For This Assignment You Will Present A Draft Of Your Signatu

For This Assignment You Will Present A Draft Of Your Signature Assign

For this assignment, you will present a draft of your signature assignment paper due in week 8. The purpose is to gather feedback to improve your final submission. You are expected to present a complete paper that meets all of the original assignment criteria. Select a credible news article related to psychology, either from the APA or the Internet, that reports on a specific topic or issue in the field of psychology. Your critique should explain the conclusions, implications, and consequences of the information presented in the article.

Speculate on how this information could impact real-world situations such as healthcare, political movements, economics, lifestyles, moral attitudes, and social belief systems, supported by specific evidence from the article and class knowledge. Do not merely summarize or quote the article. Instead, analyze and evaluate the material with objectivity and depth. Write a critical consideration of current theories or research related to the article’s subject matter.

Briefly and purposefully summarize and analyze the article to create a unique and valuable critique. Review the literature focusing on the hypothesis or main idea, discuss any scientific research mentioned, and evaluate the results or premises. Include the following in your critique: a brief and pointed summary of the key issues; identification of supporting evidence and quotations or paraphrases with APA citations; relevant background information using course materials and prior knowledge; evaluation of strengths and weaknesses of the findings and conclusions; an exploration of the article’s relevance to real-world problems and solutions; and a clear articulation of your perspective or hypothesis regarding the ideas presented.

Discuss the conclusions, implications, and consequences of the article as they relate to psychology or the addressed subject. Your critique should be between 5-7 pages, excluding a title page and references. You may include additional sources if desired, and referencing the course text is optional. Use APA style for formatting and citations. Integrate sources within paragraphs with in-text citations and include a reference page at the end. Allocate sufficient time for proofreading and editing.

Paper For Above instruction

The selected article for critique centers on the psychological impact of social media usage on adolescent mental health. As social media becomes increasingly embedded in daily life, understanding its influence on mental well-being is vital. The article analyzes recent research exploring correlations between social media engagement and issues such as anxiety, depression, and self-esteem among teenagers.

The central issue addressed in the article is the potential for social media to contribute to negative psychological outcomes in adolescents. It presents evidence indicating that excessive use correlates with increased feelings of loneliness, lowered self-esteem, and heightened risk of depression. The authors support these claims with empirical research findings, such as longitudinal studies demonstrating causality or strong correlations (Keles, McCrae, & Grealish, 2020). They highlight that while social media offers opportunities for social connection, it also exposes youth to cyberbullying, social comparison, and fear of missing out (FOMO), which may exacerbate mental health issues.

Background information relevant to this critique includes prior research suggesting that adolescence is a critical period for identity development and socialization (Erikson, 1968). During this phase, peer influence and social acceptance significantly impact self-esteem. Social media platforms intensify these dynamics, often amplifying peer comparison and scrutiny.

The strengths of the article lie in its comprehensive review of recent scientific studies and its balanced discussion of potential benefits and risks associated with social media. It thoughtfully considers factors such as screen time, type of engagement, and individual differences, which influence psychological outcomes. However, weaknesses include limited longitudinal data and potential confounding variables not fully controlled in the studies reviewed, such as pre-existing mental health conditions or socio-economic factors.

Relevantly, the article underscores the importance of understanding social media’s psychological effects to inform public policy, parental guidance, and youth mental health interventions. Supports from the literature demonstrate that moderation and digital literacy education can mitigate some adverse effects (Orben & Przybylski, 2019). However, debate persists regarding the extent of social media’s impact, emphasizing the need for further research.

I posit that while social media can foster social connection, especially for isolated youth, its negative psychological impacts warrant cautious use and targeted interventions. Developing resilience and promoting healthy online behaviors are critical components of addressing these challenges.

Overall, the article contributes valuable insights into the ongoing discussion of social media’s role in adolescent mental health. It emphasizes a balanced perspective that recognizes both potential benefits and significant risks. Future research should focus on longitudinal effects and effective intervention strategies to optimize digital engagement for youth well-being.

References

  • Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and crisis. W. W. Norton & Company.
  • Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2020). A systematic review: The influence of social media on depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in adolescents. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), 79-93.
  • Orben, A., & Przybylski, A. K. (2019). The association between adolescent well-being and digital technology use. Nature Human Behaviour, 3(2), 173-182.
  • Twenge, J. M., Joiner, T. E., Rogers, M. L., & Martin, G. N. (2018). Increases in depressive symptoms, suicide-related outcomes, and suicide rates among U.S. adolescents after 2010 and links to increased new media screen time. Clinical Psychological Science, 6(1), 3–17.
  • Riehm, K. E., et al. (2019). Associations between time spent using social media and internalizing and externalizing problems among US youth. JAMA Network Open, 2(8), e196725.
  • Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2011). Online communication and adolescent well-being: Testing the stimulation versus the displacement hypothesis. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 16(2), 200-209.
  • Anderson, M., & Jiang, J. (2019). Teens, social media & technology 2018. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2019/05/31/teens-social-media-technology-2019/
  • Nesi, J., & Prinstein, M. J. (2015). Using social media for peer influence and to study adolescent mental health. Current Opinion in Psychology, 5, 1-5.
  • Orben, A., & Przybylski, A. K. (2019). The association between adolescent well-being and digital technology use. Nature Human Behaviour, 3(2), 173-182.
  • Kumar, S., et al. (2021). Impact of social media on youth mental health: A review. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 50, 935-950.

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