Instructions

For this journal task, you will first select one of the three tracks in the study of abnormal psychology (biological, psychological, or sociocultural), which you will focus on for your final project research investigation. Review this tutorial to help you with the Track Selection Process. Then, you will analyze one of the articles within the track, which will provide practice for your literature review.

First, refer to the Tracks and Topics For Final Project document (located within the Module Two Journal Guidelines and Rubric document) and select a track and a topic within that track that you would like to focus your final project on.

Choose your track and topic thoughtfully, as you will not be able to switch your track and topic once chosen. Do not worry if you are not familiar with the tracks or topics at this point in the course; you will be learning much more about them throughout the term. Please be sure to contact your instructor if you are having any trouble choosing your track.

Next, analyze one of the articles within the tracks, which will provide practice for your literature review. When you complete your literature review, you will be addressing more specific elements. These questions are the first thing to think about when beginning a literature review. Keep in mind that these questions are practice and preparation for the more detailed literature review elements to come. In your journal assignment, identify your track and topic and answer the following questions about the article:

• What is the title of the article? Provide a reference for the article in proper APA format.
• What is the purpose of the article?
• What is the hypothesis of the study? In other words, what claims do the authors make in the article?
• What variables (factors) are being looked at as an influence on abnormal behavior?
• If these variables or the relationship between these variables have been studied before, what does the article indicate about the findings of previous studies? This shows historical significance.
• Describe the type of research design (e.g. descriptive, correlational, experimental) that was used in the study.
• Do you think the research in this article was conducted in an ethical manner? Why or why not?
  *Review the APA Guidelines for Research (see Standard 8) and Ethical Guidelines from Chapter 15 of your textbook to support your answer.
• What was the outcome(s) of the study, that is, the conclusions that the authors made as a result of the study?

Each question requires an answer in one to three sentences, although you can write more if needed. This should result in a journal assignment that is around one page in length. Be sure to cite directly from the article to support your answers.

Please refer to the Smarthinking Online Tutoring Service tutorials to assist you in your writing and to the Research & Citations page on the SNHU Online Writing Center website for proper APA formatting of sources.

For additional details, refer to the Module Two Journal Guidelines and Rubric document

I CHOOSE THE FOLLOWING TRACK AND TOPIC FOR THIS JOURNAL:

Track Three: Sociocultural Influences of Abnormal Behavior

TOPIC: Social and cultural contributions to the development of psychological disorders:

Article: Difference or Disorder? Cultural Issues in Understanding Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Please let me know if you have any questyions