Prior to beginning work on this discussion, please read the American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2010).

For your initial post, imagine the following scenario: As a psychology professional, you have been asked to provide a caregiver with your professional opinion regarding how issues related to your chosen topic may influence short and long-term physical, cognitive, or psychosocial development in his or her child. Choose one of the following topics in the area of development to research and discuss:

Prenatal development

Vaccinations

Attachment parenting

Daycare

Corporal punishment

Other: __________________ (Note: Please obtain permission from your instructor before pursuing this option!)

Focus your discussion around one of the following stages: the prenatal period, infancy, or toddlerhood (conception - 3 years).
Using the Ashford University Library, research at least three peer-reviewed articles on your chosen topic that either support or challenge aspects of your chosen issue. Strive to find recent work, but seminal research on the topic should be considered as well.

Evaluate the unique scholarly perspectives found in your research. Based on the research you reviewed, identify your professional position on the topic; specifically, will incorporation of this element have a positive or negative impact on the child's development?

Apply this research to major themes of development influenced by your chosen topic (i.e., physical, cognitive, and/or social) and explain how the literature supports your chosen stance. Point out how your stance compares or contrasts with prevailing popular wisdom on the topic.

Your explanation should take the form of a persuasive discussion intended to help the caregiver respond positively to your advice as a psychology professional. Analyze any ethical considerations discussed in the research and their effect(s) on the trends related to your topic. Include the complete references for your selected articles at the end of your initial post.

Guided Response: Consider the articles your colleague chose and research the topic with the intent to find peer-reviewed articles that were published within the last 10 years demonstrating the opposite viewpoint. If you locate opposing research findings, explain whether or not the evidence is convincing enough to make you question your peer's stance. Be sure to cite examples in your explanation.

If you do not locate any opposing research, explain why you think this type of research is not available. Did your classmate's persuasive explanation of his or her stance cause you to change your opinion on this topic or consider other options?

Carefully review the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate this Discussion Thread.