Documenting Sources in Psychology

Different instructors have different policies on notes and bibliographies. Some instructors require a specific style, such as the APA (American Psychological Association) style. Others permit “any conventionally accepted style.” Many teachers discourage the use of footnotes, however, because they are difficult to “fit” properly when using a typewriter or word processor. When in doubt, check with the instructor.

Writing Essays in Psychology

Never assume that giving an example of something (such as “classical conditioning” or another psychological concept) suffices when a definition is called for. Examples can amplify or enliven an idea, but an example is not acceptable by itself in an essay examination unless it is specifically requested. An example of something is not a definition!

Distinguish between fact and theory. There are lots of theories floating around psychology; a widely-accepted theory may be treated as a fact. Distinguish observations from an interpretation of those observations.

In writing about a topic in psychology, you might pretend that you are explaining it to a friend. No need to be stiffly formal. Write naturally but clearly; let it flow.

Most psychology lecturers detest verbiage. Answer the question and then stop. Get to the point; don't “pad” an essay with extraneous material. Flowery language is not called for in any science, and psychology is no exception.

Please do not expect your instructor to search an essay for hidden meaning. Your instructors have no idea what is in your head; they only know what is written on paper. You must clearly say what you want to say.

Read your essays before handing them in. Read term papers as well. They should “flow” well; that is, they should sound good and not mislead. Give the paper to a friend to read. If your friend has had a PSYC course or two, all the better.

Use proper sentences and paragraphs. A paragraph is a group of sentences with some logical reason to be together. Paragraphs find topic sentences helpful; the lack of them is a typical source of difficulty. Additionally, run-on sentences seem to occur frequently. Break them up.