Discussion Assignment Instructions
Directions: You will post one thread of at least 300 words. For each thread, students must support their assertions with at least 2 scholarly citations and references in APA format.
Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years unless the student is citing classic or historical theoretical information or research. Acceptable sources include course materials, scholarly peer-reviewed sources, and/or the Bible, in current APA format, with at least 1 of the sources being from course materials or scholarly, peer-reviewed articles or texts.
Single-spacing is appropriate in the discussions. The student will not be penalized if the references in the discussions are not in hanging indentation format, due to the difficulty that sometimes occurs with formatting discussions. First person is acceptable in the discussions.
As you engage with the material for Modules 1 and 2, what issues come up for you? What are your thoughts and feelings about the topics? Share your perspectives on the material, and support your perspectives with material from the course and/or other scholarly materials. Some topics and questions to consider in writing the post are:
· Read: Lerner: Chapter 3
· Watch: Erik Erikson & Lifespan Development:
· Watch: Erik Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development in Infancy and Early Childhood:
Based on the materials from Modules 1 and 2, what is developmental psychology (or developmental science)? What do developmental psychologists/scientists do? What is the benefit of developmental psychology/science? Why study developmental psychology/science? Which research methods are useful in studying development, and why?
· Were there any topics in that were particularly interesting to you? If so, which ones, and why?
· Was there anything that seemed surprising to you or different from what you previously thought? If so, what, and why? How was it different or surprising?
· Discuss your perspectives on the relational developmental systems perspective of development. How does it differ from more traditional theories of development?
· Discuss the relevance of Erik Erikson’s theory to lifespan development.
· Is developmental psychology an appropriate field for a Christian? Why or why not? How would you respond to someone who tells you the Bible is the only information a person needs about psychology and that its precepts conflict with those of developmental psychology? Are the Bible and developmental psychology compatible?
