Assessment Instructions

Adult Vocational Development

Chapter 14 in the course textbook focuses on the value and meaning of work in adulthood. The social roles and meanings associated with work—what one does for a living or as a profession—are among the most complex and important identities associated with individuals in our society

For this journal assignment, reflect on the substance and theoretical foundation of what you have learned this week about social development, specifically in relation to work and work/life integration. Then write a reflective essay that addresses the following:

• Explain how this week’s readings inform, influence, or cast light on your personal educational and work journey.
• Reflect on how ones work and related practices fit into stages of development as theorized by Erikson or Maslow.
• Discuss how you would advise a younger colleague or client facing decisions in this realm.

Developmental Psychology Literature Review

Prior to beginning work on this assignment, review the APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct: Including 2010 Amendments and read the required Baltes (1987) article.

In this assignment you will choose five general topics of interest to you within the field of developmental psychology from the list below.

• Prenatal development
• Infant care
• Attachment
• Child development
• Adolescence
• Adulthood
• Gerontology/Aging
• Language development
• Parenting
• Relationships
• Education
• Physical development
• Cognitive development
• Psychosocial development

For each of your five chosen topics, research a peer-reviewed article in the Ashford University Library that was published within the last 10 years.

You will utilize your chosen articles to explain human development in the context of current trends within the selected topic. Critically evaluate the scholarly perspectives presented in the articles by describing strengths, limitations, inaccuracies or lack of clarity, and any remaining questions. Provide an analysis of ethical considerations in the research addressing the sample and methodology used. Apply the developmental theory presented in Baltes’s set of six principles that define our understanding of human development (lifelong, multidimensional, multidirectional, gains and losses, contextual and historical, and multidisciplinary) through a synthesis of the information from your chosen articles. The review should be formatted with the headings and content designated below.

Introduction

Begin with an introduction that briefly describes your topics, chosen articles, and the principle of development from Baltes (1987) to be addressed. The introduction should end with a succinct thesis statement that presents the idea of how each unique topic within developmental psychology can be applied to your chosen principle of development.

Summary and Critical Evaluation

In this section, you will summarize each article by highlighting the purpose, research questions and hypotheses, methods, results, and conclusions drawn regarding the topic the article represents. Then, evaluate the merits of the article, including the strengths, weakness and limitations, and future directions of the research. Additionally, evaluate whether you had any issues with accuracy or clarity in reading the article, and address any remaining questions you have. Finally, evaluate any ethical considerations that may or may not have been addressed by the authors of the articles.

Synthesis of Principles Defining the Lifespan Development Approach

In this section, you will integrate one of the principles of development which state that development is lifelong, multidimensional, multidirectional, gains and losses, contextual and historical, and/or multidisciplinary (Baltes, 1987). To do so, you will first describe your chosen principle and explain how it can be applied to each of your five topics. Construct clear arguments regarding how your chosen principle drives, and is influenced by key elements presented in the articles.

Conclusion

Synthesize the findings described in your five articles into a succinct conclusion in which you reaffirm your thesis statement and describe how the principle of development discussed in your review influences our understanding of human development across all five chosen topics. Address any remaining questions and overarching implications of the studies with regard to future directions in developmental psychology.

Writing the Literature Review

The Literature Review:

1. Must be 8 to 11 double-spaced pages in length, not including the title page or reference list, and must be formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

1. Must include a title page with the following:

• Title of paper

• Student’s name

• Course name and number

• Instructor’s name

• Date submitted

1. Must begin with an introduction that has a succinct thesis statement.

1. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.

1. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.

1. Must use at least five peer-reviewed sources published within the last 10 years, all of which come from the Ashford University Library.

1. Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

1. Must include a separate reference page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Response 1: Over-Treatment and Under-Treatment of Addiction

• ·      Respond to a colleague who chose a different example of under-treatment or over-treatment and provide an additional consequence.
• ·      Use at least 2 references

Colleague 1:  Hayley

Addiction professionals often times help individuals who will consistently deny that they are sick and often refuse medical treatment. Marge demonstrates these characteristics. She denies that she has an issue at first and places blame on her loved ones. An example of over treatment would be when the counselor keeps asking Marge “why” she is in treatment. This could cause Marge to lash out and even shut down; clearly this has been established already (Doweiko, 2015). Marge exhibited resentment and denial initially but eventually admitted that the intervention is what made her realize she has an issue (Laureate Education, 2012). Under treatment is trying to force Marge into thinking that God or some other spiritual guide is needed in order to have a successful recovery. This is not correct. Marge needs tools to help her be successful but not everyone believes in God or has a religious background. Because Marge feels like she cannot connect to God, this creates a level of guilt and feelings of unworthiness. This can create even more guilt, Marge could start to identify with the statement if only I could stop sinning; I could stop drinking or if I could connect to God or a higher power maybe then I can start recovery. This is an example of over-treatment and shines a light on the problem and increases guilt (Mee-Lee & Gastfriend, 2015). The counselor is not being culturally competent nor are they separating their personal beliefs from their professional obligation. To mitigate the potential for over-treating or under-treating client it is important to ensure that all addiction treatment entities are capable of providing adequate and appropriate services. They should be client focused and therapeutic sound. Focusing on all the client’s issues and not just the addiction.

References

Doweiko, H. E., (2015). Concepts of chemical dependency. Ninth Edition. Cengage Learning.

Mee-Lee, D., & Gastfriend, D. R. (2015). Patient placement criteria. In M. Galanter, & H. D. Kleber (Eds.), The American psychiatric publishing textbook of substance abuse treatment (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

Prochaska, J. O., DiClemente, C. C., & Norcross, J. C. (1992). In search of how people change: Applications to addictive behaviors. American Psychologist, 47(9), 1102–1114

While all major developmental theories attempt to explain the growth of individuals, each theory has a slightly different perspective. Some theories emphasize environmental (nurture) more than biological (nature) influences. Some theories focus on a particular construct (e.g., cognition), while others emphasize the impact of age range in shaping development. Piaget’s cognitive developmental theory emphasizes fixed stages during which the mind’s capacities allow an individual to learn about the world. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, on the other hand, is not stage-based and describes growth as an interaction between the individual and his or her environment.

Contemporary theories (e.g., Langer’s theory of mindfulness) typically build upon the foundation generated by earlier theories. Langer’s theory of mindfulness contains similarities to classical theories, such as Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, in that they both agree that development is contextual and the organism is an active “mindful” participant. Langer took Vygotsky’s theory to a new level, focusing specifically on education and the learner. Other contemporary theories include neo-Piagetian cognitive developmental theories, which attempt to address the limitations found within Piaget’s classical theory. Robbie Case, Andreas Demetriou, and Kurt Fischer proposed theories that were extensions of Piaget’s theory. These theorists added concepts that expanded on cognitive functioning within the stages of development. Most developmental psychologists today do not believe that a single perspective or theory can sufficiently explain lifespan development; rather, an eclectic approach accounts for development better.

For this Discussion, you will examine classical and contemporary developmental theories as they relate to current applications in developmental psychology.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review the course text and other Learning Resources related to mid-20th-century theories and recent theoretical perspectives
• Select two theories from the following list, one from each column (classical, contemporary), that examine the same developmental processes (i.e., cognitive, physical, and/or social-emotional).

By Day 4

Post a brief description of the two theories you selected (one classical and one contemporary). Contrast the theories you selected. Specifically, identify important similarities and differences, including an explanation of the strengths and limitations of each theory in explaining developmental processes (i.e., cognitive, physical, and social-emotional). Note: Your descriptions should be in paragraph form, not bullet points. Use your Learning Resources and/or other scholarly sources to support your post. Use proper APA format and citations.

By Day 6

Respond to at least one of your colleagues’ posts and search the Internet and/or the Walden Library and select a current article (within the last 5 years) that is related to the same developmental process (i.e., cognitive, physical, and social-emotional) that your colleague posted. Summarize the article and describe the theory identified within the article.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting and answer any questions. Note what you have learned and/or any insights that you have gained as a result of your colleagues’ comments.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 3 Discussion Rubric