation.
Ingroup Bias in the Context of Meat Consumption: Direct and Indirect Attitudes Toward Meat-Eaters and Vegetarians.
Perceptions of Case Complexity and Pre-Trial Publicity Through the Lens of Information Processing.
"Muslims' Desire for Intergroup Revenge in the Aftermath of the Christchurch Attack: The Predictive Role of Ingroup Identification, Perceived Intergroup Threat, and the Norm of Reciprocity. "
"Personal Networks and Social Support in Disaster Contexts."
"Aggressive and Avoidant Action Tendencies Towards Out-Groups: The Distinct Roles of In-Group Attachment vs. Glorification and Cognitive vs. Affective Ambivalence."
"We (Might) Want You: Expectations of Veterans' General Competence and Leadership."
"Situation Attribution Mediates Intention to Overlook Negative Signals Among Romantic Partners."
"Software Program, Bot, or Artificial Intelligence? Affective Sentiments across General Technology Labels"
"Privilege is Invisible to Those Who Have It": Some Evidence that Men Underestimate the Magnitude of Gender Differences in Income.
"Perceived Control and Intergroup Discrimination."
"Leadership, Gender, and Vocal Dynamics in Small Groups."
Taking Responsibility for an Offense: Being Forgiven Encourages More Personal Responsibility, More Empathy for the Victim, and Less Victim Blame.
Potential Factors Influencing Attitudes Toward Veterans Who Commit Crimes: An Experimental Investigation of PTSD in the Legal System.
"Is that Discrimination? I'd Better Report it!" Self-presentation Concerns Moderate the Prototype Effect.
Relation Between Attitudinal Trust and Behavioral Trust: An Exploratory Study
Comparing Groups' Affective Sentiments to Group Perceptions.
Perceived Autonomous Help and Recipients' Well-Being: Is Autonomous Help Good for Everyone.
S tudying Gay and Straight Males' Implicit Gender Attitudes to Understand Previously Found Gender Differences in Implicit In-Group Bias.
Nepotistic Preferences in a Computerized Trolley Problem.
Telecommuting, Primary Caregiving, and Gender as Status .
You're Either With Us or Against Us: In-Group Favoritism and Threat .
Impact of the Anticipation of Membership Change on Transactive Memory and Group Performance.
Mindfulness Increases Analytical Thought and Decreases Just World Beliefs .
Status, Performance Expectations, and Affective Impressions: An Experimental Replication.
The Effects of African-American Stereotype Fluency on Prejudicial Evaluation of Targets .
Status Characteristics and Self-Categoriation: A Bridge Across theoretical Traditions.
Why do Extraverts Feel More Positive Affect and Life Satisfaction? The Indirect Effects of Social Contribution and Sense of Power.
In-group Attachment and Glorification, Perceptions of Cognition-Based Ambivalence as Contributing to the Group, and Positive Affect.
Mentoring to Improve a Child's Self-Concept: Longitudinal Effects of Social Intervention on Identity and Negative Outcomes.
Affect, Emotion, and Cross-Cultural Differences in Moral Attributions.
The Effects of Counterfactual Thinking on College Students' Intentions to Quit Smoking Cigarettes .
Self-Enhancement, Self-Protection and Ingroup Bias.
The Moderating Effect of Socio-emotional Factors on the Relationship Between Status and Influence in Status Characteristics Theory.
What We Know About People Shapes the Inferences We Make About Their Personalities.
The Pros and Cons of Ingroup Ambivalence: The Moderating Roles of Attitudinal Basis and Individual Differences in Ingroup Attachment and Glorification.
Effects of Social Anxiety and Group Membership of Potential Affiliates on Social Reconnection After Ostracism.
"Yes, I Decide You Will Recieve Your Choice": Effects of Authoritative Agreement on Perceptions of Control.
Being Generous to Look Good: Perceived Stigma Increases Prosocial Behavior in Smokers.
Acting White? Black Young Adults Devalue Same-Race Targets for Demonstrating Positive-but-Stereotypically White Traits
Looking Up for Answers: Upward Gaze Increases Receptivity to Advice
Which Judgement Do Women Expect from a Female Observer When They Claim to be a Victim of Sexism?
Neighborhood Deterioration and Perceptions of Race
The Use of Covert and Overt Jealousy Tactics in Romantic Relationships: The Moderating Role of Relationship Satisfaction
The Impact of Status Differences on Gatekeeping: A Theoretical Bridge and Bases for Investigation
Reducing Prejudice with (Elaborated) Imagined and Physical Intergroup Contact Interverventions
Are Depressed Individuals More Susceptible to Cognitive Dissonance?
Gender Differences in the Need to Belong: Different Cognitive Representations of the Same Social Groups
Fight The Power: Comparing and Evaluating Two Measures of French and Raven's (1959) Bases of Social Power
Mother Knows Best So Mother Fails Most: Benevolent Stereotypes and the Punishment of Parenting Mistakes
Blame Attributions about Disloyalty
Attitudes Towards Muslims are More Favorable on a Survery than on an Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure
Attributions to Low Group Effort can Make You Feel Better: The Distinct Roles of In-group Identification, Legitimacy of Intergroup Status, and Controllability Perceptions
The Role of Collective and Personal Self-Esteem in a Military Context
On Bended Knee: Embodiment and Religious Judgments
Identity Salience and Identity Importance in Identity Theory
Sexist Humor and Beliefs that Justify Societal Sexism
Future-Oriented People Show Stronger Moral Concerns
Further Examining the Buffering Effect of Self-Esteem and Mastery on Emotions
Group-Based Resiliency: Contrasting the Negative Effects of Threat to the In-Group
You Validate Me, You Like Me, You're Fun, You Expand Me: "I'm Yours!"
Pleading Innocents: Laboratory Evidence of Plea Bargaining's Innocence Problem
The Moral Identity and Group Affiliation
Threat, Prejudice, and Stereotyping in the Context of Japanese, North Korean, and South Korean Intergroup Relations
Exams may be Dangerous to Grandpa's Health: How Inclusive Fitness Influences Students' Fraudulent Excuses
To View Archived CRISP Issues Click here
To View the Notice for Contributors Click here . Includes formatting and citation guidelines.
To View the Editorial Board Click here
Research Topics & Ideas: Psychology
100+ Psychology Topic Ideas To Fast-Track Your Research
If you’re starting out on the dissertation or thesis journey for your psychology degree, the very first challenge you’ll face is finding a solid research topic . In this post, we’ll help get the topic ideation process started by providing a meaty list of research ideas, spanning a range of psychology sub-disciplines. We’ll also look at some examples from actual theses and dissertations to give you an idea of what these look like in the real world.
NB – This is just the start…
The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps (which we’ll explain a little later). Therefore, it’s important to recognise that this post is only the first step in finding a high-quality psychology-centred research topic. To develop a research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan of action to fill that gap.
If this all sounds a bit intimidating, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course , which covers the process of writing a dissertation or thesis from A-Z. You can also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to find a high-quality research topic. Alternatively, if you’d like hands-on help, have a look at our 1-on-1 coaching service .
Overview: Psychology-Related Topics
- How to find a research topic (video)
- Behavioural psychology
- Clinical psychology
- Cognitive psychology
- Developmental psychology
- Educational psychology
- Forensic psychology
- Social psychology
- Sports psychology
- Examples of actual dissertation topics
- Free Webinar : Topic Ideation 101
- Where to get extra help
How To Find A Research Topic
In the video below, we explain how to find suitable research ideas (in psychology or any field), and how to then refine those into well-articulated potential topics for your dissertation or thesis. We also discuss a few important evaluation criteria to help you make the right choice for your project.
