TEDEd Video Notes “How some friendships last — and others don’t” Before you start the video: What do you think this video is about? - New Vocabulary / Definitions Important Facts - After watching the video: What is the most surprising thing you learned from this video? TEDEd Respond Questions 1. What did the study about the steep hill find? a) People thought the hill was steeper when with a friend. b) People thought the hill was less steep when with a friend. c) People thought the hill was the same whether alone or with a friend. d) People thought the hill was easier when alone. 2. What is the “liking gap”? a) The space between two friends. b) The idea that people often like each other equally. c) The idea that people underestimate how much others like them. d) The gap between good and bad friends. 3. How can you feel more confident when meeting new people? a) Avoid talking to them. b) Expect that they will dislike you. c) Remember that people like you more than you think. d) Only talk to people you already know. 4. What are the two key features of deeper friendships? a) Talking and texting. b) Companionship and closeness. c) Playing and laughing. d) Sharing secrets and going to the same school. 5. Why is it important to talk about friendship problems? a) It makes the problem worse. b) It helps avoid the problem. c) It can help strengthen the friendship. d) It can make friends angry. TEDEd Discussion Questions 1. Why do you think being with a friend can make a hill feel less steep? 2. Have you ever felt nervous meeting new people? How did you feel afterward? 3. What makes someone a good friend? Can you give an example? 4. Why is it important to be kind when talking to friends about problems? 5. Can you think of a time when you made a new friend? How did you become friends? TEDEd Dictation Practice Watch the video again and fill-in the gaps. Word Bank: steep, friends, relationships, closeness, confidence, conversations, companionship, support, sharing, stress, challenges, belief, liking gap 00:00 - 00:33 In a 2008 study, psychologists asked participants to rate the steepness of a hill. Those who were accompanied by a good ________ judged the hill to be less steep than people who were alone. This is just one of many ways ________ can change how we see and move through the world. Friendships can boost our academic performance, help us deal with setbacks, and even improve our health. 00:33 - 00:53 And the ________ we form in our childhood and teenage years can shape our beliefs, values, and emotional growth. It's clear that friendships are important, but making and maintaining friends isn't always easy. Let's start at the beginning. If you struggle with approaching new people, you are far from alone. 00:53 - 01:18 In a series of studies, participants had ________ of varying lengths with strangers. Afterward, they were asked to estimate how much they thought each stranger liked them. Across the board, participants rated their own likability much lower than others had actually rated them. Scientists dubbed this tendency to underestimate how much others enjoy our company as the “________.” 01:18 - 01:43 So, before meeting new people, it may be helpful to psych yourself up and remember that others like you more than you think. You may even want to enter these conversations assuming that the other person will like you. Known as the “acceptance prophecy,” psychologists find that when people expect to be well-liked, they often unknowingly come across as warmer and friendlier. 02:15 - 02:36 Psychologists have identified two key features of more intimate friendships: ________ and ________. ________ is defined as the rapport or understanding that blooms between people with similar hobbies, interests, or values. Sometimes, just being in the same class or team is enough to build this connection. 02:36 - 02:58 And ________ has many benefits— it’s been shown to improve self-esteem and increase our resilience to ________. ________, on the other hand, looks different for every relationship. It might mean supporting each other through difficult times or feeling comfortable ________ your thoughts and feelings. 03:21 - 03:43 Yet even the closest friendships hit rough patches. This is especially true for teenage friendships, when people often navigate different types of ________ for the first time. For example, there might be a situation that puts two friends in competition—like applying to the same college. 04:09 - 04:37 The most surefire way to deal with rifts is to talk about them. These ________ can be tough and awkward. But if they’re approached in the right way, they can strengthen friendships in the long run. 04:37 - 04:45 And it’s never too late to make a new friend!
