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Paper Instructions;
General Psychology
PSYC 1001.13 & 15
The George Washington University
Writing Assignment 1
Points: 15 maximum pointsLength of Paper: 2 pages
Purpose: To apply your growing knowledge of motivation.
How Will the Papers Be Graded?
Your paper will be graded on the quality of the: (a) grammar, (b) content, and (c) format.
Grammar: It will be graded on grammar. Make sure you proofread your paper. The grading for grammatical and/or typographical errors is as follows:
Number of Errors Per Page
2 or less
3 to 4
5 to 6
7 to 8
9 or more
Percentage of Points Deducted
No Deductions
5%
10%
15%
20%
Content: It will be graded on content. Essentially this means:
(a) How well you presented your response.
(b) The quality of the critical thinking (See “Critical Thinking in Psychology”).
(c) The quality of application of the course material.
Format: All papers will be graded on format via the following conventions:
Typed Double Spaced: The font should be equivalent to “Times New Roman,” size 12, black ink.
Margins: The margins should be one inch all sides—there should be 25 to 27 lines (250 words) per page.
Quotations & Citations: must follow a standard style (APA, MLA, etc.).
Microsoft Word: [If you use PDF or other format, convert to Word before you upload].
A References Page: must conform to any standard style (APA, MLA, etc.).
You will not need:
1. A Title Page (put your name and date at the top of the first page).
2. Page Numbers,
Minimum Sources: textbook, plus four outside sources, which can be reputable on-line sources as well as journal articles, etc.
Purpose:
To apply critical thinking to motivation with a specific focus on risky behavior.
Due Date: The due date is Thursday, September 14 (11:59 p.m.) and you will submit your essay on Blackboard. Papers submitted late are subject to a penalty not to exceed one (1) point per day including weekends and holidays regardless of your reason. The period to which a penalty applies is from the designated due date until we receive it.
Task:
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) monitors six priority teen risk behaviors that play a role in the causes of death, disability, and social problems among teens and adults. They are:
1. Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence (e.g. riding a bicycle without a helmet, driving and drinking, driving and texting, carrying a weapon, physical fights).
2. Sexual behaviors that lead to unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases.
3. Use of alcohol or drugs.
4. Tobacco use.
5. Unhealthy dietary behaviors (e.g. not eating a balanced diet, drinking too many sugar based drinks, not eating breakfast, etc.)
6. Inadequate physical activity (e.g. not getting enough exercise, playing video games/on the computer for 3 or more hours per day, etc.)
I. Select one of the above risky behaviors.
II. Based on the textbook and your additional research, write a paper that sketches the three most important psychological factors that motivate a person to engage in the behavior. If those factors relate to each other, how do they combine to encourage a person to engage in risky behavior. Describe at least two strategies that might help prevent or reduce risky behavior.
