Tag: psychology

Measuring crime can be a difficult process. By its very nature, crime is something that goes undetected. Law enforcement has developed a variety of techniques to track crime, such as police reports and victim reports. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) uses the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program for tracking crime; it reports crime in more than one way. All crime reporting and tracking systems categorize crime and have certain limitations.
Measuring crime involves tracking statistics such as demographic information and moderator variables related to the crimes. Moderator variables are any third variable in a correlation that affects the relationship between the first two variables. For example, we may find that gender is related to violent crime with a higher percentage of males engaging in violent behavior. However, a moderator variable would be age, with the highest percentage of violent offenders being below the age of 30.
Research US crime statistics using the Internet. You can also use the following:

• US Department of Justice, The Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2009). 2008 crime in the United States: About crime in the U.S. Retrieved from http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2008

Select a crime and write a report addressing the following:

• Summarize the statistics from the last two reporting years. Be sure to include demographic information such as ethnicity, race, age, gender, marital status, employment status, socioeconomic group, etc., and moderator variables related to the crime.
• Examine the reliability and validity of these statistics. Are they accurate? Why or why not? Be sure to discuss how age, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic level are related to offending and representation in the criminal justice system.
• Explain whether certain populations are overrepresented in the statistics. If so, why?

Use at least 2 peer-reviewed sources to support your arguments.
Write a 3-4, page report in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Assignment 1: Discussion Questions
By the due date, answer one of the discussion questions listed below. Submit your responses to the appropriate Discussion Area on the next page. Start reviewing and responding to at least two of your classmates as early in the week as possible. You can ask technical questions or respond generally to the overall experience. Be sure to be honest, clear, and concise. Always use constructive language, even in criticism, to work toward the goal of positive progress.
Peer responses are due by the end of the week.
The discussion questions for this task include:

1. Explain how twin and adoption studies help us differentiate hereditary (nature) and environmental (nurture) influences on human behavior. In looking at your own life, which aspects do you feel are mainly the result of nature and which are more influenced by nurture?
2. Gender differences: Studies have shown a difference between the behavior of men and women. Are these differences more of a perception than a reality? What is the difference between social expectations and physical differences? Provide examples for your conclusions.
3. Genes have a substantial influence in determining our physical and mental traits and characteristics. However, our genes only provide us with a predisposition toward any given trait or characteristic. What other factor or factors contribute to the development of our traits and characteristics?
4. In respect to biological rhythms and sleep, humans should receive at least 8 hours of sleep every night in order for them to function “properly” on a daily basis.
   Given that in reality, this (8-hour sleep) rarely occurs, what role/s does the circadian rhythm play in the lives of individuals and how does Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep “factor” into this? How does the lack of sleep affect humans? And, what types of sleep disorders can affect individuals? Have you (or do you know of anyone who has) experienced such sleep disorders?
5. Left-handedness: A study showed that the average right-handed person had a life expectancy of 75 years, whereas the left-handers had only 66 years. What do you think can account for these differences in life expectancies? In addition, in reviewing the findings of this study, make an objective critique of how this particular study was designed and if the findings were valid and reliable. Discuss some of the concerns of a study if it’s improperly designed.
6. One of the oldest debates in the field of psychology is that of “nature vs. nurture.” In other words, what is the determining factor of our behavior: our genetics (nature) or our environment (nurture)? Please provide thorough arguments for both sides of this debate and then conclude with your personal thoughts on which is more of an influence on human behavior.
7. In the “Gender and Sexuality” section of this week’s textbook readings, we learned about the biology of gender development and how cultural influences affect our perceptions of gender differences. How do these perspectives relate to the theory of “Nature vs. Nurture?” Are we like our parents because of the culture in which we are raised or because of physically inherited characteristics?
8. In many states, juveniles who commit violent crimes can be sentenced to life in prison without parole. Opponents of these sentences argue that because the brains of adolescents are not yet fully developed, juvenile offenders are unable to fully grasp the consequences of their actions. Supporters of these sentences believe that perpetrators of violent crimes should be held responsible for their actions regardless of age and that harsh sentences can act as a deterrent for others.
   Do you believe that juveniles who commit violent crimes should be treated like adults in the criminal justice system? Use information from the textbook on brain development in your answer.
9. Start by taking the Hand Usage Questionnaire:
   Instructions: Please indicate which hand you normally use for each activity that is identified in the chart provided. To complete this activity you will have to download the chart, PSY1010_Wk2_Chart2.
   For each item, score a 1 for right, 2 for either, and 3 for left. Scores of 13–17 indicate right-handed, 18–32 indicate bilateral, and 33–39 indicate left-handed. One theory of the cause of left-handedness is that left-handedness results from brain damage. If the right hemisphere is damaged early in life, functions shift to the left. The more extensive the damage, the greater the shift. Varying degrees of damage would produce varying degrees of handedness and lateralization. Although some left-handers seem to have pathological sinistrality (left-handedness based on brain damage), they account for only a small percentage. At the same time, it appears clear that prenatal and perinatal (about the time of birth) influences play a role in determining hand preference. For example, some research suggests that high levels of sex hormones—specifically, testosterone—during the prenatal period, are associated with the greater likelihood of left-handedness. In addition, stresses involving reduced oxygen at birth (for example, prolonged labor, being a twin, Rh incompatibilities) are quite clearly related to left-handedness.
   The right-shift theory, on the other hand, postulates a genetic explanation. While there is no gene for handedness itself, there is one that creates a left-hemisphere advantage for language and, in the process, a bias toward left-hemisphere hand control. When this gene is missing, the brain’s “natural” condition is equivalent hemispheres. Left-handed people are presumably missing a gene that in the right-handed biases the brain toward left-hemisphere control. The degree of left-handedness exhibited is then largely a matter of specific learning experiences. Much controversy surrounds genetic explanations for handedness. Data from identical twins, fraternal twins, and non-twin siblings is not supportive. If there is a genetic code that explains handedness, it is not a simple one.
   Were the results of the questionnaire accurate for you? Do you think that there is a bias in the theories about what brings about the left-handed? Are there disadvantages in being left-handed or are there advantages?

