Agenda: Week of Feb 4 - Feb 8, 2013

Advanced Placement Psychology

Unit 2 - Biological Bases of Behavior - "Sensation & Perception"

Week at a Glance:

MON: Quick review of Super Bowl commercials to introduce Sensation & Perception; Notes & Discussion Sensation Intro

TUE: Quiz Unit 2 Biological Bases of Behavior (Special Emphasis on Chapter 4 Weiten - Sensation & Perception); Sensation & Perception Notes & Discussion - Vision, Hearing.

W/TH: Brain Project Due in Class; Complete study of Sensation & Perception.

FRI: Unit 2 Test is due in class; Introduce Unit 3 - Consciousness & Learning
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Monday, February 4, 2013

Quote: "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." - Robert Frost

Learning Targets - Unit 2 - Biological Bases of Behavior - "Sensation & Perception"

If you learn only 4 things from this chapter for the AP Test...

1. Perception is the interpretation of sensory information; it relies on experience.

2. The difference between sensation and perception

3. The structure and function of the eye

4. The structure and function of the ear

Sensation and perception are areas that have been of interest to psychologists for most of the history of psychology. As we sit here, our senses receive literally thousands of messages. We need to make sense of this information. Our senses take in the information, and they do so from birth. Yet the interpretive part -perception- requires knowledge.

Essential Questions:
* How do we convert light into images?
* How does the ear responds to sound waves?
* How do we taste or smell?
* How does the somatic sensory system function?

Agenda:

1. Do Now Question: Which Super Bowl commercial caught your attention the most and which did you think was the 'best'?

2. Introduction to Sensation & Perception - also a look at and discussion of Super Bowl Commercials.

3. Notes, Video, and Discussion - Introduction to Sensation.

"The Tastes" is a new food show on ABC, my son's favorite. The judges decided by having only one spoon full of a cook's dish. Talk about having to use your senses. It's a pretty good show, but then again, anything with Tony Bourdain is.

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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Quote: "The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases." - Carl Jung

Learning Targets - Unit 2 - Biological Bases of Behavior - "Sensation & Perception"

If you learn only 4 things from this chapter for the AP Test...

1. Perception is the interpretation of sensory information; it relies on experience.

2. The difference between sensation and perception

3. The structure and function of the eye

4. The structure and function of the ear

Sensation and perception are areas that have been of interest to psychologists for most of the history of psychology. As we sit here, our senses receive literally thousands of messages. We need to make sense of this information. Our senses take in the information, and they do so from birth. Yet the interpretive part -perception- requires knowledge.

Essential Questions:
* How do we convert light into images?
* How does the ear responds to sound waves?
* How do we taste or smell?
* How does the somatic sensory system function?

Agenda:

1. Do Now Question: Prep for quiz on Unit 2 (Sensation & Perception mostly)

2. Quiz - Sensation & Perception.

3. Notes, Video, and Discussion - Vision & Hearing.

If you are color blind, you could have a problem with this one. Our sense of sight is our  strongest sense for most people.

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Wednesday, February 6, 2013 & Thursday, February 7, 2013

Quote: "Every man dies. Not every man really lives." - William Wallace

Learning Targets - Unit 2 - Biological Bases of Behavior - "Sensation & Perception"

If you learn only 4 things from this chapter for the AP Test...

1. Perception is the interpretation of sensory information; it relies on experience.

2. The difference between sensation and perception

3. The structure and function of the eye

4. The structure and function of the ear

Sensation and perception are areas that have been of interest to psychologists for most of the history of psychology. As we sit here, our senses receive literally thousands of messages. We need to make sense of this information. Our senses take in the information, and they do so from birth. Yet the interpretive part -perception- requires knowledge.

Essential Questions:
* How do we convert light into images?
* How does the ear responds to sound waves?
* How do we taste or smell?
* How does the somatic sensory system function?

Agenda:

1. Do Now Question: Prep for handing in Brain Project.

2. Brain Project - Turn in projects, display, present, and discuss.

3. Notes, Video, and Discussion - Vision & Hearing.

if only...

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Friday, February 8, 2013

Quote: "All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on." - Henry Ellis

Learning Targets - Unit 2 - Biological Bases of Behavior - "Sensation & Perception"

If you learn only 4 things from this chapter for the AP Test...

1. Perception is the interpretation of sensory information; it relies on experience.

2. The difference between sensation and perception

3. The structure and function of the eye

4. The structure and function of the ear

Sensation and perception are areas that have been of interest to psychologists for most of the history of psychology. As we sit here, our senses receive literally thousands of messages. We need to make sense of this information. Our senses take in the information, and they do so from birth. Yet the interpretive part -perception- requires knowledge.

