Unit:   Language and Thought 

Teachers:  Owings (R)

Course:  Psychology 

Grades:  11th/12th

January 2nd – January 11th

 

Enduring Understandings:

 

Cognition is the study of thinking and problem solving.  It includes memory, which is your mind’s storehouse and the reservoir of your accumulated learning.  Cognition also explains the processes by which we detect, interpret, and process information. 

 

Essential Questions:

1.           What are the elements of thought and problem solving?

2.           What are the structural and developmental features of language?

3.           What are the links between thinking and language?

4.           Are there any obstacles in problem solving and decision-making?

 

Standards and Skills:

National Standards for the Teaching of High School Psychology

American Psychological Association

 

 

Standard Area: Thinking and Language

CONTENT STANDARD 1: Basic elements comprising thought

CONTENT STANDARD 2: Strategies and obstacles involved in problem solving and decision-making

CONTENT STANDARD 3: Structural features of language

CONTENT STANDARD 4: Theories and developmental stages of language acquisition

CONTENT STANDARD 5: Links between thinking and language

                        

 

Performance Assessment(s):

a.           Define thinking as a mental process involved in the manipulation and understanding of information.

b.           Recognize that information is classified into categories containing similar properties known as concepts

c.            Identify problem solving as a directed and productive example of thinking.

d.           Explain the use of creative thinking in problem solving.

e.           Analyze the obstacles that inhibit problem solving and decision-making.

f.             Define language as symbols and sounds that convey meaning and facilitate communication.

g.           Recognize that language is organized in a hierarchical structure.

h.           Discuss the effects of development on language acquisition.

i.              Evaluate the theories of language acquisition.

  1. Speculate on whether animals acquire and use language.
  2. Examine the influence of language on thought and behavior.

 

Formal Assessment(s):

Students will:

-               Quizzes: OE, CE, FCE

-               Unit Exam: OE, CE, FCE

-               Note cards/ notebooks: OE, CE, FCE

-               Hands-on Divergent thinking activities: OE, SI, AR, LA, AT, FCE

-               Demonstrations and analysis of language styles: OE, SI, AR, LA, AT, FCE

 

 

Instructional Lessons and Activities:

                        Method- Structure of Unit

-               Adolescent Development Chapter of various texts

-               Various supplemental readings

-               Lecture

-    Class discussions (raised by teacher or student interest)

-               Various videos to supplement lecture/ class

-               Activities

 

 

 

Meeting Different Needs:

                           

-               The unit provides several different methods by which to grade the student.

-               The unit allows students to take notes in whatever format fits them best

-               This unit allows many opportunities for visual learners

-               Extra help is available for anyone in need or merely interested

-               IFAT testing technique

 

Resources and Materials:

 

                        Articles from various publications                                         Internet resources

                        Discovering Psychology Video Series                              Memento Video

                        The Brain Video Series                                                                 Nell Video

Video Clips and DVD PPT                                                         Text support materials