September 8: Review Test and Brain Intro

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note. You didn't have answers to read today, but you wrote a new question based on the weekend's textbook reading on neural communication.

2) Prologue/Chapter 1 Test Review. I put the test data (distribution, mean, median, mode, standard deviation, histogram, grade scale) on the overhead so you could see how we did as a class as well as how you did in comparison with your classmates. Since the highest score was an 93, I curved the test by making the total points 95, not 100. We went over the questions that most students got wrong and you were able to write down the reasoning behind those tricky questions. I also tried to give page numbers so you could look up those concepts again. No matter how you did, you should be motivated to improve your test preparation, notetaking, vocabulary memorization, and study plans. As you learn more and more about what to expect from these tests and adjust your system for this class, you will be more and more successful.

General comments about the trickiest questions: Many of you missed the ones related to the early philosophers and psychologists. Study the chart on the bottom of page 3 and memorize those early names. Make sure you know that psychological research is broken down into three categories: description, correlation, experimentation.

3) Neuron Model Assignment Explanation: For tonight, your job is to make a model of a neuron with readily available supplies from your house. It must have all the parts (axon, dendrites, cell body, nucleus, myelin sheath labeled AND defined. Be thorough and thoughtful, and have fun and be creative.

4) Animal Research Taking Sides Discussion. Way to Go! Most of you read the two arguments for and against animal research in psychology. We broke into small groups and you discussed the articles and your personal opinion on the topic. We reconvened at a large group and discussed more. There are many hot topics on psychology and we'll try to read about them as we go through the semester.

5) Inside Out DVD "The Most Amazing Machine." This was a great way to introduce the brain. We took notes.


Assignments:

1) Read chapter 2 pages 65-76.

2) Neuron Model is due on Thursday.

3) Make notecards so you can just review vocabulary next week. I'll check them on Thursday.

4) Play-doh is needed for class on Monday.

FYI: Chapter 2 test is Friday, September 19.