psy dq 1

To prepare for this discussion, please read Chapter 4 of your textbook. In addition, watch Babies and read “Independence and Interdependence in Children’s Developmental Experiences”.  You must also find one scholarly article to inform your thinking (see instructions below). Finally, review Instructor Guidance and Announcements. In this discussion, you will consider development across cultures by describing mainstream and (cross) cultural research and applying content to your own life.  Be sure to use your own academic voice and apply in-text citations appropriately throughout your post. 

Developmental psychologists study physical, cognitive, and social changes from womb to tomb.  One point of contention amongst developmentalists concerns the relative influence of nature (i.e., biological inheritance) versus nurture (i.e., environmental affordance).  In this discussion, you will consider these issues.

• Watch Babies, which follows four babies in different geographical locations (USA, Tokyo, Namibia, and Mongolia) for the first year of their lives, documenting the vastly different worlds these children occupy.  Note the many developmental milestones that people around the world will meet regardless of cultural context.  Consider the great impact different environments might have on various aspects of development:  nutrition and physical development, childcare arrangements and social development, parenting styles and emotional development, educational practices and cognitive development, just to name a few.
• Select any one concept from developmental psychology.  You may choose something you noted from the video or something else entirely, even from a different age range.  Possibilities include (but are not limited to) the following:  attachment (e.g., Harlow), temperament, parenting styles, moral development (e.g., Kohlberg), cognitive development (e.g., Piaget), psychosocial development (e.g., Erikson), adolescence (e.g., Marcia), gender development, education, child or elderly care, feeding practices, play, and so on.  Pick something that interests you.  (As an example to illustrate this discussion assignment, a student could choose the concept of “sleeping arrangements”; however, please note that you may not choose this as your topic.).
• Locate a scholarly article examining this concept/developmental pattern from a cultural or cross-cultural perspective. 
  • On the library homepage, click on the Advanced Search link, found under the search box.  In the first search box, enter a keyword or key phrase relating to the concept you have selected.  In the second search box, enter the word culture.
    • For tips on generating keywords, watch this library tutorial:  Keywords are Critical.
  • Below the search boxes, look for the Limit your results section and select Limit to Full Text and Limit to Scholarly/Peer Reviewed. 
  • Then, click Search.
• Read “Independence and Interdependence in Children’s Developmental Experiences”.
• Discuss development.  In your discussion, include the following:
  • Describe the developmental stage/concept/issue, providing a definition and explanation.  What do we know about this developmental topic?  (Following the selected example to illustrate this discussion assignment, consider American sleeping practices and ideals.).
  • Based on the article(s) you located (and, if relevant, the video you watched), distinguish mainstream psychological knowledge about development with knowledge from a cultural perspective.  How does culture provide additional insight on this topic?  (Following the selected example to illustrate this discussion assignment, consider Indian sleeping practices and ideals.).
  • Formulate plausible explanations for cultural differences.  Why does this stage/concept/issue differ depending upon culture?  (Following the selected example to illustrate this discussion assignment, consider cultural ideals of independence and interdependence; see also Raeff, 2010.).
  • Explain the value in cultural awareness with regard to development. 
• Remember to use your own academic voice and apply in-text citations appropriately throughout your post.

Post your initial response of 250 words or more by Day 3 (Thursday).  Respond to at least two of your peers by Day 7 (Monday).  You are encouraged to post one or more of your required replies early each week (e.g., by Saturday) to stimulate more meaningful and interactive discourse in the discussion forum.  In addition, strive to provide a response to classmates who replied to your initial post and/or the Instructor (if applicable).  Peer responses may vary in length but should be carefully crafted and insightful.  Below are some suggestions to assist your thinking.

Guided Response:  Reply to at least one peer who chose a concept other than the one you selected and two or more peers overall.  The goal of the discussion forum is to foster continual dialogue, similar to what might occur in a verbal face-to-face exchange.  Consider the following questions in your responses:

• What are some ethical considerations that might be relevant when conducting cross-cultural research on the topic your peer selected?
• How do your experiences relate to the concept your peer identified?
• Can you think of any alternate interpretations of the cultural differences your peer