Applied Psychology

Psychology is a field rich in history with roots in other disciplines like philosophy. The history of a field affects the present and future state of a fieldthe order of events and development of theories over time can inform how we got to where we are now. In this course, you’ll begin by tracing the history of psychology from its ancient roots and end with considering how you can be the positive change in psychology and society. Along the way, you’ll learn about seminal theories, brilliant and influential minds, and the cultural influences and systems that have contributed to the development of the science of modern psychology. In this first assessment, you’ll be the graduate student via exploring an applied psychology area that you are interested in pursuing further. You’ll trace its history along with considering the societal or cultural needs that led to the development of this area. You’ll also consider how this psychological area can influence workplace behaviors and experiences. By further considering the social significance of the topic and future directions for the field, you’ll be well on your way towards seeing how psychology changes and evolves across time. Be the Graduate Student – Individual Paper This assessment gives you the opportunity to take a deep dive into an area of applied psychology that interests you. Scenario Imagine that you are considering graduate school and are trying to determine which area of psychology to pursue. You have narrowed down your choices to what Capella has to offer and the next step is to pick one to explore further. Assessment Preparation Step 1: Pick one area of psychology via spending some time reviewing the master’s level graduate specializations in psychology offered at Capella. Which of these areas of psychology interest you the most? Which one would you like to explore further? You might consider programs within our School of Psychology: MS in Psychology. General Psychology. Developmental Psychology. Industrial-Organizational Psychology. Educational Psychology. Sport Psychology. MS in Clinical Psychology. Applied Research. Clinical Counseling. Forensic Psychology. MS in School Psychology. You might consider programs within our School of Counseling and Therapy: MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. MS in Marriage and Family Therapy. MS in School Counseling. You might consider Applied Behavior Analysis: MS in Applied Behavior Analysis. Don’t see a specific area of psychology here that interests you? Run a different idea by your faculty for approval. Step 2: Locate two peer-reviewed journal articles on your selected area of psychology within the Capella University Library. Be sure that at least one of the two articles is related to the topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). To learn more about Capella’ diversity mission, visit the Capella University Mission and Leadership webpage. To accomplish this goal, find at least one article that comes from an international journal, uses a non-Western population, or represents clearly the experiences of an underrepresented group in the literature. Assessment Instructions Prepare a 34 page paper discussing one area of applied psychology. Introduction to Field (suggested length: one paragraph). Name and describe the applied psychology area you have selected. What does it focus on? What is its purpose? Evaluate the social significance of the topic. History of Field (suggested length: 23 paragraphs). Explain the key ideas, theories, and historical milestones related to that applied psychology field. Recruit 2 scholarly sources; one may be your textbook; one must be a peer-reviewed journal article. Societal and/or Cultural Needs (suggested length: 23 paragraphs). Explain the societal and/or cultural needs that led to the development of this area of psychology and include examples. Analyze the driving needs behind why the field was created; interpret their importance and consider implications and consequences for the identified needs. Recruit two scholarly sources; one may be your textbook; one must be a peer-reviewed journal article. At least one peer-reviewed journal article must be tied to topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Professional Influences (suggested length: two paragraphs). Analyze how this specific area of psychology may influence current professional behavior. Review how this area of psychology may impact our workplace behaviors and experiences; interpret its importance and consider implications and consequences within the workplace. Include examples to support your analysis. Conclusion (suggested length: one paragraph). Describe potential future directions of this field on the individual, community, and global scales. Submission Requirements You do not need an index or abstract for this paper. Use the APA Style Paper Template [DOCX]. Length: Write 34 pages of content in addition to a title page and references page. Written communication: Must be free of errors that detract from the overall message. Resources and citations: A minimum of three sources is required. Two must be peer-reviewed journal articles and one may be a credible professional source, such as a textbook. One of the articles should represent DEI perspectives. Format according to current APA guidelines. See Academic Writer. Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point. Competencies Measured By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and rubric criteria: Competency 1: Explain the major events, schools of thought, and cultural influences that have affected the development of the science of psychology. Explain the key ideas, theories, and historical milestones for this area of psychology. Explain the societal and/or cultural needs that led to the development of this area of psychology. Competency 2: Evaluate the social significance of contemporary topics in psychology. Describe a specific area of applied psychology, including its area of focus and social significance. Competency 3: Analyze psychological theory and scholarly literature in history, systems, and contemporary topics. Analyze three scholarly sources on the history and systems of psychology. Competency 4: Apply psychological theory and research to guide professional behavior. Analyze how this specific area of psychology applies to current professional behavior. Competency 5: Articulate future directions on an individual, community, and global scale to promote positive change. Articulate potential future directions of this field on individual, community, and global scales. Competency 6: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology. Use APA style paper formatting with only minor errors. Use APA style formatting for citations and reference list with only minor errors. Address assessment purpose in a well-organized text, incorporating appropriate evidence and tone in grammatically sound sentences.