This Literature Review Requires Students To Pick A Psychological Theor This literature review requires students to pick a psychological theory that explains human behavior, cognitive processes, or neurological components in terms of thanatology (topic must be approved by instructor). Ultimately, the goal of this literature review is to answer two questions: What is the evidence that supports this theory? What are the future directions of this theory? The paper needs to be written in APA format, 12 point-font, Times New Roman, Double Spaced, and be at least 5 pages. Additionally, students will be required to provide at least one source explaining the theory and five additional peer-reviewed, psychological studies that support or contradict the theory. At least one source must be within the past 10 years. How the literature review will be graded: Instructor approval (50 points) Proficiency with APA format (100 points) Final Paper (200 points) Revise and Resubmit (up to 100 additional points)
Paper For Above instruction Introduction The intersection of psychology and thanatology offers a profound lens through which human responses to death, dying, and mortality can be understood. Selecting an appropriate psychological theory rooted in this domain requires careful consideration and approval from the instructor. The purpose of this literature review is to critically evaluate the chosen theory's supporting evidence and explore future research directions, contributing to the broader understanding of human behavior in end-of-life contexts. Selection of Psychological Theory The chosen psychological theory for this review is Terror Management Theory (TMT). Developed by Greenberg, Solomon, and Pyszczynski (1986), TMT posits that much of human behavior is motivated by an inherent fear of death. According to this theory, cultural worldviews and self-esteem serve as psychological buffers that help individuals manage the terror associated with mortality awareness. TMT is particularly relevant in thanatology because it directly addresses existential anxieties and the ways individuals cope with the awareness of finitude. Evidence Supporting Terror Management Theory Research during the past few decades has provided substantial support for TMT. Greenberg et al. (1993) demonstrated that reminders of mortality (mortality salience) increase adherence to cultural norms and