August 20: Introduction/History of Psych

In-Class Activities:

1) You wrote your first Neuron Note. This is a way for you to ask me questions about the reading every class period. If you do not have a question from the reading, you can make a thoughtful comment. I do this activity for many reasons but the main one is so you continually review the reading. Think about it: You read and took notes over the assigned pages at home. Today, you reviewed your notes by thinking about them as you wrote your Neuron Note. Tonight, I am responding to your questions and you will be able to read all the answers on Monday. It keeps you reviewing and reviewing the reading. If you do not read, please do not waste your time and my time writing a bogus question. This daily activity is for serious students who have genuine questions and thoughts about the reading.

2) I checked your Book Cover, Parent Signature, Binder with Dividers. You must have a system and these easy activities some me that you are getting yourself organized. I am impressed by some of you. Those of you who could not do these simple assignments need to reconsider whether or not you can keep up with this class. It is an AP elective and you will need to be on top of the assignments. Please think about your ability to participate fully if these easy tasks were too much.

3) Study Skills Assessment. We went over the assignment to assess your study skills. Knowing what kind of learner you are, along with how well you take notes on the reading and lectures, are key to doing well in AP Psych. Please consider all of this as you settle into the routine of this class. Again, some of you might consider choosing another elective if this activity was too challenging.

4) We watched the first in a video series called "Discovering Psychology." It is outdated and we will not be using it this year, but is iconic in the world of psychology. Even though the clips are old, it is a fabulous review on the major units of study. Philip Zimbardo, former professor and researcher at Stanford and APA President, is the narrator. Today's video was a simple introduction to psychology with a great review of the major historical figures.

5) We completed a "quiz" that challenged your assumptions. For example, what professional baseball player stole the most bases in a year? The answer is Sophie Kurys, a female who played on the Women's Professional Baseball Team of the Racine Belles in 1946. While trying to understand human behavior, we jump to conclusions that we believe to be true, but we haven't seen the whole picture. I encourage you to let go of your overconfidence in what you know to be true and realize much of our assumptions are not 100% accurate.

6) I lectured on the History of Psychology: its roots, its beginning as a science and as therapy, as well as current views.

Assignments:

1) Read the rest of the Prologue pp.9-16 Take serious notes and think about what you might ask as a Neuron Note question next class.

2) Send me an email answering one of the eight FAQ of psychology and the name of your Study Buddy.

3) Complete all the vocabulary notecards for the Prologue and Ch.1