Behaviorism and Social Learning Theories Humanities Assignment Help

Essay #2: An Epistemological Adventure in Perspectivism

Warm Up

In the beginning of Jane Tompkins’ “Indians, Textualism, Morality, and the Problem of History,” after providing some context for her relationship to the subject at hand, she identifies and describes a specific problem that must be resolved. She asserts that it “concerns the difference point of view makes when people are giving accounts of events, whether first or second hand. The problem is that if all accounts of events are determined through and through by the observer’s fame of reference, then one will never know, in any given case, what really happened” (Tompkins 102). She then takes her reluctant readers (colleagues on the other side of the “theory wars”) on an adventure through extensive research of secondary and primary sources–even firsthand accounts–which help her to identify the problem and discover much about herself. Ultimately, she formulates a solution based on analyzing and evaluating a variety of sources. In essence, she synthesizes the knowlege and experience to come to a conclusion, that “Reasons must be given, evidence adduced, authorities cited, and analogies drawn. Being aware that facts are motivated, believing that people are always operating in side some particular framework or other [including theory and worldview] is a pertinent argument when what is under discussion is the way beliefs are grounded. But it doesn’t give one leverage on the facts of a particular case (Tompkins 118). Tompkins uses inductive reasoning and clever argumentation to persuade her reluctant reader that one can come to a sufficient truth on which to make moral judgements on issues that require them. Finally, she resolves “What this means for the problem I’ve been addressing is that I must piece together the story of European-Indian relationships as best I can, believing this version up to a point, that version not at all, another almost entirely, according to what seems reasonable and plausible, given everything else that I know” (Tompkins 118). This is her conclusion/major claim, one that she may have had trouble arriving at without research, and one she would have been less likely to convince her reluctant reader of if she had not taken them through her epistemological adventure.

Now it is your turn to “piece together” your objective research on a current question or issue facing this issue. Once you have determined your conclusion, you will work to persuade a reluctant/resistant reader to consider (maybe even accept) your position. Through your close work with Tompkins’ text, you were introduced to a nuanced, inductive argument–something you are now challenged to do. Tompkins, in particular, provides an excellent model for the project you are about to undertake.

Directions

1. From the list below, choose ONE of the questions/problems facing the United States. I have identified the issue and provided you with one or two sources, which you must use in your paper. In one case, I provide an optional source.
2. While you may already have a position, do not formulate your conclusion until thoroughly researching a diversity of perspectives on the issue. Practice the critical thinking skills you have learned in this module and keep an open mind.Give yourself over to the research and the process of discovery–about the issue and about yourself. Tompkins shares a lot with her readers, and this in turn strengthens her argument.
3. Conduct extensive research on the question/problem (primary, secondary, and tertiary sources) and then narrow them down to best represent a diversity of perspectives in your paper. You are not restricted to U.S. sources.
4. Once you determine your conclusion/major claim, identify your audience, which should be uninformedand/or resistant to your position. Like Tompkins, you are going to take them through your research to lead them to your conclusion.
5. Use inductive reasoning and Tompkins’ structure as a model for the writing of your essay:
   • narrate history and personal relationship (experiential, observational, and or intellectual) to the question/problem;
   • establish broader, national context for question/problem;
   • present/define question/problem;
   • summarize, analyze, and evaluate select research representing a diversity of perspectives;
   • synthesize response to research;
   • present your conclusion, your resolution or solution to the question/problem (which may side with one or more of your sources), and provide reasons and evidence to support it;
   • if applicable, share any new question/s or problem/s encountered as a result of your research and critical thinking (as Tompkins did in her last paragraph).
6. Adapt Tompkins’ style and tone with your own; it is particularly effective for a resistant audience, a way of showing (rather than “telling”) and persuading them to arrive at your conclusion. Yes, you may use “I,” as you are taking your audience through your epistemological adventure, but be strategic with it.
7. Note: Rarely is this type of argument meant to utterly convince an audience; in fact, it is enough to just get a resistant audience to reconsider their own position/perspective in light of your own. One might also say that many people do not have fully informed opinions on subjects–this paper counters that. Arguments at this level are not about “winning,” and this is not a course in debate.

List of Contemporary Questions/Problems Facing the United States (you must choose one):

While the Grossmont College Databases are excellent and should be used, you should also have no problem finding a plethora of perspectives on any of these current questions and problems.

1. Should the United States provide reparations for slavery? “The Case for Reparations” (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. by Ta-Nehisi Coates
2. Should Confederate monuments be removed from public spaces? “Confederate Statues Honor Timeless Virtues–Let them Stay” (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. by Arthur Herman
3. Migrants at Southern Border. “What We Know: Family Separation And ‘Zero Tolerance’ At The Border” (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. by Camila Domonoske and Richard Gonzales
4. Trade Wars. “The President’s 2017 Trade Policy Agenda” (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
5. Is Hip-Hop harmful? Both of these sources must be used: “Can Hip-Hop Inspire a New Generation of Architects?” (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.and “Jazz Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis Calls Rap Music ‘more damaging than a statue of Robert E. Lee’,” (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. by Ben Kaye. One more optional source you might want to include:“This Is America,” (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.by Childish Gambino.

