How would the presenting issue be conceptualized from this perspective? What would be the target of intervention? What would the goals of therapy be from this perspective? What would be your role as therapist in this case working from this perspective?

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Discussion

Case Study
In this unit, you read about several different approaches to the treatment process with sexuality- and gender-related issues. Adapt and apply an approach of your choice to the following case study. Be sure to focus on the treatment planning phase of the process and how that would be conceptualized and implemented from your chosen approach.

Julia (formerly John) and her wife, Allison, have been married 11 years. They were high school sweethearts and best friends who married right after college. They own a successful business. They have a nice home, two children, and what friends and family considered the perfect marriage. During most of their marriage, John and Allison had a great sex life, seemingly very satisfying for both partners, but for the past six months, they have been having sex less and less. Allison had convinced herself that it was all her fault, that she had put too much energy into her children and her work, and she had “let herself go.” At that time John assured her that was not the case. But three months ago, John came out as a transgender female and now wants to be called Julia. She says she is still in love with Allison and is still sexually attracted to her. However, Allison says she is not a lesbian. Julia is frustrated and hurt. Allison is confused and scared. The couple has always been committed and devoted to each other and to their family; however, their relationship has become strained. Julia thinks Allison should be accepting of her transition, and Allison thinks Julia should be more understanding of her perspective.

Feel free to add details as needed to convey your case conceptualization. Be sure to list which perspective you are taking and address the following questions:

How would the presenting issue be conceptualized from this perspective?
What would be the target of intervention?
What would the goals of therapy be from this perspective?
What would be your role as therapist in this case working from this perspective?

What strategies can her teacher use to improve her pleasure and involvement in physical activity? Would the teacher use different strategies if the child were male? Why or why not?

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Week 4 Discussion #1

Nine-year-old Allison thinks she isn’t good at sports, and she doesn’t like physical education class. What strategies can her teacher use to improve her pleasure and involvement in physical activity? Would the teacher use different strategies if the child were male? Why or why not?

Describe the research/results that you have found. Describe any conflicting views you have come across, indicating the best arguments and evidence on all sides. Describe your point of view based on your review of the literature or empirical evidence and explain how you reached your conclusion

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Effects of Cultural Differences on Society

Describe the research/results that you have found.
Describe any conflicting views you have come across, indicating the best arguments and evidence on all sides.
Describe your point of view based on your review of the literature or empirical evidence and explain how you reached your conclusion. (100 points)

What are reflexes? What purpose do reflexes have in newborns? Identify and define 3 important reflexes present in Newborns. Define the cephalocaudal pattern of growth and give an example. Explain the Proximodistal pattern of growth and give an example.

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Life-Span Development

After reading chapter 4, thoroughly answer the follow questions:

What are reflexes?
What purpose do reflexes have in newborns?
Identify and define 3 important reflexes present in Newborns. (Bold or bullet each term)
Define the cephalocaudal pattern of growth and give an example.
Explain the Proximodistal pattern of growth and give an example.
Explain the differences between Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills.
Identify at least 5 of the Gross Motor Developmental Milestones that occur during the first 2 years (as discussed in your book) and identify the age range in which each emerges. (Please number or bullet each milestone)
Explain at least 3 changes in fine motor skill development that occur during infancy. (number or bullet each)

 

Write ~500 words, providing them with FIVE unique pieces of advice: After taking this course, what five pieces of advice would you give them? Each piece of advice must be related to a psychological concept you have learned about.

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Life challenge

Think about the people close to you. Is one of them currently experiencing a major life challenge (e.g., new baby, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, mental illness, graduating from college, etc.)?

Describe the challenge they are experiencing.
Then write ~500 words, providing them with FIVE unique pieces of advice: After taking this course, what five pieces of advice would you give them? Each piece of advice must be related to a psychological concept you have learned about. Make it clear which concept you are referring to by bolding it in your homework. Make sure you clearly describe the concept. Why are these good pieces of advice for this person?

