Freud-tastic Friday

This past Friday, AP Psych students delved deeply into Freudian theory. After learning about his 3-part model of the Psyche, his controversial stages of Psychosexual Development, and beginning to explore defense mechanisms, I think students are beginning to understand why modern psychologists have a love-hate relationship with Freud.

Since we had quite a few folks who were absent on Friday for various reasons, I'm posting some of the resources we used in class below. Keep in mind the slides will continue to be updated as we progress through this unit.

NOTE: If you picked up a worksheet on Defense Mechanisms from me because of a planned absence on Friday, be aware that I decided not to hand it out to my classes on Friday. They weren't quite ready for it yet. So, don't hurt yourself trying to finish that thing, as you'll have until Tuesday to finish it.

Slides from 2/26-2/28


Also, I was able to find a playlist of the Freud documentary that I normally show in class (when snow days haven't forced revisions to my lesson plans). I've embedded it below here for your (optional) viewing fun!

Did Freud have an Extramarital Affair?

From L to R, Minna Bernays, Martha Bernays Freud, and Dr. Freud (1929) 

As a supplement to our in-class discussions of Sigmund Freud and psychoanalytic theory, my students recently read this Newsweek article from 2006 that attempted to capture the Austrian psychologist's impact on modern psychiatry on what would have been his 150th birthday. As student questions often do, one student's inquiry into a detail from the article that I had glossed over and essentially dismissed drew my attention to the need for further investigation on my part.

The article hinted at the possible existance of an extramarital affair between Freud and his sister-in-law, Minna Bernay (sister to his wife, Martha). My students wondered whether this was true. It turns out there has been interest in this possible episode in Freud's life since Carl Jung claimed, in a 1953 interview, to have been told of the affair by Minna herself. Freud biographer Peter Gay had explored these allegations in 1989 when a number of letters in the Freud archive of the U.S. Library of Congress became publicly available, but the information offered by this source was inconclusive at best. Some letters exchanged between Minna and Freud were missing, others revealed nothing more than a friendly, if close, relationship between in-laws who lived in the same household for some time.

Such rumors apparently resurfaced in 2006, when a hotel log was uncovered that revealed Freud and Minna had spent a week together at a hotel in the Swiss Alps, registered as husband and wife. This NYTimes article explores the significance of the revelation, including speculation about whether a pregnancy scare followed the trip.

Defenders of Freud's otherwise unmarred sexual history (ok...unmarred in the sense of conscious behavior...we all know what he believed about unconscious sexual impulses) find this evidence to be lacking. It doesn't actually prove the existance of an affair. Critics might wonder, what proof would one need?

One could easily argue, "What does it matter, anyway?" Yet, given what we know about how much Freud's personal life influenced his theories, one might expect that an illicit love affair (if it happened) would have had a rather significant impact on his already complicated view of human sexuality.

A Long Overdue Thanks

With my end-of-the-year grading slowing down for a moment (and sure to pick up again very soon), I'd be remiss if I didn't take a moment to thank some folks for various acts of kindness over the past few weeks.

First, a big thank you to Clarissa C.-P., whose generosity helped me fulfill a life-long dream: owning my own Sigmund Freud Action Figure! While shopping at the Mall of America, this thoughtful student stumbled upon the item and was kind enough to gift it to me. Not only did this make my day, but Action Figure Sigmund will retain a place of honor in my classroom for years to come. I may have to build a special shelf for it.

Secondly, I would like to thank the anonymous friend who left me a copy of Demitri Martin's This is a Book. You obviously know my taste very well. The note inside suggested this book would "put a smile on my face," and that was exactly what happened. I had time to read it while recovering from the oral surgery I was out for a few weeks ago, and I quickly learned that I had to be careful to control my laughter because I was at risk of ripping out my many stitches. :) It was laugh-out-loud hilarious and even contained a few pithy quotes that will be useful in teaching psychology. Definitely brightened my day.

Moreover, these acts of kindness have reiterated to me the greatness of the people I am priviledged to work with every day. 2011 has been rough for me (so far) in a number of ways, but I have been so pleasantly and gratefully surprised by the support and encouragement I have received from friends, colleagues, and students throughout the mess. It seems like every time I had a day where I felt hopeless or lost, someone was always there to pick me up.

I can't thank you enough for that.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation...

Okay, I'm back. I know it's been a long time since I've posted anything to the blog, but I was busy, okay?

Busy doing what? Well, this summer found me on the road (or, more accurately, on a plane) quite a bit in the pursuit of knowledge and fun. Dorky, I know, but if you know me by now you should expect as much. My AP Psych students will be the primary beneficiaries of my wanderings, as a couple trips were dedicated specifically to psychology excitement.

For one, I was able to attend the APA-sponsored Clark University workshop for psychology teachers in late July. Not only did I get to have my picture taken with their lovely Freud statue, but I met some other great psychology teachers, toured the campus (which has a rich history concerning psychology) and got some great ideas for classroom activities.

