EXCELSIOR PSY498 All Modules Discussions Latest 2020 November

PSY498 PSYCHOLOGY CAPSTONE

Module 1 Discussion

Scientific Research and Ethics

Discussions are an opportunity for you to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively, interact and challenge your peers respectfully, and support your writing with examples and scholarly resources.  Be sure to answer all questions and view the rubric to be sure you can earn maximum points.

The ability to find, read, and evaluate scholarly research is critical for meeting the goals of psychology: describe, explain, predict, and control behavior.  Along with this, psychology professionals are expected to adhere to the American Psychological Association (APA) ethical code.

This activity addresses module outcome 1. Upon successful completion of this activity, you will be able to:

MO1: Self-assess your competency in each of the course and concentration outcomes. (CO1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

This activity aligns with the career competencies of written communication and critical thinking.

For your discussion posting this week, address the following:

Identify a behavior that is present in the workplace (yours or another) or another space. This should be a behavior you would like to explain.

Create a hypothesis, based in psychological principles, that explains this behavior.

Find and share two scholarly, scientific journal articles that support your hypothesis.  Remember to properly cite and reference these articles in APA format.

Explain whether the APA Ethics Code is applicable to the research described, including your rationale about why it is or isn’t.

Does the research you described comply with the APA Code of Ethics?  Why or why not?

 

PSY498 PSYCHOLOGY CAPSTONE

Module 2 Discussion

Social Justice Issues

Discussions are an opportunity for you to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively, interact and challenge your peers respectfully, and support your writing with examples and scholarly resources.  Be sure to answer all questions and view the rubric to be sure you earn maximum points.

Social justice issues are strongly connected to the field of psychology.  Using your knowledge, skills, and abilities related to psychology, you will connect your personal experiences in the workplace with social justice issues and psychological theory.  If you choose an alternative context or situation (other than the workplace), please explain your decision.

This activity addresses module outcomes 3 and 4.  Upon successful completion of this activity, you will be able to:

MO3: Evaluate theories to explain behavior, including advantages and limitations. (CO1)

MO4: Evaluate theories to predict behavior, including advantages and limitations. (CO1) 

This activity aligns with the career competencies of written communication and critical thinking.

For your discussion posting this week, address the following:

Identify a social justice issue in the workplace (or other space, if needed) that resonates with you.

Explain a prosocial behavior related to this issue, and an antisocial behavior.

Describe and discuss how the theories associated with these behaviors can explain and predict behavior, being sure to provide advantages and limitations.  Provide scholarly resources to support your ideas and writing.

Students in the I-O concentration must include description and discussion of the role of psychological theory associated with negotiation/persuasive skills.

 

PSY498 PSYCHOLOGY CAPSTONE

Module 3 Discussion

Ethical Complications and Consequences

Discussions are an opportunity for you to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively, interact and challenge your peers respectfully, and support your writing with examples and scholarly resources.  Be sure to answer all questions and view the rubric to be sure you can earn maximum points.

As you work on your literature review, you should find some interesting situations.  After all, these are related to social justice issues in which there have historically been many ethically questionable studies, and the concept of social justice is certainly not without controversy.  In your discussion this week, you’ll identify and discuss at least one ethically complex situation found so far in your review of the relevant literature.  Remember that in your literature review, you are being asked to use at least one article that approaches your topic from a biopsychological perspective, and at least one article that approaches your topic from a developmental or lifespan point of view.

This activity addresses module outcomes 2 and 3. Upon successful completion of this activity, you will be able to:

MO2: Explain how the APA ethics code can be used to guide decisions in ethically complex situations. (CO3)

MO3: Justify recommendations for consequences for ethical violations based on APA ethics code requirements. (CO3)

This activity aligns with the career competencies of written communication and critical thinking. 

For your discussion posting this week, address the following:

Share your topic and the search terms you’re using to identify literature for review.

Identify a scholarly article from the literature you’ve started that describes an ethically complicated situation.

Explain the ethical problems associated with the literature and why it’s a complex issue.

