Psychology Assignment - Debate - Nature vs Nurtrue

Assignment #1:

Nature vs. Nurture Weight: 10% of Final Grade

Make a LIST of arguments for the nature vs. nurture debate on a topic you will select below (e.g., aggression). Be sure to explain your points, and make it clear what you mean. You should include 4 arguments for each side, for a total of 8 arguments. For the sake of clarity, formatting this information as a table or list is suggested. Be sure to include key terms and psychological perspectives from the textbook (or other sources) which you should put in BOLD FONT.

Outline your opinion on this debate: which side seems more convincing to you? Your opinion should be based on the arguments you have outlined and you should come to a conclusion about this debate. Once again, put any key terms in BOLD FONT. Your assignment should be approximately 2 pages double-spaced: ½ page for your list of arguments and 1-1½ pages for your point of view.

You need to ensure that the arguments (i.e., evidence) you use when discussing your point of view are scientific in nature and not simply your opinion. You will be evaluated on your reasoning skills (i.e., the arguments you put forth are logical) and NOT on whether I agree with the position you take.

Select one of the following topics:

aggression weight/obesity anorexia/bulimia depression musical ability intelligence personality homosexuality self-esteem athletic ability altruism addiction/alcoholism

Be sure to correctly CITE any sources as shown in class (Author, date), and provide a bibliography.

Please submit completed assignments to the appropriate DROPBOX. Appropriate file types include: MS Word, WordPerfect, PostScript, Acrobat PDF, HTML, RTF and Plain text.

Work not submitted by the due date will receive a mark of ZERO (‘0’) as per your course outline.

This assignment is worth 10% of your grade. Please see the rubric on the following page for the detailed marking structure.

GNED 1106

Assignment #1 Rubric

2 points 1 point 0 points

part 1: arguments/ evidence for

nature/nurture

part 2: your opinion

part 2: logical flow/ conclusion

terminology

grammar/clarity/ referencing

Clear description of points for BOTH nature AND nurture.

Inadequate (<4) points for either nature OR nurture; inadequate description of some points.

Inadequate (<4) points for both nature and nurture; inadequate description of many points.

Opinion is clear and based on information provided in part 1.

Opinion is implied (but not explicitly stated) and based on information provide in part 1.

Opinion is missing or contradictory to the information provided in part 1.

Information flows to a logical conclusion.

Flow is awkward, but conclusion does not contradict information.

Conclusion is missing; Inadequate or unconvincing rationale for conclusion

Appropriate terminology used and bolded wherever necessary.

Appropriate terminology used often, but not in every case.

Inadequate use of appropriate terminology.

All sentences are well constructed, and and easy to understand. No (or very minor) errors in grammar and/ or spelling. Referencing is consistent and clear.

Most sentences are well constructed, and and relatively easy to understand. AND/OR Few errors in grammar and/ or spelling. AND/OR Small errors in referencing.

Many sentences are poorly constructed, and and much of the writing is difficult to understand. AND/OR Referencing is absent or inconsistent.

TOTAL /10

GNED 1106