Assigments

1. In Chapter 1 you are introduced to the Scientific Method. To help you focus more closely on the concept, I would like you to take a look at a famous experiment that was conducted at Stanford University in the early 1970s. To learn all about this experiment go to the homepage for [|Dr. Philip Zimbardo] Click on [|Prison Experiment] to learn about how research was once conducted. Go through the entire slide presentation, then use the considerations discussed in your text to write about which ethical considerations were violated in Dr. Zimbardo's research. Would Dr. Zimbardo be able to conduct this research today? What did we learn from this study that is of importance to us? Do the potential end results of research sometimes justify the means?

2. ​Read [|IQ Since "The Bell Curve"] and reflect on intelligence. How would you define it? Where does intelligence come from (think about the nature vs. nurture debate)? Can it be measured and if so how? Are assessments such as the SAT inherently racist and sexist? Include your thoughts on these questions in a 2 page typed reaction paper. There are no right or wrong answers but be sure to include some concepts from the text that indicate you have read about them and can apply them.

3. Life can be stressful. For 1 week monitor your stress level. Keep a record of when you feel stressed and how you coped with it. Tracking can be done online in a [|blog] or charted out in a document. Reflect upon your findings and discuss what you learned. Think about life today. Are we more stressed than ever before? How do we cope? Discuss a variety of stress management strategies. The reflection must be at least 2 pages typed.

4. We all possess intelligence. Take the [|MI assessment] developed by Alistair Smith to learn about your own strengths. Do the results confirm what you already knew? What implications does this have on your choice of major and/or career? How can you work on those areas that are weaker? Be sure to adress these questions and any other thoughts about MI in a 2 page typed reflection.

5. After watching the Bobo doll experiment consider the nature of aggression. Is it something entirely nurture based (environment driven) or is it something inherently biological? Apply this same debate to achievement. Be prepared to discuss this in class.