PSY4002 Introduction to Social and Developmental
Psychology
Coursework Assignment
Date for Submission: Please refer to the timetable on ilearn
(The submission portal on ilearn will close at 14.00 UK time on the date of submission)
As part of the formal assessment for the programme you are required to submit an Introduction to Social and Developmental Psychology assignment. Please refer to your Student Handbook for full details of the programme assessment scheme and general information on preparing and submitting assignments.
Learning Outcomes:
After completing the module, you should be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of developmental theories and topics.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of group norms and social influence processes including cultural influences, group interactions, leadership and member roles.
3. Recognise different perspectives or theories of developmental and social psychology.
4. Integrate ideas and findings through appropriately linking theories and research evidence in developmental and social psychology.
Your assignment should include: a title page containing your student number, the module name, the submission deadline and a word count; the appendices if relevant; and a reference list in the correct format. You should address all the elements of the assignment task listed below. Please note that tutors will use the assessment criteria set out below in assessing your work.
Maximum word count (2000 words) + (15-minute presentation)
Please note that exceeding the word count by over 10% will result in a reduction in grade by the same percentage that the word count is exceeded.
You must not include your name in your submission because Arden University operates anonymous marking, which means that markers should not be aware of the identity of the student. However, please do not forget to include your STU number.
Question 1 - Essay
Compare and contrast two theories of cognitive development in relation to aging adults.
Guidance
You will find it useful to use ‘cognitive development’ as a search term when locating
information on the databases.
a) Introduction
• Introduce the nature of cognitive development and related concepts.
• Provide an overview of what you intend to do in this essay and the structure.
• Set up an argument or hypothesis.
b) Main body of essay
• Provide a discussion of cognitive development in relation to aging adults using developmental psychology theories and research material. Structure this section using paragraphs, each with a main idea and no more than a third of a page long.
• Address the essay question throughout and further your argument.
c) Conclusion
• Pull your argument together with a firm conclusion.
• Your conclusion should address intentions referred to in the introduction.
(50 marks) (2000 words)
Question 2 - Narrated PowerPoint Presentation:
Prepare a 15-minute narrated PowerPoint presentation on the following: (Your presentation should be clear and accessible.)
Describe and discuss different types of Intra-group behaviour that can be influenced by group leaders.
The narrated PowerPoint presentation should be 15 minutes in duration.
Please note that exceeding the duration will result in a reduction in grade proportionate to the amount of time exceeded.
You will find it useful to use ‘social identity theory’ as a search term when locating
information on the databases.
a) Introduction
• Introduce the nature of intra-group behaviour and related concepts.
• Provide an overview of what you intend to do in this presentation and the structure.
• Set up an argument or hypothesis.
b) Main body of presentation
• Provide a discussion of intra-group behaviour using social psychology theories and research material. Structure this section using slides each with a main idea.
• Address the assignment question throughout and further your argument.
ci) Conclusion
• Pull your argument together with a firm conclusion.
• Your conclusion should address intentions referred to in the introduction.
You are advised to include bullet pointed material and citations on the slides and enhance this with your narration. The final slide should contain references.
Formative Feedback
You have the opportunity to submit a full draft of your essay for formative feedback before submitting your work.
The feedback is designed to help you develop areas of your work and it helps you develop your skills as an independent learner.
Your essay must be submitted to your module leader/lecturer by email at least two weeks prior to the final assessment submission date. This is to allow time for you to reflect on the feedback and draft your final submission.
During periods such as Christmas this deadline may change to ensure that you receive your feedback in time. Your module leader will inform you of this at the beginning of the module.
Formative feedback will be provided within 5 working days after submission, it will not be given to work submitted after the formative submission deadline. Please check the exact deadline/time with your module leader.
Please note that formative feedback can only be given on ONE draft. It is recommended that you seek further feedback/comment on your first draft if needed by scheduling a 1-2-1 meeting with your module leader/lecturer.
Guidelines for referencing for students studying on the BSc (Hons) Psychology programme are as follows:
You MUST underpin your analysis and evaluation of the key issues with appropriate and wide ranging academic research and ensure this is referenced using the APA system. The Arden Induction area, (Getting Started) contains the following useful resources.
Guide to APA Referencing http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/course/view.php?id=1659§ion=4
You must use the APA Referencing method in your assignment.
Guidelines for referencing for students studying on the following programmes are as follows.
BA (Hons) Social Science BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology BA (Hons) Psychology and Law BA (Hons) Psychology and Sociology BA (Hons) Psychology and Human Resource Management
You MUST underpin your analysis and evaluation of the key issues with appropriate and wide ranging academic research and ensure this is referenced using the AU Harvard system. The My Study Skills Area contains the following useful resources:
Guide to Harvard Referencing http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Harvard_Quick_Ref_Guide.pdf
Guide to Harvard Citation http://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Guide_to_Harvard_Citation.pdf
You must use the AU Harvard Referencing method in your assignment
Additional notes:
Students are required to indicate the exact word count on the title page of the assessment.
The word count excludes the title page, tables, figures, diagrams, footnotes, reference list and appendices. Where assessment questions have been reprinted from the assessment brief these will also be excluded from the word count. ALL other printed words ARE included in the word count. See ‘Word Count Policy’ on the homepage of this module for more information.
Submission Guidance
Assignments submitted late will not be accepted and will be marked as a 0% fail.
Your assessment should be submitted as a single Word (MS Word) or PDF file. For more information please see the “Guide to Submitting an Assignment” document available on the module page on iLearn.
You must ensure that the submitted assignment is all your own work and that all sources used are correctly attributed. Penalties apply to assignments which show evidence of academic unfair practice. (See the Student Handbook which is on the homepage of your module and also in the Induction Area).
