Read the rubric carefully and let me know do you have any questions.

human development psychology

HSL

1800

Observation Assignment Part 1

Purpose: To give students an opportunity to apply concepts from this course to real life. Seven
stages of life will be observed: infants, early childhood, middle and late childhood, adolescents,
early adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood.

Course Objectives Addressed: One, two, and three

Total Points 300:
Part 1 Paper = 70 points
Part 2 Paper = 70 points
Part 3 Paper = 70 points
Observation Feedback Paper Part 1, 2, and 3 Feedback = 50 points

Directions: Students will observe each stage of life for at least 20 minutes. The location may be
a public space, or a personal space related to the student (home, dormitory, apartment, etc.) (See
Rule 3). Students will then fill out the questionnaire associated with that stage of life. Answers
must be well thought out and in complete sentences.

Rules

1. Each stage of life must be observed for at least 20 minutes. You can certainly observe for

more time if you would like.

2. You may to interact with the people that you are observing.

3. If a stage of life is difficult to locate, then a media clip (of at least 20 minutes) may be
chosen instead. You must include a reference to the clip. Media options include movies,
tv shows, you-tube videos, etc.

4. Students may only use the media option for THREE (3) of the SEVEN (7) stages.

5. The assignment must be typed using 12 point font and Times Roman, Calibri, or Ariel.
Handwritten versions will not be accepted. Please type directly into this document.

6. Answer the questions with complete sentences.

7. Remember: This is an assignment, not an exam. You may ask the professor for help if
you do not understand a question. This is encouraged!

8. Submit this assignment to the D2L dropbox on dates and times indicated on the class
schedule. If D2L is unavailable, the instructor will provide directions for submission.

HSL 1800

PART ONE
Observation of Infants

Location of observation:_____________________________________________________
Date of observation: ________________________________________________________
Begin Time:________
End Time:_________

A. Describe the situation of observation (5 points)
a. How many infants were there:________

i. Describe them (estimated age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic class,
and what they were wearing):

B. Physiological Development (12 points)
a. Describe their motor control. What did you observe regarding gross motor control

and fine motor control?

b. Describe their reflexes (See Figure 8 of text/ p. 85). Which ones were exhibited
and how do you know?

C. Socioemotional Development (12points)
a. Discuss what you observed from the perspective of Eric Erikson. What stage are

they in and how do you know?

b. What would Thomas and Chess say about their temperament? What kind of

temperament do they have, and how do you know?

D. Cognitive Development (6 points)
a. Discuss what you observed from the perspective of Jean Piaget. What stage are

they in and how do you know?

HSL 1800

Observation of Early, Middle, and Late Childhood

Location of observation:_____________________________________________________
Date of observation: ________________________________________________________
Begin Time:________
End Time:_________

A. Describe the situation of observation (5 points)
a. How many children were there:________

i. Describe them (estimated age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic class,
and what they were wearing):

B. Physiological Development (12 points)
a. Describe what age you believe the children to be: Using what you know about

physical development in children, are they in early, middle, or late childhood and
how do you know?

b. Considering what you know about physical development in children and their
nutritional needs at the various stages, what would you say to a parent who is
shopping for food for this child?

C. Socioemotional Development (12 points)
a. Were they aware of their gender? How do you know?

b. Remembering the Strange Situation (pp. 125-128) and the various attachment
styles in children. What attachment style does one of the children have and how
do you know?

HSL 1800

D. Cognitive Development (6 points)
a. Discuss what you observed from the perspective of Jean Piaget. What stage are
they in and how do you know?

b. Did you observe anyone scaffolding the children? If you did not observe it, then

given an example of what it might have looked like had it occurred. (Remember
Vygotsky’s theory)