Human Development Assignment

The purpose of the developmental paper (8-10 pages) is to apply developmental conceptual material to a “real life” individual. The paper will emphasize the influence of social structures expressed as risk or protective factors and any traumatic experiences that have shaped the developmental experiences and outcomes of an individual.

You can interview someone or use someone you know very well. You may NOT use the same person you used for the Three Decades paper.

This paper requires the use of APA (include Title page, Abstract, correct headings/subheadings, References page, in-text citations, etc. Author note is NOT required.)

At least 4 references are required:

at least one of these must be a peer-reviewed journal article (attach article full-text to the assignment)
at least one of these must be your textbook 
8 Pages minimum

Important information:

Number of pages for each section is an estimate.
Please create a unique title for your paper.
Each section provided in bold (below) should correspond to a subheading in the paper. These are the only subheadings that you need in the paper.
Please use 3rd person language ("this writer", "this social worker", "this author", etc. -instead of "I")
You MUST attach to the assignment full-text peer-reviewed articles that you cite in paper.
Paper Structure:

1. Introduction (about a paragraph … “The purpose of this paper is …”) 

2. Summary of Relevant Biographical Information (2-4 pages)

Includes factual information from birth to current situation.
Includes information on key life events and/or turning points relevant to understanding the individual’s trajectory.
Includes information that provides a “backdrop” for subsequent discussion of two key developmental experiences (see #3 and #4).
Includes information that provides evidence for identification of narrative theme(s) (see #5).
3. Developmental Concept #1 (3-5 pages) 

Select a developmental concept (example- peer pressure in adolescence) and an experience exemplifying this concept. Include the following:

a) Presentation of Concept

Defines and explains the concept and is consistent with the textbook definition/explanation.
Includes information about the concept’s relevance to its corresponding developmental stage.
Includes a discussion of the concept from a trauma/stress theory lens.
Significance of concept to developmental outcomes is included.
b) Presentation of Developmental Experience/Story

Describes the developmental experience that exemplifies the concept above and clarifies age/stage when experience occured.
Includes other information about experience relevant to subsequent analysis (e.g., cultural/contextual information).
Includes how experience is indicative of continuity or change in individual’s life course. 
c) Analysis (Linkage of developmental experience with concept)

Includes information about what aspects of experience illustrate dimensions of concept presented in 3a.i-iv.
Includes explanation of how/why story and conceptual information provide insight and increased understanding of individual change within a developmental framework.
4. Developmental Concept #2 (3-5 pages)

Structured exactly like #3 but with a different concept and experience/story
5. Summary of Individual’s Narrative using developmental information from #3 and #4 as evidence/support for observations/conclusions. (1-3 pages)

Includes identification/discussion of narrative identity based on information presented (e.g., “As can be seen in the previous discussion, this individual is the kind of person who ….”)
Includes information about how individual’s experience of relevant issue/concept contributed to individual’s understanding of self.
Includes information about how student’s assessment or understanding of person’s narrative as illustrated, in part, by discussion of two developmental issues is similar to or different from individual’s perception, and why.
Conclusion (one paragraph)

Please note that late submissions are penalized at 3% per day (including papers submitted after beginning of class), up to 3 days post due date. Papers are not accepted more than 3 days post due date, unless there are special accommodations or a documented emergency, and the issue has been discussed with your professor in advance.