Psychology Module
Important: Before starting this module, you must save the document to
your H:\drive and flash drive. Save your work in two separate drives!
Name:
Date Started:
Date Completed:
Required Work
Brief Description
Module pages
Value
4-8
/25
Assignment 1
Psychological Health
Assignment 2
Anger profile
9
/5
Assignment 3
Mental health and mental illness
10
/8
Assignment 4
Psychological disorders and treatments
11-17
/30
Assignment 5
Research a disorder thoroughly and
critique a movie that deals with the
disorder
18-19
/30
Assignment 6
Stroop test activity lab on sensation and
perception.
22-25
/20
TOTAL
FINAL
Value of overall Science mark:
/118
/100
x 0.16 =
Comments: ______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
1
Science IV - Psychology Module
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………………….……………………………..3
Psychological health……………………………………………………………….…..4
Anger Profile……………………………………………………………………….….9
Mental health and mental illness……………………………………………….…….10
Psychological Disorders…………………………………………………………….…11
Sensation/Perception………………………………………………………………….20
Stroop Task……………………………………………………………………………22
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
2
Introduction
In this Unit you will be introduced to the science of “Psychology”. Psychology is an
extremely diverse topic. We will be looking at two small segments of Psychology. One is
psychological wellness and some of the factors affecting the health of one’s mind. The
other is psychological disorders and their treatment. Although there are many exciting
and interesting areas of psychology, you will only focus on these two topics.
Instructions to the student
You should proceed through this unit in the suggested sequence. The activities will help
you gain a better understanding of a particular body of psychological knowledge. You
must complete each assignment fully and to the best of your ability. You will have to
consult different resources to get the information that you need to complete these
assignments.
Assessment Information
Refer to the cover page for the values of each assignment in this module and how they
add up.
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
3
Part 1 - Psychological Health
Learner outcome:
1) Identify the characteristics of emotional, mental and spiritual health by:
describing the relationship of needs, values, self-esteem, a sense of control, and
relationships to psychological health
Assignment #1 – Part 1 (25 points)
Psychological Health
As we will learn in the Physical Lifestyle Unit, our overall health is
affected by our psychological health. Each of us has experienced some
challenges to psychological wellness in our lifetime and how we deal with
these is as important as recognizing the signs. The important part of
understanding signs of mental distress is reaching out to get help when
needed. Read p. 46-65 in An Invitation to Health, Second Edition and
answer the following questions.
Part 1
1.a. Define in your own words (1 point each):
Emotional health –
Mental health –
Spiritual health –
1.b. Describe how each of the above are related to each other. (2 points)
2.a. Describe how self esteem affects psychological wellness. (2 points)
2.b. Suggest three ways we can increase our self esteem. (3 points)
3.a. Define altruism.(1 point)
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
4
3.b. How does altruism enhance our psychological wellness? (1 point)
4. Answer the Critical Thinking questions 2 and 3 only on p. 68. (2 points each)
2.
3.
Assignment #1 – Part 2
1) Self-efficacy is described as feeling in control of our own lives with a belief that we
can make a difference. Use the following questionnaire to determine the level of selfefficacy you currently feel you demonstrate in your daily life. This is not a test and
you do not have to share your score. The value in this process to know yourself better.
Then answer the following two questions.
Rating 1 = Not at all true 2 = Hardly true 3 = Moderately true 4 = Exactly true
I can always manage to solve difficult problems if I try hard enough.
If someone opposes me, I can find the means and ways to get what I want.
It is easy for me to stick to my aims and accomplish my goals.
I am confident that I could deal efficiently with unexpected events.
Thanks to my resourcefulness, I know how to handle unforeseen situations.
I can solve most problems if I invest the necessary effort.
I can remain calm when facing difficulties because I can rely on my coping abilities.
When I am confronted with a problem, I can usually find several solutions.
If I am in trouble, I can usually think of a solution.
I can usually handle whatever comes my way.
The level to which you believe you can change or affect situations that arise in your
daily life is known as self-efficacy. Perceived self-efficacy facilitates goal-setting, effort
investment, persistence in face of barriers and recovery from setbacks. From this
short questionnaire you can determine your level of self-efficacy in a very general
Summary sense. The value of this quiz is to know yourself better and begin to recognize how
and why you approach life situations in the manner you do. For example; those with a
high score may be able to quit a long time habit easier than those with a low score.
