Psychology, Sociology, and Criminology Assignment Briefs with Rubrics

1) PSY 300 – New Assignment (Discussion Forum Questions)

 (Psychology homework help)
Course Level: Undergraduate psychology discussions
Instructions:

• Elaborate in the discussion forum with a minimum of 400 words.

• Respond fully to the prompt questions based on the week’s topic readings and media.

• For example:

  1. Identify situations in which a personality disorder might advantage a person or fit a vocational role.

  2. Define gender and discuss the gender similarities hypothesis along with common gender roles and societal impacts.

  3. Identify and discuss three aspects that attract people to each other.

  4. Reflect on new information you learned and what you found most interesting.

Type: Discussion forum post
Unit: Multiple psychology module reflections
Word Expectations: ~400+ words per discussion question
Formatting: Times New Roman, 10 pt (double spacing optional)

Scoring Rubric (25 points)

• Response to prompt (10 pts): Addresses all questions with clear relevance to course concepts.

• Use of theory (5 pts): Accurately integrates psychological concepts such as gender similarities, personality theory, or interpersonal attraction.

• Depth of reflection (5 pts): Demonstrates personal insight and thoughtful engagement rather than surface summary.

• Clarity and organization (3 pts): Writing is coherent, structured, and easy to follow.

• Writing quality (2 pts): Grammar, tone, and academic professionalism are appropriate.

Personality traits associated with obsessive attention to detail can support success in careers such as accounting or quality assurance, although those traits can also strain interpersonal relationships. Gender similarities research challenges popular stereotypes because most psychological traits show far more overlap than difference between men and women. Attraction often grows from proximity, similarity, and reciprocal liking, which are among the most consistently supported findings in relationship science (Aronson, Wilson, & Sommers, 2019). Reflection on these topics highlights how everyday judgments about behavior are shaped more by social expectations than by objective differences.

References (APA)

Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., & Sommers, S. R. (2019). Social psychology (10th ed.). Pearson.
Hyde, J. S. (2014). Gender similarities and differences. Annual Review of Psychology, 65, 373–398. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010213-115057
Funder, D. C. (2016). The personality puzzle (7th ed.). Norton.

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2) Sociology  – Social Control and Criminal Deviance: Bullying Essay

 Sociology (SOC 100)
Assignment Title: Assignment 2: Social Control and Criminal Deviance: Bullying
Instructions:
Write a 1–2 page essay that:

1. Identifies the most important step in the student’s guide to research necessary to analyze bullying.

2. Defines that research step in your own words.

3. Explains how bullying relates to one of the following:

   • Agents of socialization (e.g., family, peers)

   • Formal organizations (e.g., conformity to groups)

   • Types of deviance (e.g., everyday deviance or criminal deviance).
     Formatting: Typed, double spaced, Times New Roman 12 pt, 1-inch margins.

Scoring Rubric (30 points)

• Concept accuracy (10 pts): Correctly defines research steps and sociological concepts.

• Application to bullying (8 pts): Clearly connects theory to real-world behavior.

• Critical thinking (6 pts): Goes beyond description to explanation and interpretation.

• Structure and coherence (4 pts): Essay follows logical paragraph structure.

• Writing mechanics (2 pts): Grammar and academic tone meet expectations.

Research on bullying requires careful operationalization of behavior because vague definitions weaken the credibility of findings. Peer groups function as powerful agents of socialization since norms about dominance and exclusion often develop within friendship networks. Bullying illustrates everyday deviance because behavior becomes normalized when group approval replaces moral accountability. Sociological research consistently shows that school climate and peer culture strongly predict the prevalence of bullying (Espelage & Swearer, 2010).

References (APA)

Espelage, D. L., & Swearer, S. M. (2010). A social-ecological model for bullying prevention. Handbook of Bullying in Schools. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203864968
Giddens, A., Sutton, P., & Wessels, J. (2017). Sociology (8th ed.). Polity Press.
Merton, R. K. (1968). Social theory and social structure. Free Press.

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3) Social Psychology – Arden University Assignment Brief (Extended Essay)

 (Arden University material)
Course: Social Psychology PSY4009
Assignment Title: Social Psychology Critical Essay on Prejudice
Instructions (Expanded):

• Maximum word count: 3000 words.

• Choose one or more social psychological theories to provide a critical overview of how prejudice stifles social progress.

• Evaluate historical and contemporary perspectives, theory strengths/limitations, and socio-cultural differences.

• Include real-world applications and ethical implications.

• No student name on submission (anonymous marking); include student ID and word count.

• Structure: Introduction (~300 words), Main Body (~2400 words), Conclusion (~300 words).