Below you’ll find a list of research ideas to get your thinking started. Please note that these research topic ideas are intentionally broad and generic, so you will need to refine them a fair deal using the techniques we discussed in the video above.
We’ve grouped the topic ideas based on a few popular areas of psychology to make it a little easier for you to find something in your particular field of interest. That said, there is naturally some overlap between topics, so keep this in mind.
Research Ideas: Behavioural Psychology
- Cultural variation in behaviour and mental health of adolescents during a disaster: a case study
- The impact of parental drug use and risky behaviour on early child development
- The effects of video game violence on aggressive behaviour among teenage boys in school
- The relationship between adverse childhood experiences and adult risk-seeking behaviour
- The impact of physical exercise on anxiety and health-harming behaviour
- The relationship between personality traits and addiction behaviour
- The effects of reinforcement schedules on decision-making and associative learning
- The effects of daily mindfulness practice on stress and anxiety in middle-aged women
- The use of behavioural interventions in the treatment of eating disorders in poorer communities
- Understanding implicit cognitive processes involved in the over-consumption of fast food
- The use of cognitive behavioural therapy for alcohol addiction treatment
- The impact of extensive technology use in children on long-term attention and focus
- The impact of social media on self-destructive behaviour and poor mental health outcomes
- Exploring the role of sleep and sleep deprivation on healthy behaviours
Research Ideas: Clinical Psychology
- The use of mindfulness-based approaches in the treatment of anxiety disorders among college students
- The use of technology in the delivery of psychological services in war-torn countries
- The effectiveness of dialectical behaviour therapy for borderline personality disorder
- The use of virtual reality technology in the treatment of phobias and PTSD among war veterans
- The role of childhood adversity on adult mental health in immigrant populations in the USA
- The role of genetics and epigenetics in the development of bipolar disorder in Pakistani women: an integrative review
- The effectiveness of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of social anxiety among hikikomori in Japan
- The perception of healthcare workers and patients on the use of teletherapy for the delivery of psychological services
- The impact of social support on mental health outcomes among single parents.
- The effectiveness of integrative therapeutic approaches in the treatment of schizophrenia
- The effectiveness of trauma-focused therapies on post-traumatic growth in domestic abuse survivors
- The role and use of cognitive-behavioural therapy for depression among first-generation students
- The effectiveness of family therapy in addressing childhood trauma and depression
- The impact of cultural mistrust on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues in culturally-diverse populations
- The effectiveness of group therapy on post-traumatic stress symptoms among survivors of sexual assault
Research Ideas: Cognitive Psychology
- The impact of lifelong aerobic exercise on cognitive function in old age
- The effects of evening screen use on cognitive development in preschool children
- The impact of sleep deprivation on decision-making among graduate students
- The use of neuroimaging to understand the neural basis of memory retrieval
- The effect of conservative religious homes on social functioning in LGBT+ adolescents
- The role of positive emotions in working memory among high school learners
- The neural basis of decision-making and problem-solving during undergraduate statistic assessments
- The neural basis of language processing among adults learning English as a second language
- The role of technological tools in improving working memory in older adults
- The role of attention in emotional face processing among adult males
- The impact of depression on cognitive function during ageing The impact of daily meditation and mindfulness practice on cognitive function
- The relationship between increased protein intake and improved cognitive function
- The effects of stress on cognitive function among final-year learners
Research Ideas: Developmental Psychology
- The impact of maternal affection on cognitive, social, and emotional development
- The effects of parenting styles on children’s executive function
- The impact of late-night screen use on child development
- The role of digital play on child development outcomes
- Exploring the impact of poverty on early child development in Brazil
- The trauma-informed care as moderating the impact of trauma on child development
- Evaluating the relationship between peer relationship quality and child social development
- The impact of child-targeted media and advertising on child behavioural development
- The role of parental attachment in child resilience
- The moderating impact of culture on bullying and child social development
- The impact of single-parenting on child development in India
- The impact of early educational interventions on child socio-emotional development
- The impact of digital technology use on adolescent development and mental health
- The impact of socioeconomic status on child executive function
- The role of genetics and epigenetics on child neurodevelopmental outcomes linked to depression
Need a helping hand?
Research Ideas: Educational Psychology
- The relationship between self-regulated learning and academic performance in asynchronous versus synchronous learning environments
- Exploring effective parental involvement strategies and their impact on student achievement
- The role of intrinsic motivation in formative assessment in the classroom
- The impact of classroom management and practice on student learning and behaviour
- University students’ preference regarding online learning environments
- The effects of gentrification on student achievement in traditionally poor neighbourhoods
- The impact of teacher expectations and academic self-concept on K12 student mathematics performance
- The use and effectiveness of game-based learning in a high school biology classroom
- The impact of prejudice on the relationship between student motivation and academic performance among Black university students
- The impact of culture on second language English student learning preferences
- The effects of student self-efficacy and engagement on academic performance in secondary school mathematics
- The role of metacognition in learning musicality in hip hop
- The role of small group instruction on teacher efficacy and stress in early childhood education
- The perception and use of multimedia among high school biology teachers in France
- The use of augmented reality applications and its impact on student learning, motivation and attitude
Research Ideas: Forensic Psychology
- The impact of trauma on the psychological functioning of police officers and first responders
- Understanding cultural considerations during forensic psychological assessment and treatment of trauma
- Ethical considerations of the use of AI in forensic psychology in the legal system
- The psychological factors related to recidivism among white collar female offenders in the USA
- The psychological factors related to false confessions among juveniles
- Understanding the use of psychological assessment in the evaluation of eyewitness testimony in criminal courts in England
- The impact of trauma on the reflective functioning of adult female sexual assault victims
- The use and effectiveness of psychological interventions in reducing recidivism among non-violent criminals
- The impact of domestic violence on the mental health and forensic evaluation of men
- Exploring the ethical considerations and use of behavioural analysis in the study of criminal behaviour
- The use and limitations of neuropsychological assessment in forensic evaluations
- The use of social media forensics in evaluating criminal behaviour in violent crimes
- The racialised use of psychological assessment in the evaluation of competency to stand trial in Canada
- Exploring the use and availability of virtual reality technologies in forensic psychology in Spain
- The impact of motivational interviewing-based interventions among criminalized drug users
Research Ideas: Social Psychology
- The impact of prejudice and discrimination on social behaviour among African immigrants in South Africa
- The impact of social networks on behaviour and well-being among young adult females
- The effects of social identity on non-conformity in University students
- The effects of group dynamics on risk-seeking behaviour in adult men
- The impact of social media on the quality of interpersonal relationships among high school learners
- The impact of parental emotional intelligence on pro-social behaviour in children and adolescents
- The effects of conformity and deviance on social attitudes and behaviour during a global recession
- The effects of Tik Tok on social comparison and self-esteem among teenage girls
- Understanding gendered differences in social influence and algorithms on impulsive decision-making
- The effects of social support on mental health among healthcare workers in the UK
- The effects of gender roles on social behaviour among trans teens
- The impact of perceived power and social status on the behaviour of social media influencers
- The impact of social norms on prosocial behaviour among women
- The effects of community participation on aggression and violence in middle-aged men
- The impact of culture and gender on social behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic
Research Ideas: Sports Psychology
- The moderating role of cultural factors on the relationship between mental health and sports performance in team sports
- The role of mindfulness practice in addressing stress and anxiety in young national athletes
- The relationship between team cohesion and performance in cricket teams
- The effect of transformational leadership on female sports teams in Canada
- The effect of positive self-talk on athletic performance and motivation among Olympic athletes
- The use and perception of hypnosis in New Zealand team sports Understanding stress and burnout in University team athletes
- The efficacy of personalised nutrition and diet on athletic performance among sprinters
- Exploring mental preparation techniques and their effect on athletic motivation and resilience among team-sport athletes
- Exploring the perception and understanding of goal-setting characteristics on athletic performance among team coaches
- The effects of motivational feedback on the performance of female gymnasts
- The perception and use of visualization and imagery among coaches as a means to enhance sport performance
- The impact of sports injuries on mental health and recovery in high school athletes
- The moderating role of sleep on mental toughness and sports performance in Olympic athletes
- The use and perception of technology in sports training and performance in little league softball
Psychology-Related Dissertations & Theses
While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic in psychology, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together in practice.
Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various psychology degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.
- Effects of a Patient Question Prompt List on Outpatient Palliative Care Appointments (McDarby, 2022)
- The role of affect and exercise goals in physical activity engagement in younger and older adults (Stojanovic, 2022)
- Lay Theories about Whether Emotion Helps or Hinders Reasoning and Well-being (Karnaze, 2022)
- The effects of blast-induced traumatic brain injury on two transgenic models of Alzheimer’s Disease (Gann, 2020)
- Understanding the parental mind: Examining the stability of parental reflective functioning across the birth of a child and associations with maternal mind-mindedness (Pitzen, 2021)
- An investigation of ineffective ally behaviours (Collier, 2019)
- Response Inhibition-Related Beta Power: Distinguishing Cognitively Intact Elders by Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease (Evans, 2021)
- Recognition Memory of Extremely High-Frequency Words (Miller, 2019)
- The Relationship between Dementia Caregiver Burden and Caregiver Communications in a Memory Clinic Setting (Martin, 2021)
- Examination of Maternal Versus Paternal Ratings of Child Pre-Injury Functioning in Predicting Child Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms (Sayer, 2021)
- Electromyography As A Means of Predicting The Rubber Hand Illusion (Teaford, 2021)
- Linking Diversity Climate and Feedback Seeking Through Interpersonal Processes and Race Effects (Flores, 2021)
Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are far more specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. This is an important thing to keep in mind as you develop your own research topic. That is to say, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.
Fast-Track Your Topic Ideation
Still unsure about how to find the right topic for your research project? Check out our private coaching services , where we work with psychology students on a 1:1 basis to help them find the perfect topic.
You Might Also Like:
10 Comments
Great insight
A very interesting site that offers a variety of options regarding research topics.
You’re most welcome
A good platform to get information
Amazing and interesting options 👌
Very useful but had not any field of research in health psychology
I feel honored going through this lovely stuff put together. Thank you so much
I need counseling psychology research topics
very empowering and insightful presentations. Can I be assisted in crafting a school psychology-related research topic about African context
Submit a Comment Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
- Print Friendly
- How it works
Useful Links
How much will your dissertation cost?
Have an expert academic write your dissertation paper!
Dissertation Services
Get unlimited topic ideas and a dissertation plan for just £45.00
Order topics and plan
Get 1 free topic in your area of study with aim and justification
Yes I want the free topic
35 Best Social Psychology Dissertation Topics
Published by Carmen Troy at January 2nd, 2023 , Revised On August 11, 2023
A dissertation or a thesis paper is the fundamental prerequisite to the degree programme, irrespective of your academic discipline. The field of social psychology is not different.
When working on the dissertation, the students must demonstrate what they wish to accomplish with their study. They must be authentic with their ideas and solutions to achieve the highest possible academic grade.
A dissertation in social psychology should examine the influence others have on people’s behaviour. This is because the interaction of people in different groups is the main focus of the discipline. Social connections in person are the main focus of social psychology and therefore your chosen social psychology topic should be based on a real-life social experience or phenomenon.
Also read: Sociology dissertation topics
We have compiled a list of the top social psychology dissertation topics to help you get started.
List of Social Psychology Dissertation Topics
- What impact do priming’s automatic effects have on complex behaviour in everyday life?
- The social intuitionist model examines the role that emotion and reason play in moral decision-making.
- Examine the lasting effects of cognitive dissonance.
- What psychological consequences does spanking have on kids?
- Describe the consequences and root causes of childhood attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Explain the causes of antisocial behaviour in young people.
- Discuss infants’ early warning symptoms of mental disease.
- List the main factors that young adults most commonly experience; increased stress and depression.
- Describe several forms of torture in detail, emphasising how they affect children’s minds and adult lives.
- Describe the impact of violent video games and music on a child’s development.
- Talk about how the family influences early non-verbal communication in infants.
- Examine the scope and persistence of the variables influencing the impact of automatic priming on social behaviour.
- What does this mean for upholding one’s integrity and comprehending interpersonal relationships?
- Examine the connection between loneliness and enduring health issues.
- Identify several approaches to measuring older people’s social networks.
- Compare and contrast the types of social networks, housing, and elderly people’s health across time.
- The primary causes of young people’s moral decline are social influences. Discuss.
- Discuss what has improved our understanding of social psychology using examples from social psychology theories.
- What are the socio-psychological reasons and consequences of drinking alcohol?
- What makes some persons more attractive in social situations?
- Discuss how culture affects a society’s ability to be cohesive and united.
- Discuss how a person’s career affects their social standing in society.
- What psychological effects might long-term caregiving have?
- How ddoesa leader’s relationship and followers change under charismatic leadership?
- Discuss the tactics that support and thwart interpersonal harmony using the group identity theory as your foundation.
- Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of intimate cross-cultural relationships.
- Examine and clarify the socio-psychological components of cults using examples.
- Discuss how sociocultural perceptions have an impact on socio-psychology.
- How has technology affected communication and interpersonal relationships?
- What part does religion play in bringing people together?
- Describe the socio-psychological impacts of dense population and crowded living.
- What are the effects of a child’s introverted personality on others?
- Explain how carelessness on the part of parents and childhood obesity are related.
- Study the psychological, moral, and legal ramifications of adoption.
- What are the corrective and preventative steps that can stop child abuse?
Note: Along with free dissertation topics , ResearchProspect also provide top-notch dissertation writing services at the best price to ease the excessive study load.
Hire a Dissertation Writer
Orders completed by our expert writers are
- Formally drafted in an academic style
- Free Amendments and 100% Plagiarism Free – or your money back!
- 100% Confidential and Timely Delivery!
- Free anti-plagiarism report
- Appreciated by thousands of clients. Check client reviews
Choosing social psychology dissertation topics can be frustrating. We have provided you with original dissertation topic suggestions to aid you in developing a thought-provoking and worthwhile dissertation for your degree.
If you need help with the complete dissertation writing process, you may want to additionally read about our proposal writing service and the full dissertation writing service .
Free Dissertation Topic
Phone Number
Academic Level Select Academic Level Undergraduate Graduate PHD
Academic Subject
Area of Research
Frequently Asked Questions
How to find social psychology dissertation topics.
To discover social psychology dissertation topics:
- Explore recent research in journals.
- Investigate real-world social issues.
- Examine psychological theories.
- Consider cultural influences.
- Brainstorm topics aligned with your passion.
- Aim for novelty and significance in your chosen area.
You May Also Like
Are you having trouble finding a good music dissertation topic? If so, don’t fret! We have compiled a list of the best music dissertation topics for your convenience.
Need interesting and manageable fashion and culture dissertation topics or thesis? Here are the trending fashion and culture dissertation titles so you can choose the most suitable one.
Need interesting and manageable project management dissertation topics? Here are the trending project management dissertation titles so you can choose the most suitable one.
