Good Will Hunting

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/422573/cognition_in_good_will_hunting.html?cat=72

Begin with an introduction to 'Cognitive Dissonance' and Aesop's story of 'Sour Grapes'.

Cognitive Dissonance with examples: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance

THE GRAPES ARE SOUR

Once upon a time, a hungry fox was roaming around here and there searching for food. Because of hunger, he was feeling weak and tired. Fortunately, he came to a garden where he saw a grape-vine laden with bunches of grapes they looked quite ripe and juicy.

The fox looked at the grapes with longing eyes and licked his chops. But the bunches were too high for him and he was feeling weak. So he sat down for a while to take some rest. On feeling refreshed, he jumped as high as he could, to get at the grapes. But he failed to reach them.

Then he again rested for some time and made another bold attempt, but was unlucky for the second time.

Forced to give up trying anymore, he just walked away and instead of accepting his failure, he remarked �the grapes appeared to be ripe and juicy, but now I see them to be quite sour.�

This story, thus, proves that, people generally hate what they can�t get.


Article about cognition in Good Will Hunting


http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/422573/cognition_in_good_will_hunting.html?cat=72


List of older Social Psych, black and white related video


http://www.qualityinformationpublishers.com/teensocialpsychologyandtroubledyouthfilmsdvd1951-1962.aspx


Social Psychology and Film (University Course Syllabus)


http://www1.psych.purdue.edu/~willia55/392F/index.htm


See handout.  It is a little bit annoying that the language in this film is going to result in backlash.  Argh.  This probably means not using this movie next year.

Project:

500 Word Essay

a)    Linear Outline

Possible Topics to discuss:

Cognitive Dissonance in Good Will Hunting

Empathy

Fear as a motivating factor

Psychotherapy

Currere

Effects of childhood on adulthood

Social Psychology and Film

http://www1.psych.purdue.edu/~willia55/392F/index.htm

http://jonathan.mueller.faculty.noctrl.edu/crow/technology.htm

Social Psychology November - December

Use pp 516 - 600 as a guideline in the yellow psych book.  Consider:

a) Individual Interactions
- Interpersonal Attraction
- Social Perception
- Personal Relationships

b) Group Interactions
- Group behaviour
- Conformity and Obedience
- Conflict and Cooperation

c) Attitudes and Social Influence
- Attitude Formation
- Attitude Change and Prejudice
- Persuasion

Unit List

I just need to figure out how to open the files:

http://college.cengage.com/psychology/brehm/social_psychology/4e/students/netlabs.html

(Files in above do not work - but good information is available here:

http://college.cengage.com/psychology/brehm/social_psychology/6e/instructors/mmresources/ch04.html)

Perception

http://www.pppst.com/psychology.html

Series of powerpoints useless as presentations but containing helpful information/examples

Textbook:  p78   and    p105-115  (115 #1,2,3)

Define the following terms:

Sensation:

Perception:

Threshold:

Difference Threshold:

Sensory Adaptation:

Signal-Detection Theory:

Gestalt:

Constancy:

Illusions:

Figure-Ground Perception:

What are the Gestalt Principles?
(Good explanation of hte Gestalt Principles)
http://graphicdesign.spokanefalls.edu/tutorials/process/gestaltprinciples/gestaltprinc.htm

Canadian artist who paints illusions:
www.robgonsalves.com/ArtistGallery.asp?artist_id=23&category_id=2

Motivation

BBC Article

Case A and B:

      Hand in a one page write up including the following elements:
          a) State the problem
          b) Solutions
          c) Rationale related to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, The video, and Theory X Theory Y
          d) Explain how the workers will change because of your solutions

Theory X and Theory Y http://www.netmba.com/mgmt/ob/motivation/mcgregor/

Video + Videos of Google office.

NEXT STEP:

Instinct Theory
Drive-Reduction Theory
Incentive Theory
Cognitive Theory
  - Extrinsic motivation
  - Intrinsic motivation

Overjustification Effect: When people are given more extrinsic motivation than necessary to perform a task, their intrinsic motivation declines.

ie If someone started paying you to read books, you might enjoy reading books less.

Dead Poet's Society?


TED Talk connected to work to live vs live to work and workplace productivity.

http://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work.html

Ambition

Discussion 'What is Ambition?'

    Claim that this is my psychology project.  Students are my subjects.

Brings up Maslow's hierarchy of needs

?  What are your ambitions ?
Be specific?

2011  - 2015?

Do you want to live here?
What kind of job will make you happy?

Why are some people 'more' motivated than others?

Try to tie in previous learning related to Social Conditioning and the Brain.