Essential Questions:
* How do we convert light into images?
* How does the ear responds to sound waves?
* How do we taste or smell?
* How does the somatic sensory system function?

Agenda:

1. Do Now Question: Prep for handing in Unit 2 Test on Biological Bases of Behavior.

2. Introduce Unit 3 - Consciousness & Learning.

3. Notes, Video, and Discussion - Unit 5 - Consciousness

Targets, Notes, Exam, Project info for Unit 2

Learning Targets for Unit 2 - Brain & CNS
Learning Targets for Unit 2 - Sensation & Perception

Next Tue, Feb. 5 -> Quiz over Unit 2. Targets For Unit are here.
Next Wed/Thu, Feb. 6 & 7 -> Brain Unit Project is due in class.
Next Friday, Feb. 8 -> Unit 2 Test is due in class.

Notes - Unit 2 - Introduction to Brain
Notes - Unit 2 - Sensation Intro
Notes - Unit 2 - Vision
Notes - Unit 2 - Hearing


See the embedded notes by clicking below on this link:

Introducing the Brain Project

Link to the Brain Unit Project Information
Link to the pictures of examples from Brain Projects in the past.

Brain Unit Extra Credit is due in class on Wed & Thu Feb. 6/7, 2013.
You have two weeks to complete this work. No work will be accepted late.

You must do ONE of the three projects. But, you may do 2 of them or all 3 for extra credit. 

Each project is worth an extra test score of 100 (for perfect work), 90 (less than perfect), 80 (missing elements), 70 (missing KEY elements). There are no other scores available. All work will be presented to the class on the date it is due.

If you have any questions, please let Mr. Duez know.

Examples of work students have done in the past on the link below:

Brain Videos

This week we'll see "Brain Rules" which is John Medina's DVD that comes with his book on practical uses of Brain Science. It was a New York Times Bestseller and the videos may be a little corny, but they make some great sense. Here's a clip from a news program in the pacific northwest that interviewed Medina about his Brain Rules:


Check this website for more information: http://www.brainrules.net/

Some good examples from the series:

Brain Rules Introduction

Brain Rule #1 Exercise boots brain power

Brain Rule #3 Every Brain is Wired Differently

How does smelling coffee change purchase potential?

Interview with Negotiations Expert

Sleep loss = brain drain

Brain Rule #12 - We are powerful and natural explorers

Explanation (and graphic brain surgery imagery) with Jeffery Ojemann, Neurosurgeon

Where do memories go? The Story of HM

Many more examples below:

Agenda: Week of January 28 - February 1, 2013

Advanced Placement Psychology
UNIT 2: Biological Bases of Behavior (Brain, CNS, Sensation & Perception)

QUICK AGENDA:

MON - Distribute Take Home Exam, Discuss Brain Project, Brain Rules Video & Discussion.

TUE - Continue Brain Rules Video & Discussion, Begin Sensation & Perception.

WED/THU - Finish Brain Rules (if necessary); Notes, Video, Discussion Overview of Biological Bases of Behavior.

FRI - Brain & CNS: Neurons & how they function; Multiple Sclerosis. 

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Monday, January 28, 2013

Quote: "The brain is wider than the sky." - Emily Dickinson, 1830-1886

Learning Targets:

* Analyze how a person's biology can impact their behavior. 
*How does sensation & perception impact behavior?

Essential Questions:
1. Compare the different methods for peering into the human brain.
2. Analyze the areas that the brain controls?
3. Explain the structure and function of the neuron?
4. How does action potential function?
5. Explain the role of neurotransmitters in neural transmission?

Agenda:

1. Do Now Question: Choose a comparison that you believe would work.  Compare the human brain to how a car, computer, television, or some other machine or system functions? 

2. Discuss the Take Home Exam for Unit 2 - "Biological Bases of Behavior." Brain, Central Nervous System, Sensation & Perception. 

We will study, discuss, and explore these topics over the next two weeks. There are two major assessments - The Brain Project and The Take Home Exam. 

Brain Project is due Wed/Thu Feb 6/7
Take Home Exam is due on Friday, Feb. 8th.