In early August I continued by psych-related travel when I attended my first (of three) residential colloquia for my masters program. I am currently working toward a masters degree in counseling psychology, but don't ask when I'll be finished because it seems very far away to me right now. This week-long course was focused on learning clinical interviewing skills. And it was held in Florida...but don't be decieved. I didn't spend much time outdoors.

I also was able to fit in a couple of non-psych related trips. My cousin was married in Jamaica in early June and we were able to go (and spend some time on the beach). I also accompanied the Social Studies Department's history travelers on an 11-day trip to Italy in June.


All in all, it was a very eventful summer and I'm looking forward to getting back into something of a normal "routine" with the school year starting. I'm also glad to not have to go through another airport for many months.


Though, I am currently taking two grad classes and they will not be over until Sept. 17th, so my stress levels will be a little higher than normal as the school year begins. I've got a LOT of writing to do for them yet...THEN things can get back to "normal".


If you're a new psych student, welcome aboard! We have an exciting year ahead. If you are a former student and moving on to bigger and better things this year, adios and good luck!

Dr. Freud

Whether you find his ideas intriguing or repulsive, it is impossible to deny that Sigmund Freud had an incredible impact on the early years of psychology. If you're looking for more information on this controversial figure, there is no shortage of documentation on his life. In addition to the A & E Biography production we watched in class, these websites provide a wealth of information.

PBS special: The Young Dr. Freud companion site.
The Freud Museum in London.
The Freud Museum in Vienna, Austria.

Below, another historical video about the man, the myth & the legend, Dr. Freud.

Freudicon Wins! But details remain undecided...

For those of you unable to make it to the first official psych club meeting this year, a report on our progress.

Voting on T-shirt designs resulted in the selection of the "Freudicon" design depicted at left. However, at the close of the meeting, there were still some decisions left to be made.

There was considerable disagreement about the font choice for the lettering on the back of the shirt, which reads, "Psychology Club 2009-10".

Also, we voted on a color choice for the shirt, but following the meeting during my prep period I was able to adjust the image settings so the white space on Freud's head is no longer transparent... thus opening the possibility of using a darker color of shirt without distorting the image.

SO....in response to feedback from my 6th and 7th hour classes, I've come up with some new options for voting. I selected a font that I would argue is a happy medium, given the opinions expressed at the meeting. It's not simple block lettering (sort of funky), but also not so flashy as to be distracting.

Below are links to the new shirt color options. I'm including the color choice we voted on at the meeting in case there are those who wish to stick with it (despite the new options). At the bottom of this post you will find a poll where you can cast your vote for your favorite choice. The poll will close on Tuesday, September 22, so we can get the order rolling and get our shirts ASAP.

Each option would cost the same amount: $16.00 (assuming we can get an order or 25 shirts or more).

• "Light Blue" Freud (this was the choice made at the meeting before the image was fixed)
• "Metro Blue" Freud
• "Black" Freud
• "Ice Gray" Freud

Survey Results - GlowDay.com

Psychology Club T-Shirt Designs

This friday during Lunch B the first Psychology Club meeting of the year will be held in rm 136. The most important item on the agenda: Club T-shirts! No self-respecting club in our school should be without a snappy t-shirt, and we in the Psych Club like to set the bar when it comes to academic apparel. This year will be no exception.

Below are links to images of the options we will vote on. Feel free to post comments in an attempt to persuade others of the correctness of your opinion and the credibility of your taste. Each listed price is the estimate for an order of 20 shirts (it may ultimately go up or down based on the size of our final order).

PsychoPath - $12.41

Rorschach Inkblot - $11.40

Freudicon - $14.71

A Psychology Teacher's Wish List

Everyone knows that psychology teachers are hard to shop for. Their continual need to overanalyze motivations makes gift-giving a nightmare: "What does this gift imply about our relationship? What does it say about the giver's impressions of me? Do my possessions suggest anything about my personality?" And the list goes on and on. Play it safe this holiday/birthday by purchasing a gift that says, "Here! Indulge your psychology geekiness!"

Or, why wait for a birthday? Next time you're groveling for extra points on that free-response, it might be to your advantage to be that "thoughtful student who brought me the Sigmund Freud action figure."

Ideas:

1. The Stuffed Toy Neuron from Giantmicrobes.com. Thanks to the folks at the Teaching High School Psychology blog for pointing this one out to me. Also, this would make a great gift for the child of a psychology teacher, especially if the parent wants to corrupt him/her early.
2. Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung action figures! Enough said.
3. Skydiving Sigmund Freud. If the action figure isn't enough... here you get Freud with the parachute so he can drop in an psychoanalyze anyone at a moment's notice!
4. What about a Phrenology Head? Wouldn't this make a lovely addition to your favorite psychology teacher's desk? Also good for storing wigs. Apparently these are so popular that the folks at thepsychologyshop.com are temporarily out of them!
5. For those who can't get enough abnormal psychology: The Obsessive-Compulsive Action Figure!
6. Of course, you can't go wrong with psychology-related apparel. The folks at http://www.cafepress.com/ have a wide array of t-shirts to choose from, including my favorite: "I'm on that like Bandura on Bobo."

In case you were wondering, my birthday is September 3rd.