Discussion Question

Answer Each Question with a minimum of 100 words. Provide reference to support your answers.
1. As we learn about the different stages of the life cycle. Discuss how difficult it is to determine when each stage begins and ends, using biological, cognitive, and psychosocial criteria. Contrast this discontinuity perspective with the continuity perspective. Which perspective do you favor?
2. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of Sigmund Freud’s theory. Which aspects of his theory seem relevant to you? Which aspects seem more irrelevant?
3. Discuss some of the controversies involved in infant routines (e.g., scheduled vs. demand feeding, handling sleep problems, breast vs. bottle feeding), and state your opinions on which technique is superior. Locate research that supports your opinion.
4. Using the research on temperaments, explain how a personality trait like shyness could be influenced by both genetic and environmental influences.
5. The rates of obesity are continuing to rise in this country. Discuss how nutrition, sleep, growth rates, and exercise all interact to promote healthy living. How can parents help to promote healthy habits in childhood? How will these habits impact overall wellness in adulthood?
6. Summarize the similarities and differences in the physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development between preschool and elementary-aged children. Include an explanation of brain development and changes that are taking place in childhood. Why is it important to recognize the changes that take place in each stage of development?
7. Pick one of the following scenarios:
A 4-year-old child constantly refuses to eat the dinner that is provided.
A 9-year-old child constantly talks back to authority figures, particularly her parents.
A 7-year-old child constantly refuses to get out of bed in the morning and get ready for the day.
How would each of the four major parenting styles respond to the scenario? How would each of the parenting styles affect the cognitive and socioemotional development of the child in the chosen scenario? How could each of the parenting styles affect the relationship of the parent and child? Support your response with research.
8. Robert Sternberg and Howard Gardner argued that, as a society, we need to expand our measure of intelligence beyond traditional tests. Describe the way each explains intelligence. Then explain how ideas presented by Sternberg and Gardner have changed school environments.
9. High contact sports, teenage brain development, and concussions has been a topic that has received considerable attention. Review some research on this particular topic. After you have reviewed information, consider the following: If you were a parent, would you allow your child to play a high contact sport? Explain your response supporting your decision with the research on this topic.
10. Summarize Kohlberg and Gilligan’s theories of moral development. Explain how they are similar and how they differ.
11. Consider the physical changes that occur from early to middle adulthood. Discuss what changes intuition and exercise need to occur for middle-aged adults to stay healthy and fit.
12. Using theories of Piaget, LaBouvie-Vief, and Denney and the concepts of fluid and crystalized intelligence, explain changes in cognitive functioning in early and middle adulthood.
13. Discuss some of the physical changes that can take place in late adulthood, and explain how these detriments may be offset. If they are not offset, what are some of the consequences of these physical changes?
14. Brainstorm ideas on how our country can move away from ageist negative stereotypes (as predicted by the disengagement theory) and move toward a more positive active role for senior citizens (as predicted by the activity theory).
15. Pretend you are a hospice volunteer and are helping terminally ill patient and their families. Use theories presented by Nagy and Kubler-Ross and explain how they would help you to better understand their circumstances.
16. Describe ways in which people experience grief and the functions it serves. Consider religious beliefs and cultural differences; as well as differences between child and adult, in your response. Access and read the GCU Statement on the Integration of Faith and Work. How might a person with the Christian Worldview handle the stages of dying, including late decline and eventual acceptance of their death?