PSY1010 All assignments – 2017 july

Unit I Assessment

Question 1 Compare the three early psychologies of structuralism, functionalism, and psychoanalysis. Your response should identify the major thinkers who promoted each of these schools of thought and an example of an area they would examine.

Your response must be at least 200 words in length.

Question 2 Identify the differences between case studies, naturalistic and laboratory observations, tests, surveys, correlational studies, and experiments.

Your response must be at least 200 words in length.

Question 3 Distinguish between a theory, a hypothesis, and an operational definition. You must also provide an example for each one.

Your response must be at least 200 words in length.

Question 4 When people think of psychology, they usually think of mental disorders, emotional disorders, abnormal acts, personal problems, and psychotherapy, but it relates to many different areas of life. Define psychology, and describe how it addresses topics from a scientific perspective. Your answer must include two specific examples.

Your response must be at least 200 words in length.

 

 

Unit II PowerPoint Presentation

Imagine that you are a practicing psychologist, and you are the featured presenter for the upcoming psychology conference.

Your chosen topic centers upon factors that influence human behaviors and cognitions. In your presentation, you want to

teach the audience about biological, evolutionary, and environmental factors that influence behaviors. To do this, you will

need to prepare a PowerPoint to present to the audience. In your PowerPoint presentation, be sure to include the below

concepts:

Identify ways in which the environment can both nurture and thwart mental ability.

Explain how nurture and nature play interactive roles in shaping behavior.

Summarize the effects of some of the main neurotransmitters in the brain, and list four hormones that influence

behavior.

Your PowerPoint presentation must be at least eight slides in length, not including the cover slide and reference slide. In

addition to your textbook, you must use a minimum of one scholarly source. Any information from an outside source that is

used should be cited appropriately according to APA format. You may use the notes field in PowerPoint to expand on your

ideas, if necessary, but this is not required.

Your presentation style should appear professional, using appropriate formatting and graphics. If you have never created a

PowerPoint, or if you want to brush up on your skills, watch this tutorial created by the Writing Center to learn tips and

best practices for creating a PowerPoint:

http://columbiasouthern.adobeconnect.com/powerpointbestpractices/

If you need further help with your presentation, you should consult with the Writing Center staff, allowing enough time to

receive guidance and feedback. You can email the Writing Center at teamsucceed@columbiasouthern.edu.

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

 

 

Unit III Essay

Wade and Tavris explain that each person’s body experiences ups and downs throughout the typical day. In fact, biological

rhythms, the fluctuations that occur in one’s biological system, dictate numerous factors within one’s body, including

hormones, urine output, blood pressure, and our reactions to stimuli. Most of the time, our biological rhythms are in sync

with the external environment, and they typically occur within a 24-hour cycle known as circadian rhythms.

In this assignment, you will keep an hourly record of your mental alertness level for a minimum of three days using the

following five-point scale:

PSY 1010, General Psychology 2

1–extremely drowsy or mentally lethargic

2–somewhat drowsy or mentally lethargic

3–moderately alert

4–alert and efficient

5–extremely alert and efficient

At the end of your observation period, you should compose an essay that defines circadian rhythms and explains how one’s

biological clock works. Additionally, you should describe what happens when it does not work properly.

You must also address the following questions in your essay:

Did your level of alertness follow a certain pattern or circadian rhythm?

Did you reach a noticeable high and low point once every 24 hours, or did you have a shorter rhythm?

Did your level of alertness rise and fall numerous times throughout the day?

If you performed this activity on the weekend, were your cycles the same as during the week?

Finally, think about how this experiment affects your life and your perception. What other factors influence your perception?

To conclude your essay, you should discuss four psychological factors that could be used to explain how you perceived the

world around you.

Draw on the research from the textbook as you compose your essay. In addition to your textbook, you must use at least one

other academic source. Your response should contain an introduction and conclusion and be at least one page in length,

but it can be longer if necessary to address all aspects of the assignment. All sources used, including the textbook, must be

referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations.

If you need further help with your essay, you should consult with the Writing Center staff, allowing enough time to receive

guidance and feedback. You can email the Writing Center at teamsucceed@columbiasouthern.edu.

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

 

 

Unit IV Article Review

Wade and Tavris explain that various factors combine to influence one’s thinking patterns and behaviors. Most would agree

that we are inundated with outside influences on a continuous basis. The need to stay connected to various forms of media

is growing by leaps and bounds. Have you ever wondered what impact media consumption could be having in your life? Can

viewing violent acts lead to vicious behaviors later?

One particular area worthy of closer examination relates to one’s environment and how extraneous information can intrude

our waking and restful thoughts. In fact, research conducted by Van den Bulck, Cetin, Terzi, and Bushman (2016) revealed

that violent and sexual media viewing can not only influence one’s memories, but this content can have an impact on

dreams as well. Read the article listed below.

