Define the following terms: psychology, science, behavior, empirical method.

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The Nature of Psychology

  1. Define the following terms: psychology, science, behavior, empirical method.
  2. Define structuralism and functionalism. Describe them in your own words.
  3. What are the contemporary approaches to psychology? Describe these approaches in your own words.
  4. What three areas of careers in psychology are the most interesting to you? Why?
  5. Read “can Facebook make you miserable?” on page 7 of your textbook. Look into current empirical research (e.g., psychological studies, see AAP, JAMA) on the impact of social media on psychological health. Share the research information that you found and describe, in your informed opinion, some of the negative impacts of social media usage.
  6. After reading Chapter 1, ask six friends or family members to tell you the first thing that comes to mind when they think of psychology or a psychologist. Share their answers.
  7. THOUGHT QUESTION: Psychology encompasses a wide range of topics. What interests you the most about the field of psychology? What do you hope to learn in this class this semester?

Homework Assignment 1

Chapter 2: Psychology’s Scientific Method

  1.       What are the five steps involved in psychology’s scientific method?
  2. Describe cor relational research. Give an example of a cor relational study.
  3.       If a study shows that the correlation between the number of absences in a course and exam grades calculate to be -0.55, how are these two variables related? Describe the relationship.
  4.       What variable in a research study is the observed or measured variable?
  5.       Describe experimental research. What distinguishes the experimental method from other methods of scientific observation? What type of method allows for cause-and-effectconclusions to be drawn?
  6.       Define experimental and control groups. Give an example in your own words.

For the following examples, identify the independent and dependent variables:

  1. A researcher wants to know if eating breakfast or skipping breakfast has any effect on students’ test scores.

Independent variable              _____________________

Dependent variable                 _____________________

  1. A researcher wants to know if jury verdicts are more lenient on male or female defendants.

Independent variable              _____________________

Dependent variable                 _____________________

  1. Describe a double-blind experiment.
  2. What are some ethical issues related to psychological research?
  3. What is the difference between a random sample and random assignment?
  4. What are the five suggestions for thinking critically about psychological research? Describe these concepts in your own words.
  5.  Find a current article in this journal and describe the following: topic of the article, type of research (correlation or experiment), independent variable, dependent variable, and the results found in the study.
  6. Give the APA reference citation for the article that you described in question 13 (above).  www.easybib.com/reference/guide/apa/journal (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
  7. THOUGHT QUESTION: Psychologists are often characters in movies, television shows, and other works of fiction. Give one example of a psychologist in a work of fiction. Describe their role and whether or not it seems accurate with what you have learned in Chapters 1 and 2.

*Rubric*

Homework RubricHomework RubricCriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization and Overall Effort5.0 ptsExemplaryInformation presented in logical, clear, interesting sequence4.0 ptsAccomplishedInformation in logical sequence and easy to follow overall3.0 ptsDevelopingDifficult to follow the sequence of ideas – student jumps around2.0 ptsBeginningCannot understand – no logical sequence of information5.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSubject Knowledge5.0 ptsExemplaryDemonstrates full knowledge by completely answering the question with explanations and elaborations4.0 ptsAccomplishedCovers basic information, gives basic answers to questions but does not elaborate3.0 ptsDevelopingCovers basic information but can answer questions only at rudimentary level (some wrong answers)2.0 ptsBeginningDoes not have a good grasp of the information (many missing or wrong answers)5.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFormat, Grammar, and Spelling5.0 ptsExemplaryCovers all requested items in very good length and format4.0 ptsAccomplishedCovers all requested items in good length and format3.0 ptsDevelopingCovers items in fair length and format – has issues with grammar or spelling2.0 ptsBeginningMissing some items, short in length, or has problems with grammar and spelling5.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeApplication and Connection5.0 ptsExemplaryUses research from textbook in reaching accurate conclusions and very insightful connections4.0 ptsAccomplishedUses research from textbook in reaching conclusions – good level of connection3.0 ptsDevelopingUses some research from textbook in reaching conclusions – basic level of connection2.0 ptsBeginningDoes not have a grasp of the information and cannot demonstrate knowledge of the textbook5.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting Skill and Creativity5.0 ptsExemplaryUses excellent creativity and writing skill – superior job in conceptualizing and articulating the material4.0 ptsAccomplishedUses very good creativity and writing skill – good job in conceptualizing and articulating the material3.0 ptsDevelopingUses minimal creativity – but with overall good job in conceptualizing and articulating the material2.0 ptsBeginningFails to have creativity or writing level is below basic in regard to standard

What strategies or resources have you discovered in your own exploration that would help your peers reach their writing goals?

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PSYCHOLOGY WRITING EXPECTATIONS AND MODELS

Resources

  • Attributes and Evaluation of Discussion Contributions.
  • Professional Communications and Writing Guide.
  • Graduate Psychology Discussion Rubric.

As mentioned in the unit introduction, writing is a core competency in psychology and an excellent medium for contributing to the field of psychology and continuing to advance within your future career path. In this course, you will focus on practicing these skills in writing to help you develop this proficiency for your profession and your role as a graduate learner. For this discussion, share your findings from your exploration of APA style, writing models, and your own writing growth areas. Be sure to discuss the main lessons you gained from Chapter 1, “Writing for the Behavioral and Social Sciences,” from the APA Manual in this post. In addition, respond to the following questions:

  • What process and strategies do you typically use when you have to write something? For instance, do you start with an outline or jump right to drafting?
  • What helped you the most if you used Smarthinking? What were your strengths and weaknesses?
  • What strategies, resources, and support will you use to develop your competence in communicating in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with the expectations for members of the profession of psychology?
  • What support do you think you will need?
  • How do you envision using writing to further your future career path and contribute to the field?

