Unit 1 Assessment: Chapters 1-5
This Unit Assessment will require you to demonstrate your ability to carefully review, analyze, comprehend, and apply the material you have consumed up to this point. It also will require you to integrate empirical research within your written discussions.
This assessment consists of a standard essay format with five prompts from which you may choose. Your answers should be VERY detailed and well-supported with textbook and research info. Inclusion of additional empirical research to support your discussions is required (criteria ‘b’ below). Just as in any paper, if you are referring to something specific in the research or textbook, be sure to cite it in your writing – for example (Lally & Valentine-French, 2017, p. 81). Also, spend adequate time editing your answers to make sure you are clearly communicating your ideas and your writing is free from errors.
Each essay prompt will have a minimum word count of 500. You will likely find that you far exceed this minimum with a well-crafted essay. To be eligible for full-point consideration, your discussion must reach or exceed that minimum. Additionally, the quality of each essay will be graded based upon the following general criteria as also stated in the course syllabus:
a) Mastery and Application of Developmental Concepts
b) Inclusion of applicable Empirical Research
c) Integration of information and empirical research through effective Analysis
d) Reflection upon information and implications
Some final details regarding format and submission:
– Type your essay in a WORD document.
– You do not need to double-space your answers.
– Provide brief headings to your answers so I know which essay prompt I am reading about.
– You may approach your essay in whatever manner is easiest for you to effectively communicate your ideas. The answers do not necessarily have to follow the order of the questions I ask. As long as you address each point of discussion in your answer, you are fine.
– Ensure citations and references adhere to APA style formatting.
– When you are ready to submit it, upload it into Canvas within the “Unit 1 Assessment Submission” page.
– Provide a References page at the end appropriately identifying the empirical research you cited in your written work.
– The rubric is located at the end of this document.
The Unit 1 Assessment is due no later than Tuesday, November 16th, 11:59pm.
Unit 1 Assessment Questions
Of the following 5 essay prompts, select any ONE (1) to write about. Two of these prompts require review of an additional document. These documents can be found in the Unit 1 Assessment page.
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1) You are a researcher who plans to conduct a research study within the discipline of developmental psychology. You want to study infant-caregiver interactions and their effects on children by age two. You are most interested in the nature of interactions beginning from birth, how they change over time, and their effects. (Given this very basic description, you have A LOT of autonomy in deciding what this ‘research’ would entail).
For this essay prompt:
a. Design and describe your study utilizing information provided across multiple chapters in our textbook. Describe the methods and decisions you have made to conduct your investigation effectively and ethically. (Who, what, when, where, how, etc.)
b. What theoretical framework will you use to inform and guide your study? Why?
c. Using the material provided about development across the first few years of life, be sure you also determine and describe what you have selected in terms of ‘interactions’ that you plan to study and ‘effects’ you are evaluating.
d. Review the document regarding the SRCD Ethical Standards. Describe how you will address two of these principles in your study.
e. Be sure to defend your decisions with adequate text and research support (the textbook AND at least THREE empirical sources).
f. Minimum word count: 500 (this does NOT include APA citations)
2) According to leading researchers at the 2015 International Convention of Psychological Science, the discussion on IF poverty influences child development is no longer a point of debate. In fact, psychological scientist Cynthia Garcia Coll asked to the audience at ICPS, “How much more do we have to talk about the fact that poverty is not good for human beings?” and this point was further emphasized when referring to young children.
For this essay prompt:
a. Provide a detailed discussion explaining to me the effects of poverty on infants and toddlers – biologically, psychologically, cognitively, socially, and/or emotionally. Consider immediate effects in the first few years of life as well as early factors that may not actually impact them until much later. Consider obvious, direct effects, AND critically think about effects that may not be so apparent. (Focus on detailed discussion of main points and avoid simply listing lots of ideas.)
b. Propose possible avenues to prevent, intervene, or address these issues. If we know poverty impacts development in these ways, describe legitimate (and realistic) ways we can go about minimizing or eliminating poverty’s impact.
c. Be sure to defend your ideas and decisions with adequate text and research support (the textbook AND at least THREE empirical sources).
d. BE CAREFUL HERE – you will likely want to dig into content that relates on down the road in future chapters. Keep your discussions rooted in Chapters 1-5 content.
e. Minimum word count: 500 (This does NOT include APA citations)
3)
Think about the key aspects of human development and factors involved from conception through the first 2 years of life based upon what you have read and analyzed.
