Background

Understanding theories of development is key in psychology. All people proceed through specific areas of change and growth in key areas as they go through life. Whatever path we take in life, understanding theories of development will assist us in motivating and guiding others, as well as understanding ourselves.

Instructions

Apply the theories of development to your personal life experience by answering each of the following questions.

1. Jean Piaget’s Stage Theory of Cognitive Development: At what age do you feel you entered the stage of Formal Operational Thought? Explain the stage briefly and then focus on providing examples of ways your thinking has shifted to indicate you have developed into this stage of reasoning. (For instance, provide an example of how your views of justice or morality have shifted as you’ve matured.)

2. Developmental Stage Theory of Erik Erikson: Choose one stage from Erikson’s Developmental Stage Theory and apply it to your own life. Explain the stage, age that it occurs, and how the central challenge of that stage played out in your life. What was the outcome of this stage for you? Did anything happen in your life prior to that stage that affected the outcome? How does the outcome from that stage affect how you are today? Provide specific details that demonstrate your understanding of the stage you choose.

3. Lawrence Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development: Considering the moral or ethical decisions that you have made in your life, describe one decision you made based on one of the three levels of moral development. Be sure to clearly explain the level of moral development and clearly identify the underlying ethical reasoning behind your decision. (For instance, you may explain a decision you made based on Preconventional morality when you were a child, or you may focus on a decision you made from a higher level of development as an adult.)

4. Developmental Milestones: Motor Development. The unfolding of biological potential is known as “maturation.” Motor skill development in babies is mostly controlled by the process of maturation. Think about a child that you have known (yourself, your own child, a friend or family member). Describe how the child progressed from rolling over, to sitting, standing, and walking. At what age did each milestone occur? Did the development occur in a “typical” sequence based on what you’ve learned in your text? Is there anything that occurred in the child’s environment that either delayed motor development or facilitated it? What is the difference between “maturation” and “learning,” based on your readings and observation?

Papers should be at least 2 pages double-spaced
Writing should use formal language and correct spelling and punctuation
Topics reflected upon may include any information covered in class readings
Papers may take 1 or 2 topics and examine them deeply, or more topics examined in less detail
When writing, consider the following:
What have we studied that is interesting?
What new things have you learned?
How has your learning affected preconceptions or misconceptions you brought with you into class?
Will what you have learned change your behavior in the future? How so?
How can you apply your learning to your personal life (e.g., family, career, education, etc.)?
Rubric
Reflection Paper Rubric
Reflection Paper Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
Format
Almost no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. Used proper font and margins.
4.0 pts
A few grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. Perhaps wrong font was used or paper was slightly disorganized.
3.0 pts
Many grammatical spelling or punctuation errors. The paper is rather disorganized. Perhaps the font and spacing are incorrect.
2.0 pts
So many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors that the paper is difficult to read. May not have used proper font and/or margins. Paper is very disorganized.
1.0 pts
0.0 pts
4.0 pts
Amount of Information
All 5 questions were thoroughly and thoughtfully answered.
4.0 pts
All 5 questions were addressed, but some ideas are not well-developed (response is too short or irrelevant information was provided).
3.0 pts
One or two questions were not addressed or the paper was less than 2 pages.
2.0 pts
More than 2 questions were not addressed and/or the Paper was less than a page.
1.0 pts
0.0 pts
4.0 pts
Terminology
Accurate and consistent use of psychology- specific terminology from the text and/or article.
4.0 pts
Paper generally uses terminology from the course, but may not be totally appropriate or is missing in some places.
3.0 pts
Paper includes very little terminology from the course or overuse of conversational language/superficial terms.
2.0 pts
Only superficial terms or conversational language is used. Little or no evidence of using terms from the course
1.0 pts
0.0 pts
4.0 pts
Description of criterion
view longer description
Made specific reference to how content from the course can be applied to your personal life (e.g., family, career, education, etc.)? Did not simply summarize a theory. Made it clear what the material means to you.
4.0 pts
Made some reference to how content from the course can be applied to your personal life, but the reflection lacked specificity.
3.0 pts
Very little reference to how content from the course can be applied to your personal life. The paper focused mostly on summarizing concepts.
2.0 pts
The paper showed little or no evidence of how the content could be applied to your personal life.
1.0 pts
0.0 pts
4.0 pts
Total Points: 16.0