PSY 1113 General Psychology
Fall 2024
Informed Opinion Paper
Part 3B: Title Page and Introduction Worksheet
Prepare your responses to the following and submit this worksheet in Moodle.
Title Page:
1. Using the example provided, fill in your name and the name of your professor.
Informed Opinion Paper
(your Name)
Department of Psychology, Oklahoma City Community College PSY 1113: General Psychology
(Professor’s Title and Name)
Introduction Paragraph:
Instructions:
1 . Fill in each blank: with appropriate information related to your chosen psychology topic, ensuring a balance between personal experiences and course material.
2. Review and Refine: After completing the fill-in-the-blank exercise, review and refine your introduction to make it cohesive and engaging.
3. Support your Opinion: Remember to support your opinions with information from the text, class lectures, and outside sources throughout your paper.
4. Cite Sources: Use APA format for citations and references.
Fill in the Blank:
1. Begin with your chosen topic statement related to your personal experience:
In my experience I’ve observed that __________ plays a significant role in __________(this should be written in your own words!).
2. Connect your personal observation to a broader psychological concept:
This observation aligns with the psychological concept of __________, which is defined as __________(use your book here to define and don’t forget your in-text citation).
3. State the importance of your chosen topic:
Understanding __________ is crucial because it affects __________ and __________(this should be in your own words).
4. Briefly outline the structure of your paper:
To support this argument, I will first examine __________, then analyze __________, and finally discuss __________, synthesizing personal experiences with course content and additional research.
5. Transition to the body of the paper:
Let’s begin by exploring how my personal experiences with __________ relate to the psychological principles we’ve studied.
(Note: in the next IOP assignment you will explain those personal experiences – – – so you don’t write about them here).
Review and Revise Introduction: Copy and paste your statements from above to edit and revise into a cohesive paragraph(s). See the sample introduction provided below.
References
Create the reference list citations for the sources utilized in the introduction.
Sample Introduction:
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted global health, not only physically but also mentally. This paper examines the connection between the pandemic and the apparent rise in mental health disorders. In my experience, I’ve observed that the forced isolation and pervasive fear of mortality associated with COVID-19 have contributed to increased instances of depression and anxiety. This observation aligns with the psychological concept of disorders as defined by King (2023), who outlines three key components: personal distress, deviance, and maladaptive behavior (p.126). The pandemic seems to have exacerbated all three aspects, creating a perfect storm for mental health challenges.
The discussion is structured around three main sections, each examining different aspects of this critical issue. The first section presents my personal perspective on the topic, drawing from experiences that have shaped my belief in the pandemic’s significant impact on mental health. In this section I will illustrate why I concur with the view that COVID-19 has led to a substantial rise in mental disorders in more detail. The second section broadens the scope to a global scale, analyzing research findings on the societal impact of COVID-19 on mental health worldwide. This part will examine the research found and provide a comprehensive overview of the pandemic’s psychological consequences across different populations including age, ethnicity, gender, and cultures. The final section addresses the remaining questions and gaps in our understanding of COVID-19’s effect on mental health and will highlight areas where further research is needed. Let’s begin by exploring how my personal experiences with COVID-19 relate to the psychological principles we’ve studied.
References
King, L.A. (2023). The Science of Psychology: An Appreciative View. (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
QuaranTeach. (2020, March 25). Opinion Writing: Introductions. YouTube. https://youtu.be/SKqoNtFNmAg?si=knCypkmEwpgNzQEb