USEFUL LINKS
LEARNING RESOURCES
COMPANY DETAILS
- How It Works
- Skip to main content
- Skip to primary sidebar
IResearchNet
Interpersonal Relationships Research Topics
In interpersonal relationships, two participants are interdependent, where the behavior of each affects the outcomes of the other. Additionally, the individuals interact with each other in a series of interactions that are interrelated and affect each other. Individuals form many different kinds of relationships with other people, some of which are intimate and close (e.g., parent–child, spouse–spouse, friendships) and others which are not intimate and close (e.g., neighbor, teacher–student). Most of the research on interpersonal relationships has focused on those relationships that are close, intimate, and have high interdependence. In an influential book, Kelley and colleagues (1983) define a close relationship as one that is strong, frequent, and with diverse interdependence that lasts over a considerable period of time. In sociology, although the classic distinction between primary and secondary relationships has been expanded in the public realm (fleeting, routinized, quasi-primary, and intimate secondary relationships), these close relationships (as described above) also can be categorized as primary groups, which provide support and nurture and socialize individuals to the norms of society. Read more about Interpersonal Relationships .
Interpersonal Relationships Research Topics:
- Close Relationships
- Communal Relationships
- Companionate Love
- Complementarity
- Dependence Regulation
- Empathic Accuracy
- Exchange Relationships
- Forgiveness
- Interpersonal Cognition
- Intimate Partner Violence
- Marital Satisfaction
- Matching Hypothesis
- Need to Belong
- Nonverbal Cues
- Propinquity
- Romantic Love
- Romantic Secrecy
- Sexual Desire
- Similarity-Attraction Effect
- Social Exclusion
- Social Support
- Social Value Orientation
- Transactive Memory
- Unrequited Love
Future Directions in Interpersonal Relationships Research
Return to Social Psychology Topics list.
Research Topics
Cutting-edge research into the workings of the human mind
Our faculty conducts scientific research on topics that span across all areas of psychology. Some themes of research concentration are listed below. Click the topics to see the list of department faculty associated with each theme.
Addictive Behaviors
Computational Approaches
Decision Science
Developmental Approaches
Interventions
Learning & Memory
Mathematical Cognition
Meaning & Mental Representation
Motivation & Emotion
Neuroimaging
Plasticity & Change
Psychopathology & Risk
Reasoning & Problem Solving
Self & Identity
Self-Regulation & Control
Social Cognition
Stereotyping & Stereotype Threat
Vision Science
Words & Categories
Psychology Headlines
From around the world.
- Could Artificial Intelligence Put an End to Animal Testing?
- Spain Applies to Join South Africa's Genocide Case Against Israel
- U.N. Chief Says World Is on "Highway to Climate Hell" As Record Heat Hits
- Palestinians Apply to Join U.N. Court Case Accusing Israel of Genocide
- Free AI Website Matches Patients with the Most Effective Antidepressant
- Admission Criteria for Graduate Psychology Programs Are Changing
- Climate Activist Defaces Monet Paining in Paris
- Impact of Psychology Association's Apology to Indigenous Peoples
Source: Psychology News Center
Find Your Life’s Fulfillment
In Love and Work
- Find a Therapist
Verified by Psychology Today
- Psychiatrists
- Treatment Centers
- Support Groups
Professionals
Therapists Sign Up | Login
Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist
Today’s essentials today’s essential reads.
How Old Is Too Old to Look Young?
Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on June 7, 2024 in Why Bad Looks Good
What do younger people think about your attempts to look more like them? Research has some interesting answers.
The New Fentanyl and Speedballing Crisis of 2024
Mark S. Gold M.D. on June 6, 2024 in Addiction Outlook
Smoking fentanyl and speedballing is a new dangerous trend. Newer overdose reversal protocols and recovery medications are needed while we try to improve access and initiation.
Conversations With Patients Who Have Died
Robert Kertzner M.D. on June 6, 2024 in The Intersections of Life
Personal Perspective: The experience of losing psychotherapy patients to medical illness can prompt imagined conversations to honor and remember their lives.
Connecting Dots That Don't Connect: Aberrant Salience
Jennifer Gerlach LCSW on June 6, 2024 in Beyond Mental Health
Aberrant salience is the identification of far-reaching relationships between pieces of information. It's a common experience underlying unusual thinking and obsession.
- Relationships
How the Big 5 Personality Traits Shape Romantic Success
Frank J. Ninivaggi M.D., DLF-A.P.A. on June 7, 2024 in Envy This!
Why the Big Five traits matter for couples.
How Much Should You Tell Your Kids About Adult Problems?
Robert Taibbi L.C.S.W. on June 7, 2024 in Fixing Families
Children and teens are naturally sensitive to their parent's world. The challenge is knowing how much or how little to say as a parent. Here are some guidelines.
Psychopharmacology
The normalization of anxiety medication: what is the impact.
Michele Leno Ph.D. on June 7, 2024 in Mind Matters
Psychological approaches to anxiety treatment have become more personalized and holistic as stigmas surrounding mental health have waned in recent years.
Emotion Regulation
Interpersonal emotional regulation in a digital world.
Phil Reed D.Phil. on June 7, 2024 in Digital World, Real World
Why digital communication may hurt emotional regulation strategies.
Climate Anxiety
Child mental health and climate change adaptation.
Ilan Kelman Ph.D. on June 7, 2024 in Disaster By Choice
A review of 160 national climate change adaptation policies found a complete absence of addressing child mental health.
Lighten Your (Cognitive) Load
Carlos Alós-Ferrer Ph.D. on June 7, 2024 in Decisions and the Brain
If you are always in a hurry and have too much on your mind, you might be setting yourself up for failure. Here is why and how to stop.
Harnessing the Power of Behavior to Feel Better
James Gross Ph.D. on June 7, 2024 in Feel Better
Learn how to harness your behavior to help you feel better, overcome burnout, depression, and anxiety, and get closer to living the life you want.
8 Questions to Ask Before Giving Up on Your Marriage
Melissa Orlov on June 7, 2024 in May I Have Your Attention
If you've been struggling in your relationship, you might wonder if you will ever be able to be happy again. But calling it quits is hard. Explore these questions first.
Assessing Suicidality: Beyond Issues of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on June 7, 2024 in Intersections
Accurate clinical information is needed for good decision-making about suicide.
Rekindling Love: How Deep Listening Can Rescue Relationship
Guy Itzchakov Ph.D. on June 7, 2024 in The Listening Lens
Discover how deep listening saved a marriage and reignited connection. Inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh, it's a tale of empathy and lasting love.
Why Does Making Friends Get Harder as We Age?
Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on June 7, 2024 in Invisible Bruises
While building friendships in childhood may have seemed effortless, many individuals find that making new friends becomes noticeably more difficult as they grow older.
The Process of Putting Yourself First
Justin Kompf Ph.D. on June 7, 2024 in A Practical Approach to Addressing Barriers to Physical Activity
Overcome the struggle of putting yourself first. Discover how ingrained emotions and identities might be holding you back from behavior change.
How to Promote Healthy Sleep Habits for Your Teen
Sue Scheff on June 7, 2024 in Shame Nation
Sleep is critical during the teenage years for emotional and physical health. Here are three ways to promote to improve young people's sleep and mental wellness.
Do You Fight, Take Flight, or Freeze?
Diane N Solomon Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, CNM (Ret.) on June 7, 2024 in The Narrative Nurse Practitioner
The fight-flight-or-freeze theory was developed in the early 1900s. Here's an update you need to know.
Neurodiversity
Creating a summertime routine for a neurodivergent child.
Lisa Sheinhouse M.A. on June 7, 2024 in Retrain Your Brain
With a bit of preparation, parents can successfully create and maintain a neurodivergent child's summertime routine.
Is Rebound Sex Good for You?
Building an Empowered Self Amid Identity Fluctuations
Steven Stosny, Ph.D. on June 7, 2024 in Anger in the Age of Entitlement
The most powerful identities are those that most accurately express the whole self.