This tool does not help you quit the habit but it helps you recognize that you need
more or less help in the process than others. It can assist you in understanding
yourself better which is the first step to personal growth.
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
5
1.a. What does this tell you about how you assert yourself in difficult situations? (2
points)
2.b. What things can you do to be more affective in these instances? (2 points)
2.a. Use the following chart to give an example of positive methods of asserting yourself
and negative methods. You can use the Strategies for Change chart on p. 52 of An
Invitation to Health to help you formulate your answers. The first situation is done for
you. (3 points)
Situation
Example: Your friend has
told a joke that is
inappropriate for the group
of people you are in.
You are in class and
learning a new concept that
you are finding difficult.
Positive response
I felt uncomfortable when
you told that joke in front of
my parents.
Negative response
You always have to show
off and make people
uncomfortable when we are
in a group.
You have received a grade
on a test that you feel is
unfair.
Your child has broken your
favorite ornament while
playing ball inside the
house after being asked to
play outside.
General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE)
http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/~health/engscal.htm
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
6
2.b. Discussion question:
Think back to a time when you may have been placed in a similar situation. How would
you feel if the person had responded with the negative statement? Positive? (2 points)
For more information on how to enhance your self-efficacy, check out:
http://www.about-personal-growth.com/self-efficacy.html
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
7
Assignment #2 – 5 points
Anger Profile
There are a variety of online tests for examining one’s anger profile. Try these two tests
and answer the questions that follow.
Mental Help Anger Management Quiz at
http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=3396&cn=116
Discovery Health Anger Test Abridged at
http://discoveryhealth.queendom.com/anger_abridged_access.html
Questions:
1) Did they report similar findings? Briefly compare each. (3 points)
2) Do you feel any of these tests accurately reflect your ability to control your anger?
Why or why not? (2 points)
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
8
Assignment #3 – 8 points
Learner Outcome:
2) Identify the characteristics of emotional, mental and spiritual health by:
explaining the differences between mental health and mental illness, and list
some of the effects of mental illness on physical health.
Part 2
Mental health and mental illness
Read information from Health Canada found at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hlvs/mental/index-eng.php and at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/diseasesmaladies/mental-eng.php and answer the following questions.
a) What is mental health? Answer in your own words. (2 points)
b) What is mental illness? Answer in your own words. (2 points)
c) i. What percentage of the Canadian population is expected to experience a mental
illness in their lifetime? (1 point)
ii. What was the estimated cost of mental illness in Canada in 1993? (1 point)
d) Mental health problems can increase the chance of developing physical health
problems. Name four of these related physical health problems. (2 points)
1.
2.
3.
4.
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
9
Part 2 - Psychological Disorders
Learner Outcome:
Construct a definition for disordered behavior and distinguish among common
psychological disorders (personality disorders, anxiety-based disorders, mood
disorders, psychotic disorders).
a) Identify indicators of psychological distress.
b) Describe the treatment options available for those with psychological
problems.
Psychological Disorders
SUMMARY
Mental illnesses are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior (or some
combination thereof) associated with significant distress and impaired functioning. The
symptoms of mental illness vary from mild to severe, depending on the type of mental
illness, the individual, the family and the socio-economic environment.
A health problem of the scope and importance of mental illness requires a comprehensive
surveillance system to monitor progress in achieving policy and program goals. A
workshop held in September, 1999, co-sponsored by Health Canada and the Canadian
Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH), developed a comprehensive
indicator framework for a Mental Illnesses and Mental Health Surveillance System. This
report responds to the recommendations from the workshop to collate existing data in
order to begin the process of creating a picture of mental illnesses in Canada.
