Psychology paper.

Critical Thinking Paper: Worth 80 points

Due Oct. 30th

Objectives: Practice thinking about all sides of a situation, demonstrate careful reading skills by following complex directions, utilize logic and empathy skills, separate feelings from thoughts, ask questions, deal with personal biases, recognize relevant vs. irrelevant information/evidence, discuss possible solutions, choose the best solution and how it affects all involved.

Type (double-spaced) a review (up to 10 pages) discussing what you would do if you were the main character (the decision-maker) in the case study. Numbers in parentheses indicate how many points each section is worth. Include the following:

(10) A.

· List possible emotions by each person/group (including you, the person making the final decision) that could be affected by the situation and describe these.

· Make headings, number each feeling, then state why you/they might feel that way.

· Write using complete sentences.

· Come up with as many possible emotions as you can for each person/group.

· List and number these as I have done below. For example:

A. Feelings:

My Feelings:

1. I feel… because…

2.

3.

Co-workers’ Feelings:

1. They feel… because…

2.

3.

…and so on…

· Include a minimum of 4 people/groups that could possibly have feelings/ be affected by your decision, with a minimum of 8 entries for each person/group.

If you’re unsure about the difference between thoughts and feelings, say to yourself, “I feel…” If it is a feeling, one word should come up. If it’s a thought, you usually say to yourself, “I feel that…” or “I feel it is…”

DO NOT DISCUSS THOUGHTS OR SOLUTIONS HERE. ONLY STATE YOUR EMOTIONS AND THE BRIEF REASON(S) FOR THEM. SENTENCES IN THIS SECTION SHOULD BE SHORT.

(15) B.

· Brainstorm and list every question/thought/solution you would have in terms of how to handle the situation, even if they sound absurd.

· Make separate headings for each, just as I have below. Use bullet points, numbers. or

lettering for each subsection.

· Write in complete sentences.

· Have a minimum of 12 entries per each subsection below.

Your headings should look like this:

B. Brainstorming:

Questions

1.

2.

3.

Thoughts

1.

2.

3.

Solutions

1.

2.

3.

…and so on…

(30) C. Solutions (write in paragraph form)

· Choose only three reasonable/realistic solutions from your Solutions list in section B and list these in your paper with separate paragraphs for each.

· For each solution, clearly state your decision in the first sentence.

· Discuss the possible positive AND negative consequences of your decision, including who could be affected, and in what ways.

· When discussing who could be affected, include all the people/groups you included in your feelings (“A”) section

· Be extremely specific and detailed. This section should be your largest one.

For Example :

Solution 1:

Solution 2:

Solution 3:

(5) D. Final Solution (Write in paragraph form. This should be very brief)

· What is your final decision and why?

· What emotion(s) will you feel after the decision is made?

· How will the decision affect you ?

Overall Grading :

· You will be graded on spelling, grammar, sentence structure, and communication skills, as well as how thorough you are in using your critical thinking skills. (10)

· You are the decision-maker, Peggy, so write in the first person (i.e. “I would…”)

· Double-space your writing throughout the entire paper. (5)

· Correct format (5): Sections A and B need to be done as I have described above. Do not write these sections in narrative paragraphs. Save the narrative for section C.

· I want you to demonstrate that you can see many possibilities, negative and positive, and many different outcomes.

· Go wild with this and don’t leave anything out, even if it is the most far-fetched thought or outcome! Remember: Anything is possible! Yet, take this assignment seriously and include many more reasonable/realistic ideas than humorous or unrealistic choices.

· The more thought and effort you put into this assignment, the better your grade.

· You may ask others for advice on what to do, but do not write your paper in conjunction with another student. Also, make sure you note that you asked for advice and from whom you received it (i.e., your dad, fictional co-workers, etc.).

· Do not rush through this assignment. Think of more than the obvious feelings, thoughts, and solutions. Short sections (i.e. the minimum required of entries or less) will result in a lower grade…Don’t assume that you need to stop at the minimum number of entries for sections A and B.

· Points will be subtracted if you do not follow assignment directions.

· Stick to the subject matter in the case given.

· If English is your second (or third!) language, and you have difficulty speaking and/or writing in English, please talk to me.

· If your paper is under or over 10 pages, it is okay; I won’t take points off for number of pages. However, I don’t want a 15 page paper or larger, and writing this in 5 or less pages will not be enough for an A or B grade.

Summary of Grading :

Overall Grading:

Section A – 10 Spelling, sentence structure, punctuation, grammar, overall

B – 15 writing style - 10

C – 30

D – 5 Double-spaced paper – 5 Correct Format - 5

Total: 80 points

Section B: (per subsection) 12 or more examples = 15 points 10-11 examples = 13 points 8-9 examples = 10 points 6-7 examples = 7 points 5 or fewer examples = 0-6 points

Section A (per subsection):

8 or more examples = 10 points

7 examples = 8 point

5-6 examples = 6 points

Anything under 5 examples = 0-4 points

Section C – Options:

Clearly stating decision in first sentence or two = 5 points

Including all those discussed in Feelings section = 10 points

Discussion of specific positive and negative effects/details for all = 15 points

Section D – Final Decision:

Clear statement of final decision and why chosen = 2

How decision affects you = 2

How you feel after decision is made = 1