Assignment Task: Essay
Overview and Learning Objectives
This assignment will help you develop fundamental skills in APA formatting, academic writing, and the critical evaluation of research. You will write an essay that critically reviews research that relates to determining the appropriate age of criminal responsibility. You should incorporate the feedback received on previous assignments in psychology when writing your essay. Further instructions for completing this assignment are provided in the section in this handout titled Requirements and Grading Guide for Assignment 1.
Assignment Topic in Detail:
A recent TV program (ABC's Four Corners) revealed that children as young as 10 are being inappropriately treated and held in Australian prisons. As concern for the children's welfare is voiced, many in the community are calling for an increase to the age of criminal responsibility so that young offenders are dealt with outside of the justice system.
A range of different explanations as to the causes of problematic or riskybehaviour have been proposed, from newspaper reports of impulsive, violent or even evil actions (Arinde, 2006; Larimer, 2000) to the various brain changes taking place during adolescence related to reward-seeking and cognitive control (e.g., Smith, Chein, & Steinberg, 2013; Steinberg, 2008; Tymula et al., 2012).Indeed, Steinberg and Scott (2003) argue that adolescents should not be held responsible for murder or other similar infractions, as their brains have not yet reached maturity.
Your task for this essay is:
1. To evaluate the available evidence on the social, emotional, psychological, biological, and behavioral changes that occur during adolescence and emerging adulthood that may explain their increased vulnerability to specific problems and/or behaviour choices.
2. To determine whether Steinberg and Scott are correct in stating that adolescents should not be held to the same degree of responsibility for their immoral and/or unlawful actions as adults. Be sure to support your argument with credible source material.
3. To consider any distinctive cultural practices or cultural beliefs that may act as protective mechanisms for young people as not all adolescents engage in problematic behaviour. Arnett (2018) argues that an interrogation of cultural beliefs and their influence is necessary in order to gain a fuller understanding of developmental changes in adolescents and emerging adults.
Requirements for Assignment 1:
Assignment 1 submission must contain the following components. For further grading information see the Marking Rubric for Assignment 1.
1. Assignment Title Page - Mandatory
The title page should include the title of the assignment, your name, your tutor's name, and the assignment due date (see page 54 in the Findlay writing psychology book for an example of what your title page should look like). You also MUST include the following statement acknowledging your understanding of the University's assessment policy and procedures:
"I declare that in submitting all work for this assessment I have read, understood and agree to the content and expectations of the assessment declaration."
2. Introduction
The introductory paragraph should broadly outline the topic that will be discussed, explain why it is an important issue, and provide some idea of what you will discuss and/or argue in the essay.
3. Body
The body of the essay should define key concepts, as well as describe and evaluate the research literature that is relevant to the topic. You will need to work the research literature into a story or narrative that helps you to present your perspective on the topic in a logical and coherent manner. Some questions to help guide you:
- What is meant by the age of responsibility?
- What is meant by problematic or risk-taking behaviour?
- What are the social, emotional, psychological, biological, and/or behavioral changes that occur during adolescence? How do these changes influence development during adolescence?
- How do adolescents and emerging adults behave in response to these changes that may increase their vulnerability towards problematic behaviour or poor life-style choices?
- What is meant by cultural beliefs and practices?
- What are the psychological costs and benefits of problematic behaviours in adolescence and emerging adulthood?
- How do these psychological costs and benefits affect psychological well-being, and what are the implications of these in the long-term?
4. Conclusion
The concluding paragraph is an integrated summary of your major points and a final statement of your understanding of what the research literature has to say on this topic. You should not introduce new material in the conclusion. Make sure that your conclusion agrees with the evidence/arguments that you have presented in the body of the essay.
5. Reference list
This is not a bibliography. The Reference list should include all the research literature you have cited in your essay, listed in alphabetical order by first author's surname, and presented in correct APA 6th style.
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