Critical Writing Assignment #3 -Essays:

Pick one of the following Exercises/Essays and turn it in on the due date.
You must use at least one outside reference; be sure to attach a "References" section, and include photocopies of the reference material you used (even if it is our textbook).  Remember: DO NOT QUOTE ANY SOURCE YOU USE.  Instead, always express others' ideas in your own words and give them credit for their ideas through APA style referencing.

 1. What makes romantic relationships work?  How does a romantic relationship deepen over time?  How do sexual intimacy, commitment and marriage fit together? Please note:  if you just "shoot from the hip" (if you write without frequent references to reading and research) you will not cover this question well.  Cite and reference the reading, and any outside sources you use to make your argument.

 2. How might one's earler developmental history (think of Freud's, Erikson's, or Piaget's stages) contribute to success in resolving conflicts that are likely to arise between performance of key adult life roles --worker, spouse, parent, caregiver to elderly parents, etc.? Give examples. Again, refer regularly to the reading.

  3. What sort of personality structure underlies effective adjustment? Discuss several characteristics of the healthy, well-adjusted adult. Take them one at a time, then in your conclusion consider how they might collectively reflect early upbringing. Refer to specific developmental events, as suggested by your source material.

  4. Discuss your reaction to an encounter that you personally have had with a someone who suffers from a mental disorder or mental illness. If you choose to answer this question, the following guidelines will apply:
a. The mentally ill/disordered person is to be given a fictional name, so that your paper avoids revealing his or her identity.
b. The mentally ill/disordered person is to be described in terms of dysfunctional behavior, thoughts, speech, history, symptoms, etc., to the degree your encounter permits you to do so. You are not equipped to make a diagnosis, and this paper is not to be devoted to trying to do so.
c. The contents of your paper will remain confidential to the full extent permitted by legal and ethical guidelines. I will return it to you, and I expect to offer no input about how to deal with this person, should you encounter him or her again. If you need professional help in dealing with this person, I can give you a referral to a mental health professional.
d. You would be wise to choose to write about someone you do not know well, in order to remain objective, thoughtful and balanced in your approach to the topic. (Do not merely write about yourself either.)
e. Relate your experience to published information about the mental illness/condition that may be involved.

NOTE:  If you wish to do so, you can write a double-length paper.  If you do (write 700-900 words), AND you indicate it on your title page, I will count it as papers 3 and 4.  And no, you can not change your mind after I grade it.

Attach a separate title page:

Your Paper's Title

Your Name

Personal and Social Adjustment

Dr. Russell McGuff

The date turned in

...all centered and doublespaced.
Use a plain 10 - 12 point font for your paper, including the title and References pages. Write in first or third person (no "you..."). Do not use contractions ("I'm" instead of "I am,") and do use pronouns that are appropriate ("he," "she" or "he or she" instead of "them" when in singular case). Jot the word length on the title page. See your syllabus for the proper format to use in your References section.