NEED TO USE THIS TEXTBOOK FOR ESSAY
Berger, K. S. (2023). The developing person through the lifespan, 12th Edition
A. When you have chosen an adolescent or adult for your study, explain that you are doing this research for a course in life-span development psychology, that the person’s name will not be used in the report, and that the main purpose of this study is to help you see how textbook knowledge applies to real life.
B. Before you begin the study, read/review the chapters that apply to the age group to which the subject belongs. You may use ANY or ALL of the following research methods:
(a) Naturalistic observation. Accompany the person to school, work, or to some social setting. Try to be as unobtrusive as possible; maintain some distance from the person and those with whom the person interacts.
(b) Informal interaction. Interact with the person for at least half an hour. Some possible topics for discussion: What are the subject’s favorite (and least favorite) activities? What experiences from the subject’s past have been most influential to the subject’s present life? What have been the influences of family, friends, and mentors in the subject’s choice of employment and satisfaction with work? What other factors have been important (education, personal preference, financial needs, temperament, and so on)? How does the subject balance work responsibilities and family life? Questions about current events can elicit information about values and character. Note the subject’s attitudes and responses: Does the subject seem shy or open, easygoing or difficult to get along with, have a sense of humor about him- or herself? Does the subject accept responsibility for his or her life and actions, or blame others? Does the subject seem satisfied or dissatisfied with his or her personal life, family, choice of employment, etc.?
(c) Interview. Conduct an interview with your subject and, if possible, with a relative or a friend of the subject. Keep these interviews loose and open-ended. Your goals are to learn: (1) the person’s history, especially any past illnesses, stresses, or problems that might affect development; (2) the person’s daily routine, including patterns of school, work, and recreation; (3) current problems that might affect the person; (4) temperament, character, and personality, including special strengths and weaknesses.
(d) Testing the person (optional). You can learn about your subject’s thinking by designing or using a test suitable for eliciting the type of information in which you are interested (e.g. moral reasoning, dialectical thinking, attitudes, and interests).
C. When writing the report, do not simply transcribe your findings from the various techniques you used.
(a) Begin by reporting relevant background information, including your subject’s age and sex of siblings, children or grandchildren if any, economic and ethnic background of the family, and the educational and marital status of the parents.
(b) Describe your subject’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development, citing at least 10 supporting theories and concepts (underline these in the body of your paper) from your research to substantiate any conclusions you have reached. The final paper should be 3 to 4 pages, double-spaced with one inch margins. Please use a 12 point font.
