Assignment 4 - Development in Media

Due Sunday July 27th at 11:59 pm

Important

Assignments are posted in myCourses. Please submit your work there.

Description

Movies, TV shows, books, and even TikToks often portray how people grow and change. But how accurate are these portrayals based on what you’re learning about developmental psychology? In this assignment, you’ll analyze development in the media to connect class concepts to real-world (or fictional) examples.

Points: 35

Instructions

  • Choose Your Media Example:

    • Select one of the following:

      • A movie or TV show that depicts a character’s development (e.g., Inside Out, Boyhood, Stranger Things, Big Mouth).

      • A children’s book that shows developmental milestones.

      • A YouTube or TikTok video focused on parenting, adolescence, or developmental changes.

      • Another approved media example relevant to lifespan development (send me a quick email if this is what you choose).

  • Watch or Review It Carefully:

    • Take notes on how it depicts a developmental stage, milestone, or issue.

  • Write a Reflection (300–400 words):

    • Describe the media example you chose (title, creator, brief summary). Include a link if possible.

    • Identify at least two developmental psychology concepts or theories you see in it (e.g., Piaget’s stages, Erikson’s psychosocial stages, attachment styles, parenting styles, adolescence identity development).

    • Explain each concept clearly and discuss how it shows up in the media example.

    • Critique it: Is the portrayal accurate or stereotyped? Why?

    • Share any personal insights or questions it raised about development.

Friendly Reminders

  • Choose something that interests you – your favorite show, a nostalgic children’s book, or a trending video.

  • Be specific. Don’t just name a concept – explain it in your own words and analyze how it’s shown.

  • Keep it respectful. Avoid sharing critiques in a way that insults creators or characters; focus on psychological analysis.

Rubric (35 points total)

Criteria Points Description
Media Example & Description 5 Clearly describes and identifies chosen media and the relevance to development.
Identification & Explanation of Concepts 15 Accurately identifies at least two developmental concepts/theories and explains them clearly.
Analysis & Critique 10 Thoughtfully critiques the accuracy of portrayals with examples and shows critical thinking.
Writing Quality & Clarity 5 Well-organized, clear, and mostly free of grammatical errors.