Assessment item: Developmental theory, self-reflection and clinical judgment

This assessment:

There are two essay questions to be answered. Students are to answer one of the two questions below, a) or b). This answer is to include a brief example relevant to theory from your in-class reflections or discussions to highlight an aspect of the discussion. All students must also answer question c):

a) Do early life experiences impact the person across their lifespan?

OR

b) Do social and environmental variables affect cognitive development?

Students are required to answer a second question:

c) In what ways is an understanding of developmental psychology important to nursing practice?  Consider clinical judgement when answering this question (Tanner's model of clinical judgement is a useful reference).

Each of your answers is to be presented in an essay style which includes reference to subject readings to support your position.  It is expected that students will compare at least two theoretical approaches when answering question a) or b). There is no requirement to reference outside of subject resources.  Your first answer should be approximately 600 words and question c) approximately 300 words - introduction 100 words.

Please note:  The focus of your first answer should be on the discussion of theory.  As mentioned, one brief reflection or discussion point raised in class is to be used as an example to support your discussion regarding theory.  Please only raise issues about yourself that you feel comfortable sharing with others.

Structure -         

Introduction: Introduce briefly the broad topic of the assignment - tell your readers what it is about

• State what your assignment does - (which questions does it focus on; name the topic of the questions, not (a) and (b)

Body: Your response to the two questions

Begin your response to each question with your position - i.e. a statement of how you have decided to answer the question

Example approach for question a) or b)

Early life experiences and social development have a great influence on the adult person. 

The rest of your answer has to support this point of view

• Use two (or more) theories to explain why early life experience and social development have a great influence
• Give a brief example from your reflections or class discussions to support the theoretical points

Your answer MUST include the following:

• Comparison and contrast of two theories that are relevant to the question that you use to support your point of view stated in the topic sentence
• Give an example from your experience (taken from in-class reflections or discussions) to elaborate on an aspect of the discussion you make from the literature/theory

There is no correct answer.  After reading, you might decide to answer the question in the following way:

Example - Although early life experiences and social development greatly influence the adult person, xxx plays an equally important role in the development of the adult person [the rest of your answer must support this point of view]

Overall Conclusion

Provide a brief overall conclusion.