CHILDHOOD
For every stage of the theory occurring during childhood (‘Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt,’
‘Initiative vs Guilt,’ and ‘Industry vs. Inferiority’ or ‘Preoperational’ and ‘Concrete Operations’):
o State the name and age range of each stage.
o Give specific examples of how each stage applied to you at that age. For example, how did
you develop independence/ carry out your plans/ learn competency (if you are discussing
Erikson)? What did you do as a child to suggest that you were learning through symbolic
thinking/ logical thinking (if you are discussing Piaget)?
Evaluate your development using additional course terms from the chapter.
o For example, if you chose cognitive development, you might also want to discuss an
example of centration, belief in the Tooth Fairy, and egocentrism in childhood.
o If you chose psychosocial development, you might also want to discuss the development of
your self-concept and self-esteem in childhood.
Again, if you don’t remember, what do you know from talking to your family? Have you seen any
photographs or videos of yourself at that age? If you have contact with your caregivers from that
age, consider asking them for examples as well!
ADOLESCENCE
For the stage of the theory occurring during adolescence (‘Identity vs. Role Confusion’ or ‘Formal
Operations’):
o State the name and age range of each stage.
o Give specific examples of how each stage applied to you at that age.
Evaluate your development using additional course terms from the chapter like discussed above.
ADULTHOOD
For the stage of the theory occurring during adulthood (‘Intimacy vs. Isolation,’ ‘Generativity vs.
Stagnation,’ and ‘Integrity vs. Despair’ or ‘Formal Operations’ and ‘Postformal Thought’):
o State the name and age range of each stage.
o Give specific examples of how each stage applied to you at that age.
Evaluate your development using additional course terms from the chapter like discussed above.
If you have not experienced all of the stages yet (for example, Erikson’s integrity vs. despair stage),
discuss what you believe will occur for you during each of those stages.
CONCLUSION: (approximately 1 page)
End your paper with a conclusion that summarizes what you have discussed and ends the paper.
As part of this, discuss what you feel are 2-3 limitations of this theory.
o For example: What important influences on development do you feel it leaves out? What
populations might this theory not apply to? Who do you think was “left out” of the theory
when it was created? What else should the theorist have considered?
o Please write about what YOU feel are limitations, not what the book says! I want to know
your ideas and criticisms.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS:
Review the grading rubric in detail so you know exactly what I’m looking for!
Use lots of terms from the theory throughout your paper. This helps me see that you are
understanding the concepts and is a great way to review for the exam!
Cite the textbook and any other resources you might use. That helps me see where in the textbook you learned the material!
“MY DEVELOPMENTAL PATH” PAPER: GRADING RUBRIC
EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS
HIGH LEVEL OF CRITICAL
THINKING
5 points
MEETS EXPECTATIONS
MODERATE LEVEL OF
CRITICAL THINKING
3.5 points
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
MINOR LEVEL OF CRITICAL
THINKING
2 points
NEEDS
SIGNIFICANT
IMPROVEMENT/
MISSING
0 points
INTRODUCTION
AND REASON
FOR CHOOSING
THEORY
*Clearly discussed 2-3
reasons for choosing the
theory, showing very
high level of reflection
and critical thinking
*Clearly discussed 2-3
reasons for choosing the
theory with evidence of
critical thinking
*Clearly discussed 2-3 reasons for
choosing the theory with
evidence of a minor level of
critical thinking
*Did not clearly
discuss 2-3
reasons for
choosing the
theory
INFANCY:
APPLICATION
OF STAGES AND
TERMS
*Clearly discussed
several specific ways you
believe each stage of the
theory during infancy
fits your developmental
path
*Examples were unique
to you (not from text or
class) and showed a very
high level of reflection
and critical thinking
*All terms were used
clearly, appropriately,
and correctly
*Clearly discussed
several specific ways you
believe each stage of the
theory during infancy
fits your developmental
path
*Examples were unique
to you (not from text or
class) and showed
appropriate reflection
and critical thinking
*Clearly discussed specific ways
you believe each stage of the
theory during infancy fits your
developmental path
*Showed evidence of some
minor reflection and critical
thinking
*In some cases, student may
have left out some stages or may
not have included additional
terms and concepts from outside
the theory
*In some cases, student may not
have included many examples or
their application may have been
unclear
*Did not clearly
apply the
stage(s) from
infancy to the
student’s
developmental
path
CHILDHOOD:
APPLICATION
OF STAGES AND
TERMS
*Clearly discussed
several specific ways you
believe each stage of the
theory during childhood
fits your developmental
path
*Examples were unique
to you (not from text or
class) and showed a very
