High School Grade  Project 4 weeks

Social Spark: Psychology in Action!

Amie C
Updated
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Collaboration
Effective Communication
Content Expertise
Academic Mindset
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Purpose

Students will engage in a four-week project that immerses them in the world of Social Psychology, cultivating a deeper understanding of how social influences affect individual behaviors. By working collaboratively, they will explore real-life scenarios, develop critical claims, and substantiate them using evidence and psychological concepts. Through active research, peer feedback, and community interaction, students will create a comprehensive presentation that both educates their peers and showcases their mastery of the subject. The project aims to enhance students' communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills while fostering a strong academic mindset and sense of community connection.

Learning goals

Students will explore significant social psychology concepts, applying them to real-world contexts to understand the influence of social factors on individual behavior. Through research and collaboration, they will construct well-reasoned arguments, utilizing psychological terminology to support their claims. Learners will enhance their critical thinking, effective communication, and leadership skills by co-designing projects, presenting findings, and engaging in peer and community feedback. The project aims to deepen content expertise while fostering a sense of identity and self-efficacy in discussions and actions related to social psychology. Upon completion, participants will demonstrate their learning through written and oral presentations, contributing valuable insights to their communities.
Competencies
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
  • Collaboration - Students co-design projects with peers, exercise shared-decision making, strengthen relational agency, resolve conflict, and assume leadership roles.
  • Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.
  • Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.

Products

Students will collaboratively research and produce a comprehensive written report exploring the impact of social influences on individual behavior, integrating key Social Psychology terms. Additionally, they will create an accompanying oral presentation, utilizing empathy-driven communication strategies, to engage peers and community partners in understanding their findings. The culmination of their work will be featured in a public exhibition, showcasing both their written analysis and interactive presentations to demonstrate their grasp of the content and real-world applications. Students will also develop an evidence-based AP Psychology exam practice question, emphasizing claim development, evidence analysis, and psychological reasoning.

Launch

To kick off this Social Psychology project, initiate with a "Social Influence Day" where students participate in interactive activities illustrating peer pressure, group dynamics, and conformity. Set the stage with a captivating role-play or simulation that immerses students in real-world scenarios requiring them to make decisions influenced by social factors. Facilitate a class discussion to connect these experiences to social psychology concepts, prompting them to reflect on personal observations and form initial claims about social influences on behavior. This approach encourages curiosity and sets the tone for a collaborative learning journey.

Exhibition

Students will showcase their learning through a dynamic Social Psychology Symposium, where they will present their research findings and insights both orally and in written form to an audience comprising peers, teachers, and community members. Each student group will prepare a presentation that clearly outlines their claims, evidence, reasoning, and use of psychological terms, followed by a Q&A session to promote deeper engagement and understanding. The exhibition will also feature interactive stations, where attendees can explore key concepts through demonstrations or discussions, thus allowing for an immersive educational experience.