Requirements

Final essay should be:

1. a clear response to the directions;
2. 8-12 pages in length;
3. in correct MLA format and style, including in-text citations and the Works Cited page (do not include a cover page);
4. well organized with effective transitions between ideas and paragraphs;
5. efficient with regards to close work with sources, including, but not limited to, precise and concise summary and the smooth integration of direct quotes, block quotes, and paraphrases;
6. the product of original, deep critical thinking, both with regards to content and form.
7. meticulously proofread and primarily free of sentence-level errors;
8. contain a minimum of eight sources (including the one I have provided).

This essay will be run through VeriCite. The program ensures originality by comparing submissions to billions of sources of academic content, publisher’s content, and against your own submissions—far beyond just Grossmont and Cuyamaca. Papers receiving a VeriCite score over 15% may result in a zero on the assignment and academic probation from the college. A VeriCite report on an essay below 15% is usually acceptable A high plagiarism percentage on VeriCite is typically over 25% (yellow, orange or red), and it almost always represents academic fraud. Please do your own work, handle your sources responsibly, and contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Additional Resources

For this assignment, I assume you know how to do college-level research. If you feel as though your last English course did not prepare you for the type of research and critical work with sources required by this assignment, below are some resources you may find helpful:

• Grossmont College Online Tutorial: LUCI (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Library User Computer Instruction).
• Grossmont College Citation Help (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
• Grossmont College Databases (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.(Opposing Viewpoints is an exceptional database for this type of paper).
• Top Ten Tips for Doing E-Research at College (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.& Eight More Tips (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
• What is Evidence? (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
• MLA Style: Integrating Sources: MLA-Integrating-Sources-Handout.pdf

On the next page, I have created a Discussion Forum for you to ask questions, both of me and your peers, share ideas, research, challenges, and anything else related to this project. Please use it! Moreover, I prefer you ask me questions there, rather than by email, as your question/s may be shared by your peers and my answer may benefit them as well. You have no idea how much I am looking forward to reading this papers. Relax. Go for it. This is thrilling stuff…

Rubric

Rubric for Essay #2

The primary goal of the Learning and Cognition Handbook assignment is
to integrate concepts from the discipline of learning and cognitive
psychology into a usable and professional guide that is designed for a
specific audience based on your career goals. The purpose of this
handbook is to share helpful strategies and apply what you have learned
from the course to six major topics in the field. You will incorporate
your findings from required sources and the relevant sources you
researched in the Week 2 Discipline-Based Literature Review, as well as
those from the Week 3 Assignment: Choosing Your Focus.

To complete this assignment, you may utilize the Learning and Cognition Handbook template
or create your own using the template as a guide. Your handbook should
include the sections listed below, incorporating a minimum of one visual
(e.g., table, figure, or image (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.)
with a maximum of five visuals per section. Each image must be
retrieved and cited based on current copyright laws. You may wish to use
the Where to Get Free Images guide for assistance with accessing freely available public domain and/or Creative Commons licensed images.

Handbook Sections:

Table of Contents
List all sections and subsections included in the handbook with the applicable page numbers.

Preface (100 to 150 words)
Provide an overview of the handbook and its potential use by your chosen audience.

Introduction to the Major Topics (200 to 300 words)
Provide
an introductory summary of the six topics listed below and discuss any
careers in psychology specifically related to at least one of them:

• Traditional learning theories: Operant and classical conditioning
• Traditional learning theories: Behaviorism and social learning theory
• Attention and memory
• Decision-Making
• Language acquisition
• Organizational and lifelong learning

Describe how one or more of these areas may be connected to your future career goals.

Major Topics (1 to 2 pages for each major topic)
Communicate
the extent to which the six major topics of learning and cognition
affect related sub-topics by synthesizing the course learning principles
and/or theories. Consider how these sub-topics may be related to your
future career goals. For instance, if you intend to become an applied
behavior analyst, behaviorism and related technique for learning may be
directly connected to your future role. For each major topic, apply
basic research methods and skeptical inquiry to explain the theoretical
perspectives and empirical research that substantiate the relationship
between the topic and at least two related sub-topics. In your review,
consider how these topic and sub-topics are directly connected to
evaluations and interventions in psychology practice in various fields.
Focus on the areas most related to your future area of practice, paying
particular attention to how theories are examined in research studies.
The following are some sub-topics to consider:

• Comprehension
• Operant and classical conditioning
• Behaviorism
• Social learning theory
• Problem solving
• Memory development/retention
• Lifelong learning
• Individual and group learning
• Organizational learning
• Mentorship
• Apprenticeship models of learning
• Effects of demographic differences (e.g., gender, socioeconomics, religious affiliation, race) on learning

Although creative liberties are encouraged, all information
incorporated should be supported and professionally presented through
the consistent application of ethical principles and adherence to
professional standards of learning and cognition psychology as applied
to the chosen audience.

