Essay Question: Behavioral genetics is a field that attempts to tease apart influences of nature and nurture on one’s development. In order to study these influences, researchers often study families with adopted children. Think about people who commit serious crimes. How might influences from both nature and nurture explain this behavior? How can studying adopted children provide clues to the heritability of committing crimes? Trait 1 Rubric: Ideas Response correctly describes how influences from both nature and nurture might explain why people commit serious crimes and how studying adopted children provide clues to the heritability of committing crimes. Scores range from 1-20 Trait 2 Rubric: Organization Organization is clear and helps the reader understand the respondent’s point of view. Transitions connect concepts and guide the reader. Contains an effective introduction and conclusion. Scores range from 1-20 Trait 3 Rubric: Conventions Response does not contain a significant number of errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or word choice. Errors do not interfere with the reader’s understanding. Response demonstrates variety in sentence structure. Demonstrates sophistication and skill with a wide variety of conventions Scores range from 1-20 Trait 4 Rubric: Voice The writing has an individual, engaging voice with a compelling tone. There is a sense of a personality behind the written words. Words are precise and natural. Sentences are graceful and clear with a natural rhythm and variety that demonstrate fluency. Awareness of audience is evident. Scores range from 1-20 Trait 5 Rubric: Focus & Coherence Response persuasively justifies its conclusions through logic, examples, and illustrative language. References to people, events, places, relationships, etc. effectively demonstrate a strong command of the relevant concepts in psychology. Scores range from 1-20
