Your textbook discusses language as “the endpoint of infancy” and presents two theories that account for language acquisition:  LAD and behavioral reinforcement.  While it is rare, occasionally psychologists work on case studies that can help us to answer the question of language development.  Genie is one of these case studies.

In this assignment read the article, “Genie The Story of the Wild Child” (opens in a new window), about a real-life child named Genie who was deprived of human contact until 13 years of age:

Part 1

After reading the article, write a 400-600 word essay about Genie’s language development.  Specifically address the following in your essay:

• What is your reaction to this case study?  
• Do you think the LAD theory or behavioral reinforcement theory is more accurate based on this case study?  Why?  Please use specific examples/material from the case to support your thoughts.   
• How could the social-interactional view help us to understand Genie’s language development?

Part 2 

Read the assignments that your classmates have posted and comment on at least 2 of them. Comments must include both of the following criteria:

• Must be an analytical critique of how well your classmates applied either the LAD or behavioral reinforcement theory in their answers regarding Genie’s language development.
• Provide suggestions for improvement or alternative areas to be considered.

Post your discussion:

• Click the Reply button below to post your introduction in the discussion forum.
• When finished, click the Post Reply button.
• You can also find this discussion forum by clicking the Discussions link in Course Navigation.

Grading

This assignment is worth 20 points. Late assignments will not be accepted.

Your own post – containing your answers to the case of Genie – is worth 10 points.  This part of the assignment will be graded based upon the depth of your reaction to the case and how well you’ve applied what you have read about the theories in answering the questions provided.  Your replies to at least 2 other students are worth an additional 10 points.  This part of the assignment will be graded based on your demonstration of critical thinking in your analytical responses to your classmates posts. 

Both parts of the assignment will also be graded for the quality of writing.  Proofread for spelling and grammar as numerous writing errors will reduce your grade by 10%.  References are required on this assignment and failure to properly reference assignments in APA format will result in 10% grade reduction. 

Discussion 2 – Preventing Childhood Obesity

Purpose:

This assignment will deepen your ability to think critically about health and nutrition in early and middle childhood, as well as school, family, and community issues. 

Directions:

Note: You will not be able to see other posts until you submit your own work.

For this assignment, you will create a discussion board post and respond to the posts of two other students.

Part 1

First, read the sections in our textbook on childhood obesity.  Next, browse through the website for Let’s Move @ https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov.  The website is no longer active, but was started as part of President Obama’s Task Force on Childhood Obesity and offers numerous suggestions on how to fight childhood obesity.  

For your first post, respond to the following:

You are the principal of an urban elementary school with students in Kindergarten through 8th grade.  Many of the students come from families with limited financial resources.  You are meeting with parents who are concerned about a recent survey that found a high percentage of students in your county are obese.  The parents start to debate, with one group of parents blaming the others for faulty parenting and the other group of parents staunchly defending the position that obesity is in the genes.  Another parents starts blaming you and school lunches.  It’s time for you to take control of the meeting.  Write an essay that includes 1) what you would tell the parents to educate them on the factors that contribute to childhood obesity, and 2) your proposed plan to fight childhood obesity in your school and community.  Your plan should include 3-5 practical strategies for the school, community, and/or families to implement.  These ideas can be your own or based on something you learned in the textbook, on the Let’s move website, or in another source you find.  Be sure to cite your sources.

Part 2

Next, you’ll read and reply to at least two other student posts. Your reply should be relevant, substantive, and respectful.   Your reply needs to extend the original post through additional sources or examples, ask questions, and/or challenge the original post in a respectful manner.

You will not be able to read other student posts until you have posted your own work!

Post your discussion:

• Click the Reply button below to post your introduction in the discussion forum.
• When finished, click the Post Reply button.
• You can also find this discussion forum by clicking the Discussions link in Course Navigation.

Grading:

This assignment is worth 20 points. Late work is not accepted. 

Your own post – containing your strategies – is worth 10 points. This part of the assignment will be graded based upon the depth of your strategies. Your replies to at least two other students are worth an additional 10 points (5 points each). 

Additionally, assignments are always graded on the quality of writing. You are encouraged to spell check and proofread your work as poor writing will result in up to a 10% (2 pt) grade reduction. 

Written assignments (in any discipline) require both in-text and full reference citations. This is how you let the reader know where you obtained your information and is an important component to include in all college written work. Quoted material and paraphrased material require the use of in-text and full reference citations. For assistance with this requirement, please see the APA Folder in the Assignment section. Failure to include proper citations will result in a 10% grade reduction (1-2 points) on each assignment.   

Discussion 3 – Emerging Adulthood Critical Thinking

Purpose

After completing this assignment you will be able to articulate the controversy surrounding Emerging Adulthood being proposed as a new stage in the lifespan.

Directions

Note: You will not be able to see other posts until you submit your own work.

After reading the chapter, complete the following:

Part 1:

Write a paragraph answering the following question:

Do you think that emerging adulthood should be an accepted as a new developmental stage in a person’s lifespan? Use your own experiences to support your argument.

Part 2:

Read the Arnett paper and the Cote paper:

Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55(5), 469–480. https://eznvcc.vccs.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pdh&AN=2000-15413-004&site=ehost-live&scope=site PDF

Côté, J. (2014). The Dangerous Myth of Emerging Adulthood: An Evidence-Based Critique of a Flawed Developmental Theory. Applied Developmental Science, 18(4), 177–188. https://eznvcc.vccs.edu:2443/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=99090552&site=ehost-live&scope=site PDF

Then write an essay (minimum 500 words) responding to one of the following Questions:

Critical Thinking Essay (Pick one question to answer for your essay [remember 500 word minimum]):

1. Whose paper, Arnett or Côté, did you find to be the most compelling? Cite at least two specific examples from the articles to support your argument.
2. Arnett used several points to define “emerging adulthood.” Choose two and explain how they support the idea that this is indeed a new stage in the lifespan. Balance this with your knowledge of the criticism brought forth by Cote and offer suggestions for future studies.
3. Why does Côté believe that the concept of “emerging adulthood” is dangerous? Describe two reasons that Cote offers. Do you agree, and if so have you seen this problem in your own life?

Regardless of the critical thinking question you choose, make sure to define Emerging Adulthood and explain the concept of the proposed stage making sure to cite your sources (including those from your chapter, the readings, the videos and any other outside sources that you might use). Make sure to include a reference page.