Monday, January 2, 2012
What's Ahead in AP Psych?
Happy New Year!
I'm here at school working on getting ready for the upcoming week and for our final content unit prior to the end of the semester - no small task after a busy lead-up to Christmas break! You all were able to relax a bit and catch up on some much-needed rest over these past days. We'll hit the ground running tomorrow, so I thought I'd give you a head's up about what January's busy schedule looks like.
Students can begin reading content from Chapter 10, as we will begin exploring that information (on thinking and language) in class tomorrow. The quiz on Chapter 10 will take place MONDAY, JAN. 9th.
Per usual, there will be a study session prior to this unit's test. That optional test prep opportunity will take place THURSDAY, JAN. 12th, as the unit test will be FRIDAY, JAN. 13th.
Following the unit test, we will immediately begin reviewing for the semester final. Students will get a chance to get a jump on their reviewing during a weekend review session scheduled for SUNDAY, JAN. 15th from NOON - 2 PM. (Note: on the course syllabus I scheduled this for 5-7 pm, but I've altered the timing since I anticipate that a fair number of my students will want to be free to watch the Packer game, which starts at 3:30 PM that day).
The following week during class will find us reviewing in various ways on Monday and Tuesday, and there is a final evening study session scheduled for TUESDAY, JAN. 17th from 5 - 7 PM.
Students will get more information about the content and format of the final exam in the coming weeks, but I thought I'd get the dates out there to you as a reminder to schedule in your reviewing time carefully.
Let's get ready to finish the semester strong, everyone! Welcome back.Final exams will take place from Jan 18-20 at Chi-Hi. :)
Dreams Video & Viewing Questions
For those who were absent for part or all of the Dreams video we viewed in class December 20-21, I've embedded the full playlist below. While viewing the video in class, students used this viewing guide to organize their notes. I suggest that, if you missed the video, you watch and complete the viewing guide as well.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Learning & Memory Quizlets
Each of the two topics for this unit - Learning and Memory - have their own Quizlet flashcard sets. I've embedded them below, but you are also welcome to visit each set page and print off your own flashcards. Good luck with your studies!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Guest Speaker on Hypnosis
Mr. Marano, who operates the Hypnosis Center of Eau Claire, will be giving a presentation from 5-7 PM in our high school library on Tuesday, December 20th.
Following a talk about the phenomenon of hypnosis and how it is used in psychotherapy, Mr. Marano will lead any interested attendees in exercises that will allow them to experience hypnosis themselves.
These guided imagery exercises are completely voluntary and harmless, and often experienced as very relaxing.
Students interested in participating in the exercises are urged to avoid caffeine and any other stimulating agents in the afternoon prior to the presentation, as these things can interfere with one's ability to focus and relax, which is necessary for hypnosis.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Psychology Essay Contest Announced
Each year, the APA Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS) sponsors an essay competition for high school students. This year's topic concerns natural disasters and offers students the chance to apply their knowledge of psychology to real life situations.
Directions and application instructions can be found here.
The winner will receive a $250 award. Deadline is March 5, 2012.
I can help you think through and review your submission if you like.
Directions and application instructions can be found here.
The winner will receive a $250 award. Deadline is March 5, 2012.
I can help you think through and review your submission if you like.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Memory Exploration
Here's the link to the Memory Test created by the University of Edinburgh. Click where it says "Click here to start" to begin the exercise. It will take you about 20 minutes, and you will do the best if you are not disturbed or distracted during completion.
You will not be diagnosed with a "good" or "bad" memory on the basis of your results, though you will be provided with an explanation of some known phenomena about memory.
If nothing else, it's a fun challenge and a great illustration of some of the ways that memory is assessed.
You will not be diagnosed with a "good" or "bad" memory on the basis of your results, though you will be provided with an explanation of some known phenomena about memory.
If nothing else, it's a fun challenge and a great illustration of some of the ways that memory is assessed.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Punishment & Operant Conditioning
As we discussed in class today, punishment can be used to influence behavior in subjects, but it does come with some major downsides. Punishment doesn't actually teach a desired behavior, it just discourages bad behavior. Physical punishments that parents use can sometimes teach unintended lessons: hitting solves problems, parents are to be feared, etc.
However, we have all seen and perhaps experienced robust examples of how punishments can effectively discourage unwanted behaviors. My recent most favorite example of people creatively employing punishment to deter a behavior comes from Vilnius, Lithuania. The Mayor of that city, fed up with people parking their expensive cars in no parking zones, launched this video (which appears to be more of a public service announcement than an organized enforcement campaign) of himself running over expensive, but illegally parked cars with a tank.
Why were expensive cars the problem? Presumably inexpensive cars parked illegally would create as big of a problem for the city, but there seems to be some assumptions being made about the motivations of the owners of the fancy cars: the Mayor notes wanting to send a message to drivers who "think they are above the law." Perhaps, also, it is more fun to run over expensive cars?
The mayor was honored with an Ig Nobel prize (the humorous counterpart to the Nobel prize)at this year's ceremony at Harvard University.
My favorite quote from the video: in answer to the question of what the city should do about the problem, Mayor Zuokas says, "It seems that a tank is the best solution."
However, we have all seen and perhaps experienced robust examples of how punishments can effectively discourage unwanted behaviors. My recent most favorite example of people creatively employing punishment to deter a behavior comes from Vilnius, Lithuania. The Mayor of that city, fed up with people parking their expensive cars in no parking zones, launched this video (which appears to be more of a public service announcement than an organized enforcement campaign) of himself running over expensive, but illegally parked cars with a tank.
Why were expensive cars the problem? Presumably inexpensive cars parked illegally would create as big of a problem for the city, but there seems to be some assumptions being made about the motivations of the owners of the fancy cars: the Mayor notes wanting to send a message to drivers who "think they are above the law." Perhaps, also, it is more fun to run over expensive cars?
The mayor was honored with an Ig Nobel prize (the humorous counterpart to the Nobel prize)at this year's ceremony at Harvard University.
My favorite quote from the video: in answer to the question of what the city should do about the problem, Mayor Zuokas says, "It seems that a tank is the best solution."
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