Name:
In-class Essay
Directions: construct a response to the prompt below that is cogent, based on critical analysis, and utilizes appropriate
psychological terminology. You will have approximately 40 minutes to construct both Essays.
Helpful Hints: when the College Board scores “Free-Response” answers they expect writers to:
1) Describe an overarching framework,
2) Be specific in both references to and discussions of psychological principles or problems,
3) Cite evidence and examples to illustrate explanations,
4) Clearly state the intent of evidence used to support or contract a claim, and
5) Be direct.
Constructs: a good essay, according to the Princeton Review, will include a(n):
1) Opening that introduces what the writer will be writing about, but does not simply restate the question,
2) Body that utilizes multiple examples that
a. Do not use personal accounts
b. Are relevant to the argument being made
c. Clearly reference the question
d. Are “flagged” by introductory phrases such as “for example”, “however”, “moreover”, etc.
3) Closing that is one to two sentences in length that summarizes the overarching theme of the response.
Questions:
1. Psychology differs from other fields of science in that it does not have a single paradigm upon which most
scientists agree:
A. Based on your knowledge of psychology, explain why the field of psychology has multiple perspectives rather
than a single paradigm upon which most psychologists agree. Then compare and contrast any two of the
following perspectives of psychology to illustrate why multiple perspectives remain in psychology:
 Biological
 Behaviorism
 Cognitive
 Psychoanalytic
 Sociocultural
2. Explain how studies of siblings, twins, and adopted children have contributed to the Nature vs. Nurture debate.
A. Consider what the following “fields” of psychology might say about these subjects and the nature/nurture
argument:
 Developmental Psychologists
 Experimental Psychologists
 Neuroscience Psychologists
 Personality Psychologists
 School Psychologists
Name:
Response to Question #1:
1. Psychology differs from other fields of science in that it does not have a single paradigm upon which most
scientists agree:
A. Based on your knowledge of psychology, explain why the field of psychology has multiple perspectives rather
than a single paradigm upon which most psychologists agree. Then compare and contrast any two of the
following perspectives of psychology to illustrate why multiple perspectives remain in psychology:
 Biological
 Behaviorism
 Cognitive
 Psychoanalytic
 Sociocultural
Name:
Response to Question #2
1. Explain how studies of siblings, twins, and adopted children have contributed to the Nature vs. Nurture debate.
A. Consider what the following “fields” of psychology might say about these subjects and the nature/nurture
argument:
 Developmental Psychologists
 Experimental Psychologists
 Neuroscience Psychologists
 Personality Psychologists
 School Psychologists