Title: What Is Disengagement Theory? Author: Cristen Conger Date Published: April 7, 2009 Why Relevant and Summary: Thoroughly explains the Disengagement Theory; identifies the positive and negative opinions of it and how it affects multiple relationships in the life of an elderly individual. Provides scenarios with which to examine the Disengagement Theory; enabled me to understand the effects it had on the elderly individual. How This Influenced My Thinking: I was able to compare and contrast it to a very opposite theory in successful aging, the Activity Theory. It forced me to think of ways in which the Disengagement Theory could have positive outcomes and influences on an elderly individual and their surrounding environment. Credibility of Source: Through Discovery Health, seems fairly credible.

Title: Caregiver Lives Rerouted Yet Enriched By Aging Parents Author: Sarah LeTrent Date Published: December 11, 2012 Why Relevant and Summary: Provides actual accounts of experiences with caregiving for older relatives/parents. Identifies all the hassles that can come with taking on the responsibility but also recognizes all the rewards and the enriching, meaningful experience it can be. How This Influenced My Thinking: It forced me to look at the situation--caregiving for an elderly parent/parents-- from both perspectives. I was able to understand how it affects both the children and the parents and able to understand the pros and cons. Credibility of Source: CNN News-- pretty credible.

Title: Staying Healthy Author: Mayo Clinic Staff Date Published: March 19, 2011 Why Relevant and Summary: Explains what to expect from your body in middle adulthood, how you can maintain good health in middle adulthood, and the different areas with which maintenance will be necessary. How This Influenced My Thinking: I was able to relate the information from this source to my experience or observance of parents' experience with body changes in middle adulthood; I was able to learn tips for them that they combat old age with. Credibility of Source: Mayo Clinic

Title: Perry's Cognitive Theory of Student Development Author: No author. Date Published: April 25, 2008 Why Relevant and Summary: Explains how William Perry's theory of cognitive development focuses on "the nature of knowledge, truth and values, and the meaning of life and responsibilities... he lists steps by which students move from a simplistic, categorical view of the world to a realization of the contingent nature of knowledge, relative values, and the formation and affirmation of one's own commitments. How This Influenced My Thinking: It gave me a better understanding of the motivators behind value and decision formation; relative to my own formation of values and my own making of decisions. Credibility of Source: Unsure of credibility; references the University of Texas at Dallas.

Title: Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development Author: Kendra Cherry Date Published: N.D. Why Relevant and Summary: Explains Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development, compared and contrasted to those of Piaget's beliefs and proposals. Provided a scenario with which to observe moral reasoning and the different approaches it could've been addressed by. How This Influenced My Thinking: I was able to observe or review instances where my decisions reflected and displayed each one of the stages of moral development. Credibility of Source: About.com; pretty credible.

Title: Formal Operational Stage of Cognitive Development Author: Kendra Cherry Date Published: N.D. Why Relevant and Summary: Explains Piaget's last stage of cognitive development, the formal operation stage. Identifies this stage's importance in thought and perception and it's lasting affects on our cognitive abilities. How This Influenced My Thinking: Allowed for me to compare my cognitive growth and development to Piaget's levels/stages of cognitive development. Credibility of Source: About.com- pretty credible.

Title: Friendship and Friendship Quality in Middle Childhood Author: Jeffrey G. Parker and Steven R. Asher Date Published: 1993 Why Relevant and Summary: Examines in depth the variances, fluctuation, and observed tendencies of friendship formation and maintenance during middle childhood. Examines psychological elements to the presence of friendship during middle childhood and the effect it has on the individual's overall well-being. How This Influenced My Thinking: Called me to evaluate my own experience with friendship when I was going through middle childhood. Was relatable and answered a few questions or examined a few ideas I had held onto about the topic. Credibility of Source: Published by the American Psychological Association

Title: Author: No author. Date Published: February 13, 2013 Why Relevant and Summary: Provides facts and information on obesity and more specifically childhood obesity. Narrows/focuses on obesity in America and the rise we've seen over the past few years. Identifies health effects and how to prevent it. How This Influenced My Thinking: Informed me more about the serious and grave nature of obesity and it's affect upon the health of the individual; alerted of the growing presence of obesity in our country. Credibility of Source: CDC

Title: Help With Autism, Asperger's, & Related Disorders Author: Barry K. Morris Date Published: 2008 Why Relevant and Summary: Does a nice job in explaining autism, Asperger's, and related disorders. It identifies means for classification and diagnosis, associated characteristics and tendencies; what to expect from someone with one of these diseases. How This Influenced My Thinking: Educated me about autism, Asperger's, and related disorders... helped me to see from another perspective life with this kind of disorder. Credibility of Source: Pretty credible and valuable.

