Cyberpsychology in Action – Community Impact Analysis
Having established a foundational understanding of how cyberpsychology shapes human behavior, personality, and relationships, it is time to move from theory to application. In this final week, you will shift from learning about the digital world to actively applying what you have learned (or come to believe) to current societal issues. This assignment challenges you to move beyond the textbook and formulate informed, analytical opinions on how digital spaces in cyberpsychology operate in/affect diverse communities.
Directions:
- Respond to each of the writing prompts that follow (required).
- Support your position on each writing prompt with our course textbook (PPT Slides) and one peer-reviewed research article (not a literature review, conference paper, or book, etc).
This means you should have 2 citations per writing prompt – the course textbook and a research article.
Overall 4 reference entries — course textbook, 3 research articles (1 per prompt)
Writing prompts are open-ended discussion topics; no specific answers are required.
PDF uploads and email/BB attachments are not accepted (see course syllabus).
Since this is the only assignment in this module and you have 10 days to complete it (opens early), there will be NO OPPORTUNITY for revisions or resubmission. Ten days is enough time to complete/format a 3-discussion-question assignment accurately and submit it on time. No exceptions will be made unless it complies with course policy guidelines for attendance or emergencies, verified by the Dean of Students (see course syllabus).
Paper Organization / Required Headings / Content under each…
Introduction (Boldface) / (1 paragraph / no-intext citations)
- Give background about cyberpsychology and its significance and impact in today’s world.
- What type of paper is this (a discussion paper)?
- Provide the reader with a roadmap for your paper: What type of paper are we getting ready to read (a discussion paper)? What are we going to read about (e.g., themes/areas to be covered).
- Do not include in-text citations.
Discussion (Boldface)
Respond to EACH Writing prompt (Boldface Subheadings / Single-Spaced)
- Incarcerated Communities (Digital Rehabilitation): To what extent should incarcerated individuals have access to social media? Analyze whether this access facilitates rehabilitation and reconnection with society, or if it primarily serves as a threat to public safety and victim privacy. (2 paragraphs / 2 APA in-text citations [textbook and 1 research article])
- Digital Citizenship and Self-Regulation in the Higher Ed Classroom: Drawing on the concept that technology is ‘downright distracting’ not only to the user but also to those nearby, argue whether the responsibility for reducing digital distractions in the college classroom lies with the student’s self-regulation, with the instructor’s classroom management policies, or with both? Explain? (2 paragraphs / 2 APA in-text citations [textbook and 1 research article])
- The Elderly (Digital Care & Gerontechnology): Consider an elderly person in your life or a hypothetical case study. How does their adoption (or rejection) of social media tools impact their daily sense of community and loneliness? Does the digital world replace or complement their physical social life? Explain (2 paragraphs / 2 APA in-text citations [textbook and 1 research article])
Conclusion (1 paragraph / no-intext citations or new information)
- Summarize your reactions/position
- Write a strong closing statement that leaves the reader with a clear sense of your overall reaction to the content.
- Avoid introducing any new information or ideas (e.g., additional citations, something not said in the body of the work; do not include in-text citations).
- Conclude with a thought-provoking question/idea, a powerful quote, or a call to action.
- Avoid restating what is already said in the body of your work and the introduction.
APA Formatting Guidelines, Required (see formatting illustration in this module folder):
- 3-5 pages
- Title Page
- 11 or 12-point font (consistent style and size)
- Double-space the entire paper, including the title and reference page.
- In-text citation in APA 7th
- Write in paragraph form
- Paragraphs are 5-7 sentences long (each paragraph)
- Indent paragraphs 5 spaces
- Required Headings, boldface: Introduction, Discussion, and Conclusion
- Include/boldface each writing prompt. (but not your response)
- References must be cited and vice versa (match).
- Reference entries and in-text citations are formatted correctly.
- References go on a separate page and are formatted according to APA
- Ok to use first-person/’I’ statements
- No stand-alone/orphan headings (if a heading starts at the end of a page, with text/contents starting on the next page, move the heading down to the next page w/its content).
Do not add or subtract from the formatting list; use it as a checklist (for example, do not put a title at the top of each
page; the formatting guidelines do not list this).
Compare your finished paper to the formatting guidelines; use it as a checklist, check off each as you ensure
completion.
Compare your finished product to the assignment rubric, especially the area where you want to score, to ensure it
meets the criteria. The guidelines and rubric match.