If you have any trouble using Smarthinking, finding a writing model, or locating writing resources to support your development needs, use this discussion to receive support from your peers and instructor to work through your challenges.

Response Guidelines

Read the posts of your peers and respond to at least two. Try to choose posts that have had the fewest responses thus far.

  • Does your peers’ selected model help your them apply the expectations set for writing in the field of psychology?
  • What did you learn from your Smarthinking experience that could help your peers further develop their writing proficiency?
  • What strategies might help your peers connect writing to their vision and goals for a future career?
  • What strategies or resources have you discovered in your own exploration that would help your peers reach their writing goals?

Be sure to provide substantive responses to help your peers build on their learning and reference any relevant assigned readings, additional resources, or professional literature to support your response.

Search the Internet and/or the Walden library for at least two articles related to cognitive development and digital technology

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Have you ever seen a group of young people completely focused on their electronic devices and not talking to each other? Some debate that these young people are expanding their knowledge with all the information that is available to them with the push (or touch) of a button. Others debate that their learning and social skills are suffering because these young people are unable to look away from the devices and interact with those around them. What do you think?

In this Discussion, you examine the impact of digital technology and its relationship with cognitive development on a selected age group.

To Prepare for this Discussion:

  • Review this week’s Learning Resources and consider how digital technology impacts cognitive development
  • Search the Internet and/or the Walden library for at least two articles related to cognitive development and digital technology
  • Select one of the following age groups: infants, children, adolescents, adults, older adults

Articles to view

 

Bernicot, J., Goumi, A., Bert-Erboul, A., & Volckaert-Legrier, O. (2014). How do skilled and less-skilled spellers write text messages? A longitudinal study. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 30(6), 559–576. DOI: 10.1111/jcal.12064
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Blackwell, C. K., Lauricella, A. R., Conway, A., & Wartella, E. (2014). Children and the internet: Developmental implications of web site preferences among 8- to 12-year-old children. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 58(1), 1–20. DOI: 10.1080/08838151.2013.875022
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Kim, D., & Blankenship, R. J. (2013). Using Second Life as a virtual collaborative tool for preservice teachers seeking English for speakers of other languages endorsement. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 48(1), 19–43. DOI: 10.2190/EC.48.1.b
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Lerner, C., & Barr, R. (2014). Screen sense: Setting the record straight. Research-based guidelines for screen use for children under 3 years old. Retrieved from https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/1200-screen-sense-full-white-paper

Wood, C., Kemp, N., & Waldron, S. (2014). Exploring the longitudinal relationships between the use of grammar in text messaging and performance on grammatical tasks. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 32(4), 415–429. DOI: 10.1111/bjdp.12049
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Optional Resources

Cooper, J., Yager, C., & Chrysler, S. T. (2011). Technical report: Investigation of the effects of texting while driving. Southwest Region University Transportation Center: Texas A&M University. Retrieved from http://d2dtl5nnlpfr0r.cloudfront.net/swutc.tamu.edu/publications/technicalreports/476660-00024-1.pdf

Analyze alignment among the theory, research problem, and purpose

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Babbie, E. (2017). Basics of social research (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

  • Chapter 4, “Research Design”

Burkholder, G. J., Cox, K. A., & Crawford, L. M. (2016). The scholar-practitioner’s guide to research design. Baltimore, MD: Laureate Publishing.

  • Chapter 10, “Writing the Research Proposal”

Please read this article it is an important part of the answer

· Wilhelmy, A., Kleinmann, M., König, C. J., Melchers, K. G., & Truxillo, D. M. (2016). How and why do interviewers try to make impressions on applicants? A qualitative study. Journal of Applied Psychology, 101(3), 313-332. doi:10.1037/apl0000046

There is a link between understanding the purpose of one’s research and selecting the appropriate methods to investigate the questions that are derived from that purpose.

–(Newman, Ridenour, Newman, & DeMarco, G. M. P., Jr., 2003, p. 169)

For this Discussion, you will evaluate the purpose statements in assigned journal articles in your discipline and consider the alignment of theory, problem, and purpose. You will also explain your position on the relationship between research and social change.

Alignment means that a research study possesses clear and logical connections among all of its various components. To achieve these connections, researchers must carefully craft the components of their study such that when they are viewed together, there is a coherent interrelationship.

As you read the authors’ purpose statements, consider how well the intent of the study, and its connection to the problem and theoretical framework, is presented. Also consider if the purpose statement reveals the study’s potential for engendering positive social change.

As you know, social change is a distinguishing feature of Walden University’s mission. Positive social change implies a transformation that results in positive outcomes. This can happen at many levels (e.g., individual, family systems, neighborhoods, organizations, nationally and globally); and positive social change can occur at different rates: slow and gradual or fast and radical.

· Post a critique of the research study in which you:

· Evaluate the purpose statement using the Purpose Statement Checklist as a guide

· Analyze alignment among the theory, research problem, and purpose

· Explain your position on the relationship between research and social change