Title: Author: No author. Date Published: N.D. Why Relevant and Summary: An extensive and thorough explanation of what ADHD is, what the symptoms are, the different variations of it, solutions with which to combat it, medications to take, parenting tips, ADHD through the ages, coexisting conditions, etc. Very useful. How This Influenced My Thinking: It enhanced my knowledge and perception of ADHD and those who have ADHD... allowed me to relate it to my experience of having a sister with ADHD. Credibility of Source: NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health)

Title: A Mom's Guide to Toddler Discipline Author: Stephanie Wood Date Published: N.D. Why Relevant and Summary: Provides different tips and methods with which to discipline a toddler...how to stay in control and keep your sanity when parenting a toddler. Identifies what to expect and how to react. How This Influenced My Thinking: Gave me some tips that are practicable and will be useable if I were to have children, or when interacting with children of that age. Credibility of Source: Parenting.com; from perspective of an experienced mother.

Title: Habituation Author: Various/Multiple Date Published: N.D. Why Relevant and Summary: Thoroughly explains habituation and the different variables that go into encouraging it. Also contrasts and explains dishabituation. How This Influenced My Thinking: It encouraged me to think of experiences in my own life where I've habituated to a certain stimulus and maybe why I habituated to it. Credibility of Source: Unsure of credibility; made several outside references and cited correctly.

Title: Understand Your Child's Temperament Author: Kathy K. Oliver Date Published: 2002 Why Relevant and Summary: Thoroughly explains temperament and its different variations and types. Identifies the interaction of parenting styles and child temperament on the relationship between parent and child. How This Influenced My Thinking: Called me to evaluate my own temperament, recall my parents' temperaments and the interaction of the two in my growth and development. Credibility of Source: OSU

Title: Author: Yamini Durani Date Published: October, 2011 Why Relevant and Summary: Explains reasons for cosleeping, how it is safe, addresses SIDS, how to safely cosleep, and how to help your child make the transition from cosleeping to sleeping on its own. How This Influenced My Thinking: I was never aware of cosleeping, at least to the extent with which it can occur. I was educated on the risks of cosleeping, which I never knew were possible. I was also introduced to SIDs. Credibility of Source: Source written by a doctor.

Title: Childbirth in Other Cultures Author: Jennifer Vanderlaan Date Published: January 24, 2012 Why Relevant and Summary: Introduces and explains the differing views and methods of childbirth in different cultures. Provides each cultures beliefs and history of beliefs regarding childbirth and customs for it. How This Influenced My Thinking: Informed me of other perceptions and views of childbirth--things I was unaware of; I was not familiar with any other views of childbirth but that of the U.S.'s. Credibility of Source: Unsure of credibility.

Title: Author: John W. Schmitt Date Published: March 6, 2009 Why Relevant and Summary: Addresses numerous questions regarding what to expect of your body during pregnancy and how to maintain a healthy home for you and your baby during all of the changes that occur throughout pregnancy. How This Influenced My Thinking: Provided important tips with which to keep in mind later on in life if this particular things will affect me. Credibility of Source: A federal government website managed by the Office on Women's Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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: Bronfenbrenner: Ecological Systems Model Author: Nicole Yingst Date Published: 2011 Why Relevant and Summary: Provides a detailed explanation of Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory and all the different components/levels in it. How This Influenced My Thinking: Encouraged a recognition of the presence of Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems in my own life and in my own experiences. Credibility of Source: BSU

Title: Psychology Research Methods
Author: Several
Date Published: N.D.
Why Relevant and Summary: Provides a variety of resources with which to learn and better understand the different components of research methods.
How This Influenced My Thinking: Increased my knowledge of ways to thoroughly conduct research in a psychological setting.
Credibility of Source: About.com; database supported with information provided by individuals knowledgeable in the particular area of study