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how diversity shapes and influences cognitive and social-emotional developmental processes.

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Discussion 2: The Impact of Diversity
Understanding the impact of diversity on an individual’s cognitive, physical, and social-emotional developmental processes requires an examination of a multitude of characteristics, including gender, race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation, physical ability, etc. In addition, behavior within a group is important to examine, along with the similarities and differences of behaviors and attitudes across groups. The goal of understanding the impact of diversity is not to determine whether one group is inferior to another, but to gain an appreciation of the breadth and depth of variability in human behavior. Cross-cultural investigation allows for the testing of theoretical concepts and predictions to evaluate their generalizability (Jensen, 2012). Another outcome of studying the results of cross-cultural research is that, as a psychology professional, you will be better equipped to empathize with and advocate for those you will be serving.
For this Discussion, you will explore how diversity shapes and influences cognitive and social-emotional developmental processes.
To prepare for this Discussion:
·         Review and consider the same fictional human character from your Discussion 1 for this week.
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·         Also, consider only the cognitive and social-emotional developmental processes and how diversity* shapes and influences these processes.  *Diversity includes but is not limited to gender, race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation, physical ability, etc. It is not the same as adversity, which refers to a difficulty or tragedy in one’s life.
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·         Think about the kinds of attitudes and behaviors that might be generated from someone who grew up in a collectivist society, which is common in Asian cultures, compared to the attitudes of someone who grew up in an individualistic society, such as that found in the United States.

Describe the brain structures and anatomical pathways that make up the extrapyramidal and pyramidal motor systems.

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How do I do this Midterm Exam?

PSYC325 Midterm Exam
Answer this test’s questions in a minimum of two substantive paragraphs totaling 300 words, completely and fully for full credit. Source credits and the required Reference list attached at the end of each answer do not count toward its word length.  Answers are to be based on the course textbook and outside academic sources (excluding other course textbooks, encyclopedias such as Encarte and Wikipedia, About.com and Ask.com type websites that synthesize source information for users, magazines, news websites, blogs, etc.).
Course Materials:
Pinel, J. (2014).  Biopsychology (9th edition). Pearson Publishing.
1. Describe the recent finds on the “Nature-Nurture Controversy.” How does evolutionary theory (evolutionary biology and evolutionary psychology) and the study of genetics fit in to this discussion? What are the implications for the biopsychologist? And finally, is there a controversy at all?
2. Describe the process of action potential conduction and neurotransmission from one neuron to another, both electrically (including saltatory conduction) and chemically. Describe how a cell fires an action potential and be sure to address which structures are involved in neurotransmission. Discuss reuptake and enzymatic degradation (breakdown) in the context of the appropriate neurotransmitters.
3. Trace in detail the structure and function of the visual system from the physical stimuli (light waves), to the structure of the eye and through the corresponding brain structures until it is processed as visual information. You will need to compare photoreceptors in darkness to photoreceptors receiving light and describe how light energy is transduced into neural signals. Describe how the trichromatic and opponent-process theory explain how light of different wavelengths is converted into color information.
4. Discuss some of the methodological approaches that can be used to examine the influence of multiple genes on behavior. Then discuss what transgenic animals are and how they are produced.
5. What is the medial forebrain bundle? Discuss the evidence for and against its involvement in reward. In addition, review the evidence showing that the brain’s dopamine pathways are critically involved in pleasure and reward.
6. What is the monoamine theory of depression? What evidence supports this hypothesis as a cause of affective disorder? It generally takes 2-3 weeks of chronic treatment before an antidepressant begins to have a clinical benefit, yet the drug’s pharmacological effect (for example, its inhibition of MOA, or reuptake) is immediate. What synaptic mechanisms may underlie this time lag?
7. Critically evaluate the roles of the lateral hypothalamus and ventromedial hypothalamus in hunger and satiety. What other brain sites are known to be involved in eating behavior? How can this be explained in terms of a homeostatic model? What evidence shows that non- homeostatic mechanisms also contribute to feeding?
8. Describe the brain structures and anatomical pathways that make up the extrapyramidal and pyramidal motor systems. What are the main functions of these two systems? What regions in the cerebral cortex are known to be involved in movement? How do these areas contribute to the production of motor behavior?
9. How is the brain capable of “seeing” a spectrum of fine color when the eye contains only three different types of color detectors? What evidence supports the existence of dorsal (“where is it?”) and ventral (“what is it?”) visual systems in the cerebral cortex?
10. Describe the main structures of the brain stem, the midbrain, and forebrain, including the basal ganglia, the limbic system and the cerebral cortex. What functions and behaviors are these regions?