Van den Bulck, J., Cetin, Y., Terzi, O., & Bushman, B. J. (2016). Violence, sex, and dreams: Violent and sexual media

content infiltrate our dreams at night. Dreaming, 26(4), 271-279. Retrieved from

https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=pdh&AN=2016-54555-001&site=ehost-live&scope=site

After reading the article, write a review of the article that discusses the featured study, literature from the text, and your

opinion of the article as well. Your review should also relate back to the information covered in Unit IV. In your review, be

sure to include the following items:

Briefly introduce and summarize the article.

Identify the authors’ main points.

Explain how the study’s results may differ if conducted in the United States as opposed to using Turkish participants.

Keep in mind that Turkey has stricter sexual media censorship rules than the United States, and violations of such can

produce regulation fines.

Explain additional factors that influence learning, conditioning, and behaviors as outlined in the textbook.

Examine how one’s dreams influence external behaviors.

Describe the impact that violence and social media can have on behaviors.

Relate the article back to this course. Does it support the information in your textbook?

Your article review must be a minimum of two pages in length. You must reference the assigned article and your textbook. If

necessary, you may use other scholarly sources to support your review as well. All sources used must be referenced;

paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations. Please be sure to cite any outside sources, and

format your paper in accordance with proper APA formatting.

If you need further help with your review, you should consult with the Writing Center staff, allowing enough time to receive

guidance and feedback. You can email the Writing Center at teamsucceed@columbiasouthern.edu.

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

 

Unit V Essay

Wade and Tavris explain that various factors combine to influence one’s thinking patterns, intelligence, and memories. In

fact, we often embrace certain biases and mental shortcuts to assist our cognitive processing. These efforts can prove both

costly and beneficial.

This assignment is divided into parts, so it is suggested that you begin working on it in advance. PSY 1010, General Psychology 3

Find a popular press article or story from the nightly news in which someone argues a point that you disagree with. Write

a paragraph agreeing with this person. Allow one day before moving on to the next part.

Make sure at least one day has passed since writing the first paragraph. Now, write another paragraph disagreeing with

the person. You will include both of these paragraphs in your essay.

Discuss the differences between your arguments from the first paragraph in which you agree and the second paragraph

in which you disagree. Elaborate on whether you think that your opinion has changed on this topic, particularly thinking

about your initial thoughts on the topic before you wrote either paragraph.

In your discussion, incorporate research from the textbook to explain how reasoning, intelligence, and memories

influenced your arguments. How did cognitive dissonance affect your reasoning abilities?

Your response should be at least two pages in length, but it can be longer if necessary to address all aspects of the

assignment. You must use the textbook and at least one additional source. All sources used, including the textbook, must

be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations.

If you need further help with your essay, you should consult with the Writing Center staff, allowing enough time to receive

guidance and feedback. You can email the Writing Center at teamsucceed@columbiasouthern.edu.

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

 

Unit VI Reflection Paper

Throughout this unit, you have learned that certain links exist between emotions, motivation, and stress. In fact, if one does

not handle his or her stress effectively, numerous health issues could arise.

For this assignment, you are to compose a reflection paper in which you examine a current or past stressful event in your

life. You must embrace Selye’s general adaptation syndrome (GAS) and describe your reactions to the stressful event

during each stage. You should describe the various facial expressions that you displayed as you progressed through each

stage as well. Be sure also to address the following questions:

What coping strategies did you embrace to help solve the problem?

How was your professional life affected by the stressor?

How does Maslow’s hierarchy of needs relate to your stressor? What motivated you to solve the problem?

Did you experience additional conflicts with other individuals as you endured this life trial?

Tips for writing your reflection paper:

Introduction: This is meant to give a concise overview of the featured stressful event and is usually one paragraph in

length. In your introduction, you will reveal the featured stressful event that you will examine for this paper.

Summary: This contains your description of the required areas listed above in the opening statement, including Selye’s

GAS, your facial expressions, coping strategies, professional impact, and relationship conflicts.

Analysis: In this portion of the paper, you should provide information from the textbook to analyze the impact that the

stressful event could have placed upon your health, future goals, and motivation. You may use sources identified from

the Online Library to assist your analysis efforts, but this is not required.

Conclusion: This summarizes your final reflections for the featured topic. For instance, what implications have you

uncovered during your research that you will apply to future stressful events?

Your paper must be at least one page in length, not counting the title and reference pages, but it can be longer if necessary

to address all aspects of the assignment. It should be formatted in APA style. You are required to utilize the textbook, but

other sources may be used if needed. You may visit the Online Library to identify a source that provides specific

information on how this stressful issue could impact your health, future goals, and motivation. Any information from a source

should be cited and referenced in APA style.

If you need further help with your reflection paper, you should consult with the Writing Center staff, allowing enough time to

receive guidance and feedback. You can email the Writing Center at teamsucceed@columbiasouthern.edu.

