PYC4805 Developmental Psychology Adulthood Exam Prep
PYC4805 ADULTHOOD EXAM PREP 2020
Contents
PYC4805 ADULTHOOD EXAM PREP 2017 1
1. Format of the examination paper; Adult Development and Aging 3
1.2 Length of answe
...
PYC4805 Developmental Psychology Adulthood Exam Prep
PYC4805 ADULTHOOD EXAM PREP 2020
Contents
PYC4805 ADULTHOOD EXAM PREP 2017 1
1. Format of the examination paper; Adult Development and Aging 3
1.2 Length of answers and time allocation.........................................................................3
1.3 Questions on the information in your prescribed book................................................3
2. Adult development and aging, basic guidelines 3
2.1 General guidelines for answering the questions...........................................................4
3. Syllabus Topics and Examination Questions 6
Question 1..........................................................................................................................6
Question 2..........................................................................................................................6
Question 3..........................................................................................................................7
Question 4..........................................................................................................................8
Question 5..........................................................................................................................8
Question 6..........................................................................................................................8
Question 7..........................................................................................................................9
Question 8..........................................................................................................................9
Question 9..........................................................................................................................9 Question 10........................................................................................................................9
Question 11......................................................................................................................10
Question 12......................................................................................................................10
Question 13......................................................................................................................10
Question 14......................................................................................................................10
Question 15......................................................................................................................11
Question 16......................................................................................................................11
Question 17......................................................................................................................11
Question 18......................................................................................................................11
Question 19......................................................................................................................12
Question 20......................................................................................................................12
Question 21......................................................................................................................12
This document was developed as a personal study guide. The purpose is to use all the information as provided in Unisa Tutorial Letter PYC4805/103/2017. For this reason, I have included everything from page 41 of the tutorial letter to create a single document with everything we need to know for the exams.
There are a total of 21 possible exam questions. Each question is introduced with Guidelines for Question (-), followed by the actual question.
1. Format of the examination paper; Adult Development and Aging
Section A: Four questions for 20 marks each chosen from the questions in Tutorial Letter 103/2017 on adult development and aging; you have to answer three questions in this section.
Section B: Two questions for 15 marks each chosen from the questions in Tutorial Letter 103/2017 on adult development and aging; you have to answer one question in this section.
General remarks:
To include some of the questions in this tutorial letter which do not count either 20 or 15 marks (i.e. those questions in this tutorial letter which count for 10 marks) in the examination paper, certain questions in the examination paper may consist of subsections. The wording of the introductory sentence of the question(s) will be adjusted accordingly. However, it will still be the same question(s) as given in this tutorial letter.
1.2 Length of answers and time allocation
Because handwritings and writing styles differ, we cannot specify what the length of your examination answers should be, but we suggest that you should spend approximately 45-50 minutes per 20 mark question and 30-35 minutes per 15 mark question.
1.3 Questions on the information in your prescribed book
Of the six questions in this tutorial letter you have to answer four in the examination paper.
Note that you only have to prepare the questions which relate to child and adolescent development OR adult development and aging depending on your choice of syllabus and prescribed book.
2. Adult development and aging, basic guidelines
Topics and questions are based on the information in your prescribed book:
Cavanaugh, J. C., & Blanchard-Fields, F. (2015). Adult development and aging (7th ed.). London: Wadsworth.
Please note: The previous editions of the book (5th edition, 2006; 6th edition, 2011) cannot be used. There are substantial changes in the 7th edition (2015). The authors made various changes to the content based on new research findings. Although most of the questions are the same as previous years, the answers may show significant changes due to more research that has been included in the new edition of the book.
Start as soon as possible after you have received this tutorial letter to answer the questions.
Do not wait to start working on your preparation.
Analyse the question. For example, do you have to compare, evaluate, discuss or explain information? See Tutorial Letter 301/2017.
Read all relevant information on the topic of the question in your prescribed book. Use our guidelines provided for each question and the subject and author indexes in the prescribed book.
Select only relevant information. Make sure that you do not deviate from the topic or answer the question by means of general (popular) knowledge. Base your answer on the scientific information in your prescribed book.
Use an effective study technique (e.g. summaries, diagrams or mind maps) to memorise the information. Use a study technique that you are comfortable with and make sure that you have selected all the relevant information. Answers in essay format are in most cases not a very effective study technique.
Take time to reflect on your answers and change them as your knowledge and insight increase.
Highlight central aspects or important information.
2.1 General guidelines for answering the questions
It is however important that you read each chapter as a whole before you answer the specific questions. You might miss important background information if you only read the pages in the prescribed book that we refer to in the guidelines. You will also find the questions easier to answer if you have a broader overview and understanding of the issues involved.
The questions are often based on your understanding of various issues in the prescribed book and it is important that you integrate all the relevant aspects into your answers. For example, in question 2 you have to explain core issues in development at the hand of examples from the characteristics of adult development.
This question is based on Chapter 1 of your prescribed book and you will find the explanation of the core issues in this chapter. However, to give appropriate examples you need a broader understanding of the rest of the book. It is therefore a good idea to go back to previous questions and adjust them according to new knowledge that you have gained while reading further chapters.
Analyse the question before you answer it. Students often loose valuable marks in the exams because they give only part of an answer to a question – and this is often due to carelessness rather than a lack of knowledge. Let’s take Question 6 as an example and analyse it: “Discuss the influence of genetic and environmental factors as well as ethnic, gender and international differences on longevity. In a concluding paragraph, give an example of how the interaction between these factors could influence longevity.”
The question clearly has 3 main parts that should be reflected in your answer:
1. Longevity (where you have to explain what longevity is, how it is measured etc.);
2. The influence of genetic and environmental factors as well as ethnic, gender andinternational differences on longevity; and finally
3. A relevant example to explain the interaction between the four factors that influence longevity. (Note that the emphasis is on one example or story to show the interaction between factors, and not 4 examples to illustrate each one!
Make use of headings when you answer the questions – also when you answer the questions in the exams. Headings structure or organise your thoughts and it helps
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