Theory Essay Assignment Guide
Theory Essay Instructions
The Theory Essay is designed to assist you with digging deeper into developmental theory and integrating general information from your textbook with current applications of the theory in peer-reviewed research. This assignment may also help prepare you for the Research Paper assignment later in this course. Please read through this document in its entirety before beginning your work on this assignment. Your Theory Essay should be approximately 2 pages double-spaced in length (500 words), using 12-point font and 1-inch margins. You must include an APA Reference page to cite both articles.
Dr. Harry Stack Sullivan was a developmental theorist whose ideas built on earlier psychodynamic and attachment theories to assert that individuals’ relationships fulfill different social needs, depending on developmental stage (see p. 376, Santrock). His interpersonal theory of psychiatry (Sullivan, 1953) suggests that relationships with friends are particularly important to adolescent development. Your Theory Essay will explore some of Sullivan’s ideas about friendships and apply them to understanding two peer-reviewed scientific journal articles by modern scientist Dr. Amanda Rose, both of which are focused on adolescents’ social and emotional development.
Preparation:
- Read Chapters 11 and 12 (Santrock) and reflect on key concepts related to physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development in adolescence.
- Read these peer-reviewed articles:
Rose et al (2017). Co-rumination exacerbates stress generation among adolescents with depressive symptoms. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 45, 985-995. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5350052/
Rose, A. J., Carlson, W., & Waller, W. M. (2007). Prospective associations of co-rumination with friendship and emotional adjustment: Considering the socioemotional tradeoffs of co-rumination. Developmental Psychology, 43(4), 1019-1031. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.43.4.1019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3382075/
To complete this assignment, you will:
- Step 1: Explain Sullivan’s ideas regarding the importance of adolescent friendships. How did Sullivan build on psychodynamic and attachment theories in asserting that adolescent friendships were so important to human development? What might the presence of close friendships bring to the developing adolescent? (approximately 1 paragraph)
- Step 2: Based on your reading of the textbook and the journal articles, was Sullivan right about the importance of friendships? Give at least two examples of research findings (from your text or from the articles) that support Sullivan’s hypotheses about the importance of adolescent friends. (approximately 1 paragraph)
- Step 3: Consider Dr. Rose’s construct of co-rumination in adolescent friendships as it relates to Sullivan’s ideas. According to the articles, what is co-rumination, and what are the benefits of co-rumination for adolescent development? (approximately 1 paragraph)
- Step 4: Are there any downsides to co-rumination? Using your text and the articles, discuss at least one tradeoff (negative outcome) of co-rumination for adolescents. (approximately 1 paragraph)
- Step 5: Pretend that Dr. Harry Stack Sullivan was alive today and he and Dr. Rose had a chance to discuss co-rumination and its potentially positive and negative impacts on adolescents’ social and emotional functioning. In your view, how might Sullivan’s theory be updated to account for the fact that co-rumination might be “too much of a good thing?” (approximately 1 paragraph)
Solution
Caregiver Relationships in Preadolescence and Adolescence
Harry Stack Sullivan, a well-known developmental theorist, emphasized the importance of close relationships at different stages of life. During preadolescence, which typically includes ages 9 to 12, Sullivan proposed that children begin to develop a need for intimacy. He defined intimacy as a special connection between two people that helps them feel valued and worthwhile. At this stage, children start forming deep relationships with their peers, which Sullivan compared to a strong, genuine type of love. This is when they become more sensitive to the feelings and needs of others (Way & Silverman, 2022). Sullivan built on earlier theories about the significance of caregiver relationships during early childhood. However, he believed that as children transition into adolescence, friendships take on greater importance.
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