Personal Perspectives
How my motorcycle crash improved my life.
Judith M. Ford MSW, MFA on June 7, 2024 in Close Calls and Narrow Escapes
My motorcycle crash affected more than just me when help came from unexpected places.
Dissociation Comes to the Rescue, or Does It?
Katherine Marshall Woods Psy.D. on June 7, 2024 in PsychMinded Set
Trauma can significantly affect an individual and family, particularly when culture and acculturation are involved, as shown in the film 'Safe Among Stars' (2019) by Jess X Snow.
Behind the Epidemic of Military Suicide
Amelia Kelley Ph.D. on June 7, 2024 in In Your Corner
Veterans are more at risk of suicide than the general public due to chronic stress as well as increased incidence of TBI. Resilience models and access to services are essential.
The Four Realms Versus the Four Planes of Existence
Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on June 7, 2024 in Theory of Knowledge
In The Four Realms of Existence, Joseph LeDoux frames being human as consisting of nested realms of biology, neurobiology, cognition, and consciousness.
How Pragmatics Informs Humor Theory
John Charles Simon on June 7, 2024 in Laughter and Humor 101
An interview with Dr. Salvatore Attardo, an expert in both pragmatics and humor, provides key insights into how context profoundly influences our appreciation of humorous stimuli.
When Anxiety Gets Physical
Jennifer Gerlach LCSW on June 7, 2024 in Beyond Mental Health
Anxiety and trauma have a variety of impacts on health and physical symptoms in both the short and long term. What can we do about it?
Artificial Intelligence
Sentient minds in the cloud, savant servants in your pocket.
John Nosta on June 7, 2024 in The Digital Self
Behind the curious bifurcation of LLM development.
Good Grief: What Polly the Parakeet Taught Us About Loss
Gina Vild on June 7, 2024 in A Buoyant Life
Learning to grieve is a life skill as necessary as learning to tie your shoe.
Spirituality
What if you are what you’ve been searching for.
Nancy Colier LCSW, Rev. on June 7, 2024 in Inviting a Monkey to Tea
Personal Perspective: We spend our lives searching for what we think we're missing, but it turns out that what we thought we were missing was ourselves all along.
The Power of Metaphor in OCD Treatment
Michael Alcee Ph.D. on June 7, 2024 in Live Life Creatively
Talk therapy doesn't have to be a bad word for OCD. The use of metaphor can make all the difference.
Why Is It So Hard to Talk With Someone Who Is Grieving?
Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on June 6, 2024 in Facing Life's Challenges
Being with someone who is grieving is an inevitable part of life and it is a gift to your child to guide them in how to navigate this experience.
Is a Summer Fling Good for Your Health?
Lindsay Weisner Psy.D. on June 6, 2024 in The Venn Diagram Life
Can a casual fling damage your self-esteem in the long run?
Ethics and Morality
Can you be a hero.
Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on June 6, 2024 in Am I Right?
Risking yourself for the sake of helping a stranger under the right circumstances is the prerequisite of a good society.
- Find a Treatment Center
- Find a Psychiatrist
- Find a Support Group
- Find Online Therapy
- United States
- Brooklyn, NY
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
- New York, NY
- Portland, OR
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Washington, DC
- Asperger's
- Bipolar Disorder
- Chronic Pain
- Eating Disorders
- Passive Aggression
- Personality
- Goal Setting
- Positive Psychology
- Stopping Smoking
- Low Sexual Desire
- Child Development
- Self Tests NEW
- Therapy Center
- Diagnosis Dictionary
- Types of Therapy
At any moment, someone’s aggravating behavior or our own bad luck can set us off on an emotional spiral that threatens to derail our entire day. Here’s how we can face our triggers with less reactivity so that we can get on with our lives.
- Emotional Intelligence
- Gaslighting
- Affective Forecasting
- Neuroscience
- Bipolar Disorder
- Therapy Center
- When To See a Therapist
- Types of Therapy
- Best Online Therapy
- Best Couples Therapy
- Best Family Therapy
- Managing Stress
- Sleep and Dreaming
- Understanding Emotions
- Self-Improvement
- Healthy Relationships
- Student Resources
- Personality Types
- Guided Meditations
- Verywell Mind Insights
- 2024 Verywell Mind 25
- Mental Health in the Classroom
- Editorial Process
- Meet Our Review Board
- Crisis Support
50+ Research Topics for Psychology Papers
How to Find Psychology Research Topics for Your Student Paper
Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."
Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.
- Specific Branches of Psychology
- Topics Involving a Disorder or Type of Therapy
- Human Cognition
- Human Development
- Critique of Publications
- Famous Experiments
- Historical Figures
- Specific Careers
- Case Studies
- Literature Reviews
- Your Own Study/Experiment
Are you searching for a great topic for your psychology paper ? Sometimes it seems like coming up with topics of psychology research is more challenging than the actual research and writing. Fortunately, there are plenty of great places to find inspiration and the following list contains just a few ideas to help get you started.
Finding a solid topic is one of the most important steps when writing any type of paper. It can be particularly important when you are writing a psychology research paper or essay. Psychology is such a broad topic, so you want to find a topic that allows you to adequately cover the subject without becoming overwhelmed with information.
I can always tell when a student really cares about the topic they chose; it comes through in the writing. My advice is to choose a topic that genuinely interests you, so you’ll be more motivated to do thorough research.
In some cases, such as in a general psychology class, you might have the option to select any topic from within psychology's broad reach. Other instances, such as in an abnormal psychology course, might require you to write your paper on a specific subject such as a psychological disorder.
As you begin your search for a topic for your psychology paper, it is first important to consider the guidelines established by your instructor.
Research Topics Within Specific Branches of Psychology
The key to selecting a good topic for your psychology paper is to select something that is narrow enough to allow you to really focus on the subject, but not so narrow that it is difficult to find sources or information to write about.
One approach is to narrow your focus down to a subject within a specific branch of psychology. For example, you might start by deciding that you want to write a paper on some sort of social psychology topic. Next, you might narrow your focus down to how persuasion can be used to influence behavior .
Other social psychology topics you might consider include:
- Prejudice and discrimination (i.e., homophobia, sexism, racism)
- Social cognition
- Person perception
- Social control and cults
- Persuasion, propaganda, and marketing
- Attraction, romance, and love
- Nonverbal communication
- Prosocial behavior
Psychology Research Topics Involving a Disorder or Type of Therapy
Exploring a psychological disorder or a specific treatment modality can also be a good topic for a psychology paper. Some potential abnormal psychology topics include specific psychological disorders or particular treatment modalities, including:
- Eating disorders
- Borderline personality disorder
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Antisocial personality disorder
- Profile a type of therapy (i.e., cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, psychoanalytic therapy)
Topics of Psychology Research Related to Human Cognition
Some of the possible topics you might explore in this area include thinking, language, intelligence, and decision-making. Other ideas might include:
- False memories
- Speech disorders
- Problem-solving
Topics of Psychology Research Related to Human Development
In this area, you might opt to focus on issues pertinent to early childhood such as language development, social learning, or childhood attachment or you might instead opt to concentrate on issues that affect older adults such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Some other topics you might consider include:
- Language acquisition
- Media violence and children
- Learning disabilities
- Gender roles
- Child abuse
- Prenatal development
- Parenting styles
- Aspects of the aging process
Do a Critique of Publications Involving Psychology Research Topics
One option is to consider writing a critique paper of a published psychology book or academic journal article. For example, you might write a critical analysis of Sigmund Freud's Interpretation of Dreams or you might evaluate a more recent book such as Philip Zimbardo's The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil .
Professional and academic journals are also great places to find materials for a critique paper. Browse through the collection at your university library to find titles devoted to the subject that you are most interested in, then look through recent articles until you find one that grabs your attention.
