PSY 360 & IDS 400

**THIS ASSIGNMENT HAS FOUR (4) SEPARATE QUESTIONS**

QUESTION 1:

In this discussion, we will explore how psychological theories tend to focus on individual differences to the detriment of larger systemic problems in the justice system. When you describe ideas that are not your own, be sure to paraphrase and not use direct quotations.

Address the following in your initial post: How could psychological theories better address systemic problems in the justice system?

QUESTION 2:

Overview

As confirmed by DNA testing, Ronald Cotton was falsely convicted of a crime based on faulty eyewitness identification after a composite sketch was created by a forensic artist and police thought he resembled the sketch. He was placed in a physical lineup of suspects, and the victim, Jennifer Thompson, was asked if anyone she saw in the lineup was her attacker. She mistakenly identified Cotton as the perpetrator, and he was eventually tried and convicted, largely on Thompson’s identification and memory.

Directions

First, watch the videos about this case provided in the Module Four resources. Then, using what you have learned from module resources, write a short paper that explores theoretical considerations related to this case.

Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:

1. Phenomena Summary: Summarize the phenomena of cross-race effect, visual or verbal priming, and source misattribution.
2. Case Application: Describe how these phenomena may have been present in the case of Ronald Cotton.
3. Process Improvements: Discuss the ways the interrogation process could be improved. Support with the following:
   1. Include a brief description of a theory that supports this proposed change in process.
   2. Describe how this change in process may support an equitable criminal justice system.

What to Submit

Submit your short paper as a 2- to 3-page Microsoft Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Sources should be cited according to APA style.

QUESTION 3:

Each discussion is meant to be a collaborative space for conversation in which to process the concepts within the course. To ensure an interesting and respectful discussion, you are encouraged to think creatively about your initial posts and build upon the points made by your peers. Discussing challenges that face our world often means investigating opinions and ideas different from your own. Remember to remain thoughtful and respectful towards your peers and instructor in your discussion post and replies, as discussed in the Module One Overview. It is also important to review the module resources and read the prompts in their entirety before participating in the discussion.

Create one initial post and follow up with at least two response posts.

For your initial post, address the following:

1. Choose a subculture you identify with and select a cultural element or experience that expresses something unique about that group.
2. How might an insider experience this cultural expression?
3. How might an outsider experience this cultural expression?
4. How does adopting both insider and outsider perspectives inform your understanding of the social impact of this cultural expression?

QUESTION 4:

Overview

For this activity, you will consider influences on constructive engagement with your topic. You will also propose how your ideas to transform conversations about your topic might influence how we as a larger society perceive it. This activity contributes to your draft of the critical analysis section of your project. It also provides an opportunity to obtain valuable feedback from your instructor that you can incorporate into your project submission.

Directions

In this activity, you will work on the second part of the critical analysis of your topic in diversity. You should consider the feedback from your instructor on the previous activity and use your responses to inform this assignment. Throughout the process, you will support your analysis with reliable evidence from varied sources, which include at least two resources from course materials and two resources from the library. For this activity, you will assess factors that may influence engagement with your topic and then explain one potential obstacle that could interfere with constructive conversation about your topic. Finally, you will describe a possible outcome of your proposed engagement that might influence societal conversations about your topic.

You are not required to answer each question below the rubric criteria but may use them to better understand the criteria and guide your thinking.

Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:

1. Integrate reliable evidence from varied sources throughout your paper to support your analysis.
   1. It is important to draw from a more diverse pool of perspectives from varied sources to support the analysis. This is different from the Citations and Attributions rubric criterion.
   2. Reliable evidence from varied sources should be interwoven throughout the paper itself, while citing and attributing sources will be represented as APA in-text citations and a reference list at the end of your work.
   3. You will be evaluated on both criteria.
2. Assess at least two significant factors that could affect your topic, such as biases, beliefs, assumptions, and/or values.
   1. In the previous activity, you identified positive elements in conversations about your topic and elements that might benefit from change. Now, determine factors that might influence how insiders and outsiders engage with your topic. What might change their perceptions of the topic or how they talk about it?
3. Explain how at least one potential obstacle could interfere with the population’s engagement with your topic.
   1. In the previous activity, you identified conversational elements that present opportunities for change. Now, determine a possible obstacle that could interfere with this constructive engagement.
4. Describe a possible outcome of your proposed engagement that might influence the societal conversations that add to critical awareness of diversity.
   1. You have critically examined how insiders and outsiders of your chosen population engage with your topic. How might your ideas for more constructive, transformative engagement impact how we, as a greater society, talk about your topic?

What to Submit

Submit your short paper as a 1- to 2-page Microsoft Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Sources should be cited according to APA style. Consult the Shapiro Library APA Style Guide for more information on citations.