When you begin your psychology thesis, consider what interests you most about your chosen field? Is it the criminal mind or the child’s mind? Are you interested in what makes us normal or what makes us conscious? How about the theory or methods of testing each of these? Whatever it is that you’re interested in the most is what you should choose. If you’re not into writing it, no one else will be into reading it.
Some good psychology thesis topics include:
When you pick your topic, narrow it down and turn it into a focused thesis statement. If the psychology of criminals is interesting to you, what aspect is most intriguing? Is it the build up to a violent crime? Is it rehabilitation? Maybe it’s the court system and its effect on the psychology of a criminal that is most compelling to you. Whatever it is, it must be relevant to the field. The question must not have been asked in quite the same way before and the answer must somehow progress theory or understanding of the subject matter.
Does this sound like too much to take on? Relax. One step at a time. First, just pick something that interests you. Make a few choices, a handful of statements that sound good to you and then take them to your advisor and see what she has to say about it. She will most likely know more than you about the research that has been done and where the holes lie. If she doesn’t, she may know someone who does or point you in the right direction so that you can figure it out yourself.
It’s okay to ask questions. You don’t have to be brilliant on your own. Keep the guidelines for your psychology thesis nearby every step of the way and check in with your advisor when you feel like you’re not as focused on the destination of the paper as you want to be.
After getting the topic and psychology thesis statement approved, start the research. To save yourself a headache, do your documentation along the way. Making copies of all your research is usually the easiest way to do this as the page number and title and author of the book are usually on every page –magazines include volume numbers as well. At the end of every day in the library or online, add your newest acquisitions to a bibliography. You’ll need this later.
When the research is done, pieced together in between classes, work, time with friends, family, and the occasional nap, shut your life down for a few days. No work, phone calls, classes, or outings. No other homework. Nothing except you and your research until you have a full first draft. Give yourself a few days, then go back and edit.
When you get your psychology thesis to a place where you feel comfortable with it, then – and only then – should you pass it along to someone else to look over. And that someone else should be an advisor or respected colleague who was with you throughout the process. Even these people’s opinions should be considered but not taken and applied at face value. You are the writer. You are the scholar. Soon, you will be a graduate and you know what you want to say.