This project involves a three (or more) page paper (double – spaced throughout the entire presentation, separate page for title, ¾ inch margins, at least 23 lines per page) dealing with an issue pertaining to the typical challenges that individuals encounter in the process of human development. Do not choose a psychiatrically diagnosable condition as your topic. Possible topics which the student might consider include: 1. The influence of retirement and/or other processes linked to the disengagement of elderly people from duties and activities which they have been pursuing for a majority of their time as adults on development and outlook on life. 2. The process of identity development and its influence on adolescents’ and young adults’ struggles to choose a major in college, a career, a spouse, etc. The student would need to consider research of James Marcia pertaining to identity development (why do some adults seem to be stuck in his stage of Identity Diffusion?) What types of parenting styles characterizing the family of origin are most associated with attaining moratorium and, ultimately, identity achievement versus identity foreclosure or identity diffusion? 3. With so many infants and children being exposed to daycare as both parents are employed full-time, it may be interesting to explore the effects of daycare versus being raised by a mother or father who does not work outside of the home. 4. The processes of dealing with one’s own mortality are quite interesting. During which portion of the lifespan is anxiety concerning one’s own ultimate death typically at its highest level and why might this be? What has research found regarding the differences between men and women in terms of how they deal with the death of a spouse? What does research indicate regarding the psychological processes associated with individuals’ attempts to accept the fact that they will die (to accept and to be more at peace with their own mortality). 5. The influence of a custodial parent’s remarriage and the new blended family on a child and/adolescent in that family In each paper, be sure to mention at least five peer-reviewed research studies pertaining to the issue that you are discussing by citing the author of the study and year (. Rutter, 1991) in connection with your discussion. You will be able to obtain information about these peer-reviewed research studies on the internet. Many of the presentations will require that the student cite more than the minimum five peer-reviewed research studies. Of the possible factors, processes, causes etc. which you cite, which one(s) seem to be most supported research data? Each paragraph will likely require one or more peer-reviewed journal article citations. Please avoid use of lengthy quotations (paraphrase instead). Thus, some paragraphs may require citation of several peer-reviewed journal references. Be sure to cite a reference at the end of each paragraph. *An alphabetized bibliography should be included specifying author, journal, name of journal article, and year of publication. Of the possible factors, processes, causes, ect. which you cite, which one(s) seem to be most supported research data.
