This assignment requires that you will reflect on how an increased understanding of psychological theory has helped your personal development. 

In this assignment, you will use psychological concepts to describe your behavior during a particular moment in time—a moment in which your behavior was unusual or out of character for your normal self.  Examples of unusual behavior might be: a moment of rage, an act of heroism, unusual kindness to a stranger, an act of prejudice or an act of generositya one-night stand with an unexpected partner, an act of deceptiona failure on a task or a test 

A psychological concept would be any idea or term used in the study of psychology to explain behavior or mental activity.  Here are just a few examples of psychological concepts that can be used to explain behavior or mental activity:  bullying, projection, repression, persuasion, conformity, aggression, stereotyping, social context, attribution, prejudice, propinquity, attraction, self-esteem, guilt, motivation, halo effect, golem effect, self-destructive behavior, selfishness, greedbrain disorders, deprivation, learning disorders, fear, anxiety, exhaustion, anger, perception problems, communication problems, personality conflicts

Your assignment is to describe and explain your unusual behavior in a two page paper (double spaced, in APA format, using reference sources and citations) using psychological concepts to explain why you might have behaved as you did.

Use this format for your paper:

Introduction:  In the first paragraph, describe your act of unusual behavior, giving as much background information as you believe relevant to the understanding of the situation. (one paragraph)

Psychological Explanations:  In paragraphs 2-4, you are to explain your behavior and motivations using at least three different psychological concepts or theories.  Use reference sources and cite your sources to explain the psychological concepts that you discuss.

Conclusion:  In the concluding paragraph,  you will describe what you have learned from this exercise in analyzing your own behavior. (one paragraph)

The paper should be at least 2 pages, double spaced with 1 inch margins and a conservative font (e.g. times new roman, 12 point).

In this 100 point assignment you are asked to APPLY psychological theory to a reflection on YOUR own behavior in a particular moment from your history.  You will attempt to explain that behavior using at least three psychological concepts from our textbook. 

To choose the behavior that you will attempt to explain,  I suggest that you try to think of one instance in your life when you acted in an unusual manner— different than normal for you—and then describe and explain this behavior.

Examples of unusual behavior might be a moment of rage, an act of heroism, unusual kindness to a stranger, an act of prejudice or an act of generositya one-night stand with an unexpected partner, an act of deception a failure on a task or a test 

Here are just a few examples of psychological concepts that can be used to explain behavior:  attraction, self-esteem, guilt, happiness, racism, motivation, alcoholism, self-destructive behavior, selfishness,  competition, perceptual problems, communication problems, personality conflicts bullying, projection, repression, persuasion, conformity, aggression, stereotyping, social context, attribution, groupthink, prejudice, propinquity, halo effect, golem effect, deprivation, panic attack, anxiety, exhaustion, and any of the defense mechanisms. There are many more concepts that you can use to explain behavior!

To earn the best possible grade, use your text to research psychological concepts to explain your behavior.  Concepts such as stress, anger and love are too simple for this exercise.  Look deeper, do more research and try harder to find explanations for your behavior!

Compose your psychological application paper as a five-paragraph essay (400-500 words).

In the first paragraph, you will describe the event in detail, giving as much background information as you believe relevant to the understanding of the situation.

In paragraphs 2, 3, and 4, you will explain your behavior and motivations during this event.  Use at least three different psychological concepts to explain your behavior. Explain/define the psychological concept and use your behavior as an example of the concept.  Devote at least three sentences to explaining each psychological concept and its application to your behavior.

Finally, in paragraph five, you will describe what you have learned from this exercise in self-reflection. 

I hope youll find the reflection and self-analysis to be therapeutic!