high level of reflection
and critical thinking
*All terms were used
clearly, appropriately,
and correctly
*Clearly discussed
several specific ways you
believe each stage of the
theory during childhood
fits your developmental
path
*Examples were unique
to you (not from text or
class) and showed
appropriate reflection
and critical thinking
*Clearly discussed specific ways
you believe each stage of the
theory during childhood fits your
developmental path
*Showed evidence of some
minor reflection and critical
thinking
*In some cases, student may
have left out some stages or may
not have included additional
terms and concepts from outside
the theory
*In some cases, student may not
have included many examples or
their application may have been
unclear
*Did not clearly
apply the
stage(s) from
childhood to the
student’s
developmental
path
ADOLESCENCE:
APPLICATION
OF STAGES AND
TERMS
*Clearly discussed
several specific ways you
believe each stage of the
theory during
adolescence fits your
developmental path
*Examples were unique
to you (not from text or
class) and showed a very
high level of reflection
and critical thinking
*All terms were used
clearly, appropriately,
and correctly
*Clearly discussed
several specific ways you
believe each stage of the
theory during
adolescence fits your
developmental path
*Examples were unique
to you (not from text or
class) and showed
appropriate reflection
and critical thinking
*Clearly discussed specific ways
you believe each stage of the
theory during adolescence fits
your developmental path
*Showed evidence of some
minor reflection and critical
thinking
*In some cases, student may
have left out some stages or may
not have included additional
terms and concepts from outside
the theory
*In some cases, student may not
have included many examples or
their application may have been
unclear
*Did not clearly
apply the
stage(s) from
adolescence to
the student’s
developmental
path
ADULTHOOD:
APPLICATION
OF STAGES AND
TERMS
*Clearly discussed
several specific ways you
believe each stage of the
theory during adulthood
fits your developmental
path
*Examples were unique
to you (not from text or
class) and showed a very
high level of reflection
and critical thinking
*All terms were used
clearly, appropriately,
and correctly
*Clearly discussed
several specific ways you
believe each stage of the
theory during adulthood
fits your developmental
path
*Examples were unique
to you (not from text or
class) and showed
appropriate reflection
and critical thinking
*Clearly discussed specific ways
you believe each stage of the
theory during adulthood fits your
developmental path
*Showed evidence of some
minor reflection and critical
thinking
*In some cases, student may
have left out some stages or may
not have included additional
terms and concepts from outside
the theory
*In some cases, student may not
have included many examples or
their application may have been
unclear
*Did not clearly
apply the
stage(s) from
adulthood to the
student’s
developmental
path
CONCLUSION
AND
LIMITATIONS
OF THEORY
*Multiple specific
limitations of the theory
were accurately and
thoughtfully discussed
*A high level of critical
thinking was evident
*Ideas for limitations
were unique to you (not
just from text or class)
*Limitations of the
theory were discussed
with moderate critical
thinking but did not
include enough depth of
analysis
*In some cases, student
may have some
limitations taken from
the text and not
expanded upon
*Theory limitations were only
briefly discussed or primarily
taken from the text
*No limitations
of the theory
were discussed
GRAMMAR/
SPELLING
*Paper has almost no
grammatical or spelling
errors (1-2 errors total)
*Some grammar or
spelling errors (3+) but
still readable
*A large number of errors which
impacts readability
*Paper includes
a large number
of spelling or
grammatical
errors and is
almost
unreadable
FORMATTING /
HEADINGS/
LENGTH
*Formatted correctly
and within page limits
*May have a minor
formatting error (ex:
incorrect font, missing
headings, incorrect
spacing)
*May be slightly over or
under page limits (less
than ½ page)
*May have multiple formatting
errors
*May be significantly over or
under page limits (1/2 page or
more)
*Paper is
formatted
incorrectly and
very difficult to
read and grade
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Sigelman, C. K., & Rider, E. A. (2022). Life-span human development (10th ed.).
Underline each term that you use from the book. That way it is easy for you and I to both see what you selected to discuss.
When you use a term, for example “effortful control,” please add some information to show the reader how specifically the term applies. So instead of saying something like “I believe I was high in effortful control” say “I believe I was high in effortful control because even when I wanted something that I wasn’t allowed to play with, I didn’t cry or get upset. My father told me once that when I reached for something and it was taken away, I would simply move on to another object, which he thought was very mature for an infant!” That helps me as the reader see that you really understand that term in-depth, rather than just briefly mentioning it. Does that make sense?