Please see the next Post Here page for specific guidance from your instructor on which question(s) you are expected to answer.
Assignment 1 Grading Criteria:Maximum PointsContentUses terminology and effectively communicates concepts introduced in the assigned reading.20Proposes logical, substantive responses to discussion questions.20ResearchJustified use of credible and relevant sources using correct APA formatting in resource citation and documentation.20ParticipationEvaluates the assignments of at least two peers by discussing reasoning, logic, and merits of their conclusions.20FormatUses correct spelling, grammar, syntax, and punctuation in posting and responses.10Total90
For assistance with any problems you may have when completing this assignment—OR—to offer your assistance to classmates, please use the Questions for the Professor area located on the Learning Path.

Solutions to Issues in Developmental Psychology
Prior to beginning work on this discussion, please read the required Baltes (1987) articles for this week.
For your initial post, choose one contemporary issue or problem related to developmental psychology that is prevalent in today’s news and research a minimum of one peer-reviewed article on this issue in the Ashford University Library. Evaluate the issue based on one of the theoretical perspectives (Freud’s Psychosexual Theory, Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory, Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development, etc.) that we have studied across this course. Explain how the theory provides a deeper understanding of the contemporary issue. Propose one well-developed solution to address the issue or problem.
 

1. Describe the four possible resolutions to multiracial identity development described by Root (1990, 1998).
2. Explain the various factors that influence one’s identity as a member of an oppressed minority group.
3. According to Beverly Tatum, when do African Americans begin to view themselves in terms of race?
   a. as soon as they are born
   b. as early adolescents
   c. as young adults
   d. as toddlers
   How and why does this come about at this stage of development?
4. Explain what multicultural competence is. Who can benefit from it and how?
5. According to Harrell (1995), pity is a form of _______________.
   a. emotional devaluing
   b. emotional distancing
   c. emotional deemphasizing
   d. emotional denial
   Explain your answer by describing the phenomenon in more detail.
6. Develop a plan that describes in detail at least three things you can do to increase your personal level of multicultural competence

LASA 2: Stratification and Prejudice in Current Events   The purpose of this assignment is to explore stratification and prejudice in current events. Despite great advances towards equality between the races and genders, racial and gender discrimination, as well as class stratification remain serious social problems. To conclude this course, you will use the news media to discover current social issues with regards to race and gender.
To complete this assignment, perform the following tasks: ◦Using newspapers, news websites, or news magazines, select three current events (within the last six months) that reflect our studies on stratification.  One event should represent racial issues, one gender issues, and one class issues.  All three should demonstrate discrimination and/or stratification in American society.  ◦Using your research, describe the current events and how they are reflective of your studies on racial, gender, and class discrimination and/or stratification.  ◦Analyze the events and apply the lecture and text to the news articles. What theories of stratification apply?  Are the current events representative of the historical trends of racial, gender, and class discrimination and or/stratification? What solutions, if any, should be applied to these current events?
◦In your discussion, apply your personal experiences and observations to the current events.
◦How do you feel that the media perpetuates discrimination and/or stratification based on race, gender, and class?  Support your ideas with concepts from the text and/or appropriate outside resources.
Provide a minimum of three references and apply the correct APA standards in the format of text, citations, and references.  Your paper should include a title page and reference. Your paper should be at least five pages in length, not including the title and reference pages.

