Group items tagged

Title: Sleepless Nights May Put The Aging Brain At Risk Of Dementia Author: Patti Neighmond Date Published: August 27, 2012 Why Relevant and Summary: As we age, our body's sleep cycle naturally changes. As teenagers our body's clock (influences by internal temperature) induces sleep from about midnight to late morning, while as adults our body's clock induces sleep from about 8pm to 4am; therefore our body's needs change as we age. Plus, 40% of older adults suffer from sleep problems such as insomnia. The lack of deep sleep, and specifically of REM sleep, is connected to memory loss and can lead to dementia. This is relevant in our develop as humans in that awareness of our sleep habits and patterns have more of an effect on us that just a temporary sleepiness the next day, but in the long run it can effect our ability to have better memory as we age. Credibility of Source: The article comes from NPR's Health Blog. There is also a sound recording of the article with clips from the author on the webpage. The autor is Psychiatrist Kristine Yaffe of the University of California, San Francisco. Very credible.

Title: Applications and Utility of Urie Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory Author: Brian Lewthwaite (ed.) Date Published: Spring 2011 Why Relevant and Summary: This journal from the Manitoba Education Research Network, summarizes several research studies that apply Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory. One of the studies, The Importance of Local Environment for Promoting Student Engagement in Learning by Janet McVittie and Danette Senterre, is particularly interesting and relevant. This is a direct application of how the microsystems outside the classroom affect the microsystem of the classroom, and how the mesosystems and exosystems affect classroom engagement. When children come into the classroom, they bring with them the values and habits of their exosystem and participate in their classroom based on how they are situated in their other microsystems. (McVittie & Senterre) How This Influenced My Thinking: Based on personal experiences, I can understand how our circumstances in our mesosystems and Microsystems can affect our performance in school. At the age of 14, I became and orphan when my only parent died. In retrospect, this event and the subsequent events that resulted from it deeply affected my academic progress. In other words, the tragic events in my family microsystem had a major impact on my school microsystem, as well as on my various mesosystems. Credibility of Source: The University of Manitoba Centre for Research in Youth, Science Teaching and Learning seems like a highly credible source.

Title: Twins Author: National Geographic; Peter Miller Date Published: January 2012 Why Relevant: This article was well researched and easy to read and understand with interesting stories.

Title: Milestones in Bilingual Children's Language Development Author: Annick De Houwer Date Published: 07/31/2012 Why Relevant and Summary: This is a relevant article because it is looking at language development, focusing on how children that grow up hearing two languages from infancy develop, and whether or not there are any discernible delays as children learn to process two languages. How This Influenced My Thinking: I thought that this was a very interesting article walking me through the developmental process of a bilingual child, I think that giving a child a chance to grow up with more than one language is very helpful, and this article supports my feelings. Credibility of Source: I think that it is a fairly credible source; the website is published through the University of Western Ontario,

Title: Bronfenbrenner's Theory- youtube (video) Author: kleinen2012 Date Published: April 8, 2009 Why Relevant and Summary: This video was produced by a Human Development student, and gives a great summary of Brofenbrenner's model, along with sharing clear and relevant diagrams and definitions. For the audio-visual learner, this is a great resource for gaining basic understanding of Brofenbrenner's Ecological Model. How This Influenced My Thinking: It helped me, as an auditory learner to better absorb the information. Credibility of Source: 8; It lists her references at the end of the video.

title: The Role of Social Support in Identity Formation: A Literature Review author: Elizabeth A. Para date published: 3/1/2008 relevancy: relevant to problems that may lead to identity crisis instead of identity formation how it influenced my thinking: it supported my idea that relationships with family and peers can aide in the ease of identity formation summary: this article covers the theories of identity formation and how familial and peer support influence the process credibility: very credible, comes from the Graduate Journal of Counseling Psychology

Title: Bronfenbrenner Ecological Theory Author: Yukti Ahuja Date Published: No date listed, but it was written after 2005 because that was the date on several of the sources listed in the paper Why Relevant: It talks about how we can use Bronfenbrenner's theory to look at how we are raising children in today's world where parents may be busier and have less time to be involved in their children's lives. This lack of contact greatly affects a child's microsystem How this influenced my thinking: It made me think about the changes that have happened over the last few decades and how they have affected the lives of children that are being born in today's world. Credibility: Not sure about the credibility, there was no specific publisher listed, but the paper was well written, thoughtful and contained good sources in it.