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

 

 

 

 

Unit VII Scholarly Activity

Dear Son/Daughter

Within Unit VII, you have learned that various elements contribute to development over the lifespan. Furthermore, you are

now aware that numerous factors that shape one’s personality are present. How can you use this newly acquired

knowledge to positively shape future generations?

For this assignment, you are going to write a letter to your son or daughter that you will present to him or her on the child’s

21st birthday. If your child is already over 21, imagine back to when he or she was born. If you do not plan to have children,

you may write the letter to a child who is important in your life: a niece, nephew, or friend’s child, for example. Within your

letter, you must discuss the following items:

When and why did you decide to have the child? If writing to a child that is not your own, describe why the child is

important to you. What are the most important qualities for a parent to have, and why?

What personal characteristics do you hope your young adult son or daughter will possess, and why?

How did you attempt to influence the child’s physical, motor, cognitive, moral, social, personality, and sex-role

development? Give specific examples in each area while detailing how each one will influence your young adult’s future

actions and decision-making abilities. PSY 1010, General Psychology 4

Identify cultural influences that could affect your son’s or daughter’s motivation and drive.

In your letter, incorporate research from the textbook to explain how you have sought to positively influence your son or

daughter’s development. You may also use the Online Library for additional reference material.

Your letter should be at least one page in length but can be longer if necessary to address all aspects of the assignment.

You must use at least the textbook as a reference for this assignment. All sources used, including the textbook, must be

referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations. This paper does not have to be formatted

in APA style. It should be set up like a letter; however, you should use APA-formatted citations and references, and you

should include a reference page after the conclusion of the letter.

If you need further help with your essay/letter, you should consult with the Writing Center staff, allowing enough time to

receive guidance and feedback. You can email the Writing Center at teamsucceed@columbiasouthern.edu.

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

 

 

 

Unit VIII Case Study

Within Unit VIII, you have learned about various psychological disorders and the complexities involved with proper diagnoses

and treatment efforts. Now it is time to put your skills to the test. Choose ONE of the cases listed below and create a mental

health assessment for your chosen case. In the assessment, you should address the following:

a. Why is your client coming for treatment?

b. What are his or her current symptoms?

c. Does he or she have a history with this problem? If so, please describe it.

d. How could the issue affect his or her daily life functions?

e. What is your client’s specific diagnosis?

f. What is the general class(es) of disorders to which this disorder belongs?

g. What are your recommendations? What specific treatment plan will you prescribe for this patient? You should use

your textbook as a reference to substantiate your plan.

h. How could you get his or her family involved?

Chose ONE of these cases to analyze.

1. Tony sometimes seems very wound up. At those times, he seems full of energy, talks very rapidly, and makes very

grandiose plans. Once, he gave away all of his belongings and was planning to move to Washington, D.C., so that he

could advise the President. At these times, he also seems to need almost no sleep. During other periods of time Tony

seems very down. During these times, he does not take care of himself. He seems to want to sleep all the time, and

he often makes thinly veiled references to wanting to commit suicide.

2. Paula has not left her house for several months. When she tries to go out, she experiences great anxiety. She says

she is afraid that if she leaves her house to go somewhere, she will not be able to get back. Before all this started,

Paula seemed fairly normal except for having several episodes where, for no apparent reason, her heart started

pounding, she started to sweat profusely, and she experienced all the symptoms of fear and terror. One of the

reasons she is afraid to leave the house is because she is afraid she will have one of these episodes again. Hint:

there are two specific diagnoses here.

3. Horace sleeps a lot, has great difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, and generally does not want to do anything.

He has stopped seeing friends whom he used to see often and declines all invitations to do things socially. His most

common response is “I just do not feel like it.” He looks sad all the time and does not seem to take pleasure in

everyday activities. This has been going on for the past two months.

4. Patricia is a 44-year-old female who reports that she has periods of time where she cannot remember what she has

done. She reports that after one such period, she received a telephone call from a man who claimed to have met her

in a bar where she was “the life of the party.” She had also told the man her name was Priscilla. Patricia thinks that

this is odd because she does not drink, and she is a rather shy and retiring person. However, the man had her correct

telephone number and was able to give a good physical description of her.

5. Frank was attending college in San Francisco during a recent earthquake. He lived in the area that was hardest hit by

the quake. Frank was not home when the earthquake hit and was not injured in any way, but when he returned home,

he found his building demolished and his two roommates crushed to death. Frank immediately drove himself to the

airport, bought a ticket to Boston, and got on the plane. His parents found him on their doorstep in Boston the next

morning. Frank remembers nothing about the earthquake and nothing about going to college in San Francisco. The

last thing he remembers is being a high school student and living with his parents in Boston.

In your case study, you must incorporate research from the textbook to substantiate your diagnosis. You may also use the

Online Library for additional reference material if needed, but this is not required. Your response should be at least two

pages in length. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have

accompanying citations.

If you need further help with your case study, you should consult with the Writing Center staff, allowing enough time to

receive guidance and feedback. You can email the Writing Center at teamsucceed@columbiasouthern.edu.

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.