Explain in detail the information processing approach – defining each individual aspect of the model and detailing the historical context of its development. Using the following case study format – explain and define how the functions of thinking: reception, processing, storage and uses of information may be impacted.

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Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychology is the study of the actual processes of thinking: the reception of information, its processing, storage, and how information is used. In this paper, you should analyze the information processing approach as it applies to the specific case presentation.

a) Explain in detail the information processing approach – defining each individual aspect of the model and detailing the historical context of its development.

b) Using the following case study format – explain and define how the functions of thinking: reception, processing, storage and uses of information may be impacted. A thirty-three (33) year old female presents with a history of childhood physical abuse and meeting the full criteria of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder – Chronic. Using the DSM – 5 criteria, detail how the diagnosis affects the specific diagnostic symptoms affecting executive functions (concentration, memory, emotional regulation, impulse control, focus, etc.), the impact of PTSD on the information processing model of learning, and how relative treatment models could address the impact. Discuss how the use of assessments may help to determine the areas of difficulty in working memory, focus, attention etc.?

c) Address the theoretical, ethical, legal and forensic issues that may arise in the case study formulation. Be sure to include the theoretical background for the treatment model selected.

d) Present information in a clear, concise manner

Identify a research topic, explain your research idea, construct possible research questions, determine which variables you could potentially use for your research paper, and state your hypotheses.

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Research Methods in Human Services/ Social Work

 

Assignment 3: Research Questions & Variables (50 points)

You will identify a research topic, explain your research idea, construct possible research questions (1 or 2 questions), determine which variables you could potentially use for your research paper (you will need to have 1 dependent variable and 3 independent variables), and state your hypotheses. You will have to give your future survey (Assignment 5) to friends or family, so think about what you will be able to ask them and what information they will be able to provide. We will not survey or interview vulnerable populations (anyone under 18, prisoners, etc.). It is okay if your idea is still a work-in-progress!

 

Assignment 4: Literature Review (50 points)

You will use the school libraries search option to find “peer-reviewed” academic journal articles related to your research interests. You will then review the literature, summarizing the research you found in your own words (using at least 8 peer-reviewed academic journal articles as sources and citing them in the text). After your review of the literature, within the last couple paragraphs of your paper, discuss gaps in the literature that your research question may be able to answer and comment on which theories or ideas in the literature might be useful for your research. Decide if you will keep the same variables you identified in Assignment 3 or make changes as necessary. State all 4 of your variables, your main research question, and hypotheses again at the end of the paper. Your literature review should be 4 pages, double-spaced. You should have an additional reference page citing all 8 articles (making the paper 5 pages total).

 

Assignment 5: Questionnaire Creation (50 points)

You will create a survey that will allow you to measure the variables of interest to you. You will need to have at least 5 closed-ended questions in your survey (you will ask open-ended questions later in assignment 8). These questions will tap into your variables (1 dependent and 3 independent). Many of you will have 1 key independent variable that you are most interested in examining. The other two independent variables may be secondary. You will have to give your survey to friends, family, or other students, so think about what you will be able to ask them, and what information they will be able to provide! Re-state your main research question and all variables on a separate page at the end of your questionnaire.

 

Assignment 6: Observations (50 points)

You will conduct ethnographic observations in a public place for at least one hour (it may or may not be relevant to your research interests but will be helpful if it is somewhat related so that you can write about it in your final research paper). Be sure to take notes while you are there. You will then write a 3-page (double-spaced) report describing what you observed (using your notes). This document will be very factual about what you saw and will include no opinions. However, you may briefly reflect on what you are doing, along with how you are feeling and what you are thinking while you are out in the field.

