Identity Blueprint Guidelines Identity Blueprint
Literature Review Research Project
Name:
Date:
Project Type
Literature Review
Word Count
approx. 1,750 - 2,500 words
Format
APA 7th Edition
Project Overview
Who are you? Are you the product of your genetic code, or the sum of your experiences? The "Nature vs. Nurture" debate is the cornerstone of psychological inquiry. In this 7-10 page literature review, you will move beyond a simple comparison and perform a deep dive into how a specific psychological theory explains the development of personality.
A literature review is not a summary of one study. It is a synthesis of existing research. You will find 8-10 peer-reviewed sources and analyze how they collectively support, challenge, or refine your chosen theory's stance on the nature/nurture spectrum.
Choosing Your Focus
Select one theoretical lens to guide your research:
Eysenck’s PEN Model
Focuses on biological predispositions and nervous system arousal as the basis for personality.
Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura)
Emphasizes observational learning, self-efficacy, and environmental interaction (Reciprocal Determinism).
Five-Factor Model (The Big Five)
Analyzes heritability studies (twins, adoption) versus life-span developmental changes.
Epigenetics & Temperament
Explores how environmental factors "switch" genes on or off, shaping early childhood personality.
Paper Requirements
Length: 7-10 pages of body text (excludes Title Page, Abstract, and References).
Sources: Minimum of 8 academic sources (peer-reviewed journals, psychological textbooks, scholarly meta-analyses).
Structure: Must include Title Page, Abstract, Introduction, Theoretical Overview, Thematic Analysis Sections, Discussion/Conclusion, and References.
Formatting: APA 7th Edition format (12pt font, double-spaced, 1" margins, running head omitted for student papers).
Milestones & Deadlines
Phase 1
Topic Proposal & Preliminary Bibliography (3 sources)
Phase 2
Annotated Bibliography (6 sources) & Working Outline
Phase 3
First Draft (Peer Review Workshop)
Phase 4
Final Blueprint Submission
Initial Thoughts
Which theory interests you most? Why? What do you already know about it?
Blueprint Grading Rubric Blueprint Grading Rubric
Psychology Literature Review Evaluation
Student:
Total Score:
/ 100
Criterion Advanced (20-18) Proficient (17-15) Developing (14-12) Beginning (11-0) Theoretical Analysis Understanding of core concept
| Demonstrates masterful understanding of the theory; identifies subtle nuances in the nature/nurture debate. | Accurately explains the theory and its primary stance on the debate. Clear connection to personality. | General understanding shown, but lacks depth or contains minor inaccuracies in theoretical application. | Inaccurate or extremely superficial description of the psychological theory. |
| Evidence & Synthesis
Use of 8+ academic sources
| Sources are seamlessly integrated. Effectively synthesizes multiple studies to reveal research trends. | Sources are used effectively to support points. Good variety of scholarly evidence provided. | Relies heavily on summary rather than synthesis. Minimum source requirement barely met. | Fewer than 8 sources. Sources are not scholarly or are poorly integrated into the paper. |
| Critical Evaluation
Addressing contradictions
| Identifies and analyzes gaps, contradictions, or limitations within the current body of research. | Evaluates the strength of the research. Discusses alternative viewpoints within the theory. | Identifies different viewpoints but does not evaluate them critically. Acceptance of all findings. | No critical analysis. Paper is purely descriptive or biased toward one finding. |
| Organization & Flow
Cohesion of 7-10 pages
| Flawless organization. Thematic sections lead logically to a compelling conclusion. | Clear structure with logical transitions. Body paragraphs follow a cohesive outline. | Structure is present but jumps between topics. Some sections feel disconnected or repetitive. | Lacks clear organization. Transitions are missing or confusing. Hard to follow argument. |
| APA & Mechanics
Style and citations
| Strict adherence to APA 7th ed. throughout. Professional tone with zero grammatical errors. | Minor APA formatting errors. Tone is appropriate for high-school level academic writing. | Several APA errors in citations or reference list. Casual tone or frequent mechanical errors. | Major APA violations. Numerous spelling/grammar issues that hinder readability. |
Instructor Feedback
Strengths
Areas for Growth
Evidence Lab Organizer Research Tool
Evidence Lab Organizer
Theory:
The Synthesis Goal: Use this grid to track how different researchers answer the same questions. A literature review is built by comparing findings across sources, not by summarizing them one by one.
Thematic Question
Source #1
Source #2
Source #3
Source #4
How does this source define the "Nature" component? (Genetics, Biology, etc.)
How does this source define the "Nurture" component? (Social, Environment, etc.)
Key finding or statistic regarding personality stability.
Critical limitations or contradictions found in this study.
Synthesis Brainstorming
Look at the grid above. Which sources agree with each other? Which ones offer a direct conflict? Note your potential thematic sections below.
Full Reference Tracker
Record full APA citations here as you find them to save time later.
Ref 1
Ref 2
Ref 3
Ref 4
Ref 5
Ref 6
Nature Nurture Slides Psychology Research
THE IDENTITY
BLUEPRINT
Mapping the Nature vs. Nurture Debate through Literature Reviews
01 What is a Literature Review?
It is NOT:
A book report or a summary of a single study. It's not just "giving your opinion" on personality.
It IS:
A critical analysis of existing research . You are looking for the "conversation" between scientists.
The Magic Word: SYNTHESIS
Connecting Source A to Source B to show a pattern, a conflict, or a breakthrough.
The Core Tension: Nature vs. Nurture
NATURE
Biological predispositions, genetics, brain chemistry, and evolutionary traits.
Keywords: Heritability, Temperament
NURTURE
Environment, social learning, culture, parenting styles, and life experiences.
Keywords: Socialization, Epigenetics
Choosing Your Theoretical Lens
Eysenck's PEN Model
The heavy hitter for Nature. Focuses on nervous system arousal and biological extraversion/neuroticism.
Bandura's Social Learning
The giant for Nurture. How observing others and "reciprocal determinism" shapes who we become.
The Big Five (Trait Theory)
The modern bridge. Uses massive data from twins to determine which traits are "fixed" vs "fluid."
Modern Epigenetics
The cutting edge. How your environment can actually turn genes on or off like a switch.
Project Milestones
1
The Pitch
Pick your theory + find 3 initial sources
2
The Deep Dive
Annotated Bibliography (6 sources) & Synthesis Map
3
The Blueprint Submission
Final 7-10 Page Literature Review (APA Format)
Remember: Quality academic sources = A quality blueprint.
