PSY6096 Lifespan Psychology

What to do within the assessment:

This assessment is to produce a report which applies theories and research relating to developmental psychology to news reports. This assignment is allows you to link developmental psychology to the real world. You will be expected to show evidence of wider reading of journal articles to support the statements that you are making.

This assessment is made up of four sections. There are 4 news report articles from each of the four sections below and link the article to theory and research. You must also reflect on the real world impact of the developmental psychological theories and research. (I have uploaded the four news articles for each section in your files section. Two news report articles are from the Guardian and make sure to register with The Guardian to gain full access to the article and read it fully).

I HAVE ALSO UPLOADED TWO RECORDING ON MORE GUIDANCE ON THIS IN THE FILES SECTION. 1 RECORDING IS ROUGHLY 9MINS AND THE OTHER RECORDING IS ROUGHLY 8MINS. PLEASE TO DOWNLOAD AND READ AND LISTEN TO EVERYTHING IN YOUR FILES SECTION. ALL IS VERY IMPORTANT.

Section 1: Childhood – Moral Development (500 words) –

Theory to apply: Kohlberg’s theory; Piaget’s moral development theory (choose 1 theory) – both theories are developmental stage models looking at how our moral thoughts change through childhood into adulthood.

Section 2: Adolescence – Parental conflict (500 words) –

Theory to apply: Storm and Stress theory by Arnett – The storm and stress theory says that one of the key issues during adolescence is parental conflict.

Section 3: Adulthood – Mid Life Crisis (500 words) –

Theory to apply: Levinson’s theory of adulthood; Erikson’s theory (choose 1 theory) – these are both developmental stage theories looking at changes in adulthood. Mid-life crisis is one of the key features of both models.

Section 4: Old Age – Depression (500 words) –

Theory to apply: Levinson’s final stage theory – this is where you reflect on your life and hand over ‘power’ to the middle adulthood generation. Erikson (final stage: Ego Integrity vs. Despair); Kubler Ross’s model of death and dying could also apply as the patients in this care home have dementia

NOTE: MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE 1 THEORY AND 2 RESEARCH FINDINGS/METHODOLOGIES FOR EACH SECTION AS THE WORD COUNT FOR THE 4 SECTIONS IS 500 WORDS EACH ONLY.

For each section – Briefly explain what the news article is about (very concisely summarize the news article). Then link 1 theory with the news article aswel as linking in 2 research methodologies (state what they did and found and what the key findings are of the study) with the news article. Also make sure to critically analyse the theory and research whilst linking it to the news article. Then at the end critically evaluate the links between the theory and research with the real world impact.

Example: For the topic Childhood, read the news article about moral development in Childhood and then very concisely summarize what the article is about in 1 or 2 sentences. Then link in a moral development theory e.g. Kohlberg’s theory and link it to the news article aswel as finding 2 research studies already done on moral development and linking it to the news article aswel. Make sure to also critically evaluate the theory and research findings whilst linking them to the news article. Thereafter, critically evaluate the links between the theory and research with stating an example of a real world impact on moral development of childhood/of a child (i.e. reflect on the real world impact of the developmental psychological theories and research for each section). Make sure to weave the links of the theory and research findings very nicely to the news article to make a logical flow.

I HAVE ALSO ATTACHED A MS WORD DOCUMENT IN THE FILES SECTION OF AN EXAMPLE OF A TOPIC A STUDENT DID LAST YEAR AND THEY GOT A 1ST IN IT. PLEASE FOLLOW THE WAY THEY STRUCTURED THEIR WORK.

Below are some very important information about this assessment to take heed:

Learning Outcomes to meet are as follows:

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of a variety of theories, concepts, and principles across the Lifespan

In this criterion, demonstrate an excellent demonstration of concepts and principles in Developmental Psychology and demonstrate an excellent understanding through the utilisation of several sources and utilise the material accurately and confidently.

2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the different research methods within Lifespan Development

In this criterion, demonstrate an excellent appraisal of research methodologies in Developmental psychology

3. Critically assess research relating to specific areas of Lifespan Development and integrate this with a theory based approach

In this criterion, demonstrate an excellent application of key studies and findings from your chosen area to psychological phenomena, functioning, thinking, behaviour and brain functioning

4. Critically evaluate the links between theory and research with the real world

In this criterion, demonstrate an excellent application of key theories and research studies to the real world with practical implications.

You need to link psychological theories (LO1) and research (LO2) to the articles that you have chosen (LO4).

When you are discussing the research include critical discussion about the research methodologies that the studies have used (LO3).

You must also consider the impact of these theories and research in the real world (LO4).

You only have 500 words per section to complete this and therefore you will need to be precise in your writing.

With each section, bear in mind to:

1. Creating an argument: Critique the research methodologies

• I.e. does the theory & research that you have discussed provide a reliable and valid explanation of the behaviour/phenomena observed in the article?

• Critique the research methodologies (LO2) – What have these studies/theories been criticised for/praised for? (Remember critique can be both positive and negative!) E.g. limited population / laboratory study lacking ecological validity? Provide references if you can to support the critique.

• Creating an argument, and linking theory and research

2. Creating an argument, and linking theory and research

• You need to think about making links between theory and research… (LO3)

• Does the research support/build on/refute the theory?

• Make sure you are creating flow in your writing

3. Links to the real world

• LO4 is about making links with the real world.

• Make sure you link back to the articles regularly throughout.

• Think about wider practical applications – what does this explanation of the behaviour mean in the real world? E.g. in this example, impact on schools?

Key themes to think about throughout the module:

1. Critical analysis of theory and research

· You must be able to show critical analysis skills in your assessment by critically discussing (LO3) theories (LO1) and research (LO2) in relation to the behaviour observed in the news articles.

2. Real world applications

· You must be able to show understand of real world applications (LO4) of developmental psychology by explaining the behaviour observed in the articles using research and theory.

Final General Tips:

• Read the detailed marking framework

• Ensure you are reading primary resources

• Include evaluation and critique into your writing

• Read RECENT research