 

Assignment 7: Survey Results (50 points)

Administer your survey to at least 10 respondents. You may have family or friends take your survey. You will report your results by putting the coded data into an excel spread sheet. Begin examining the data for any patterns or possible associations. For your final research paper, you will be analyzing and interpreting this data so that you can report your results more completely through writing about what you found (including tables, charts, etc.). However, at this point, you are only expected to report the raw data for this assignment by submitting your excel spreadsheet.

 

Assignment 8: Qualitative Interview Themes (50 points)

You will create an interview schedule, consisting of at least 5 open-ended questions (potentially based on your observations from assignment 5–if related). You will use this interview schedule to conduct face to face (or phone) interviews. These questions will be related to your main research topic and might overlap a bit with your survey questions. However, there should be some differences. These questions will be formatted in an open-ended fashion to more deeply tap into the variables you are measuring. You will interview 5 people (family or friends) using the interview schedule you created. Take notes during your interviews to capture the main ideas coming across from your interviewees. Develop qualitative themes and then report them in a 3-page (double-spaced) paper, using quotes or paraphrasing your interviewees’ comments to support your themes. Include your interview questions in the paper and use first names/pseudonyms for those individuals that you interviewed.

 

Assignment 9: Final Research Project (250 points)

This assignment is a research project that will report your quantitative and qualitative data. You will use some of the work you have already completed in your other assignments to create a final research paper. In addition, you will add new elements to your paper by revising your literature review and creating a methods and results section to elaborate upon your research and your qualitative and quantitative findings. You will write a final report that follows APA guidelines: (https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general _format.html)

It will include all of the following sections: Title page, Abstract, Introduction, Literature Review (using at least 8 sources), Methods (how you collected your data), Results (Quantitative and Qualitative), Conclusion, Limitations, Future Directions, and References. You do not need to include footnotes/endnotes. I suggest looking at the format of some of the academic journal articles you have read to mirror what they have done. You will use in-text citations to reference the academic literature you have in your review.

You are required to state your research questions, hypotheses, define your variables and how you measured them, analyze and interpret your quantitative and qualitative data appropriate to answering the question, and write your results in a manner that is easy to understand (even for someone who is not a social scientist)! Use chapters 20 and 21 as a reference guide for reporting your quantitative and qualitative results.

What is the main issue that both psychologists are addressing? What is psychologist A’s point of view? Psychologist B’s? What factors might be influencing psychologist A’s point of view? What factors might be influencing psychologist’s B’s point of view?

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Journal Activity 1

Here is a Journal Activity for you to complete that will require you to apply what you’ve just learned. Read the following passage on comparing points of view. Next, answer the questions in the Thinking Skills section. Your answers should be written on lined paper. Label each page Journal Activity 1, and number each of your answers to correspond with the question.

Each Journal will be graded by Keystone at the same time as your Lesson Exam.

 

Note the rubric used to grade your journal:

Points Requirements
14 Answers are correct, accurate, and explained using details and examples.
2 Proper grammar according to the Keystone Writing and MLA Expectations by Grade Level. (Spelling, argument development, organization, paragraph development, etc.)

Comparing Points of View

A point of view is a person’s opinion about a subject. A point of view can be influenced by various factors, including age, sex, experiences, or beliefs.

To compare points of view, first identify the main issues being addressed and the factors that influence the points of view concerning those issues.

Second, list the arguments that are offered to support the points of view. Evaluate the arguments according to these criteria:

  • The arguments are based on verifiable statements, not simply
  • Information matches other
  • The arguments are based on more than one or two

The excerpts below summarize the points of view of two psychologists.

Psychologist A

Just as in the medical sciences, research with animals has resulted in major achievements in psychology. This research has contributed to important benefits for human beings. For example, the biofeedback technique, which I and many other people use to control high blood pressure, had its origins in studies using rats and other animals.

Accusations of cruelty toward research animals are unsupported. A study that investigated 600 of these alleged accusations did not support the charge of cruelty. This is not to say that some instances of cruelty do not occur. However, these instances are infrequent and not typical of psychological experiments. Researchers must follow rigid guidelines to ensure the humane and sensitive treatment of research animals.