Topics of Psychology Research Related to Famous Experiments
There have been many fascinating and groundbreaking experiments throughout the history of psychology, providing ample material for students looking for an interesting term paper topic. In your paper, you might choose to summarize the experiment, analyze the ethics of the research, or evaluate the implications of the study. Possible experiments that you might consider include:
- The Milgram Obedience Experiment
- The Stanford Prison Experiment
- The Little Albert Experiment
- Pavlov's Conditioning Experiments
- The Asch Conformity Experiment
- Harlow's Rhesus Monkey Experiments
Topics of Psychology Research About Historical Figures
One of the simplest ways to find a great topic is to choose an interesting person in the history of psychology and write a paper about them. Your paper might focus on many different elements of the individual's life, such as their biography, professional history, theories, or influence on psychology.
While this type of paper may be historical in nature, there is no need for this assignment to be dry or boring. Psychology is full of fascinating figures rife with intriguing stories and anecdotes. Consider such famous individuals as Sigmund Freud, B.F. Skinner, Harry Harlow, or one of the many other eminent psychologists .
Psychology Research Topics About a Specific Career
Another possible topic, depending on the course in which you are enrolled, is to write about specific career paths within the field of psychology . This type of paper is especially appropriate if you are exploring different subtopics or considering which area interests you the most.
In your paper, you might opt to explore the typical duties of a psychologist, how much people working in these fields typically earn, and the different employment options that are available.
Topics of Psychology Research Involving Case Studies
One potentially interesting idea is to write a psychology case study of a particular individual or group of people. In this type of paper, you will provide an in-depth analysis of your subject, including a thorough biography.
Generally, you will also assess the person, often using a major psychological theory such as Piaget's stages of cognitive development or Erikson's eight-stage theory of human development . It is also important to note that your paper doesn't necessarily have to be about someone you know personally.
In fact, many professors encourage students to write case studies on historical figures or fictional characters from books, television programs, or films.
Psychology Research Topics Involving Literature Reviews
Another possibility that would work well for a number of psychology courses is to do a literature review of a specific topic within psychology. A literature review involves finding a variety of sources on a particular subject, then summarizing and reporting on what these sources have to say about the topic.
Literature reviews are generally found in the introduction of journal articles and other psychology papers , but this type of analysis also works well for a full-scale psychology term paper.
Topics of Psychology Research Based on Your Own Study or Experiment
Many psychology courses require students to design an actual psychological study or perform some type of experiment. In some cases, students simply devise the study and then imagine the possible results that might occur. In other situations, you may actually have the opportunity to collect data, analyze your findings, and write up your results.
Finding a topic for your study can be difficult, but there are plenty of great ways to come up with intriguing ideas. Start by considering your own interests as well as subjects you have studied in the past.
Online sources, newspaper articles, books , journal articles, and even your own class textbook are all great places to start searching for topics for your experiments and psychology term papers. Before you begin, learn more about how to conduct a psychology experiment .
What This Means For You
After looking at this brief list of possible topics for psychology papers, it is easy to see that psychology is a very broad and diverse subject. While this variety makes it possible to find a topic that really catches your interest, it can sometimes make it very difficult for some students to select a good topic.
If you are still stumped by your assignment, ask your instructor for suggestions and consider a few from this list for inspiration.
- Hockenbury, SE & Nolan, SA. Psychology. New York: Worth Publishers; 2014.
- Santrock, JW. A Topical Approach to Lifespan Development. New York: McGraw-Hill Education; 2016.
By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."
Lost in lockdown: Study reveals feeling isolated from others can warp our perception of time
Feelings of loneliness and social isolation during the pandemic left many people confused about the order of events and struggling to remember what day of the week it was, a new study reveals.
The research, from the University of York, looked at the psychological impact of the pandemic, which spread to the UK in March 2020, through the lens of disorientation.
The researchers asked more than 3,300 French participants nearly 60 questions analysing the psychological effects of lockdowns. The survey took place during an acute phase of restrictions when there was a lockdown followed by a strict curfew.
The findings reveal both social and temporal disorientation -- a sensation of disarray in social interactions and sense of time -- was common.
Many participants in the study described feeling out of place and unsure how to behave in social situations.They also reported experiencing a blurring of time and feeling adrift as they struggled to keep track of events prior to the pandemic as well as what day of the week it was. The difficulty also extended onwards in time. Participants found it harder to imagine what lay ahead, and they felt more anxious and less in control of their future.
The researchers found that people who felt disconnected socially were highly likely to also experience temporal disorientation. Their analysis of the study data suggested a causal relationship between the two, with social isolation leading to disruptions in the experience of time.
Dr Pablo Fernandez Velasco, a British Academy postdoctoral fellow at the University of York, and the lead author of the study, said: "We found that social disorientation was a strong predictor of temporal disorientation and it looks likely that there was a causal relationship between the two. Feeling lonely and isolated from others seems to warp our perception of time, with a sense of feeling lost and confused spanning the past, present and future.
"Many people in our society, across all groups and demographics, suffer from loneliness. The findings of our study reinforce the importance for public authorities to address the compounding effect of feeling isolated both during crises and in day to day life."
The researchers found that young people under 25 were the age group most affected by feelings of disorientation.
The researchers suggest their findings point to a new phenomenon which they call "temporal rupture" which is like a fault line in our minds separating the "before" and "after" of the pandemic.
Dr Fernandez Velasco added: "Our study shows that the sense of a rift separating time before and time after the pandemic was a common experience during the Covid-19 crisis.
"The larger the experienced rift between pre-pandemic and pandemic times, the more disorientated people felt.
"The personal accounts collected in our study help advance the understanding of the potential impacts of feelings of loneliness and isolation via the extraordinary experiences of the pandemic."
- COVID and SARS
- Infectious Diseases
- Social Psychology
- Relationships
- Spirituality
- Influenza pandemic
- Hallucination
- Environmental impact assessment
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of York . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference :
- Pablo Fernandez Velasco, Bastien Perroy, Umer Gurchani, Roberto Casati. Social and temporal disorientation during the Covid‐19 pandemic: An analysis of 3306 responses to a quantitative questionnaire . British Journal of Psychology , 2024; DOI: 10.1111/bjop.12704
Cite This Page :
Explore More
- 'Missing' Early Sea Sponges Discovered
- Younger Classmates Diagnosed With ADHD
- Upending Theory of Milky Way Formation
- Black Holes a Byproduct of Dark Matter?
- Marine Cyanobacteria Can Communicate
- 'Tweezer-Like' Bionic Tools Feel Right
- Odd Planet-Forming Disks Around Low-Mass Stars
- Toward Blood Stem Cell Self-Renewal
- Restored Hearing and Speech in Kids Born Deaf
- Babies and AI Both Learn Key Foundation Models
Trending Topics
Strange & offbeat.
What Is The Difference Between Sociology And Psychology
Julia Simkus
Editor at Simply Psychology
BA (Hons) Psychology, Princeton University
Julia Simkus is a graduate of Princeton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is currently studying for a Master's Degree in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness in September 2023. Julia's research has been published in peer reviewed journals.
Learn about our Editorial Process
Saul Mcleod, PhD
Editor-in-Chief for Simply Psychology
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester
Saul Mcleod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
Sociology and psychology are closely related disciplines that complement each other in understanding human behavior and social phenomena.
Psychology studies the mind of an individual to understand human behavior and social and emotional reactions. In contrast, sociology looks beyond individuals and studies society, social behavior, and social institutions.
Sociology provides a broader perspective by examining the influence of social structures, cultural norms, and societal factors on individuals and groups. It investigates how social interactions, institutions, and systems shape behavior, beliefs, and identities.
