Family Studies and Human Development Student Learning Assessment FSHD 117 Introduction to Lifespan Development

Transcription

1 Family Studies and Human Development Student Learning Assessment FSHD 117 Introduction to Lifespan Development Assessment goal: Students will demonstrate broad knowledge of theories, issues, research findings and their applications in the field of family studies and human development, as evidenced in classroom work (e.g., responses to exam questions and written assignments). Exam questions assessing understanding of major theories in the field: 1. Dr. Friendly is interested in seeing how the stages of Piaget s theory work in multiple cultures. If she were to find that all of Piaget s stages had similar jumps in various cultures this would support the idea that development is and not. 2. You conducted a study of your classmates in FSHD 117 and found that there was a strong positive correlation between attending class and their scores on this exam. If this is true which of the following correlation coefficients would you expect? 3. Vygotsky s concept, known as the zone of proximal development (ZPD) states that: 4. Because Dr. Ridley is a cognitive theorist we know that he stresses the importance of for understanding development. 5. When someone says that men are not predisposed to monogamy due to historical influences on their genes, this person is most likely referring to results from which of the following theories of development? 6. Your friend is convinced that every person she dates will eventually cheat on her. According to Erickson we might want to look at her relationship with her parents during what part of her life to see if there is an underlying problem in her psychosocial development? 7. Your friend Ashley has a problem. She always seems to say things that are completely inappropriate even if they are true. According to Freud she may have issues in which of her areas of psychic energies? 8. Piaget s cognitive theory and psychoanalytic theories are ALIKE in that both strongly emphasize in development. 9. A person s is their actual physical expressions/appearance whereas refers to their chromosomal makeup.

2 10. Which of the following theorists could be describe development as a function of environment working on a Blank Slate in context? 11. Herman believes that all children are bad by nature and must be taught right from wrong by their parents. His belief is most like which theorist s view?

3 Paper directions and grading rubric (application of theory, showing evidence of application of research methods). These assignments are designed to allow you to compare text learning to experience or to expand your knowledge in a particular area through further research. Option 1 IQ tests: After looking over the section of the course dealing with IQ, and IQ testing take 2 of the following 3 IQ tests (you will have to page through a bunch of free offers on one of them to get you results, by hitting skip in the upper right of the screen, on another you will need to enter an address) Write down your scores on each test after you complete them and then in 1-2 pages answer the following questions: 1) What were the similarities and differences between the two tests (other than length) in terms of what areas of intelligence they might actually be testing? 2) What was your score in each test? 3) Which score do you think was most accurate for you? Why? 4) Do you think these tests are accurate in assessing how intelligent people are? Why? How successful they will be in our culture? Why? 5) Do you think these tests are racially or culturally biased? Why? 6) How do you think you could improve on these tests? 7) Are there areas of intelligence that you think they fail to test? What evidence from the course supports your conclusions? a) Use of psychometric theory in describing the tests. b) Discussion of Sternberg or Gardner s theories of multiple intelligences. c) Discussion of research that criticizes IQ tests and/or supports them. Option 2 Memory and Learning: Find and take at least 2 free online learning style inventories/tests. In 1-2 pages, answer the following questions: 1) List the web addresses of the tests you took. 2) What learning style did they identify you as? 3) What similarities and differences do you notice about the tests? Did you get different results? If so, why do you think so? 4) Describe your existing study habits. Do your study habits take advantage of your learning style? If so how, if not how could you change your habits to improve your memory of learned materials?

4 5) Which parts of the information processing approach would you be able to improve on through using the hints your learning styles suggest? a) Discussion of memory systems and types in discussing learning styles. b) Use of the information processing theory in describing existing study habits. c) Application of memory subsystems (encoding, storage etc.) in discussing how they can improve their learning. Option 3 Personality traits: The following web site allows you to choose from a number of personality tests Take one of the big 5 personality tests, and one other of the personality tests on the site. In 1-2 pages, answer the following questions: 1) How did you score on the 2 tests? 2) Did you think the results were accurate for you? 3) Given the outcomes you got, what factors do you think contributed to your current personality styles? 4) How much do you think your personality will change in the future? Why? 5) What purpose do you think these tests serve? Can we use these results to learn more about ourselves? To choose a mate? To help raise our children? Find a job? Why, why not? a) Discussion of trait theory in discussing the use of the big-5 tests. b) Discussion and application of at least one major personality theory in describing the possible origins of their personality. c) Discussion and application of at least one major personality theory in describing the possibility of change in personality. Is it congruent with their assertions? Option 5 Applying Theory and Methods: This assignment is designed to allow you to apply your understanding of theory and methods. Pick one theory from the course that we have studied. Using that theory design a research study to look at Identity Development. For this assignment (2-3 pages) you should address the following areas: 1) Describe the theory you are using, and why it is a good theory for studying identity development. 2) What type of design will you use? Why is this best? What are the drawbacks?

5 3) What methods of data collection will you use? Why? What are the drawbacks to these methods? 4) How many people will be in your study? 5) What are the ethical concerns you will need to address? a) Description of the theory chosen is accurate and complete. b) Description of the research methods and design fits their suggestion and is accurate for the task at hand. c) Ethical concerns are legitimate and based on evidence from the course. Option 6 Media and Reality: This assignment is designed to allow the student to explore first hand how research findings are used by the media. Find an article in a popular press outlet (Time, Newsweek, Parenting etc.) that has to do with human development and sites data from a reputable research study. You should find the original publication of the data that is sited in a research journal (see Jim for tips on finding the original research) and then you will compare the 2 (3-4 pages). You should address the following areas. 1) Summarize the popular press article with special emphasis on how it portrayed the results from the research study. 2) Summarize the research article and their findings. 3) Did the popular press piece portray the results accurately? 4) Did they leave key findings out? 5) Was the research valid overall in your opinion, or were there gaps in the study? 6) How might the study have been improved? a) Summary of the research article makes note of all applicable methods and designs discussed in the course. b) Student identifies strengths and weaknesses in the research using course materials in support of their opinion. c) Suggestions for improvement are based on course discussion of methods, theories and designs.