As an academic editor, I frequently encounter capitalization errors in manuscripts, particularly when it comes to theories and concepts. Recently, I corrected eight instances where a student had incorrectly capitalized a theory name. This common mistake inspired me to create this comprehensive guide to APA 7 capitalization rules.

Key APA 7 Capitalization Rules:

1. Proper Nouns: Always capitalize proper nouns, including names of specific people, places, or things. Example: Sigmund Freud, New York City, Eiffel Tower

2. First Word of a Sentence: Always capitalize the first word of a sentence. Example: "The experiment yielded unexpected results."

3. Major Words in Titles and Headings: Capitalize major words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns) in titles and headings. Do not capitalize articles (a, an, the), short prepositions, or coordinating conjunctions unless they are the first word. Example: "The Effect of Sleep on Memory Retention"

4. Proper Nouns in Names of Theories: Capitalize proper nouns within theory names, but not the word "theory" itself unless it's part of the proper name. Correct: Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory Incorrect: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory

5. General Concepts and Fields of Study: Do not capitalize general concepts, fields of study, or theoretical approaches. Correct: cognitive psychology, behaviorism, attachment theory Incorrect: Cognitive Psychology, Behaviorism, Attachment Theory

6. Statistical Terms: Do not capitalize statistical terms (e.g., mean, standard deviation, t test, factor analysis) unless they begin a sentence.

7. Job Titles: Capitalize job titles only when they precede a name as part of the name. Example: Professor Smith, but Jane Smith, professor of psychology

8. Racial and Ethnic Groups: Capitalize names of racial and ethnic groups. Example: Asian, Latino, Black, White

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Overcapitalizing theory names

2. Capitalizing general fields of study

3. Inconsistent capitalization in headings

4. Capitalizing common nouns for emphasis

When in doubt, consult the APA 7 manual or a reliable style guide. Consistent and correct capitalization enhances the professionalism and readability of your academic writing.

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