Title: Bronfenbrenner Ecological Theory Author: Yukti Ahuja Date published: n.d. Why relevant and summary: covers the systems in Bronfenbrenner's ecological model along with giving examples. How it changed my thinking: opened my eyes to how children are growing up today Credibility: fairly credible

Title: Nature vs Nurture: Outcome Depends on Where You Live Author: Nick Collins Date Published: 12 June 2012 Why Relevant and Summary: This study is actually quite relevant, but I ranked it '6' simply due to the fact that it is based solely on research done in the UK. This article outlines a recent study that compared 6759 pairs of identical and non-identical twins across the UK, in the hopes of determining whether their genes or their environment was more important. The outcome: it depends where you live. Some areas were dubbed 'environemental hotspots' for certain traits, where in other areas the same traits were purely caused by genetics. Be sure to see the video maps at the bottom of the article. How This Influenced My Thinking: I think the nature vs nurture debate is rather subjective. Much of it is based in opinion, but this particular study shows that many things can impact our phenotype. I'm of the opinion that both genetics and environment contribute. For example, I met my biological father for the first time when I was 28 years old. We were surprised to discover that although we were literally strangers, we look very much alike, both have an affinity for foreign languages, both enjoy traveling and adventure, and we enjoy similar types of food. Additionally, I found out that my grandfather was an oral surgeon in Holland during WWII. This was particularly interesting because I've always had a mild fascination with dentistry and oral hygiene! Credibility of Source: The Telegraph is a reputable UK news source.

Title: Brain Keys Language Development Author: Beth Fleming Date Published: 2002 Why Relevant and Summary: This is relevant because it doesn't just breakdown step by step the stages of language development. But it gives examples as to what you can do. It gives research information. It tells you what you can do and what happens if you don't consistently talk to children. It encourages not only ways to help develop language, but to communicate. How This Influenced My Thinking: It influenced my thinking because of my own children. I talk to my children all the time NOW, but had I talked to them more and more when they were smaller, their development would be at different stage now. I agree that the research is consistent with results. Should I have another child, this impacts how I might do things differently. Credibility of Source: Beth Fleming is a Family Life Specialist

Title: Speech and Language Developmental Milestones Author: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Date Published: Updated September 2010 Why Relevant: This website is relevant because it gives specific guidelines and timetables to follow on the development of children's language. It also clarifies the difference between speech and language development. Credibility: Very High

Title: Speech and Language Developmental Milestones Author: N.A. Date Published: Sept. 2010 Why Relevant and Summary: Describes how speech and language are developed and what happens during the first few years of life. The stages of development and description as to what is occurring and when development should occur. The milestones for speech and language development are given. There are signs for when children are learning to communicate with you. The differences between speech and language disorders. Included is a checklist for a baby's hearing. There are also problematic questions and answers. How This Influenced My Thinking: I was given an insight on how to record a child's development and information on what to do. This article helped think of ways other than signs in order to develop my paper. Credibility of Source: Credible. It is a government owned website.

Title: Readings on the Development of Children Author: Mary Gauvain and Michael Cole Date Published: 2005 Why Relevant and Summary: This is relevant because it talks about the development of children and how Bronfenbrenner's theory applies to our lives. It goes through just like our human development book does and gives different examples so that you can better understand how each level applies to our life if we didn't understand it from our book. How This Influenced My Thinking: It doesn't influence my thinking because it gives the same information. What it does do is help me to understand the development in my own life and how I can better influence my children's development with this theory. Credibility of Source: Has some resources from Bronfenbrenner's books and articles. They are cited in this book.

Title:Nature Nurture in Psychology Author: Saul Mcleod Date Published: 2007 Why Relevant and Summary: This article gives a great description of the two opposing sides of the nature-nurture debate. The author gives many examples for each side and how nature and nurture work together. How This Influenced My Thinking: It really opened my mind to seeing both sides of the debate. Credibility of Source: This article was posted to a psychology website and contained a great number of references, I see this as a very credible source.

