General Psychology (PSY 150)/Applying Psychological Concepts Paper
INSTRUCTIONS
Consider the problem of poverty in the United States. Respond to the prompt below, making sure to support your statements with information you have found using at
least four (4) scholarly sources (such as the library databases, your textbook, or peer-reviewed sources on Google Scholar–NOT Wikipedia, ask.com, etc.). Cite your
sources in APA style within the body of the paper as well as with your reference page.
Prompt: Identify and describe at least 2 concepts/theories that may be related to poverty. Talk about how these factors may play a role in poverty and support your
statements with research evidence, where necessary.
In answering this question, you may want to consider information from the textbook chapters on motivation and emotion, personality, psychological disorders, social
psychology, health, stress and coping, and/or community psychology.
Your final paper should be 3-5 pages in length, typed, double-spaced. Make sure to list your references (sources) at the end of the paper, in addition to citing the
sources within the paper itself. Please see attached rubric for the criteria on which you will be graded.
Applying Psychological Concepts
Final Exam/Paper
Grading Rubric
Category Superior
5 Above average
4 Average
3 Below average
2 Unsatisfactory
1
Quality of information:
First Theory/Concept Response thoroughly describes the first theory/concept, including all definitions necessary to understanding the concept/theory. Also includes
several supporting details and/or examples. Response includes reference to the first theory/concept, include some or all necessary definitions, and provides at
least one supporting detail and/or example. Response includes reference to the first theory/concept and shows understanding of the theory/concept but fails to
provide all necessary definitions and/or supporting details/examples. Response mentions the first theory/concept but fails to provide adequate definitions and/or
supporting details/examples. May lack understanding of the theory/concept. Response does not include the first theory/concept.
Quality of information:
Second Theory/Concept Response thoroughly describes the second theory/concept, including all definitions necessary to understanding the concept/theory. Also includes
several supporting details and/or examples. Response includes reference to the second theory/concept, include some or all necessary definitions, and provides at
least one supporting detail and/or example. Response includes reference to the second theory/concept and shows some understanding of the theory/concept but fails
to provide all necessary definitions and/or supporting details/examples. Response mentions the second theory/concept but fails to provide adequate definitions
and/or supporting details/examples. May lack understanding of the theory/concept. Response does not include the second theory/concept.
Supporting evidence/Citations All non-factual statements are supported by citations. Most non-factual statements are supported by citations. Some non-factual
statements are supported by citations. Very few non-factual statements are supported by citations. No non-factual statements are supported by citations.
Mechanics No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. Almost no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. A few grammatical spelling or punctuation
errors. Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. Pervasive grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.
Flow/Organization Writing flows well throughout.
Writing mostly flows well.
Writing is awkward in some places. Writing is awkward throughout. Writing is incomprehensible.
References 4 or more relevant scholarly references. 3 relevant scholarly references. 2 relevant scholarly references. 1 relevant scholarly
reference. 0 scholarly references.
APA No APA errors. Minor APA errors. A few APA errors, but shows attempt to use APA style. Many APA errors with lack of understanding of APA style.
No attempt at using APA style.