3. Introduce the Brain Project. Show examples of great work.

4. Notes, Discussion, & Video: Brain Rules. Show the video clip for Brain Rules. Check this website for more information: http://www.brainrules.net/

Some good examples from the series:
Brain Rule #3: Every Brain is Wired Differently
Where do memories go? The Story of HM

Brain Rule #7: Sleep well, think well. Sleep loss = brain drain
John Medina, author of "Brain Rules," and Melissa Allison, Seattle Times reporter, explain why smell is important to Starbucks. Howard Schultz announced on Jan 30 he is taking the sandwiches out of their stores. How does smelling coffee change purchase potential?
How the brain impacts negotiations: Interview with Negotiations Expert
It is NOT True that we only use 10% of our brains. Explanation (and graphic brain surgery imagery) with Jeffery Ojemann, Neurosurgeon.

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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Quote: "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." - John Dewey

Learning Targets:

* Analyze how a person's biology can impact their behavior. 
*How does sensation & perception impact behavior?

Essential Questions:
1. Compare the different methods for peering into the human brain.
2. Analyze the areas that the brain controls?
3. Explain the structure and function of the neuron?
4. How does action potential function?
5. Explain the role of neurotransmitters in neural transmission?

Agenda:

1. Do Now Question: Which brain rule has interested you the most? Which surprised you? Which seemed the most common sense or simplistic?

2. Notes, Discussion, & Video: Brain Rules. Show the video clip for Brain Rules. Check this website for more information: http://www.brainrules.net/

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Wednesday, January 30th and Thursday, January 31st, 2013

Quote: "I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 things that do not work." - Thomas Edison, 1847-1931

Learning Targets:

* Understand how the nervous system works.
* Trace the parts and functions of the synapse: Where Neurons Meet - synaptic cleft, neurotransmitters.
* Explain the Organization of the Nervous System
* Understand the meaning behind our 3 brains - Reptilian Brain, Old Mammalian Brain, Frontal Cortex
Essential Questions:

* What is the nature of the Teenage Brain?

* What accounts for the behavior of teenagers (mood swings, decision-making, and preoccupation with sex)?

* How can the brain determine a person's behavior?

Agenda:

1. Do Now Question: We are 1/2 way through the Brain Rules videos. So far, which surprised you the most? Which seemed to be the most "common sense"?

2. Notes, Discussion, & Video: Brain Rules. Show the video clip for Brain Rules. Check this website for more information: http://www.brainrules.net/
3. The story of Phineas Gage. As told by Hank Green. As sung and played by Hank Green.
4. Use the PsykTrek3 CD to explain how neurons function. 

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Friday, February 1, 2013

Quote: "Great spirits have often overcome violent opposition from mediocre minds." - Albert Einstein, 1879-1955

Learning Targets:

* Multiple Sclerosis Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a disorder that turns the body's immune system against itself. It is a chronic, typically progressive disease involving damage to the sheaths of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, whose symptoms may include numbness, impairment of speech and of muscular coordination, blurred vision, and severe fatigue
Essential Questions:

* How do neurons deliver signals?

* How can damage to the central nervous system and the brain impact a person's life and psychological functions (see MS)?

Agenda:

1. DO NOW QUESTION: Why would psychology be so interested in studying people who have a medical disorder or disease?

2. We will discuss the causes of Multiple Sclerosis, because it is a great example of how neurons not functioning properly can have an adverse impact on the human condition.
3. Video - if time we will compare what we have learned and discuss along with viewing these video examples (great to watch if you were absent from class):
The Human Body: Nervous System
What does MS Feel Like Article

What is Multiple Sclerosis

What is Myelin?
Meet Sallie - Everyday Matters Video from the National MS Foundation
Meet Sallie, a fourth-grade teacher and mom of three from rural Oklahoma, who was diagnosed with MS in 2011 after years of unexplained symptoms. Sallie teaches children how to serve their community and make a difference in the world, but she worries that MS may compromise her ability to continue her career as a teacher.

4. Video & Discussion: ZeFrank & Rainn Wilson Discuss the teen brain

5. (if time) Video Study: Begin study of the brain by exploring the world of the teen brain. Video - "Teen Dreams" 

Next Tue, Feb. 5 -> Quiz over Unit 2. Targets For Unit are here.
Next Wed/Thu, Feb. 6 & 7 -> Brain Unit Project is due in class.
Next Friday, Feb. 8 -> Unit 2 Test is due in class.

Agenda: Week of Mon-Fri January 21-25, 2013

Advanced Placement Psychology

Unit 1 - History & Evolution of Psychology -and- Research Methods

Week at a Glance:
MON- MLK DAY
TUE- Research Methods
WED/THU- Test Unit 1; Article "Nature vs. Nurture"
FRI- Socratic Discussion - Nature vs. Nurture Article
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Monday January 21, 2013 - No School MLK Day

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction ... The chain reaction of evil -- hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars -- must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation." Martin Luther King, Jr. from Strength To Love, 1963.