Title: Nature Nurture in Psychology Author: Saul McLeod Date Published: 2007 Why Relevant and Summary: Includes both sides of nature nurture debate, along with theories that back both sides. Also discusses how both work together How This Influenced My Thinking: It gave me information on both sides of the debate Credibility of Source: credible- found on simplypsychology.org

Title: Nature Nurture in Psychology Author: Saul McLeod Date Published: 2007 Why Relevant and Summary: Compares and contrasts opposing theories of nature and nurture in the presence of our lives and development. Addressed the different approaches to psychology and its affect on human development. How This Influenced My Thinking: It reinforced some ideas I've had about the way I was raised and the reasons I am the way I am currently. It also encouraged a consideration of some other outside influences on my development. Credibility of Source: References several credible sources.

Title: Nature Vs. Nurture: Are we Really Born That Way? Author: Kimberly Powell Date published: N.D. Why Relevant and Summary: In this article she clearly explains the topic of nature vs. nurture and goes into how it is still undetermined if our genes play a role in our personality. How it influenced my thinking: It made me wonder if my personality trait that are similar to my parents came from them genetically or if it is similar because that is what i grew up around. Credibility of source: This article seems somewhat credible, though i didn't see any references.

Title: Nature vs. Nurture Are We Really Born That Way? Author: Kimberly Powell Date Published: February 2, 2013 Why Relevant and Summary: This article is relevant because it explains clearly what the difference between nature and nurture. This article talks about how scientist fight over how much of who we are is shaped by genes and how much by the environment. How This Influenced My Thinking: It influenced me thinking by explaining to me how nature and nurture do play a big role in human development Credibility of Source: This source seems credible

Title: Nature vs. Nurture: Are we really born that way? Author: Kimberly Powell Date Published: 2013 Why Relevant and Summary: This article gives a great overview of this debate and gives historical information as well. How This Influenced My Thinking: This influenced my thinking regarding certain controversial attributes that are involved in this debate such as morality and sexual orientation. Credibility of Source: medium. informational website but not a credible author.

Title: Height Hopes A new study identifies potential height genes Author: No authors are listed Date Published: also unlisted, but it was written sometime after 2007 because that was the date of one the references used in the article. Why Relevant: The article talks about how height is based on your genes as well as you your environment. It mentions twin studies as well as talking about how scientists are trying to determine which genes are responsible for determining height. How This Influenced My Thinking: The article had some great information about twin studies and how they have been used to look at how much your height is a genetic factor. Credibility of Source: Decent, The website is put out through a museum that is associated with the University of Stanford. But since there isn't a date, or author it lowers the credibility of the source.

Title: Nature vs. Nurture: Two Brothers With Schizophrenia Author: Norman, L., Keltner, C., James, R., Darling, L., Oliver, K. Date Published: 2001 Why Relevant and Summary: This article is very relevant because it discusses how nature and nurture can play a role in the human development. The authors do so by discussing how schizophrenia can be both due to nature and nurture by giving examples. How This Influenced My Thinking: This article showed me how both nature and nurture can effect the human development and we cat rule out one for the other. Credibility of Source: This source was found on ebscohost and is from the journal "Perspectives in Psychiatric."

Title:Environmental Causes of Human Congenital Malformations: The Pediatrician's Role in Dealing With These Complex Clinical Problems Caused by a Multiplicity of Environmental and Genetic Factors Author:Robert L. Brent Date Published:April 1, 2004 Why Relevant and Summary: Contains information on teratogens from various kinds to what malformations they can cause in the body. This article starts off by describing the criteria to be classified as a teratogen. There are three categories of congenital malformations: unknown, genetic, and environmental. The severity of effects of teratogen are determined by time of exposure and amount of exposure or threshold dose. How This Influenced My Thinking: There are specific criteria in order to be classified as caused by teratogen. Credibility of Source: The source is highly credible. It comes from the Journal of American Academy of Pediatrics.

Title: VS Ramachandran: 3 clues to understanding your brain Author: Vilayanur Ramachandran - neurologist Date Published: March 2007 Why Relevant and Summary: The debate of nature vs. nurture is considered when neurologist Ramachandran share his findings from rehabilitating those with brain injuries or brain wiring issues such as phantom limbs. This video argues that stroke paralysis, and phantom pains could be "learned" behaviors and not innately biological. How This Influenced My Thinking: In writing my paper I discuss traumatic brain injury in the developing children and how it influences processes. This video delves deeper into neurological development and behaviors which may be more of a product of environment than biology alone. Credibility of Source: Extremely credible - Lecture given by practicing neurologist.