Assignment

Instructions: Choose 1 paper option. The paper is to be completed before the Final Exam in this course. Each paper is to be 3-5 full pages long, in paragraph form, all double-spaced. Full-sentences are expected, as are opening and closing paragraphs. Be sure to answer the question prompts fully.

Paper Option #1 Nature/Nurture

Developmental science focuses on the various contributions to development, and whether they lean toward the genetic side of things (nature) or environmental (nurture). Choose from one of the following topics discussed in the modules:

• Child obesity
• Eating disorders
• Adolescent depression

For this paper, review the module material on your specific topic. Then, write a paper describing in detail the "nature" (primarily genetic, inherited) contributions to this condition as well as the "nurture" contributions. You will need to conduct internet research and cite the sources to obtain additional information on your topic. For example, explaining the inherited reasons for a child to be obese will require that you visit, read, summarize, and cite medical sites on the internet. It is crucial that you rephrase material in your own words and cite it or put phrases from the sources in quotation marks and cite it. No more than a few sentences should be directly quoted, however, in order for you to receive credit for writing this paper (in other words, no credit is given for a paper that is a string of other people's quotes).

Your research must include at least 2 articles or books. That is, websites can be very helpful and informative, but your final paper must include full articles (whether from the internet or elsewhere) or books on the topic. Sources should be reputable and consistent with what you learned in the module as well as other sources. Google Scholar and PDF articles from the internet can be helpful resources. Make sure you use good search terms when trying to find articles. You may want to start broad (for example, "Bystander effect") and then narrow to your particular area.

It is recommended that you spend at least a page and a half discussing "nature" for this topic and a page and at least a half discussing "nurture." Finally, conclude the paper by indicating which side (nature, nurture) gives the strongest contribution to this condition, or whether they are both needed. For example, for child obesity, is genetics alone a sufficient cause for a child to be obese, or are poor eating habits necessary to along with a genetic predisposition? The paper should follow the following format:

I. Introduction. Introduce your topic.

II. Description and research on "nature" components

III. Description and research on "nurture" components

IV. Evaluation: which side (nature, nurture) most strongly contributes?

Paper Option #2 An Opportunity for Observations

Choose one of Erik Erikson's psychosocial stages that run between early childhood and early adulthood:

• Initiative vs guilt
• Industry vs Inferiority
• Identity vs Identity Confusion
• Intimacy vs Isolation

Read module and, if needed, internet descriptions of your selected stage so that you have a good understanding of it. Over the period of one week, observe one or more individuals who are in the age range pertaining to that stage. Take daily notes on the behaviors and focus specifically on behaviors have to do with your selected stage. Does it seem like the behaviors align well with the theory?

For your paper, first give an overview description of the stage. Then, organize your observations into a descriptive account of how and to what extent your observations match the theory. Give specific and detailed examples of behaviors that illustrate your points. Be sure to avoid using any person's names in the paper; if needed, assign a pseudonym.

Conclude with summary statements in which you reflect the helpfulness of this stage in describing human interactions and behavior. That is, do you think that Erikson's stage helps us to better understand this age group? Why or why not?

The paper should follow the following format:

I. Introduction. Introduce your topic and the chosen stage

II. Description of stage

III. Description of observations and how they exemplify the stage

IV. Evaluation: how well does this stage describe human interactions and behavior? Does it help us to better understand this age group?