Psychology 2240:  Developmental Psychology Term Project

 

Please submit the paper no later than April 30th, 2021 

 

 

The paper should be at least 10 pages and should contain at least 3 references other than your textbook.  Please submit the paper in APA style.  If you have questions about APA please see me in tutorials or arrange to meet with me at some other time.        

 

 

            For this assignment I'd like you to evaluate either an infant's toy, a child's toy, or an adult recreational activity and evaluate it in terms of what you know about the needs and abilities of individual within the age range selected.    In the case of an infant or child’s toy there is usually an age range specifically identified by the manufacturer as suitable.  You should provide justification for the target age range you associate with the toy and feel free to disagree with the target age presented by the manufacturer. 

 

            This paper should include a section that describes the characteristics of individuals in the target age range.    Be very specific about the physicial, cognitive and social abilities associated with that age.  Also describe the “challenges” and the skills that people acquire during the age range.    These skills and needs should be based on information from the textbook, class discussions, and two other sources about the developmental issues for your targeted age group.  Whenever possible you should present evidence for the psychological claims about the age related abilities you discuss.

 

            Once you have outlined the skills and the needs of the age group, you will analyze how well the toy fits with these needs and skills.  Make sure you evaluate the toy in terms of the cognitive and social and even the physical abilities appropriate for that age.   Describe the features of the toy that seem to agree with what developmental psychologists know about the target age group and describe the features of the toy that do not seem to agree with what developmental psychologists know about individuals in that age range.   It is also important that you explain why the features of your selected toy do or do not agree with the theories.

 

            Finally, make suggestions to improve the toy or activity to make it more appropriate for both the needs and the abilities of the targeted age group.

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