For more information you can check the following website:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/miic-mmac/index-eng.php
Used with permission from: Health Canada. A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada. Ottawa, Canada 2002
© Health Canada Editorial Board Mental Illnesses in Canada
Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data ISBN H39-643/2002E
Cat. No. 0-662-32817-5
Most of us have experienced times of sadness, depression, or despair
in our lifetimes. These experiences usually last for a relatively short
period and afterward we resume our daily lives somewhat wiser and
perhaps a bit more warily. When we study the following section on
disorders we will no doubt find little bits of ourselves in many of
these descriptions. This does not mean that you have a disorder or that
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
10
you are not “normal”. To experience these feelings only goes to prove that we are human
and we do have the capacity to feel and express our emotions in a healthy manner. The
point where a bad day or two becomes a disorder is when one cannot function in daily life
in a socially acceptable manner. This is the point when one should seek help from a
professional.
Mental illnesses are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood or behavior (or some
combination thereof) associated with significant distress and impaired functioning over
an extended period of time. The symptoms of mental illness vary from mild to severe,
depending on the type of mental illness, the individual, the family and the socioeconomic environment.
Health Canada. A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada. Ottawa, Canada 2002
Assignment 4 – 30 points
Psychological disorders and treatments
A) Define each of the following disorders in your own words. (20 points)
The following websites and books can assist you in your research. Cite the source(s)
you choose at the end of the assignment. You may use other reliable sources as well.
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/miic-mmac/index-eng.php
http://counsellingresource.com/quizzes/index.html
‘An Invitation to Health’ or any Introduction to Psychology text available.
1. What is psychological distress?
2. Describe the following disorders:
a. Anxiety disorders:
i. Panic disorder:
ii. Phobic disorders:
iii. Generalized anxiety disorder:
iv. Obsessive compulsive disorder:
v. Post-traumatic stress disorder:
b.
Somatoform disorder:
i. Hypochondriasis:
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
11
c.
d.
e.
f.
Dissociative disorders:
i. Dissociative amnesia:
Mood disorders:
i. Depression:
ii. Bipolar disorder:
Schizophrenia:
Personality Disorders:
i. Borderline personality disorder:
g. Substance related disorders:
Source(s) used (2 points):
__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
B) There are many types of therapists available to assist when needed. List five types
and briefly describe each. (5 points)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
C) There are also many types of treatments available. List five treatment options and
give a brief example of each. (5 points)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
12
Assignment 5
Detailed Analysis of a Condition
PART A
Choose a disorder from the previous worksheet or from the list on the next page that is of
particular interest to you. Study it in detail. Read about it and prepare a 1 page report.
Be sure to obtain the following information about the condition and any other information
you find interesting (address these in essay form):
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
What are the symptoms of this condition?
How is it diagnosed?
Are you born with it?
Is it acquired? How?
How does it affect everyday life?
Are there different degrees of severity of this disorder?
What is the typical treatment? – medication, therapy, institution etc.
Extra research on something else you found interesting about the disorder
PART B
1.
Select a movie that is about the condition you studied, or another one approved by
your teacher. Watch the movie while observing how it portrays this condition. Before
you watch the movie, make sure PART A is complete first.
2.
Prepare one page critique of the portrayal of the disorder in the movie. Base the
critique on your research of the disorder. In your critique, you will address the points
below (address these in essay form):
•
•
•
•
•
Give a BRIEF outline of the story line (no more than 5 sentences).
Which symptoms did you notice?
Was it being treated?
How did the person cope with the disorder?
Based on your research was the portrayal of the disorder realistic? Why/Why not?
Be sure to consult the rubric found at the end of this module to clarify what is expected of
you and how you will be marked on this assignment.
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
13
Movie List for Assignment 5
Substance-related disorders:
•
28 Days (Sandra Bullock)
•
Trainspotting (Ewan McGregor)
•
Rush (Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jason Patric)
Schizophrenia:
•
A Beautiful Mind (Russell Crowe)
•
The Soloist (Jamie Foxx)
Personality Disorders:
•
Fight Club (Brad Pitt)
•
Me Myself and Irene (Jim Carrey, Renee Zellweger)
Anxiety Disorders:
•
As good as it gets (Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt)
•
What about Bob? (Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss)
•
Analyze This (Robert De Niro, Billy Crystal)
Hypocondriasis
•
Joe versus the Volcano (Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan)
Mood Disorders
•
Mad Love (Drew Barrymore, Chris O'Donnell)
Other:
•
Rain Man (Tom Cruise, Dustin Hoffman)
•
Girl Interrupted (Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Whoopie Goldberg)
•
Reign Over Me (Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle)
•
Shutter Island (Leonardo diCaprio)
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
14
Sensation and Perception
“Sensation” is the process by which we detect the world around us. There are receptor
cells in our eyes, ears, skin, mouth and nose that send nerve impulses to our brain. When
triggered by a stimulus, the process allows us to see, hear touch taste and smell.