Examine the possible conflicts between your assignment criteria and Standard 7.04, providing specific examples to support your reasoning for not changing the assignment

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Explore Student Disclosure of Personal Information

Assume that a major component of an undergraduate course in child growth and development you are teaching involves the Signature Assignment. This assignment requires you to relate the Eriksonian stages to autobiographical data and biographical information of family members. One of your students refuses to disclose anything personal and claims you are in violation of ethics Standard 7.04. Since you are unwilling to change the requirement, the student files a complaint with the department chair.
Create a transcript of the dialogue between you and the department chair, Dr. Kweigg, who supports the student. Examine the possible conflicts between your assignment criteria and Standard 7.04, providing specific examples to support your reasoning for not changing the assignment. Explain how you will resolve the situation, given the department chair agrees with the student who filed the complaint.
In your argument, you must demonstrate that the autobiographical component is necessary to achieve the stated course outcomes. You also need to explain how this requirement was clearly identified in the course description. You are expected to provide the opposing argument from Dr. Kweigg.
Support your assignment with at least three scholarly or professional resources. In addition to these specified resources, other appropriate scholarly resources, including older articles, may be included.Length: 2-3 pages, not including title and reference pages
Your assignment should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts presented in the course by providing new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards.

Evaluate and describe the current research in these perspectives using a minimum of one peer-reviewed article for each of the five required perspective

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Discipline-Based Literature Review
For this discipline-based literature review, you will research peer-reviewed articles that were published within the last 10 years in the Ashford University Library on the following major perspectives of personality.

  • Psychodynamic
  • Behavioral
  • Trait
  • Learning/Social
  • Humanistic

You will utilize your researched article to create your literature review. The review should be formatted with the headings and content designated below.
IntroductionAssess the types of personality measurements and research designs used in in the peer-reviewed articles you researched. Briefly describe the main theoretical models represented within each of the perspectives of personality and explain the commonalities found across all five.
Discussion Examine the major theoretical approaches, research methods, and assessment instruments used in the five perspectives of personality. Evaluate and describe the current research in these perspectives using a minimum of one peer-reviewed article for each of the five required perspectives. Present a detailed critique of each of the perspectives by evaluating the standardization, reliability and validity, and cultural considerations present in the most common personality assessments used within each. Support your opinions about each model by substantiating them with scholarly research.  Be sure to include the following:

  • The theoretical framework(s) for the selected models
  • The major contributors to those fields
  • The methods of inquiry and assessment usually associated with those models
  • An overview of the characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses of the models

ConclusionProvide a summary of your evaluation addressing the current use and relevance of these perspectives in explaining personality citing research as appropriate.
Writing the Discipline Based Literature Review
The paper:

  • Must be seven to ten double-spaced pages in length and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
  • Must include a title page with the following:
    • Title of paper
    • Your name
    • Course name and number
    • Your instructor’s name
    • Date submitted
  • Must begin with an introduction that describes and the main theoretical models represented within each of the perspectives of personality.
  • Must address the topics of the paper with critical thought.
  • Must end with a conclusion that summarizes your evaluation addressing the current use and relevance of these perspectives in explaining personality.
  • Must use at least five peer-reviewed sources from the Ashford University Library.
  • Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
  • Must include a separate reference page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.