Conclusion (200 to 300 words)
Summarize the
importance of the topics within the learning and cognition domain and
their applicability within the psychology profession for the chosen
audience.

Attention Students: The Masters of Arts in Psychology program is
utilizing the Pathbrite portfolio tool as a repository for student
scholarly work in the form of signature assignments completed within the
program. After receiving feedback for this Learning and Cognition
Handbook, please implement any changes recommended by the instructor,
and go to Pathbrite (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. to upload the revised Learning and Cognition Handbook to the portfolio. (Use the Pathbrite Quick-Start Guide
to create an account if you do not already have one.) The upload of
signature assignments will take place after completing each course. Be
certain to upload revised signature assignments throughout the program
as the portfolio and its contents will be used in other courses and may
be used by individual students as a professional resource tool. See the Pathbrite (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. website for information and further instructions on using this portfolio tool.

The Learning and Cognition Handbook

• Must be 12 to 15 pages in length (see instructions and rubric for each section and sub-topic) following the Learning and Cognition Handbook template as a guide. Although a handbook differs from a written paper, all citations and references must be formatted according to APA style (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
• Must include a title page with the required information from the handbook template:
  
  • Title of handbook
  • Student’s name
  • Institution’s name
  • Course name and number
  • Instructor’s name
  • Date submitted

• Must use at least six scholarly sources in addition to the required resources.
  
  • The Scholarly, Peer Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
    table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you
    have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this
    assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the
    final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for a
    particular assignment.

• Must include the sections and subsections required as indicated in the handbook template.
• Must address the topics with critical thought and substantiated assertions.
• Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in Citing Within Your Paper (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
• Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in Formatting Your References List (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

A Memoir about the Impact of a Teacher: For this essay, you need to write about a teacher who made the greatest impact on you as a student, and as a person. Please note: you need to evaluate what the teacher did that made a difference in your life, and then describe how this teacher impacted your life.

You must choose the essay option I have provided for this assignment . If you submit an essay that does not respond to one of the prompts, your essay will not be accepted as an appropriate response to this writing assignment; instead, you will be asked to write another essay that does respond to the prompt you were assigned.

Prior to beginning this assignment, please review all the required
readings from the first three weeks as well as the articles you used in
your Week 2 Discipline-Based Literature Review. During this course, you
have been developing your knowledge in the area of learning and
cognition. In the Week 2 assignment, there was special focus on six
topics that influence a wide variety of disciplines in psychology and
other fields. In the final week of this course, you will develop a
Learning and Cognition Handbook based on these topics.

This week, you will write an extensive review and annotated bibliography on one of the six main course topics below:

• Traditional learning theories: Operant and classical conditioning
• Traditional learning theories: Behaviorism and social learning theory
• Attention and memory
• Decision-Making
• Language acquisition
• Organizational and lifelong learning

The topic you choose should be based on the area in which you would
most like to develop your knowledge. Your choice should also consider
your current interests in psychology and support your future career
goals.

As you prepare this assignment, keep in mind that it is designed to
assist you with beginning the process of drafting your Learning and
Cognition Handbook, which is due in Week 6. It is recommended that your
paper be checked in Grammarly (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and through Turnitin (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. prior to submission.

Include the following components in your review:

Introduction: Explain your motivation focusing on your chosen topic and describe how this topic aligns with your future career goals.

Research: Research five Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. in the Ashford University Library focusing on your chosen topic, and provide an annotated bibliography (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
These articles must provide sufficient information so that they will
support your work in the Learning and Cognition Handbook. (See the
instructions in Week 6 for further clarification.) Provide a complete
reference for each of the five articles. Beneath each reference, provide
an annotation that explains the theoretical perspectives, historical
trends, and/or empirical research within the article that describe and
define your chosen construct.

Conclusion: Provide a concluding paragraph that
synthesizes the cognitive learning principles and theories found within
the articles as they relate to your chosen construct.

The Choosing Your Focus paper

• Must be three to five double-spaced pages in length and formatted according to APA style (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
• Must include a title page with the following:
  
  • Title of paper
  • Student’s name
  • Course name and number
  • Instructor’s name
  • Date submitted

• Must begin with an introductory paragraph that clearly states the chosen construct.
• Must clearly discuss and explain the chosen construct with critical thought.
• Must include a Research section comprised of the Annotated Bibliography (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
  
  • The Formatting Your References List (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. guide offers additional guidance on correctly formatting references for the annotated bibliography.

• Must end with a conclusion that synthesizes the cognitive learning
  principles and theories found within the articles as they relate to the
  chosen construct.
• Must use at least five peer-reviewed sources (one per topic).
  
  • The Scholarly, Peer Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
    table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you
    have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this
    assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the
    final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for a
    particular assignment.