Choose two of the following ‘Dear Doctor’ questions and, using the online lessons, identify theories and research evidence that apply to them. For each question, describe theory and/or evidence (research findings) that might pertain to the issue at hand and explain how it is related.
1. “We’ve adopted an 18-month-old from an orphanage who frequently rocks backs and forth and seldom cries or makes eye contact – we’re not sure what is wrong or what special steps we should take to ensure that she grows up loved. Please help!” a) What is the most likely explanation for this behaviour? b) What are you assuming/inferring in coming to this explanation? c) What information are you missing in order to confirm your assumptions? d) If your assumptions are correct what would you recommend? 2. “My husband and I just found out that our baby is deaf and our family doctor has suggested a cochlear implant. We are afraid of subjecting him to invasive surgery. In addition, our Deaf neighbor is against this because she believes that we should not force our language and hearing culture upon him because he may not learn sign language properly. What do you advise?” *For info on cochlear implants, visit: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/coch.aspx a) What would be the benefits of early surgery? b) What would be the reasons to avoid having early surgery? c) What assumptions are being made by the parents, and by the neighbour? d) What would your recommendation be? 3. “Our 5 year old daughter recently started lying to us. Last week she broke a jar in the kitchen and blamed her younger brother. I disciplined her by giving her a spanking but now she has lied again. This time she blamed her friend when she lost her hat. How can I stop her from lying?“ a) What is the most likely explanation for this behaviour? b) What are you assuming/inferring in coming to this explanation? c) What information are you missing in order to confirm your assumptions? d) If your assumptions are correct what would you recommend? 4. “Friends call my two and a half year old daughter, a “spirited child”, but it’s more like she loses control when she doesn’t get exactly what she wants, when she wants it. I am just about at the end of my rope and am afraid to take her out in public because she will inevitably throw a tantrum until she gets a treat. Why is she like this and what can I do to make her behave?” a) What is the most likely explanation for this behaviour? b) What are you assuming/inferring in coming to this explanation? c) What information are you missing in order to confirm your assumptions? d) If your assumptions are correct what would you recommend?