Psychology focuses on the individual level, studying the internal processes, cognitive functioning, emotions, and motivations that drive behavior. It explores how individual experiences, personality traits, and mental processes contribute to social interactions and influence societal outcomes.
Both disciplines share a common interest in understanding human behavior, albeit from different angles. They often intersect in areas such as social psychology , which explores the interplay between individual psychology and social influences, and in studying topics like group dynamics, social cognition, and identity formation.
Differences Between Psychology and Sociology
- Psychology is the study of the emotions and behavior of an individual whereas sociologists look beyond the individual to examine societal institutions and groups of people.
- Psychologists typically need to pass a test to become licensed, while sociologists have no licensing requirements.
- Psychologists can diagnose and treat mental health disorders whereas sociologists cannot.
- Psychologists must understand basic medical science, such as the biological processes of the brain, whereas sociologists must have a strong understanding of social theory and public policy.
- Sociologists tend to work in social work, social justice, and social services while psychologists are usually better equipped to work in human resources, health clinics, or counseling.
Similarities Between Psychology and Sociology
- Both psychology and sociology are social sciences that involve the study of human thought processes and behaviors.
- Both fields are concerned with improving people’s lives and bettering society.
- Both professions utilize communication, interpersonal, analytical, research, listening, observational, and problem-solving skills.
- Both psychology and sociology degrees are versatile and can lead to a wide range of career opportunities.
What is Psychology?
According to the American Psychological Association, psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior of individual people. Psychologists aim to understand the mental processes behind the behavior of individuals, or groups.
They study the mind, how it works, and how it affects behavior. Psychologists focus on social and emotional factors like anger, intelligence, aging, anxiety, depression, and stress.
What You Study in Psychology
Psychologists look into the cognitive and emotional processes of individuals and try to understand how they influence human behavior.
Coursework in psychology might include topics such as human development, psychopathology, statistics, mental illness, and personality.
Psychologists are involved in research such as cognition, attention, emotion, brain functioning, motivation, and perception.
There are a number of specific disciplines within the field of psychology that students can study including behavioral neuroscience, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, quantitative psychology, and abnormal psychology.
Career Paths in Psychology
Similarly, there is a plethora of potential careers that someone with a psychology degree can pursue.
Psychologists can work in outpatient facilities or offices, either as an individual practitioner in a private practice or as part of a group practice.
They can also work in hospitals, health clinics, schools and universities, sports teams, rehabilitation centers, or for large corporations as organizational psychologists.
While many psychologists are involved in some kind of therapeutic role, such as practicing psychotherapy in clinical, counseling, or school settings, other psychologists conduct scientific research in academic settings on a variety of topics relating to mental processes and behavior.
What is Sociology?
Sociology is a social science that studies human social relationships and institutions. Sociology looks past individual differences to examine groups of people – families, nations, companies, communities, etc.
Sociologists strive to understand how human action and consciousness are shaped by surrounding cultural and social structures.
Sociologists are concerned with people’s reactions to certain physical characteristics and how these reactions affect individuals in society.
Sociology’s subject matter can range from the social causes and consequences of love, racial and gender identity, family conflict, aging, poverty, crime, and religious faith to phenomena such as population growth and migration, war and peace, and economic development.
What You Study in Sociology
Sociologists try to answer questions about current social issues and learn about the ways diverse communities interact with each other.
Coursework in sociology might focus on globalization, race and ethnicity, diversity and inequality, methods of research, and social problems.
The research methods sociologists use are varied but include conducting large-scale surveys, interpreting historical documents, analyzing census data, studying video-taped interactions, interviewing participants of groups, or conducting laboratory experiments.
Students learn to think critically about human social life and know how to help others understand the way the social world works.
Career Paths in Sociology
Careers in sociology are essentially limitless. Sociologists can be employed by research institutes, criminal justice systems, public health and welfare organizations, private businesses, law firms, international agencies, medical centers, educational institutions, advertising firms, and more.
They often work as social researchers, case workers, paralegals, public relations workers, administrators, community organizers, public policy researchers, or data analysts.
According to the American Sociological Association, about a quarter of those with a bachelor’s degree in sociology work in social services, as either counselors or psychologists.
Prout, T. (2021, June 24). Sociology vs. psychology. National University. Retrieved from https://www.nu.edu/resources/sociology-vs-psychology/
Saint Leo University. (2015, December 17). Psychology vs. sociology: What’s the difference? Saint Leo University. Retrieved from https://www.saintleo.edu/blog/online-psychology-degree-vs.-sociology-what-s-the-difference-infographic
University of North Carolina. (n.d.). What is sociology? Department of Sociology. Retrieved from https://sociology.unc.edu/undergraduate-program/sociology-major/what-is-sociology/
What is the difference between ethnomethodology and sociology?
Sociology encompasses broad studies of social interactions and structures, including the symbolic interactionism framework that focuses on interpersonal symbols and meanings.
Ethnomethodology , a subset of sociology, specifically examines the daily methods people use to perceive and construct social reality, diverging from broader sociological analyses.
Related Articles
Social Science
Hard Determinism: Philosophy & Examples (Does Free Will Exist?)
Functions of Attitude Theory
Understanding Conformity: Normative vs. Informational Social Influence
Social Control Theory of Crime
Emotions , Mood , Social Science
Emotional Labor: Definition, Examples, Types, and Consequences
Famous Experiments , Social Science
Solomon Asch Conformity Line Experiment Study
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Read our research on:
Full Topic List
Regions & Countries
Publications
- Our Methods
- Short Reads
- Tools & Resources
Read Our Research On:
Internet & Technology
6 facts about americans and tiktok.
62% of U.S. adults under 30 say they use TikTok, compared with 39% of those ages 30 to 49, 24% of those 50 to 64, and 10% of those 65 and older.
Many Americans think generative AI programs should credit the sources they rely on
Americans’ use of chatgpt is ticking up, but few trust its election information, whatsapp and facebook dominate the social media landscape in middle-income nations, sign up for our internet, science, and tech newsletter.
New findings, delivered monthly
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in the U.S.
64% of Americans live within 2 miles of a public electric vehicle charging station, and those who live closest to chargers view EVs more positively.
When Online Content Disappears
A quarter of all webpages that existed at one point between 2013 and 2023 are no longer accessible.
A quarter of U.S. teachers say AI tools do more harm than good in K-12 education
High school teachers are more likely than elementary and middle school teachers to hold negative views about AI tools in education.
Teens and Video Games Today
85% of U.S. teens say they play video games. They see both positive and negative sides, from making friends to harassment and sleep loss.
Americans’ Views of Technology Companies
Most Americans are wary of social media’s role in politics and its overall impact on the country, and these concerns are ticking up among Democrats. Still, Republicans stand out on several measures, with a majority believing major technology companies are biased toward liberals.
22% of Americans say they interact with artificial intelligence almost constantly or several times a day. 27% say they do this about once a day or several times a week.
About one-in-five U.S. adults have used ChatGPT to learn something new (17%) or for entertainment (17%).
Across eight countries surveyed in Latin America, Africa and South Asia, a median of 73% of adults say they use WhatsApp and 62% say they use Facebook.
5 facts about Americans and sports
About half of Americans (48%) say they took part in organized, competitive sports in high school or college.
REFINE YOUR SELECTION
Research teams, signature reports.
The State of Online Harassment
Roughly four-in-ten Americans have experienced online harassment, with half of this group citing politics as the reason they think they were targeted. Growing shares face more severe online abuse such as sexual harassment or stalking
Parenting Children in the Age of Screens
Two-thirds of parents in the U.S. say parenting is harder today than it was 20 years ago, with many citing technologies – like social media or smartphones – as a reason.
