PSYC 210

Theories and Worldview Assignment Instructions

Purpose

To write an essay in which you compare your worldview with one developmental theory discussed in our course materials.

Background

Every person who has ever lived bases his or her life on a set of basic assumptions. These assumptions form the foundation of his or her worldview. One’s worldview influences and is evident in his or her work.

Tasks

Write a brief* essay in which you identify important aspects of your worldview, and then discuss ways in which your worldview is compatible with at least one developmental theory.

1) In your first paragraph explain why it is important to consider worldview when studying developmental theories (include at least 3–5 sentences).

2) In your second paragraph briefly describe key concepts and features of one developmental theory discussed in our textbook (include at least 3–5 sentences). Be sure to identify the main theorist, the name of the theory and at least one defining characteristic of the theory.

3) In your third paragraph identify ways in which your worldview is compatible with the theory you have described.

4) In your final paragraph, summarize and reflect on how this information will be used in future coursework (include at least 3–5 sentences).

*Your essay must include at least 500, but no more than 800 words. Please edit your work to stay within these parameters.

Requirements

1. Identify your sources! Current APA guidelines require that a citation be used to identify any/all sources of information that are not considered common knowledge.

2. Do not include direct quotes; instead, paraphrase information about your chosen theory. Remember that your source must be identified with a citation even if you rewrite the information in your own words.

3. Your assignment will include the following:

· A current APA-formatted title page.

· 2–3 pages of text (at least 500, but not more than 800 words).

· Use current APA-formatted level-one headings to identify each paragraph/section of your essay.

· A current APA-formatted reference page.

4. Please edit your work to stay within the assignment parameters. Stay on topic, and write in a clear manner.

5. As a part of your editing/review process, compare your paper to the requirements outlined in the grading rubric as well as the sample paper provided with the assignment instructions.

6. Finally, please consider visiting the Writing Center for current APA citation and reference review.

7. If you have any questions about this assignment, please contact your instructor.

Submit this assignment by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of Module/Week 1.

Step 2: Using the electronic databases, find an article published in the last seven (7) years in an APA journal with a focus on Personality (e.g., Journal of Personality and Social Psychology or Personality and Personality Disorders). The article should describe, specifically, an experiment or empirical study by the researchers. This means that the researchers conducted a study that contains easily identifiable independent and dependent variables. (Do not select meta-analyses, summaries, editorials, or theoretical articles.  It is your responsibility to make sure that the journal article you select is appropriate. If you are unsure about the relevance of your article, contact your instructor for approval.).

Step 3: Read the article starting with the Title and Abstract, which will give you a quick preview of the purpose and results of the article.

Step 4: Read the Introduction. Highlight the purpose of the article and the author’s hypothesis (e.g., what was studied, what the authors predicted, and why they found the topic worthy of study). Pay attention to the context provided for the research (i.e., what research has been done previously in the field? what issue or problem is this study trying to address?)

Step 5: Read the Methods section. Note the description of the participants and any tests, surveys, questionnaires, apparatus, or other materials that were used. Pay particular attention to the details involved in the experimental procedure. How were the variables manipulated or measured? Recall that the Independent Variable (IV) is the variable that is manipulated by the research (i.e., whether the room is hot or cold (if that is the variable of interest) or whether participants are given a placebo, shown any type of media or other stimuli, given talk therapy, or instructed to take medication (if that is the variable of interest). Remember that the Independent Variable is what was different about the experiences of the different groups. Recall also that the Dependent Variable (DV) is that variable that is measured, or, the outcome of the study (i.e., test performance or lessening of depressive symptoms).

Step 6: Read the Results. Try not to get intimidated by complex statistical analysis. Instead of focusing on the numbers, focus on the short descriptions that accompany the findings explaining what the researchers found (i.e., Did the researchers find evidence that supports their hypothesis?)

Step 7: Read the Discussion. Pay special attention here to what the authors say about the importance of their findings or the lack of findings. Think about other things you could do to look at this issue.

Step 8: Prepare a 2 to 5 page summary of the article in your own words.  Be sure to address the following questions in your summary:

What is the purpose of the research? (Address specifics regarding the overall purpose of the research in question.)

What hypothesis is tested? (Provide a clear statement of the researchers’ prediction.)

How did the researchers investigate their research question? (Provide details regarding the study methodology.)

What are the pertinent results of the manipulation? (What were the findings and conclusions drawn?)

What is your personal opinion of the study conducted? Should it be repeated?  What could be improved?

What is your overall impression of the work? What are the implications of the study for the practice of counseling psychology?

Your summary should be written as a coherent essay (do not format as a list of answers to these questions). You may include additional insights in your analysis, but you must address these key issues.

Step 9: Prepare your Article Review according to the following guidelines:

Structure your paper utilizing APA style (7th Edition); this includes title page, headings, in-text citations, reference page, and general paper format (1-inch margins, double-spaced, appropriately sized sans serif or serif fonts – e.g., 12 Times Roman).  An abstract is not required.

Apply sound writing mechanics: write with clarity, paying attention to spelling, grammar, and syntax.

Submit to your Assignment Folder as a single document in either Microsoft Word, PDF, or RTF format.