After reading section 1.1 and the part of section1.3about “Sources of Research Ideas” in your course text, select a topic you would be interested in researching. Choose your topic (Autism ) carefully and make sure it is something that will hold your interest, because you will be using it for assignments throughout the course.
In your initial post, provide some background information that shows why this is an important topic to be explored further. Apply the scientific method by identifying one or more appropriate research areas of psychology that your topic might align to that are described in Section 1.1 (for example, a study about treatment for bipolar disorder would align with clinical psychology, or a study of relationships in which one party is bipolar could come under social psychology). Does it fit into more than one? If so, which do you feel is the closest fit, and why? Remember to cite all of your sources within your explanation according to APA STYLE
Peer 1
When I started trying to come up with a research topic I decided I wanted to focus on autism. This topic is important to me because I have been working with autistic individuals for the past five years in my last two jobs. The topic of autism is very relevant and important in today’s society because the rate of autism has increased greatly. I considered focusing on what environmental triggers could be affecting this rise in autism diagnosis if any but decided to go in a different direction. Autism rates are particularly high within western society and this is where I wanted to focus my research. So my research question is “Why is there a greater prevalence of autism within western society?” The type of research area this would fall under would be clinical psychology, this is because it focuses on the best way to understand and treat a psychological disorder, autism (Newman, 2016, sec 1.1). Along with falling under the research area of clinical psychology this topic could also be considered social psychology because I am focusing on why western society seems to increase the likely hood of diagnosing someone with autism (Newman, 2016, sec 1.1.). Any feedback would be greatly appreciated and any thoughts on if I should have stuck with my original idea or continue to focus on why autism is more prevalent within western society.
Peer 2
For the first week’s discussion, we were asked to pick an important topic. One that we could research for the next five weeks. I chose as a topic; social evolution and suicide. This topic is important to me because I have known suicide in my lifetime, but in these later years of my life, I have seen an increase between family and friends and the world in general. It especially hit close to home when my husband took his own life two years ago this month. I thought about this for a few days and decided I would take the chance to learn more about suicide and maybe, in the process, get some closure for myself and others who have been hurt by suicide.
According to Newman, in our text for this class, I believe that social and developmental psychology both align with the topic I chose (2016). Newman explains that social psychology studies human behavior, feelings, and thoughts based on those around them socially (2016). I believe social psychology aligns with my topic because with a question about social evolution and suicide; the answer may be found by studying how human behavior changes due to the people around them. Developmental psychology examines human change over their lifetime, including physical, social, and cognitive (Newman, 2016). Developmental psychology aligns with the topic of social evolution and suicide because it too can give answers when studying how people grow physically, socially, and cognitively. If we know how a human is developing, we can examine how social evolution played a role in how someone began to have suicidal ideations. Both of these fit well, but I believe social psychology would guide me in a better direction in answering my question.
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