Dating and Relationships in the Digital Age
From distractions to jealousy, how Americans navigate cellphones and social media in their romantic relationships.
Americans and Privacy: Concerned, Confused and Feeling Lack of Control Over Their Personal Information
Majorities of U.S. adults believe their personal data is less secure now, that data collection poses more risks than benefits, and that it is not possible to go through daily life without being tracked.
Americans and ‘Cancel Culture’: Where Some See Calls for Accountability, Others See Censorship, Punishment
Social media fact sheet, digital knowledge quiz, video: how do americans define online harassment.
1615 L St. NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20036 USA (+1) 202-419-4300 | Main (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax (+1) 202-419-4372 | Media Inquiries
Research Topics
- Email Newsletters
ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .
© 2024 Pew Research Center
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Choose a Sub-Topic. Social psychologists are interested in all aspects of social behavior. Some of the main areas of interest within the field include social cognition, social influence, and social relationships investigating subtopics such as conformity, groupthink, attitude formation, obedience, prejudice, and so on.
Social psychology is a vast and multifaceted discipline, encompassing an array of topics that illuminate the complexities of human behavior. These topics span the breadth of human interactions, attitudes, and group dynamics, providing valuable insights into the intricacies of our social world. Some of the key areas of focus within social ...
Social influence: Social influence refers to the ways in which our opinions and behavior are affected by the presence of others.This includes studies on topics such as conformity, obedience, and social pressure. Social perception: Social perception refers to the ways in which we form impressions of other people.This includes research on topics including first impressions, stereotyping, and ...
Other social psychology research topics within this area include persuasion and peer-pressure. Social Representations. Social Representations (Moscovici, 1961) 'make something unfamiliar, or unfamiliarity itself, familiar' (Moscovici, 1984). This is a theory with its academic roots in Durkheim's theory of collective representations.
Scott Eidelman. Justin Friesen. 3,205 views. 5 articles. A broad-scope, multidisciplinary journal covering the spectrum of social psychology, exploring how human behavior and development is affected by social interactions.
Current Research in Social Psychology (CRISP) is a peer reviewed, electronic journal publishing theoretically driven, empirical research in major areas of social psychology. Publication is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Group Processes at the University of Iowa, which provides free access to its contents.
Workplace racial composition is an important factor for Black parents' communication of racial socialization messages. from Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. November 28, 2023. Children's ethnic-racial identity and mothers' cultural socialization are protective for young Latine children's mental health.
The Journal of Social Psychology typically publishes invited special issues on topics of current broad interest to social psychologists. While we do accept unsolicited special issue proposals, their publication is rare. Publication office: Taylor & Francis, Inc., 530 Walnut Street, Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
A broad-scope, multidisciplinary journal covering the spectrum of social psychology, exploring how human behavior and development is affected by social interactions . ... Part of a research topic; Not part of a research topic; Clear all Filters Articles. Original Research. Accepted on 04 Jun 2024 The Influence of Survivor Stories and a Virtual ...
Social Psychology Quarterly. Social Psychology Quarterly (SPQ) publishes theoretical and empirical papers on the link between the individual and society. This includes the study of the relations of individuals to one another, as well as to groups, collectivities, and institutions. It also … | View full journal description.
New research on social psychology from Harvard Business School faculty on issues including behavioral economics research, habit formation, and the effects of group loyalty. ... "What do you think?" for 24 years on a wide variety of management topics. In this farewell column, Heskett reflects on the changing leadership landscape and thanks ...
Topics examined in social psychology include the self-concept, social cognition, attribution theory, social influence, group processes, ... Naval Research Reviews, 9(1-17). Klineberg, O. (1940). The problem of personality. Krewer, B., & Jahoda, G. (1860). On the scope of Lazarus and Steinthals "Völkerpsychologie" as reflected in the.
Research Ideas: Developmental Psychology. The impact of maternal affection on cognitive, social, and emotional development. The effects of parenting styles on children's executive function. The impact of late-night screen use on child development. The role of digital play on child development outcomes.
That is especially true among children: Mental health-related emergency department visits have increased 24% for children between ages 5 and 11 and 31% for those ages 12 to 17 during the COVID-19 pandemic. That trend will be exacerbated by the climate crisis, the destructive effects of which will fall disproportionately on communities that ...
Descriptive Research. Correlational Research. Experimental Research. Social psychology research methods allow psychologists a window into the causes for human behavior. They rely on a few well-established methods to research social psychology topics. These methods allow researchers to test hypotheses and theories as they look for relationships ...
To discover social psychology dissertation topics: Explore recent research in journals. Investigate real-world social issues. Examine psychological theories. Consider cultural influences. Brainstorm topics aligned with your passion. Aim for novelty and significance in your chosen area.
Social Cognition Research Topics: Social cognition draws heavily on material within cognitive psychology and social psychology to examine the relationship between basic cognitive operations and fundamental social problems. In this respect, work in this domain has attempted to show that, during his or her lifetime, an individual's thoughts and ...
Interpersonal Relationships Research Topics. In interpersonal relationships, two participants are interdependent, where the behavior of each affects the outcomes of the other. Additionally, the individuals interact with each other in a series of interactions that are interrelated and affect each other. Individuals form many different kinds of ...
Cutting-edge research into the workings of the human mind. Our faculty conducts scientific research on topics that span across all areas of psychology. Some themes of research concentration are listed below. Click the topics to see the list of department faculty associated with each theme.
Social psychology is the scientific study of how people think about, influence, and relate to one another. Listed below are links to social psychology topics such as prejudice and discrimination, gender, culture, social influence, interpersonal relations, group behavior, aggression, and more. Table of Contents (click on a category of interest)
Social psychologists are interested in all aspects of interpersonal relationships and the ways that psychology can improve those interactions. For example, their research helps us understand how people form attitudes toward others and, when these are harmful — as in the case of prejudice, for example — provides insight into ways to change them.
View the latest from the world of psychology: from behavioral research to practical guidance on relationships, mental health and addiction. Find help from our directory of therapists ...
Topics of Psychology Research Related to Human Cognition. Some of the possible topics you might explore in this area include thinking, language, intelligence, and decision-making. Other ideas might include: Dreams. False memories. Attention. Perception.
Social and temporal disorientation during the Covid‐19 pandemic: An analysis of 3306 responses to a quantitative questionnaire. British Journal of Psychology , 2024; DOI: 10.1111/bjop.12704
Differences Between Psychology and Sociology. Psychology is the study of the emotions and behavior of an individual whereas sociologists look beyond the individual to examine societal institutions and groups of people. Psychologists typically need to pass a test to become licensed, while sociologists have no licensing requirements.
Americans' Views of Technology Companies. Most Americans are wary of social media's role in politics and its overall impact on the country, and these concerns are ticking up among Democrats. Still, Republicans stand out on several measures, with a majority believing major technology companies are biased toward liberals. short readsApr 3, 2024.
Over the last few years, graduate psychology degree programs, both at the master's and doctoral levels, have shifted their admission criteria from an emphasis on standardized testing to components that reflect applicants' experiences. According to the most recent edition of Graduate Study in Psychology, 1 for 2022-23 applications ...
Gender is defined as a social construct, and the research and language used to discuss women and gender has evolved significantly in the last fifty years. ... It also raises questions about why fewer male authors do not research this topic. ... Martha Crenshaw, "The Psychology of Terrorism: An Agenda for the 21st Century," Political ...
Medical records specialists had a 2023 median pay of $48,780 per year according to the BLS. Medical billing and coding professionals vary in salary, with a range between $40,912 and $84,877 depending on several factors. Medical and health services managers hold the highest annual salaries in 2024 of this occupation at $98,542, overseeing the ...