Each student will select
a question (problem) associated with human behavior and examine different
explanations for the behavior. (Examples: Why are some people evil? Why are more children diagnosed with
ADHD or Autism now than previously? Why do people lie? Why do people XYZ? What causes XYZ in
humans? How does XYZ behavior in humans develop?)
Each student will a) research,
b) analyze possible explanations, and c) evaluate answers to his/her question
using at least two prominent psychological theoretical perspectives that
we have studied in this course: biological, evolutionary, cognitive,
behavioral, psychodynamic, sociocultural, and humanistic. The student will
also form conclusions about which psychological perspective best explains the
identified problem and address ethical issues associated with the problem.
The student will
document the information in the form of an essay (4-5 pages) using APA style. The essay will be submitted through the
assignment link on the course Blackboard site.
Steps to assignment
completion:
1.
Statement of the problem: Identify
and explain your question of interest regarding human behavior. Why is this of
interest to you? Why is this question important? Why is this behavior considered a problem
(include supporting data)?
2.
Evidence: Select (and thoroughly describe) two prominent psychological theoretical
perspectives which address the problems.
After describing the
psychological perspectives, research and identify one source for each perspective (total: 2 sources) which
address the question. List and summarize each of the sources. These sources should be written by
professionals who have expertise in the subject.
3.
Influence
of Contexts and Assumptions: Using the information from these sources, thoroughly explain how a
psychologist working within each perspective views the problem, and how she or
he would try to answer the question. (IN-TEXT CITATIONS AND REFERENCE PAGE ARE
TO BE COMPLETED IN APA STYLE.)
4.
Student’s Position: Evaluate
the information you’ve described and form personal conclusions. Explain why you
agree with one perspective over the other or offer an alternative psychological
perspective as the explanation. You must
select only one perspective and support your position with evidence. How do your conclusions impact you? Why
are your conclusions important for you?
5.
Conclusions and Related Outcomes: Expand
beyond your personal conclusions and further evaluate the information. What
implications or impact do your conclusions have for psychologists and
society at large? For example, do your conclusions suggest different areas for
psychologists to investigate or study? Could what you have concluded be used to
help society at large, or do your conclusions suggest dangers or warnings for
society? What might be the economic, political, social, or educational
implications of what you’ve concluded?
6.
Ethical Considerations: Psychologists often encounter ethical issues/concerns
when addressing human problems. Using
the 8 key ethical questions as presented by James Madison University (fairness,
outcomes, responsibility, character, liberty, empathy, authority, and rights) think
about the ethical issues that may result from the problem you have
identified. Select at least 3 of the
most appropriate questions and explain how each applies to your selected
problem about human behavior. (The questions provided below are examples
of possible ethical issues/concerns associated with depression.)
Fairness – How can I act equitably and balance
legitimate interests? What if I am unable to care for my family
and continue my employment? Do I have to reveal my illness to my employer?
Outcomes – What achieves the best short- and
long-term outcomes for me and all others? What
happens if I get treatment for my depression?
What if I choose not to accept treatment? How does the treatment or lack of treatment impact
my family, friends, and coworkers? Will
the depression eventually go away? Are
there advantages to getting treatment sooner rather than later? What types of treatment seems to work best?
Responsibilities – What duties and/or obligations apply? Even though my friend/family member has not
admitted directly to me they are suicidal, should I contact a professional if I
suspect someone is suicidal? What
professional should I contact?
Character – What action best reflects who I am and
the person I want to become? Those who suffer from depression experience many negative
symptoms; irritability, lack of interest, intense sadness, confusion, fatigue,
sleep difficulties, thoughts of suicide, etc.
Could depression impact who a person becomes? Can depression influence relationships at
home, school, or work? Does depression
own the sufferer or can the sufferer learn to own the depression?
Liberty – How does respect for freedom, personal
autonomy, or consent apply? Can those who experience severe depression
be forced to seek help and receive treatment for depression? What should I do if someone confides they are
suffering from depression? Should I call
someone? Who do I call? Is my call confidential?
Empathy – What would I do if I cared deeply about
those involved? Would I want to see those I care
about suffer from the negative symptoms of depression? How can I
help since I am not a therapist?
Authority – What do legitimate authorities (e.g.
experts, law, my religion/god) expect of me? Can I
be forced into treatment? Will my
parents/family support me getting help?
Rights – What rights (e.g. innate, legal,
social) apply? Should
insurance companies be required to cover mental health services? Should counseling centers be required to provide
services to individuals who do not have insurance or available funds?
