Students will interview two people of the same developmental stage, either young
adulthood, middle adulthood, or late adulthood. The interviews will be the foundation for
7 to 10 page analysis paper. Students will utilize at least one developmental theory, for
example, Erikson, Levinson, Piaget, or Valliant, to analyze specific aspects of their
interviewees’ lives. The paper should be informed by your class readings, lectures, class
discussions, and academic journal studies and articles. The specific areas of the
interviewees’ lives that will be analyzed include self–perception, perception of family, life
challenges, coping strategies, and cultural considerations. A reflection is another
significant component of the paper. The reflection may incorporate thoughts regarding
the interviewees, the use of theory as a way to understand someone better, what was
learned as a result of doing the assignment, and/or overall thoughts about the interview
and analysis process.
Each of the required topic sections will include three components:
1). Interviewee information – The interviewee information needs to align with each of the
five topic areas (self–perception, perception of family, life challenges, coping strategies,
and cultural considerations).
2). Theory – The theory tenet used will align with the heading topic.
3). Theory/Interviewee Connection– Connecting the theory to the interviews.
The paper format should follow the template and sample paper that was provided on the
first day of class. The cultural considerations should include how one’s racial identity
impacted their development.
Each participant will be given a pseudonym. The interview time should range between 30
and 75 minutes, and the interview may be recorded or written down; however, you do not
need to submit the interview or the answers with the paper. The paper must incorporate
more than a transcription of the interview. Quoted material from the interview is
acceptable; however, quotes from the participants or reference material should be used
sparingly. APA guidelines will be followed, including title page, pagination, citations,
documentation, heading formatting, and reference list formatting. No abstract is required.
In addition to the textbook, three journal citations are required for articles published in
peer–reviewed journals in the past 10 years.