People in the United States vary widely in their acceptance of the sexual and gender choices and orientations.   Recent changes in the legality of same sex marriage, the changing role of women in the military, and increasing awareness of transgender issues have highlighted how much has changed in recent months.
Choose one of these sources:

• Find an article or graph that illustrates a recent change in law, attitude, or policy regarding sexual tolerance.
• Joel Burns:  It Gets Better  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax96cghOnY4 (transcript located on YouTube site)

Write a 5-paragraph essay that introduces the topic you’ve chosen, summarizes the various points of view, and concludes with the current status of the issue you are addressing.  Be sure to use at least 2 citations to support your essay.
The Five-Paragraph Essay: Three Formulas for Writing the Basic Academic Essay
Possible points
Student points and instructor feedback
The writer establishes a clear thesis statement. All ideas are strongly related to the thesis and are focused on the topic.
30
The essay is thoughtful and engaging. The writer may choose to use his/her unique experiences or view of the world as a basis for writing or to connect ideas in interesting ways.
30
The writer demonstrates a consistent command of sentence boundaries and spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, and usage conventions.  the essay is at least 1000 words long.
30
Follows APA 6th ed. formatting style.
10
This goes through turnitin so please no plagiarism

Draft a response to each of the bulleted questions below. Each question must have its own response and have a minimum of 75 words.
 

1. How is social policy in the area of crime control determined? What role does criminological research play in the establishment of such policy?
2. In what way is contemporary criminology interdisciplinary? Why is the sociological perspective especially important in studying crime? What other perspectives might be relevant? Why?
3. What three eras have characterized the field of criminology over the past 100 years? Describe each.
4. What are some ethical considerations involved in conducting criminological research? How can researchers make sure that such considerations are met?
5. What is a meta-analysis? For what purposes might a meta-analysis be conducted?
6. Discuss the most common reasons for not reporting crimes to the police. How do these illustrate social problems or the social responsibility perspective?
7. Is crime a matter of individual responsibility or a symptom of a dysfunctional society?

8. Using legal, political, sociological, and psychological perspectives, how would each view the link between crime and deviance?

This assignment prepares you for the final Microsoft PowerPoint assignment in M5: Assignment 1. Throughout this course, you have learned to apply a variety of critical-thinking techniques to explore and assess contemporary issues.
Often, you may get the best results using a multistep process that provides adequate time to think, write, research, and rewrite. For this assignment, you will review the article by Peter Singer titled “America’s Shame,” which you will also use in M5: Assignment 1.
Using the Argosy University online library resources, review the article by Peter Singer. •Singer, P. (2009). America’s shame. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 55(27), B6–B10. (EBSCO AN 37137370)http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.edmc.edu/docview/ 214643086?accountid=34899
Complete the following: •Record and describe six of your initial impressions of the article in a journal format. •Critically analyze each of these impressions and determine if they are value based, or fact based. Record these as part of your journal notes. Do note that you will use these points for M5: Assignment 1. •Support your statements with examples and appropriate scholarly references.
You can use the Cornell Note-taking tools to complete this assignment. This tool has been widely used to systematically format and organize notes. Review this document to see how it works.
Download and review the blank Cornell Notes Template.
Write a 600–800-word paper in Word format. You may write your paper in standard essay format or by completing the Cornell Notes Template. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M4_A2.doc.
http://www.chronicle.com/article/americas-shame/30309

List all specific disorders mentioned in the textbook for each category of disorders. Course Textbook: Abnormal Psychology, Sixteenth Edition, by James N. Butcher, Jill M. Hooley, and Susan Mineka. Published by Pearson. Copyright © 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. Follow directions below.
Diagnostic criteria (behavioral criteria) refers to what symptoms clinicians look for to determine whether someone has a specific diagnosis Possible causes refers to reasons the disorders can develop or influences that can increase the likelihood of a disorder developing. Prevalence refers to the percentage of the general population that struggle with this disorder. Please include a list of any references you use below the grid