Week 10: Moral & Spiritual Development

Last, but definitely NOT least, we address the topics of moral and spiritual development. Both of these areas of study have received a renewed level of interest and activity within the field of psychology in the last decade or so. Given that these are areas of great interest for both of your instructors, we invite you to reflect on the topics at hand by responding to the following.

1) Please rank the three ethical codes (Sweder et al., 1997; Rozin et al., 1999) and their underlying emotions by their prominence in your personal morality. Reflect on your cultural background and upbringing; do you think the rankings you list would match those of your parents? If not, how would they rank the three.

2) After you reflect on this, please create an account for yourself at www.YourMorals.org. Take the "Moral Foundations Questionnaire" under the "Explore your Morals" tab. Please report your scores on each of the five dimensions. Do your results on the survey match up to your own assessment of the prominence of the three ethical codes in your morality? (Yes or no is ok on the last question, but you can expand if you wish).

3) Based on existing empirical research and theory, King, Ramos & Clardy (2010) suggest that spirituality and religion may act as a resource for positive development. In your blog response, please indicate 3 different ways (that are mentioned in the chapter) that spirituality has served as a resource for your own personal thriving. In other words, please identify what about spirituality (i.e. social capital) promoted what sort of positive development (i.e. having a sense of purpose) in your own journey.

Week 9: Senior Development

This week, your blog entry is a bit different. In addition to answering the questions below, your task is to interview an individual who is the later adulthood stage (65 or older). They can either be in late adulthood or late-late adulthood (80 +) and respond to number 3.

1) Baltes and Baltes propose the "SOC Model." What does SOC stand for and what does each aspect of the model mean?

2) How as a graduate student do you "practice" the SOC Model. Please describe an example of how you do S, O, and C to stay on top of your life as a graduate student.

3) After using you best clinical skills, please relay how the person you interviewed implicitly uses the SOC Model in their life? Please indicate who you interviewed (your relationship to them), their age, and how they select, optimize and compromise in an area in their life.

This blog is not due until Sunday, November 28 midnight.

Week 8: Middle & Late Adulthood

We have a lot going on in class as the quarter winds up. We are not asking you to write anything on the blog this week! However, do read up on Daniel Levinson for lecture with Winston--thinking about the different stages of adult development, the significance of "transitional periods," and the importance and meaning of the "life structure."

In addition, you might want to plan ahead for next week. You will be asked to, among other things, talk to a person who is older in age (above aged 65) and using your best clinical interview skills discover and report back on the blog 1) one thing that is a challenge in older age for that person and 2) one way they either utilize "practice," "selection," and/or "optimization" (see SOC Model by Baltes & Baltes).

Week 7: Emerging Adulthood

Your blog for this week is your last journal to hand in on paper. It is due in class on Thursday, November, 11. Please bring a 2-paged, 12 point font printed response to the question below:

Scholars have noted that emerging adulthood is an important time for identity development. Based on Arnett's and Phinney's writings, how has your identity taken shape during your emerging adulthood. Highlight specific factors or experiences that have influenced your sense of identity thus far. In addition to addressing your sense of identity in general, please also speak to the formation of your ethnic identity development--even if you are European-American.

Week 7: Emerging Adulthood

Your blog for this week is your last journal to hand in on paper. It will not be due in class on Thursday, November, 11. Please bring a 2-paged, 12 point font printed response to the question below:

Scholars have noted that emerging adulthood is an important time for identity development. Based on Arnett's and Phinney's writings, how has your identity taken shape during your emerging adulthood. Highlight specific factors or experiences that have influenced your sense of identity thus far. In addition to addressing your sense of identity in general, please also speak to the formation of your ethnic identity development--even if you are European-American.

Week 6: Childhood & Adolescence

Welcome back to the Human Development in Context Blog! After the midterm, we're giving you a little time to play as we discuss childhood and before you face adolescence! Most likely an interesting time for all of us. Here are your blog topics for this week.

1) According to Damon (2004) What is so positive about positive youth development? Please comment on the 3 things that Damon suggests are the hallmarks of PYD.

2) The authors of Reciprocating Self contend that big things happen in terms of the development of the self in the "reciprocating self." Of what the authors mention, which do you think is the most salient issue for the development of the self for adolescents today? And what is the biggest challenge to that aspect of development in our culture?

3)Buechner offers a powerful description of the role of pain during adolescence--or perhaps during all of life--what in your life has been an issue you have learned to be a steward of? BTW-If this feels too personal for a blog, you may turn a brief comment into Dr. King.

4) Optional: If you are inspired, email Dr. King, pamking@fuller.edu, a photo of you during adolescence--please send before Wednesday midnight if possible.

Week 3: Developmental Systems Journal

This week your “blog” assignment in the “journal style” that is to be turned in on paper. As described in your syllabus this involves more personal reflection and is more like a journal entry. Take this opportunity to interact with the this week’s reading at a personal level. Do NOT post this on the blog, but turn it in in class on Thursday, Oct. 14 on paper. They are to be 2 pages, double-spaced. Due to the personal nature of these projects only your instructor will read them. Please respond to the following:

Developmental systems theories contends that all individuals live and grow embedded in many different contexts. Using Bronfenbrenner's framework, discuss a poignant aspect of a microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem that has impacted your development. Identify 1 issue from each system (micro, meso, exo, and macrosystems) and briefly discuss how each issue impacted you. Be sure to address the effects of reciprocity and action and how your interactions with these systems was bi-directional. For example, you might identify your "karate club" as an aspect of your microsystem...and it impacted you because it shaped your sense of identity in such and such a way and you impacted the club in such and such a way...Thanks for sharing!

Week 2: Nature vs. Nurture and Reciprocating Relationships

This week, I'd like you to address each one of these questions by Thursday at 1pm. Please include 2-4 sentences and a reference for each response:

1)What does niche building refer to in the context our nature/nurture discussion? Hypothesize an example of niche building.

2) According to Krueger and Johnson, what type of interactive genetic effects are most common? Hypothesize your own example of an interactive genetic effect.

3) How does sin impact the Balswicks' model of family relationships?

Week 1: Reciprocating Self

Please address each of the following with 3-4 sentences and cite the author and page numbers from where you draw your conclusions.

1) What does developmental teleology refer to? How is it relevant to psychology?

2) What are the 2 theological dimensions in a Trinitarian understanding of the Imago Dei? How are these manifested in the Trinity?

3) How are they relevant to human relationships?