Human Development

Preparation

Examine:Case Study 2

Brenda is 43 years old and wants to make some life changes. She is unhappy with her career in marketing and with her relationship status. She was divorced five years ago from Robert, whom she met during her senior year of college. They had delayed marriage until after Robert finished medical school, and were married when Brenda was 27. They had discussed having children, but Robert never felt that the time was right.

Even though Brenda feels alone, she is not comfortable dating. She would like to go back to school, but is not sure what career she is interested in. Plus, she has been spending a great deal of time taking care of her aging mother, with whom she has had a strained relationship over the years.

Lately, she has been thinking something is wrong with her. The kind of identity issues she is facing seem more typical of a teenager, not a 43-year-old woman. She is beginning to withdraw and to feel lonely. She feels like she has failed compared to acquaintances who are married, have children, and seem to be enjoying their careers.

Next, imagine that you are a caseworker or any other psychology professional gathering information from a client represented by either Thomas or Imani. Based on the information presented, consider the developmental challenges the person is facing. Then identify at least two developmental theories (such as attachment, cognitive development, moral development, psychosocial development, et cetera), and apply the theories to understand the person in the scenario.
While it is not possible to fully understand the person in the scenario based on the limited information provided, there are a number of developmental theories that can provide context and offer a possible framework for understanding the person’s attitudes and behaviors.
Instructions

Based on the scenario and theories you chose for this assessment, create a PowerPoint presentation (12–14 slides) using the Assessment 2 Template [PPTX], in which you complete the following:

Give a brief overview of the chosen scenario in your own words.
Provide an overview of the theories you have selected to apply to the scenario.
Describe the stage or stages of the theory that are most applicable to the current phase of life of the person discussed in the case study. Describe in some details the stage of life according to the theory. (For example, in Erikson’s psychosocial development theory a child who is 4 years old is in the stage of “initiative versus guilt.”)
Search the library for at least two scholarly (peer-reviewed) articles that provide research about the concerns faced by the person in the chosen case study.
Describe how the research from the articles applies to the person in the scenario you selected.
Apply the theories to describe how they help us to better understand this particular person at the current point of life based on the concerns and their impact on the person’s well-being.
Your presentation should include the following:

Title:

Title your presentation.
Introduction:

Describe the scenario you chose.
Theories:

First theory:
Describe your first theory.
Describe the stage of life for your chosen scenario based on this theory.
Explain how it fits your chosen scenario.
Second theory:
Describe your second theory.
Describe the stage of life for your scenario based on this theory.
Explain how it fits your chosen scenario.
Applied Theories:

Detail how your first theory helps explain your chosen scenario.
Detail how your second theory helps explain your chosen scenario.
Applied research:
First article.
Describe the findings.
Describe how they apply to your chosen scenario.
Second article:
Describe the findings.
Describe how they apply to your chosen scenario.
Conclusion:

Review key points and important take-aways.
References:

List all references according to APA format so that your fellow researchers can follow up on anything they found interesting or important to their own research.
Slide Structure:

Slide 1: Title Slide.
Slide 2: Overview of Selected Case.
Slide 3: Selected Theory 1.
Slide 4: Theory 1 Application.
Slide 5: Selected Theory 2.
Slide 6: Theory 2 Application.
Slide 7: Scholarly Resource 1 Findings.
Slide 8: Scholarly Resource 1 Application.
Slide 9: Scholarly Resource 2 Findings.
Slide 10: Scholarly Resource 2 Application.
Slide 11: Research Methods.
Slide 12: Summary Slide.
Slide 13: References.
Additional Requirements
Written communication: Writing should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
APA formatting: References and citations should be formatted according to the current APA style and formatting.
Presentation length: 12–14 slides, including a title slide and references slide.
Font and font size: Presentations should use minimum 18-point font. Make sure that the fonts you choose are clear and legible.
SafeAssign: Use SafeAssign to check your writing and ensure that you have paraphrased, quoted, and cited your sources appropriately.
Recommendations:

It is recommended that you use RefWorks to organize and format any sources you select for the presentation.
It is also recommended that you use Smarthinking for assistance in editing and reviewing your presentation.
Note: Course faculty may also use the Writing Feedback Tool to provide feedback on your writing. In the tool, click on the linked resources for helpful writing information.