PSY217

Psy 217 Writing Assignment

Purpose

The aim of this assignment is to explore questions you have about a topic, including how it relates to a group, culture, or country different from yours. You will build your awareness of diversity and the importance of inclusivity, which are key components of this Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathways course.

The focus of the Writing Assignment is to research and report three perspectives on a chosen topic. The object is not to provide your personal perspective on the topic but to objectively present three other perspectives. Two of the perspectives you will research and report will be those of two distinct psychological perspectives/theories. The other perspective you will research and report will be that of a group you do not belong to.

Be sure to read all of the instructions carefully.

If you have any questions contact me at william.winaski@ppcc.edu.

Instructions

I. Preparation

1. Choose a topic from one of these sections of our course:

a. Gender Roles (Chapter 4)

b. Origins of Love (Chapter 7)

c. Sexual Preference (Chapter 11)

d. Sexual Paraphilias (Chapter 16)

e. Theories of Sexual Violence (Chapter 17)

2. Choose two relevant psychological perspectives/theories for your topic:

· Gender roles

a. Evolutionary Perspective

b. Social Learning Perspective

c. Cognitive Development Perspective

d. Gender Schema Theory

· Origins of Love

a. Behavioral Reinforcement Perspective

b. Cognitive Perspective

c. Evolutionary Perspective

d. Physiological Arousal Theory

· Sexual Preference

a. Psychoanalytic Perspective

b. Behaviorist Perspective

c. Sociological Perspective

d. Interactional Theory

· Sexual Paraphilias

a. Biological Perspective

b. Psychoanalytic Perspective

c. Behavioral Perspective

d. Sociological Perspective

· Theories of Sexual Violence

a. Feminist Theory

b. Sociological Perspective

c. Evolutionary Perspective

d. Rapist Psychopathology Theory

3. Choose a group, country, or culture that you do not belong to. Part of your research will focus on this group’s perspective of your chosen topic.

4. To complete your paper, you will need to use a minimum 4 sources (you can use more). One of your sources must be from a peer-reviewed journal. The other(s) must also be scholarly sources (i.e., from a website ending in .edu or .gov). Additional sources, such as books, documentaries, newspaper articles, etc., may be used. Do not use Wikipedia, a blog, or an encyclopedia as one of your cited scholarly sources.

5. Complete and return the provided Writing Assignment Worksheet. Please note this worksheet must be completed before this Writing Assignment can be submitted.

6. You will need to use American Psychological Association (APA) citation style. The elements of APA format needed for the assignment include 1-inch margins, 12-point font, double spacing, in-text citations, and a reference page. Please note an abstract and running header are not necessary.

· In-text citations are required every time you share information learned from a source (i.e., journal article, website, book, peer, instructor, etc.). Your own original ideas do not require in-text citations.

See the APA handout on our Content tab for more information on APA style.

You can also use the Purdue Owl Website to understand how to properly use APA format in your in-text citations and reference page.

If you have any questions contact me at william.winaski@ppcc.edu.

II. Type your content and responses to the following prompts in the provided template without altering or removing any section headings. (See the Template at the end of these instructions.)

Sections and prompts for the Writing Assignment:

Explain the Issue (200-300 words):

· State the topic you have chosen.

· What is the group you do not belong to whose perspective on the topic you will explore?

· What two psychological perspectives/theories will you research for their views on your topic?

· Share your research questions (3-4 research questions).

Examine Assumptions (200-300 words): Review your Writing Assignment Worksheet. What assumptions were identified about the topic? What was the origin of these assumptions? In other words, what helped to shape them?

Examine Perspectives (400-500 words):

· Explain the views of each of the two psychological perspectives/theories on the topic you chose.

· Compare and contrast the two perspectives’ views. (Describe, do not choose which is better).

· Identify the strengths and weaknesses of each perspective.

Research Summary (400-500 words):

· Provide a summary of what you have learned regarding the views of the group you chose on the topic.

· Specifically address what you have learned.

Self-Awareness (300-400 words):

· During your research, were you confronted with information that caused you to reexamine assumptions surrounding your topic? Please elaborate.

· What insights have you gained about your thinking, behavior, attitudes, or beliefs?

· How has your thinking about the topic on child development shifted?

· Describe how your shift in thinking may impact you in the future.

Establish a Conclusion (200-300 words):

· What conclusions have you made from your research?

· What new questions have emerged as a result of your research?

· What future research is needed on this topic, and why?

