Psychology Discussion Requirements 1. You are required to have 3 posts in each

Psychology Discussion Requirements
1. You are required to have 3 posts in each discussion and these three posts must be made on three separate days. The first post is the initial response to the question that appropriately and completely addresses the topic. This must be completed by 11:59 p.m.(EST) Thursday night. It is best to post it at the beginning of the week. The remaining two posts are responses to two different classmates. The first response to a classmate is due Saturday at 11:59 p.m.(EST) and the second response to a classmate is due on Sunday at 11:59 p.m.(EST). Responses to me do not count as a response to another student; however, I will interact with each of you throughout the course. I encourage you to respond back. If you do not post on three separate days you will lose points (possible 15 point deduction).
*There will be a deduction of 5 points per day that the initial post is late. Posts are not accepted after the week closes on Sunday night.
2. Your initial post (your response to the topic) must contain a citation. It is your ideas supported by research. Please refer to the APA Power Point in the Start Here section of the classroom for information on proper formatting. There will be a deduction of 20 points for failure to cite a source within your initial post and to provide a reference at the end of your initial post.
3. Your initial post must be a minimum of 300 words and each response must be a minimum of 200 words. Please double-check your word count. Only posts that meet the word count requirements receive credit.
4. Post your word count at the end of each post. There will be a 5 point deduction for each failure to provide a word count.
5. Please use spell-check and proper grammar. Points will be deducted for each spelling and grammatical error up to 10 points for each post.
Psych Discussion Post
Due By
Cited Source – In Text and Reference
Word Count
Point Value
Post 1 – Initial Response is well organized, includes a citation, addresses topic, and demonstrates critical thinking
Thursday
Yes – mandatory
300
50 points
Post 2 – Response to 1st student is well organized, includes classmate’s name, addresses topic, and demonstrates critical thinking
Saturday
Not required, but must cite any work used
200
25 points
Post 3 – Response to 2nd student is well organized, includes classmate’s name, addresses topic, and demonstrates critical thinking
Sunday
Not required, but must cite any work used
200
25 points
PSYCHOLOGY DISCUSSION RUBRIC
Criteria
Exemplary (100%)
50/50
Above Average (89%)
45/ 50
Satisfactory (79%)
40/ 50
Approaches Standard (69%)
35/ 50
Needs Improvement (59%)
30/ 50
Unsatisfactory (0)
0/ 50
Initial Post (50)
Reveals mastery of the material, critical assessment, and thorough exploration of the subject matter. Demonstrates mastery of grammar, punctuation, spelling, mechanics, and usage and with no errors.
Reveals some mastery of the material although further exploration would have increased the value of the post; some critical assessment although portions of the material may be vague. Demonstrates proficiency of grammar, punctuation, spelling, mechanics, and usage with fewer than three errors
Reveals knowledge of the subject matter although more exploration is needed; some critical assessment was noted although more in-depth perspective would have enhanced the work. Understanding of grammar, punctuation, spelling, mechanics, and usage with fewer than five errors
May highlight what the reading material offers but does not apply further exploration of the subject matter; critical assessment is lacking. Improvement in some areas of grammar, punctuation, spelling, mechanics, and usage; fewer than ten errors but retains clarity throughout most of post.
Uses personal opinion only without any exploration of additional possibilities; no critical assessment is noted. Needs improvement in grammar, punctuation, spelling, mechanics, and usage; more than fifteen errors; errors affect clarity of post.
Unable to score because there was no engagement in the discussion.
Criteria
25/25 per post
22/ 25 per post
20/ 25 per post
17/ 25 per post
15/ 25 per post
0/ 25 per post
Peer Responses (25 per post)
Promotes further discussion on the subject matter through thought-provoking peer responses; demonstrates depth of analysis of topic and peer’s post; Makes use of source support, as needed, and in proper APA format, grammar, punctuation, spelling, mechanics and usage with no errors
Promotes further discussion on the subject matter through meaningful comments that demonstrate understanding of topic and peer’s post. Makes use of source support, as needed, but may not fully use proper APA format, grammar, punctuation, spelling, mechanics and usage with fewer than three errors
Engages peers but does not promote further consideration of the material so that additional learning takes place. Uses some source support, though it may not be scholarly or in the appropriate APA format, grammar, punctuation, spelling, mechanics and usage with fewer than five errors.
Peer engagement does not encourage depth of academic thought or is based on personal opinion only. Uses some source support, though it may not be scholarly or in the appropriate APA format, with fewer than ten errors in grammar, spelling, mechanics and usage
Peer responses do not add substance or promote engagement in the discussion in a meaningful way; comments are superficial or off topic. Extremely limited or no source support noted; improper or missing APA format, and grammar, spelling, mechanics affect clarity
Unable to score because there was no engagement in the discussion.
Week 1 Topic:
“What is Normal Anyway?”
Let’s consider: Welcome to our first discussion assignment. For this week’s discussion, it will be helpful for you to first read Chapter 1, especially pages 4-19. As you are probably already observing in your reading this week, there is so much to learn about mental health and mental disorders. As our text’s authors remind, “abnormal psychology has implications for all of us” (Kearney & Trull, 2018, p. 4).
While it is important for a clinician to recognize and learn to diagnose abnormal behavior it is also important to heed the author’s advice that “Abnormal behaviors are not simply present or absent but exist along a continuum in everyone in some degree” (2018, p. 9).

Note that there are three important criteria to remember when determining whether or not some behavior is “abnormal” (p. 5).
Those three are:
Deviance from the norm,
Difficulties adapting to life’s demands or difficulties functioning effectively (including dangerous behavior), and
Experience of personal distress (2018, p. 5) Chapter one provides several examples of what might be labeled “abnormal behavior.” Look at these cases in your textbook: Travis (p. 4) and Treva Throneberry (p. 5).
Let’s discuss: Now, for your initial post, think of a particular life difficulty (one of your own or someone you know) and share it with your classmates for discussion. (Remember to share at your comfort level. You are not required, and do not need to share anything that is too personal.)Think about and list the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that are associated with this difficulty. Use the continuum chart on pages 10 and 11 and describe the behavior, emotions, and cognitions that are associated with this difficulty.
(Where did they fall on the scale of normal, mild, moderate, mental disorder less severe, or mental disorder more severe?) Using the three criteria on page10, describe whether or not the life difficulty resulted in “abnormal behavior.” List any cultural norms or factors that should be considered.
Remember to post two additional response comments interacting with at least two of your classmates. Give a substantial response to his or her posts. Do you agree or disagree with your classmate or can you relate to his or her opinion in the post? Can you add any thoughts or additional information that you may have found concerning their topic? It is certainly ok to disagree with a classmate, but just remember to be respectful of each other in the discussions. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion.
** Be sure to use in-text citations and cite at least one additional resource besides your textbook in your initial post. Don’t forget to type your resource citations at the end of your post as well.
Citation: Kearney, C. & Trull, T. (2018). Abnormal psychology and life: A dimensional approach. (3rd ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.
To post to the discussion, click on the Week 1 Discussion title above, then Create Thread.