Reaction Papers
Reaction Papers
1) Choose one topic of interest in each of the following developmental stages:
A) Infancy or Childhood B) Adolescence or Young Adulthood
C) Middle Adulthood or Late Adulthood
2) Find an article that addresses the topic or issue in a journal or on the Internet.
Choose an article that gives information not given in the textbook.
3) Write a two to three page (double-spaced, font 11 or 12, one-inch margins) paper with the following parts:
A) Describe the topic, issue, or question on which you want more information.
Explain your interest in the topic.
Describe some of the questions do you want to answer concerning the topic.
B) Summarize, using your own words, the information provided by the article.
If the text discusses this topic, describe the information in the text, and then add the information in the
article. The article should provide significantly more information than the text!
C) How well does the article answer the questions you had about the topic?
Does the article raise any new questions concerning the topic?
D) Evaluate the quality of the information in the article, including the scientific adequacy of the data
presented in the article.
This includes a description of the research sources of the data presented in the article.
What was the subject population? What was the sample size?
What research method was used to gather the information?
Do the conclusions of the article fit the research method(s) used to gather the information?
IF THE ARTICLE DOES NOT MENTION HOW THE DATA WAS GATHERED:
Assess the type of information given in the article giving your judgment of what type of research was
probably used to gather the information. Explain why you think the data was gathered using that research
method. Explain the advantages and limitations of information gathered using that technique and how that
impacts the adequacy of the conclusions given in the article.
E) Evaluate the expertise and credentials of the author and source of the article.
4) Attach a copy of the article that you analyzed to the Reaction Paper.
Possible examples of topics:
Infancy Childhood
Influences on sense/motor/organ development Importance of play in development
Factors influencing emotional bonding Gender-role development
Effects of neglect and abuse Birth Order effects
Childrearing effects during infancy Imagination in childhood
Adolescence Young Adulthood
Peer Relationships and Peer Pressure Romantic Relationships/ Marriage in Early Adulthood
Puberty/Physical Development and self-esteem Challenges of Parenting in Early Adulthood
Early romantic relationships and Sexual activity Factors influencing Career Choice
Influences on Self-esteem Changes in Social Roles and Self Concept
Attitude changes: Rebellion and Individuation Changes in Relationships with Parents
Development of Self-concept/Identity Dealing with Divorce in Early Adulthood