Learning Targets: 

What is Psychology? Psychology in the Past? Approaches to Psych today.

Research: The Scientific Method, Design, Processing, and Ethical Issues.

If You Learn Only 10 Things for the AP Test....
1. Wilhelm Wundt is credited with being the founder of modern experimental psychology when he founded a lab at the University of Leipzig Germany in 1879.
2. Tichener, Watson, James, and Skinner are all important early psychologists.
3. Understanding the differences between the various approaches or perspectives - behavioral, biological, cognitive, humanistic, psychoanalytic, & sociocultural - is the key to understanding psychology.
4. The modern definition of psychology combines the scientific study of behavior and mental processes in humans and other animals.
5. Observation is the most important aspect of psychological research.
6. Operationalism means to define our variables in the manner in which we are going to measure them.
7. Correlation measures degree of relationship between variables and ranges from -1 to +1. Correlation does NOT imply causation.
8. Experimental, correlational, & descriptive methods all have strengths & weaknesses in describing human behavior.
9. Descriptive statistics describe the data gathered in research, while inferential statistics allow us to draw conclusions about how this data can be generalized to a larger population.
10. Following ethical principles is vitally important in any kind of psychological research.

Essential Questions:

1. What is psychology? 
2. How does psychology impact my every day life?
3. How did psychology evolve as a science?
4. Compare and contrast the various types of approaches of psychology?
5. Explain the nature of psychology as an empirical science. How do psychologists determine results?
6. Imagine the implications of a poor psychological experiment that fails to follow ethical principles. What are the ramifications?

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Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Quote of the Day: "I am more afraid of my own heart than of the pope and all his cardinals. I have within me the great pope, Self." - Martin Luther

Agenda:
1. Do Now Question: Imagine the implications of a poor psychological experiment that fails to follow ethical principles. What are the ramifications?
2. Notes, Video, Discussion & PskTrek 3 Quiz: Unit 1 - Research Methods
3. Review: Example of psychological experimentation and how the science relates to every day life - The Science of Attraction. Can you name the parts of these experiments (variables, control groups, etc.)? Where did the science behind the videos work well and where did it go wrong?

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Wednesday & Thursday January 23 & 24, 2013
Quote of the Day: "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." - Galileo Galilei

Agenda:
1. Test - Unit 1 - History & Evolution of Psychology; Research Methods.
2. Pick up article "Nature vs. Nurture" after the test. Read and annotate the article. It is due on Friday and we'll participate in a Socratic discussion regarding the article.

True dat.

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Friday, January 25th, 2013
Quote of the Day: “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Agenda:
1. Article "Nature vs. Nurture" is due having read and annotate the article. We'll participate in a Socratic discussion regarding the article for the remainder of the period.
2. If any time remains we will discuss Unit 2 - "Biological Bases of Behavior."

Unit 1 - Evolution & Research Methods --- Notes

NOTES - Unit 1 - Evolution & History of Psychology
NOTES - Unit 1 - Approaches, Themes, & Variations
NOTES - Unit 1 - Research Methods

See the embedded notes by clicking below this link:

Agenda: Week of Mon Jan 14 - Fri Jan 18, 2013

Advanced Placement Psychology

Unit 1 - History & Evolution of Psychology -and- Research Methods

Week at a Glance:
MON- PsykTrek 3; Variations & Themes of Psych; Science of Attraction.
TUE- Psych Approaches; Research Methods; Science of Attraction.
WED/THU- QUIZ, Research Methods; Science of Attraction.
FRI- TEST
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Monday, January 14, 2013
Quote of the Day:  "You're alive. Do something. The directive in life, the moral imperative was so uncomplicated. It could be expressed in single words, not complete sentences. It sounded like this: Look. Listen. Choose. Act." - Barbara Hall, A Summons to New Orleans, 2000
Learning Targets: 
What is Psychology? Psychology in the Past? Approaches to Psych today.
Research: The Scientific Method, Design, Processing, and Ethical Issues.
1. Wilhelm Wundt is credited with being the founder of modern experimental psychology when he founded a lab at the University of Leipzig Germany in 1879.
2. Tichener, Watson, James, and Skinner are all important early psychologists.

3. Understanding the differences between the various approaches or perspectives - behavioral, biological, cognitive, humanistic, psychoanalytic, & sociocultural - is the key to understanding psychology.