For this essay prompt:
a. Determine which 2 are the MOST important or critical aspects of development that foster later healthy, positive development. Essentially, in your opinion what are the most essential ‘things’ that must take place for children to continue to thrive in their development on into later stages of the life span?
b. For each one you select, explain what it is, its role in human development, and support why it is critical compared to any number of other factors or aspects you could have selected. Essentially, convince me your selections are the ‘best’.
c. For each one you select, provide ideas in how we can best foster or address this ability/skill/factor to promote positive, healthy development on into later stages of the life span.
d. Be sure to defend your ideas and decisions with adequate text and research support (the textbook AND at least THREE empirical sources).
e. Minimum word count: 500 (This does NOT include the APA citations)
4) Read and think about the following scenario:
Sophie is an 11-year-old girl and is an “A” student with no problem behaviors, is quite popular among her peers, seems self-confident and is emotionally coping well in school, at home, and in life in general. Hailey, a same-aged girl, is at risk for repeating 5th grade in school and demonstrates problematic behaviors. She seems to be emotionally withdrawn, is continually fighting with her mother and rebelling against rules at home and school. She doesn’t seem to fit in well with her peers and spends most of her time in her room.
Here is where your critical thinking and application of the material comes into play. Based upon textbook information and empirical research, explain why these differences may exist. (Obviously you can only speculate using the limited info available). Think about what may explain these outcomes in these two girls and why they seem to have different developmental trajectories. Why might we be seeing this go on in each of them? Don’t just think about these girls, but also think quite broadly regarding other influences as well. The Unit 1 chapters of our textbook provide a wealth of information that could point to some potential explanations for what may be contributing to these differences and outcomes.
For this essay prompt:
a) Provide and elaborate upon 2 possible explanations that would explain the differences and why we see certain outcomes in Sophie and certain outcomes in Hailey. Base this upon textbook information, supplemental materials, and empirical research. Really explain this in detail to establish the connection between contributor, outcome, and how it directly applies to each girl’s exhibited behaviors, emotions, etc.
b) Discuss at least one theory provided in the textbook that you believe provides a good perspective through which to understand both girls’ outcomes and differences. Explain specifically how the theory applies to these girls.
c) Now, let’s focus on Hailey. Based upon your explanations, describe one realistic way to intervene NOW to potentially prevent Hailey’s development from continuing down this path. How can we hopefully help make a positive difference for Hailey now? How can we attempt to improve her outcomes? Support with reasoning and research on why these ideas should help make a difference.
d) Remember to keep your ideas and answers grounded in Chapters 1-5 content.
e) Be sure to defend your ideas and decisions with adequate text and research support (the textbook AND at least THREE empirical sources).
f) Minimum word count: 500 (This does NOT include APA citations.)
5) There has been rising debate over allowing kids aged 6-11 to begin playing full-contact sports (e.g., hockey, lacrosse, soccer, tackle football, etc.) at the risk of suffering a concussion or a more serious brain injury. There are many people who have chimed in on this issue (parents, coaches, neuropsychologists, psychologists) with their own opinions – with many opinions NOT based upon scientific findings or current understanding of child developmental processes. *Be careful here! You might find yourself wanting to talk about high school kids and sports. Be sure to stick with what we’ve covered thus far.
For this essay prompt:
a) Read the “Head First” article on concussions and discuss the advantages and disadvantages to children engaging in full-contact sports during middle childhood years. (Let’s keep this specific by listing only a couple select points.)
b) Keeping your reasoning and support rooted in what we understand from a developmental psychology/neuropsychology perspective, explain and support whether children should be allowed to engage in full-contact sports if they are 11 years old or younger. (Be sure to consider other related domains of child development – social, emotional, physical, etc.)
c) If children are prohibited from engaging in full-contact sports until age 12, discuss some ways we could still promote their positive development, knowing what is important for these children in this state and moving forward.
d) Based on empirical research, provide your professional statement to parents and coaches passionate about the sport to convince them of your position. What would you tell them and how?
e) Be sure to defend your ideas and decisions with adequate text and research support (the textbook AND at least THREE empirical sources).
f) Minimum word count: 500 (This does NOT include the APA citations)
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