To prepare for this assignment:
Review the major theoretical models introduced this week, including the neuroscience, evolutionary, behavior genetics, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and social-cultural theoretical models.
Think about the major subfields in psychology and the types of research questions that they typically address.
Consider the relative strengths and weaknesses of various research designs, including descriptive, correlational, and experimental research designs.
Select one of the following examples of a specific behavior of interest to a psychologist to use in this assignment:
Aggressive behavior in 10-year-olds
Overeating by 16-year-olds
Drug and alcohol use by 19-year-olds
Anxious behavior in 50-year-olds
The assignment (1 - 2 pages):
For the selected behavior, compare and contrast how two of the following theoretical models would explain or account for the specific behavior:
Neuroscience
Evolutionary
Behavior genetics
Psychodynamic
Behavioral
Cognitive
Social-cultural
Identify and briefly describe the subfield of psychology from which a researcher with an interest in that specific behavior might come.
Choose one of these research designs - descriptive, correlational, or experimental- and briefly describe a hypothetical study about the specific behavior that you chose. For example, you might describe how a psychologist would conduct a correlational study to identify behaviors that likely are associated with the specific behavior that you chose. Demonstrate in your example that you understand the basics of the research design, as well as its relative strengths and weaknesses.