Event of a Lifetime
This exercise demonstrates the impact of non-normative life events on an individual’s development. During this period of the study of life-span development, it is important to recognize the numerous influences on an individual’s behavior. From this perspective, we learn what influences are common to everyone, and how certain people experience different circumstances that contribute to their development. Not only is it important to consider the particular experiences in one’s life, but how one responds to those experiences as well. This is necessary for a more complete understanding of life-span development, and non-normative events can contribute significantly.
Essay Instructions:
Write about any non-normative life events you or someone close to you has experienced.
What happened?
How did you (or your friend) react?
What visible effect has the event had on your behavior since it occurred?
Why do you think it has affected your development in this way?
Can you imagine what your personality and life might be like had you not had this particular experience?
If you are considering someone else as the focus of this answer, ask if they would be willing to share these thoughts with you, promising them anonymity for their responses.
Each item is worth 1 point. Three points will be given for the quality and timely submission. Quality includes: logic, clear ideas, sentences in your own words, paper free of grammatical errors and APA format. Also, this paper should be typed, double-spaced, and two pages long. Short papers will be penalized. It is an opinion paper. References are not required and none should be used.