III. Important Considerations

A. Use proper mechanics (grammar) and spelling. Do not use 2nd person (you/your).

B. Type your content for each section in the provided template without altering or removing any sections headings.

C. Attach the paper as a .doc, .docx, .rtf, or .pdf to the designated Assignment Submission Folder in D2L (under Assignments in D2L).

D. Papers turned in late will be penalized 20% per class that they are late.

Checklist

· I selected a topic that is directly tied to material covered in this course.

· I submitted the Writing Assignment Worksheet before beginning this assignment.

· I conducted the research necessary to fully answer all prompts.

· I reviewed the relevant perspectives in psychology.

· I used the minimum number of approved sources.

· I met the word count guidelines for each section.

· If needed, I sought help via the PPCC Library with my research.

· If needed, I sought help via the PPCC Writing Center .

· I used the Purdue Owl Website to understand how to properly use APA format in my in-text citations and reference page.

· I asked someone to review my paper and provide me with feedback.

· I reviewed the assignment instructions, checklist, and grading guidelines before turning in my paper.

· I contacted my instructor for clarification if I had questions about this assignment william.winaski@ppcc.edu).

The following rubric will used to grade your Writing Assignment:

Psy 217 Psychology Writing Assignment – Grading Rubric

	Below Standard Expectations	Meets Standard Expectations	Exceeds Standard Expectations
Explain the Issue Clearly states the chosen topic. Identified the group/country/culture explored. Clearly stated the two psychological perspectives explored. Share your research questions.	0 -1 Points Fails to adequately deal with questions of this section.	2-18 Points Adequately deals with the questions of this section.	20 Points Clearly deals with the questions of this section.
Examine Assumptions Clearly tated what assumptions were identified about the topic? What was the origin of these assumptions? In other words, what helped to shape them?	0 -1 Points Fails to adequately deal with the questions of this section.	2-18 Points Adequately deals with the questions of this section.	20 Points Clearly deals with the questions of this section.
Examine Perspectives Explained the views of each psychological perspective/theory. Compare and contrast the two Psychological perspectives/theories. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of each perspective/theory.	0-1 Points Fails to adequately deal with the questions of this section.	2-38 Points Adequately deals with the questions of this section.	40 Points Clearly deals with the questions of this section.
Research Summary Provide a summary of what you have learned regarding the views of child development for the age group you chose of the group/country/culture your chose. Specifically address what you have learned about your research question(s).	0-1 Points Fails to adequately deal with the questions of this section.	2-28 Points Adequately deals with the questions of this section.	30 Points Clearly deals with the questions of this section.
Self-Awareness Were you confronted with information that caused you to reexamine assumptions surrounding your topic? Please elaborate. What insights have you gained about your thinking, behavior, attitudes, or beliefs? How has your thinking about this topic shifted? Describe how your shift in thinking may impact you in the future.	0-1 Points Fails to adequately deal with the questions of this section.	2-18 Points Adequately deals with the questions of this section.	20 Points Clearly deals with the questions of this section.
Establish a Conclusion What conclusions have you made? What new questions have emerged as a result of your research? What future research is needed on this topic, and why?	0-1 Points Fails to adequately deal with the questions of this section.	2-18 Points Adequately deals with the questions of this section.	20 Points Clearly deals with the questions of this section.
APA Format 1. Use of in-text citations in APA format. 2. Reference page is in APA format.	0-1 Points Most features of APA style are ignored.	2-18 Points Several features of APA style are ignored.	20 Points APA style employed in a proficient manner.
Grammar And Mechanics	0-1 0-1 Points 1. Errors in spelling, punctuation and/or typos are numerous. 2. Grammatical errors are substantial. 3. Overuse of first & second person. 4. Heavy reliance on quotations 5. Writing is “choppy” with many awkward phrases and/or paragraphs.	2-28 Points 1. Errors in spelling and punctuation are minimal as are typos. 2. Grammatical errors are minimal. 3. Appropriate use of third person. 4. Original writing supported with occasional quotations paraphrasing. 5. Writing generally flows well with some awkward phrases and/or paragraphs.	30 Points 1. The document is basically free of spelling and punctuation errors, and typos. 2. The document is free of grammatical errors. 3. The document is free of use of first and second person and uses third person. 4. Limited quotations 5. Writing consistently flows. Sentences and paragraphs are well developed.

Template:

Psy 217 Writing Assignment

Name: 

S Number:  

Date: 

Explain the Issue

Examine Assumptions

Examine Perspectives 

Research Summary

Self-Awareness 

Establish a Conclusion 

References