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PSY 324: Final Project Guidelines and Rubric

Overview The final project for this course is the creation of an analysis paper. In the paper, you will analyze a particular culture from the perspective of a cross-cultural psychologist. This project will allow you to demonstrate your ability to analyze different cultures using a psychological approach and to draw conclusions based on research of that culture’s characteristics. The analysis paper will be submitted in Module Seven.

Guidelines This paper will challenge you to apply what you have learned in this course to an investigation of a cultural or ethnic group of your choosing (except white European Americans). You will, in essence, be thinking like a cross-cultural psychologist. You should position the group’s culture in terms of its location on specific cultural dimensions (e.g., power distance, uncertainty avoidance) and explain what it tells us about their behavior and psychology.

Address at least five of the following areas in your paper:

 What predictions can be made about the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of this group in light of their unique cultural background?

 How would a cross-cultural psychologist expect the group t o perform on various psychological measures (e.g., a Big Five personality test) and tasks (e.g., perspective taking, helping strangers)?

 How might social values of this group affect attributions?

 Investigate this culture’s view on psychological disorders, most commonly diagnosed ones, and treatment methods.

 Identify specific communication patterns and their effect on others or the self.

 Address the group’s values regarding autonomy.

 Examine unique life states and their eff ects on the psyche.

 Investigate sources of perception and stereotypes.

 Analyze this culture’s view of intelligence and methods of measure. Ad dress any conflicts this may have with traditional views and methods.

 Describe how the group’s cultural norms regulate an individual’s display of emotions.

 Explain cultural in fluences on decision making.

 Provide examples of behavior that might arise based on the type of uncertainty avoidance in this cultural setting.

 Describe how cultural beliefs related to death might affect medical decisions and grieving.

 Discuss the cultural factors that influence one’s likeliness to seek social support in times of stress.

 What cultural factors influence likeliness to conform, and in what situations?

You must integrate concepts from the text, define all terminology, and document your sources. Attend to the rubric prior to formulating your assignment.

Final Project Rubric

Format: The final project submission must follow these formatting guidelines: three to five pages in length, double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and APA citations.

Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Depth of Reflection Response demonstrates an in-depth reflection on, and personalization of, the theories, concepts, and/or strategies presented in the course materials to date. Viewpoints and interpretations are insightful and well supported. Clear, detailed examples from the text and/or personal reflections are provided, as applicable.

Response demonstrates a general reflection on, and personalization of, the theories, concepts, and/or strategies presented in the course materials to date. Viewpoints and interpretations are supported. Appropriate examples are provided, as applicable.

Response demonstrates a minimal reflection on, and personalization of, the theories, concepts, and/or strategies presented in the course materials to date. Viewpoints and interpretations are unsupported or supported with flawed arguments. Examples, when applicable, are not provided or are irrelevant to the assignment.

Response demonstrates a lack of reflection on, or personalization of, the theories, concepts, and/or strategies presented in the course materials to date. Viewpoints and interpretations are missing, inappropriate, and/or unsupported. Examples, when applicable, are not provided.

30

Required Components

Response includes all components and meets or exceeds all requirements indicated in the instructions. Each question or part of the assignment is addressed thoroughly. Follows directions well.

Response includes all components and meets all requirements indicated in the instructions. Each question or part of the assignment is addressed. Follows directions somewhat well.

Response is missing some components and/or does not fully meet the requirements indicated in the instructions. Some questions or parts of the assignment are not addressed.

Response excludes essential components and/or does not address the requirements indicated in the instructions. Many parts of the assignment are addressed minimally, inadequately, and/or not at all.

30

Evidence and Practice

Great integration of module information. Response shows strong evidence of synthesis of ideas presented and insights gained throughout the entire course. The implications of these are thoroughly detailed and applicable. Truly thinks like a psychologist.

Integrates some information from course modules. Response shows evidence of synthesis of ideas presented and insights gained throughout the entire course. Provides some level of detail. Shares some ability to think like a psychologist.

Very little integration of course module information. Response shows little evidence of synthesis of ideas presented and insights gained throughout the entire course. Little or no detail or understanding of how a psychologist would think.

Response shows no evidence of synthesis of ideas presented and insights gained throughout the entire course. No details given. No understanding of how a psychologist would think.

30

Writing Writing is clear, concise, and well organized with excellent sentence/paragraph construction. Thoughts are expressed in a coherent and logical manner. There are no more than three spelling, grammar, or syntax errors per page of writing. No issues with APA style.

Writing is mostly clear, concise, and well organized with good sentence/paragraph construction. Thoughts are expressed in a coherent and logical manner. There are no more than five spelling, grammar, or syntax errors per page of writing. Some issues with APA style.

Writing is unclear and/or disorganized. Thoughts are not expressed in a logical manner. There are more than five spelling, grammar, or syntax errors per page of writing. Issues with APA style.

Writing is unclear and disorganized. Thoughts ramble and make little sense. There are numerous spelling, grammar, or syntax errors throughout the response. Issues with APA style.

10

Earned Total: 100%