Explain how the APA ethics code can be used to guide research design and related decisions in similar situations.

PSY498 PSYCHOLOGY CAPSTONE

Module 4 Discussion

Explanations Based on Scientific Reasoning

Discussions are an opportunity for you to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively, interact and challenge your peers respectfully, and support your writing with examples with scholarly resources.  Be sure to answer all questions and view the rubric to be ensure you earn maximum points.

When approaching problems scientifically, it’s important to use specific methods and steps.  You will remember that one of the first things needed is to operationally describe the problem, and then explain what we see happening.  Your mission for this discussion is to demonstrate your application of these steps in real life.

This activity assesses module outcomes 1, 2, & 3.  Upon successful completion of this activity, you will be able to:

MO1: Describe problems operationally to study them empirically. (CO2)

MO2: Develop plausible behavioral explanations that rely on scientific reasoning and evidence rather than anecdotes or pseudoscience. (CO2)

MO3: Recognize the systemic influences of sociocultural and personal biases on psychological research. (CO2)

This activity aligns with the career competencies of written communication, critical thinking, and global/intercultural fluency.

For your discussion postings this week, address the following:

Describe a social justice problem you have noticed that occurs in the workplace or another space you have identified.  How has this concern come to your attention, and why is it problematic?  What could the potential benefits be if this problem is fixed?

Be sure to describe or hypothesize about any sociocultural or personal biases that could be playing a role in your perception or interpretation of the issue.  Remember, we all have biases.

Now, operationally describe this problem so that it can potentially be studied scientifically.  Remember, operationally describing the problem means that you’ll need to clearly identify variables that can be manipulated and/or measured.

Identify a plausible explanation based in empirical research for this problem behavior, and use peer-reviewed articles to support your theory.

In your responses to others, try to respectfully challenge potential flaws in your peers’ descriptions and explanations from the perspective of recognizing the influence of bias on assumptions.

 

 

 

 

 

PSY498 PSYCHOLOGY CAPSTONE

Module 5 Discussion

Controversy and Solutions

Discussions are an opportunity for you to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively, interact and challenge your peers respectfully, and support your writing with examples and scholarly resources.  Be sure to answer all questions and view the rubric to be sure you can earn maximum points.

Many people are uncomfortable with conflict and therefore avoid discussing controversial issues.  This is problematic in many ways and in situations, but can be especially challenging in the workplace.  When stereotypes, personal biases, and misconceptions go unchallenged in ANY space, problems are allowed to persist and even grow.

It is possible to deal with controversial issues in a constructive manner, creating collaborative team environments.  In order for this to happen, healthy interpersonal relationship must be developed that allow the respectful exchange of different opinions and ideas.  This often results in better decision-making.

In this discussion, you’ll choose a topic from below and post a written persuasive response plus a short (approximately 45 seconds) video.

This activity addresses module outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5.  Upon successful completion of this activity, you will be able to:

MO1: Construct clear and concise arguments, using evidence-based psychological concepts and theories. (CO4)

MO2: Create precise and persuasive arguments with APA writing styles and conventions. (CO4)

MO3: Appraise sources of information as accurate or flawed, based on evidence. (CO5)

MO4: Describe a solution for facilitating an effective workplace or other space. (CO5)

MO5: Implement effective delivery standards in professional oral performance. (CO4)

 This activity aligns with the career competencies of oral/written communication and teamwork/collaboration.

For your discussion posting this week, address the following:

Choose one of the following prompts, and create a written response (complete with empirical evidence/scholarly support).  Then, record a 45 second video that effectively and professionally presents your persuasive argument.  Your written response should NOT be your script, and your video should NOT be a reading of your written response. 

Your written work for this discussion is a professional, APA style response to your chosen prompt.  In your written response, include details about the social psychological theory and persuasive techniques used, including appropriate in-text citations and references.

