Distinguished - Paper is logically organized with a well-written introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion.

Proficient -Paper is logically organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One of these components requires improvement.

Basic -Paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One or more of these components require improvement.

Below Expectations -Paper is loosely organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One or more of these components require much improvement.

Non-Performance - The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Paper includes five journal articles published within the last 10 years. All of the articles are from peer-reviewed psychology journals located within the Ashford University Library databases.

Proficient - Includes five articles, but one of the articles is not from a peer-reviewed psychology journal located within the Ashford University Library databases and/or may be more than 10 years old.

Basic - Includes four articles, but one of the articles is not from a peer-reviewed psychology journal located within the Ashford University Library databases and/or may be more than 10 years old.

Below Expectations -Includes fewer than four articles. Articles may not be from a peer-reviewed psychology journal located within the Ashford University Library databases and/or may be more than 10 years old.

Non-Performance - The articles are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Offers a clear and comprehensive explanation of the purpose of social psychology and some of the important research in the field.

Proficient - Offers an explanation of the purpose of social psychology and some of the important research in the field. Minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Offers a limited explanation of the purpose of social psychology but does not include information on some of the important research in the field. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to offer an explanation of the purpose of social psychology; however, does not include information on some of the important research in the field, and significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The explanations of the purpose of social psychology and some relevant research is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient - Clearly explains the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, but may not deliver additional information necessary for a basic understanding.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions. 

Distinguished - Uses appropriate, pertinent, and persuasive content to discover and develop sophisticated ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Proficient - Uses appropriate and pertinent content to discover ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Basic - Uses appropriate and pertinent content but does not apply it toward discovering or developing ideas. Overall, content assists in shaping the written work.

Below Expectations - Uses content, though it may be unrelated or inappropriate to the topic. Content does not contribute toward the development of the written work and may distract the reader from its purpose.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements. 

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages.   

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.