Developmental Stages

Part A gives you a brief outline of the paper, Part B are issues to target while writing the paper. The writer can choose any developmental stage.
Part A of Developmental Stages Research Paper:
Research paper (40%) is required and should be approximately 11 pages (double-spaced) in length and APA style. Students should pick a specific life stage issue (or crisis) that is of special interest. You should then apply this issue (or crisis) to a developmental stage (childhood, adolescent, young adulthood, middle or later adulthood). Each student should discuss this life-stage and describe how experiencing the specific issue would influence the life stage 'work'- keeping in mind the bio-psycho-social aspects. This Developmental Stages Research Paper should include the following:
- Summarize the characteristics of the chosen developmental stage
- Discuss the life stage issue and its impact on the bio-psycho-social development
- Discuss relevant theories related to the particular developmental life stage issue or task chosen
- Identify potential ethical issues and the dilemmas related to this issue or task during the particular developmental life stage chosen
- Discuss the relevance of cultural factors related to the developmental life stage issue or task chosen
Part B of Developmental Stages Research Paper:
Characteristics of the chosen developmental stage
- How would one characterize this developmental stage?
- How does one distinguish this stage from, say another stage?
- What happens, for example, during adolescence or what makes this stage unique?
- What is the developmental crisis at this stage?
Life Stage Issue and Impact on Bio-Psycho-Social Development (choose one from the list or on your own) -Elder Abuse -Domestic Violence -Marriage /Divorce /Cohabitation -Identity Development (Racial, sexual, Gender etc.) -Immigration /Migration -Alcoholism /drug use /abuse -Mid-life (mid-life crisis) Body Image /Self-esteem
Relevant Theories of Developmental Stages
- Theories that have been used or can be used to explain the issue -Theories explaining gender, development for example.
- Theories explaining sexual orientation, racial identity, mid-life crisis, anorexia, etc.
Ethical Issues and Dilemmas:
- Ethical Issues or dilemmas pertaining to policy, practice, education, research, community involvement, etc.
- Example: Some policies targeting one problem may end up causing another problem.
- Research efforts may not involve the community -Practice implications if model is applied with particular group or ethical issues on the part of the social worker
Cultural Relevance:
- What does culture have to do with it?
- How does it relate to the issue or task?
Example: Menopause