Grading: Assessed on critical analysis, theoretical application, real-world relevance, and research breadth.

Scoring Rubric (100 points)

• Critical engagement with theory (30 pts): Demonstrates evaluation, not just description.

• Use of evidence (25 pts): Integrates peer-reviewed research effectively.

• Structure and argument (20 pts): Clear introduction, coherent argument, and logical conclusion.

• Application to real-world issues (15 pts): Connects theory to contemporary contexts.

• Academic writing quality (10 pts): Formal tone, clarity, and correct referencing.

Prejudice persists partly because social categorization simplifies complex environments while reinforcing in-group favoritism. Social identity theory explains how group membership becomes central to self-concept and intensifies intergroup bias. Contemporary research shows that implicit biases often operate outside conscious awareness yet still shape behavior and institutional outcomes (Greenwald & Banaji, 1995). Effective interventions therefore require structural change as well as individual awareness.

References (APA)

Greenwald, A. G., & Banaji, M. R. (1995). Implicit social cognition. Psychological Review, 102(1), 4–27. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.102.1.4
Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In The Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations. Brooks/Cole.
Dovidio, J. F., Hewstone, M., Glick, P., & Esses, V. (2013). Prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination. Sage.

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4) Psychology Week 7 Assignment – Culture and Behavior 

 Psychology homework help
Course Example: PSY 7710: Ethics for Behavior Analysts (applied psychology focus)
Assignment Title: Week 7 Assignment: Cultural Humility in Practice
Instructions:

• Describe culture from a behavior analytic perspective.

• Provide examples of learned behavior, practices, and beliefs as reinforced within a culture.

• Analyze the importance of incorporating cultural context in applied practice and research.

• Cite theory and include examples throughout.

Type: Short analytical assignment (~structured multi-section)
Expected Content: Definition, examples, application.

Scoring Rubric (20 points)

• Conceptual accuracy (6 pts): Correct definition of culture and behavior.

• Application (6 pts): Clear, relevant examples of cultural learning.

• Professional relevance (4 pts): Explains why cultural awareness matters in practice.

• Organization and clarity (3 pts): Logical flow of ideas.

• Writing quality (1 pt): Clear and professional tone.

Culture consists of learned patterns of behavior that are shaped through reinforcement within families, institutions, and communities. Behavioral practices such as communication style, eye contact, and help-seeking are not universal but culturally conditioned. Applied practitioners who ignore cultural context risk misinterpreting client behavior and weakening intervention effectiveness. Research in behavior analysis increasingly emphasizes cultural humility as a core ethical responsibility in professional practice (Fong et al., 2016).

References (APA)

Fong, E. H., Catagnus, R. M., Brodhead, M. T., Quigley, S., & Field, S. (2016). Developing the cultural awareness skills of behavior analysts. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 9(1), 84–94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-016-0111-6
Skinner, B. F. (1971). Beyond freedom and dignity. Knopf.
Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (2016). Counseling the culturally diverse (7th ed.). Wiley

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5) “Integration Assignment” – Psychology Theoretical Comparison 

Psychology homework help
Assignment Title: The Integration Assignment
Instructions:

• Select a psychological topic of interest (could be covered in the course or outside of it).

• Examine the topic through three different philosophical or theoretical perspectives.

• For instance, if the topic is bullying, explain it from the biological, behavioral, and social viewpoints.

• Highlight theoretical differences and interpretive insights for each perspective.

Type: Comparative theoretical essay
Expected Content: Cross-theory analysis, integrative depth, illustrative examples.

Scoring Rubric (40 points)

• Coverage of three perspectives (12 pts): Each theory is clearly and accurately explained.

• Comparative insight (10 pts): Demonstrates meaningful contrast between approaches.

• Application to topic (8 pts): Uses examples rather than abstract description.

• Depth of analysis (6 pts): Shows independent thinking.

• Writing quality (4 pts): Clear, structured, and academically appropriate.

Bullying can be interpreted biologically as a manifestation of impulsivity and emotional dysregulation, yet that explanation alone ignores powerful environmental influences. Behavioral theory instead emphasizes reinforcement because aggressive behavior often persists when it produces social rewards. Social perspectives highlight peer norms and school climate as structural forces shaping behavior patterns. Empirical evidence consistently shows that peer modeling and reinforcement strongly predict adolescent aggression (Akers & Jennings, 2019).

References (APA)

Akers, R. L., & Jennings, W. G. (2019). Social learning theory and the explanation of crime. Routledge.
Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Prentice-Hall.
Agnew, R. (2006). Pressured into crime: An overview of general strain theory. Oxford University Press.