4. The modern definition of psychology combines the scientific study of behavior and mental processes in humans and other animals.

5. Observation is the most important aspect of psychological research.

6. Operationalism means to define our variables in the manner in which we are going to measure them.

Essential Questions:
1. What is psychology?
2. How does psychology impact my every day life?
3. How did psychology evolve as a science?
4. Compare and contrast the various types of approaches of psychology?

Agenda:

1. DO NOW: Is Psychology a science class? Or is it a social studies class?

2. Notes, Video, & Discussion: Unit 1 - Psychology Approaches, Variations, & Schools of Thought

3. Video & Discussion: Example of psychological experimentation and how the science relates to every day life - The Science of Attraction. Profile Pictures

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Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Quote of the Day: "Life is something that everyone should try at least once." - Henry J. Tillman

Learning Targets: 

What is Psychology? Psychology in the Past? Approaches to Psych today.

Research: The Scientific Method, Design, Processing, and Ethical Issues.

1. Wilhelm Wundt is credited with being the founder of modern experimental psychology when he founded a lab at the University of Leipzig Germany in 1879.

2. Tichener, Watson, James, and Skinner are all important early psychologists.

3. Understanding the differences between the various approaches or perspectives - behavioral, biological, cognitive, humanistic, psychoanalytic, & sociocultural - is the key to understanding psychology.

4. The modern definition of psychology combines the scientific study of behavior and mental processes in humans and other animals.

5. Observation is the most important aspect of psychological research.

6. Operationalism means to define our variables in the manner in which we are going to measure them.

Essential Questions:
1. What is psychology?
2. How does psychology impact my every day life?
3. How did psychology evolve as a science?
4. Compare and contrast the various types of approaches of psychology?

Agenda:
1. DO NOW: Which Psychological approach makes the most sense to you? Why?

2. Notes, Video, & Discussion: Unit 1 - Psychology Approaches, Variations, & Schools of Thought

3. Video & Discussion: Example of psychological experimentation and how the science relates to every day life - The Science of Attraction. Familiar Faces

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Wednesday, January 16, 2013 & Thursdays, January 17, 2013
Quote of the Day: "Life is difficult and complicated and beyond anyone's total control, and the humility to know that will enable you to survive its vicissitudes." - J. K. Rowling, Harvard Commencement Address, 2008

Learning Targets: 

What is Psychology? Psychology in the Past? Approaches to Psych today.

Research: The Scientific Method, Design, Processing, and Ethical Issues.

If You Learn Only 10 Things for the AP Test....
1. Wilhelm Wundt is credited with being the founder of modern experimental psychology when he founded a lab at the University of Leipzig Germany in 1879.
2. Tichener, Watson, James, and Skinner are all important early psychologists.
3. Understanding the differences between the various approaches or perspectives - behavioral, biological, cognitive, humanistic, psychoanalytic, & sociocultural - is the key to understanding psychology.
4. The modern definition of psychology combines the scientific study of behavior and mental processes in humans and other animals.
5. Observation is the most important aspect of psychological research.
6. Operationalism means to define our variables in the manner in which we are going to measure them.
7. Correlation measures degree of relationship between variables and ranges from -1 to +1. Correlation does NOT imply causation.
8. Experimental, correlational, & descriptive methods all have strengths & weaknesses in describing human behavior.
9. Descriptive statistics describe the data gathered in research, while inferential statistics allow us to draw conclusions about how this data can be generalized to a larger population.
10. Following ethical principles is vitally important in any kind of psychological research.

Essential Questions:

1. What is psychology? 
2. How does psychology impact my every day life?
3. How did psychology evolve as a science?
4. Compare and contrast the various types of approaches of psychology?
5. Explain the nature of psychology as an empirical science. How do psychologists determine results?
6. Imagine the implications of a poor psychological experiment that fails to follow ethical principles. What are the ramifications?

Agenda:
1. DO NOW: Imagine the implications of a poor psychological experiment that fails to follow ethical principles. What are the ramifications?

2. Notes, Video, & Discussion: Unit 1 - Research Methods

3. Video & Discussion: Example of psychological experimentation and how the science relates to every day life - The Science of Attraction. 

The Smell of Attraction

The Sound of Attraction

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Friday, January 18, 2013
Quote of the Day: "Difficulties come when you don't pay attention to life's whisper. Life always whispers to you first, but if you ignore the whisper, sooner or later you'll get a scream." - Oprah Winfrey (1954 - ), Stanford Commencement Adress, 2008

Agenda:
1. TEST Unit 1.
No School Monday - MLK Day