Most people do not think that animals share the characteristics that allow them the same rights as humans. Even advocates of animals’ rights condone pet sterilization, disregarding the animals’ right to breed.

 

Psychologist B

As a graduate student, I witnessed many instances of cruelty to animals in various research projects. Yet, of the many experiments done on animals, only a few contribute to important medical or psychological research. A vast number of experiments are used for commercial purposes: to test new shampoos, cosmetics, food additives, or detergents.

People have to realize that species vary, and tests performed on one species do not necessarily yield the same results on another. For example, the use of thalidomide by pregnant women resulted in deformities in many of their babies. Yet giving thalidomide to pregnant laboratory cats, rats, monkeys, hamsters, and chickens failed to result in deformities in the baby animals. Similarly, if the results of the effects of penicillin on guinea pigs had been applied to humans, penicillin would never have been used on people.

There can be no doubt that animals involved in psychological research suffer. The suffering research animals endure should encourage researchers to find alternative methods for studying various psychological issues. One cannot say that animal research can never be justified. If a single experiment involving animals could cure a major disease, then such use could possibly be justified. However, this situation is rare and almost nonexistent.

 

Thinking Skills:

  1. What is the main issue that both psychologists are addressing?
  2. What is psychologist A’s point of view? Psychologist B’s?
  3. What factors might be influencing psychologist A’s point of view?
  4. What factors might be influencing psychologist’s B’s point of view?
  5. List the arguments of each psychologist (Psychologist A and Psychologist B)
  6. Keeping in mind the three bulleted criteria for evaluating arguments listed at the beginning of this activity, do you think both psychologists present sound arguments? Explain your
  7. Is there an advantage to being presented with more than one point of view on an issue? Explain your
  8. Discuss your views about animals being used in research projects that are intended to benefit humans. Explain the factors that influence your personal

Explain the biological (genetic and neuroscientific); psychological (behavioral and cognitive processes, emotional, developmental); and social, cultural, and interpersonal factors that influence the development of psychopathology.

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Factors that influence the development of psychopathology

Explain the biological (genetic and neuroscientific); psychological (behavioral and cognitive processes, emotional, developmental); and social, cultural, and interpersonal factors that influence the development of psychopathology.

Identify a psychological disorder and discuss specific research from the textbook and/or lecture. Based on your chosen character, and the disorder they may have, what treatment plan would you recommend? Describe a therapeutic approach based on relevant theory and/or research from the textbook and/or course material.

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Explore a Psychological Disorder and Treatment

Your mission (if you choose to accept it) is to diagnose a well-known fictional character (from a movie, TV show, book, etc.) with a possible psychological disorder. However, before your diagnosis can be made, you must first demonstrate a basic understanding of the disorder. The main objective of this assignment is to describe one specific psychological disorder, but ‘diagnosing’ a character of your choice will be the creative element.

Then, for an extra credit opportunity, you may offer a viable treatment option for this individual, based on the various forms of therapy discussed in class and/or the textbook. Be sure to demonstrate an understanding of one specific type of therapy.

Part 1 (50 points). Identify a psychological disorder and discuss specific research from the textbook and/or lecture (e.g., prevalence, gender differences, as well as biological, psychological, and/or socio-cultural influences, etc.). You may also use outside sources, but be sure to cite them in a works cited section at the end of your assignment. You should provide enough information to reliably and validly describe the disorder, such that someone unfamiliar with psychological theory would have the basic information needed to understand the disorder. Once you have discussed the disorder, identify a fictional character of your choice (must be fictitious – no real people) and discuss why you think he/she may have signs of this disorder. You should be specific by providing examples of behavior and/or other symptoms..

Part 2 – Based on your chosen character, and the disorder they may have, what treatment plan would you recommend? Describe a therapeutic approach based on relevant theory and/or research from the textbook and/or course material.