psyc assignment

Psychology 171: Assignment 3

Option A

Objective: The purpose of this assignment is to study teratogens in depth, and to understand how they

affect the developing fetus and how to prevent exposure to them while pregnant.

Instructions:

1. Choose three teratogens – can be anything that you find interesting.

2. Discuss the following in your assignment:

i. Introduce the teratogen – what is it? Are there any statistics surrounding the number of

infants affected?

ii. Describe its effects on the developing fetus – which fetal systems does it affect? When does it

have its greatest effects? What will we see as a result?

iii. Once the baby is born, what difficulties will the child experience?

iv. Ways we can prevent the effects of this teratogen? Suggestions for expecting mothers?

v. Conclusion

Option B

Objective: To gain a better understanding of the birth experience of children around the world.

Instructions:

1. Research the birthing experiences of women from three distinct cultures (you can choose

EITHER US or Canada, not both). Compare and contrast the following:

i. Home or Hospital Birth more common?

ii. Who attends the birth? Midwife, Doctor, spouse, female relatives?

iii. What kind of medical interventions are available? Is there common use of epidurals,

sedation drugs, caesarean deliveries?

iv. What is the experience of the mother and child following the birth? Are there any

cutoms or rituals following the birth?

v. Anything else of interest?

Option C

Objective: To find out more about premature infants and their experiences following birth

Instructions:

Research premature births in Canada and answer the following:

i. What is considered a premature birth?

ii. What are the most common complications surrounding premature births

iii. What do hospitals do to address these complications

iv. Describe “kangaroo care” and British Columbia’s “No Baby Unhugged” programs – what are

they and why are they effective

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Expectation for all of the options above…

1. Three pages double-spaced (can be a bit more, shouldn’t be less). I’d like to see full, formal sentences

with grammar and spelling checked.

2. Should include references to at least three sources (these can be journals, textbooks, or online

material from reputable sources – if you aren’t sure, feel free to send me a link and I can check it out for

you). These sources should be cited by last name of authors and date within the body of your

assignment, and fully referenced, using APA style, on a separate reference sheet at the end of your

assignment.

3. The way you set up your sub-sections, etc. is completely up to you – I want you to have fun with the

assignment and have some freedom in how you choose to deliver the material.

4. I’ve set up a drop-box for Assignment 3. It will be out of 25.

5. Let me know if you have any questions or send me a draft if you want me to see if you’re on the right

track!

[email protected].