Tutor profile: Marissa J.

How does one write a good thesis statement?

Your thesis statement is your main claim. A good thesis statement includes your specific topic as well as the two or three main findings from your research. Your thesis statement should be a specific answer to your research question. Example: If my research question is "Why do people show aggression?" my thesis statement might be something like "People show aggression because of feelings of frustration and a lack of self-control".

Who is considered the founder of psychology?

There are many people and philosophies that have contributed to psychology over thousands of years, but as contributors to the creation of the discipline a couple people stand apart. Wilhelm Wundt is commonly called the father of psychology. This term is fitting because he opened the first psychology lab. William James was also a very influential founder. He was the first to offer a psychology course in the United states.

How can I get the most out of my readings?

Reading questions can be very helpful! If your teacher provides questions, read them before you begin the readings. As you find the answers, write them down in your own words. If your teacher does not provide reading questions, try either writing some yourself, or writing down an outline of the main points in each section. After reading a paragraph or two take time to pause and ask yourself "what is the main take-away from this section?" Deliberate reading can go a long way.