Your video is a persuasive, professional oral presentation of your thoughts.  For example, think about what you would say and how you would present yourself in a formal workplace meeting in which you want your ideas taken seriously.  In your script, be sure to emphasize your oral argument, persuasiveness, and professional presence.  Remember, look at our course technical guidance document for help with recording video, and the audio script tips.

Prompts – Choose one of the following and a position:

–  Employee surveillance: Employers should/should not be allowed to monitor web/internet usage.

–  Incentive pay: Paying employees to motivate and reward employees is/is not fair.

–  Gender equality: The gender pay gap does/does not exist and should/should not be addressed.

–  Work romance: Organizations do/do not have the right to make policies prohibiting romantic or sexual relationships with coworkers.

–  Politics: The political values and beliefs of my coworkers are/are not important.

Students in the I-O concentration must include discussion of why educational or training programs in your chosen prompt’s area are important for leadership development and/or in sales environments.

 

PSY498 PSYCHOLOGY CAPSTONE

Module 7 Discussion

Being AWARE

Discussions are an opportunity for you to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively, interact and challenge your peers respectfully, and support your writing with examples and scholarly resources.  Be sure to answer all questions and view the rubric to be sure you can earn maximum points.

As you have learned, asking for feedback, monitoring your emotions, asking questions to clarify, reaching out for different perspectives, and engaging your potential are important steps in the feedback process.  This week in the discussion, you will share your experiences and reactions to your results in the self-reflection profile.

This activity addresses module outcomes 2 & 3.  Upon successful completion of this activity, you will be able to:

MO2: Accurately self-assess performance quality by melding external standards and expectations with personal criteria. (CO4, CO5)

MO3: Incorporate feedback as appropriate to strengthen presentation quality. (CO4, CO5)

This activity aligns with the career competencies of written communication and critical thinking.

For your discussion posting this week, address the following:

Complete the Self-Reflection profile, adapted from PriceWaterhouseCoopers (2014).

After thoughtfully completing the profile, think about how you responded to the feedback from your peers on your draft presentation.  In your discussion, identify specific actions you will take in the future to maximize your feedback opportunities, and include your thoughts and answers to some of the following questions in your discussion this week:

– Did knowing the feedback was coming (it wasn’t a surprise) help or hinder your mindset?

– Did you have an emotional reaction to the feedback that prevented you from receiving the message(s)?  Were you defensive or argumentative? Did you shut down?

– Did you ask questions to make sure you understood what was being shared?  If yes, what did you ask?  If no, what held you back?- Did you agree with what was shared in your feedback?  If not, did you ask someone else for another viewpoint or additional perspective?

– What actions did you take/are you taking after receiving the feedback?  Did you thank your reviewers for their feedback? 

 

PSY498 PSYCHOLOGY CAPSTONE

Module 8 Discussion

Letter to Future Psychology Student

Discussions are an opportunity for you to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively, interact and challenge your peers respectfully, and support your writing with examples and scholarly resources.  Be sure to answer all questions and view the rubric to be sure you can earn maximum points.

Students who enter a psychology program may have some stereotypes about what they will do or learn, and they often do not have a clear understanding of how their degree will benefit them professionally in any career they find themselves in.  For this discussion, you are writing (and then replying to your peers) a letter to a future psychology student to help them understand what they are getting into… And what they are going to walk away with.

This activity addresses module outcomes 1 and 3.  Upon successful completion of this activity, you will be able to:

MO1: Apply the ethical principles of psychology to non-psychology professional settings. (CO5)

MO3: Apply relevant psychology content knowledge to facilitate a more effective workplace. (CO5)

 This activity aligns with the career competencies of written communication, professionalism, and work ethic.

For your discussion posting this week, address the following:

Write a letter to a future psychology student.  If you are an I-O concentration student, be sure to write your letter to an I-O concentration student.

In your letter, be sure to include the following:

– Your most important insights about how to make the most of the opportunities they will be presented with and how their education will benefit them in any future career pathway.

– How will knowledge of the APA ethics code influence decisions, even in non-psychology workplaces and situations?

– What kinds of things will a student learn that can help them become more effective in their jobs?