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Research
From my first literature review to publication, exploring psychology through curiosity, critical thinking, and academic writing.
Featured Research
Title
Capgras Syndrome, Clinical Lycanthropy, and the Concept of Belief: A Critical Review of the DSM-5 Framework
Literature Review
Type of Research
Published in National High School Journal of Science (NHSJS),
September 2026
Publication
Research Summary
The literature review examines Capgras syndrome and clinical lycanthropy to explore a broader question: what makes a delusion a belief? It compares the two conditions across four features of belief- action, responsiveness to evidence, integration with other beliefs, and emotional coherence- while evaluating competing psychological and philosophical explanations. Drawing on case reports, larger clinical studies, and theoretical research, the review argues that delusions are best understood as genuine beliefs that function atypically rather than as a separate kind of mental state. It also considers the limitations of the DSM-5 framework, particularly its limited attention to the perceptual and emotional processes that may contribute to delusions.
Why This Matters
Delusions are often defined by what people believe, but this project made me interested in how those beliefs are formed and why they can persist even when they conflict with evidence. Looking at Capgras syndrome and clinical lycanthropy showed me that perception, emotion, and reasoning can interact in complex ways. It also made me question whether diagnostic labels alone can fully explain a person's experience.
My Research Journey
Summer 2024
- Worked online with a U.S. psychology professor
- Learned how to conduct a literature review
2024-2025
- Continued studying psychology
- Expanded the literature review through further reading
- Continued writing and revising the research manuscript
2026
- Revised the manuscript
- Submitted it to NHSJS
- Responded to editorial feedback
- Reviewed and approved the final manuscript proof
- Published in the National High School Journal of Science (NHSJS)
How this Project Began
This project began in the summer of 2024 through an online research mentorship with a U.S psychology professor. During the program, I learned how to conduct literature reviews, evaluate psychological evidence, and communicate scientific ideas through academic writing. That experience became the starting point for a project I continued developing and revising over the next two years, eventually leading to its publication in NHSJS.
Reflection
When I began this literature review in the summer after 9th grade, I thought research was mainly about finding answers.
As I explored Capgras syndrome, clinical lycanthropy, and the DSM-5 framework, I gradually realized that psychology is often less about certainty and more about asking thoughtful questions.
Reading research papers taught me that unusual beliefs cannot always be understood through a single diagnosis or theory. Different researchers often offered different interpretations, and each perspective revealed both strengths and limitations. Rather than searching for one "correct" explanation, I learned to appreciate the complexity of human behavior and the importance of evaluating evidence critically.
Over the next two years, I continued revising this manuscript as my understanding of psychology grew. Through additional reading, creating educational content, and discussing psychology in my podcast, I revisited many of the ideas in my original paper with a more thoughtful perspective. Seeing the manuscript eventually become a published paper made me realize how much research can change through questioning, feedback, and revision.
This project showed me that research is an ongoing process of curiosity, critical thinking, and revision. More importantly, it inspired me to make psychological research more accessible by connecting scientific evidence with everyday life, a goal
that continues to shape my work through Mind in Context.
Research Skills
Literature Review
Synthesizing scientific evidence
Critical Analysis
Evaluating competing theories
Scientific Writing
Preparing academic manuscripts
APA Citation
Documenting research sources
Looking Ahead
Publishing this research marked one step in a longer process of learning. I hope to continue exploring psychology through research while making scientific knowledge more accessible through education, conversation, and community.
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