“Perception” is the psychological interpretation of these nerve impulses. It is the process,
by which our brain gives our sensations meaning. For example, when you eat a cookie
your taste buds sense a sweet taste. It is your perception which determines it’s a good
taste.
There are differences in the sensory and perceptual abilities of different species. For
example, dogs hear much higher pitched sound than can be detected by the human ear.
This is why a dog will react to a dog whistle, a sound a human cannot detect. There are
also differences in the sensory and perceptual abilities of members of the same species.
For example, people have been shown to vary in their ability to taste bitter food.
It is almost impossible to distinguish between sensation and perception in everyday life
because the brain automatically perceives or interprets sensations when they are received.
However, the expectations or beliefs an individual brings to a situation from previous
experiences and knowledge can influence perceptual interpretation.
Figure 1
Look at this figure. What do you see? Most people tend to see two triangles when they
look at this figure instead of the lines and shapes that are actually drawn. This is because
they are using the information of the familiar shape of a triangle.
Perceptions are therefore interactions between your sensory system and your beliefs and
expectations. Check out this website and see if you can spot the fake smile.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/surveys/smiles/index.shtml
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
15
A “Stimulus” is Something That Causes a Reaction
There is a level of stimulation above which you will always detect a stimulus, and below
which you will never detect it. The minimum stimulus required to sense is called a
sensory threshold.
TRY THIS: Close your eyes. Have a friend touch your hand with a single thread. Did
you feel anything? Now take a group of 10 pieces of thread and repeat the same
experiment. Did you feel anything this time?
Sensory thresholds vary with the conditions surrounding the sensory experience. A
competing stimulus such as the existence of background noise at a party increases the
level of stimulation required for it to be detected. A whisper in a quiet room may be
audible, but in a crowded room cannot be heard. Emotion also influences the sensory
threshold. For example, someone who is stressed may react differently to a stimulus than
they would if they were relaxed. Many other variables have the same effect on sensory
threshold.
Is What You See Really There?
When our perception is applied in unusual circumstances, it may give rise to a
“perceptual illusion”. Perceptions will differ from the true characteristics of an object.
This is due to our senses picking up information around the object that gives a false
reference.
Look at figure 2. Which vertical line is
longer? Although it may seem as though the
line on the right is longer, the two lines are
actually the same lengths.
The arrow
markings cause you to perceive that they are
different lengths, but it is not so.
Illusions have practical implications as well.
For example, if you drive a constant speed
over evenly spaced lines on a highway, you
will get used to the amount of time it takes to
get from one line to the next one. If the lines
are then spaced closer together, you will
begin to think you are driving faster even
though you are not. This is often used on
highways approaching tollbooths to get
motorists to slow down.
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
Figure 2
16
Assignment 6 - STROOP TASK:
A TEST OF CAPACITY TO DIRECT ATTENTION
Step 1 – Here you will perform an experiment on yourself. The Stroop effect or test was
developed by John Ridley Stroop in 1935. First, he tested subjects on how quickly they
could read the names of colours when the
word was coloured the same as the name
colour. Then he took some colour names and
coloured them differently than the actual
names of the colours (see figure on the right).
He calculated the time for each test and
compared them.
Retrieved from http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/words.html#seffect
June 10, 2011
1.
Before doing any research, state what you think the results of his tests were (2
points).
Step 2 – Do the Stroop test!
2.
First, make your hypothesis for this experiment. Your hypothesis should be a
prediction of what will happen when you do the two trials. Remember to include and
highlight the independent and dependent variables in your hypothesis.
Your Hypothesis (3 points):
a. Ask your teacher for the paper handout showing the words that are the names of
colours.
b. Read each word out loud in a crosswise manner as quickly as you can while ignoring
their colours. Time yourself (or have a partner time you).
Record your time in seconds:
seconds
c. Next state the colour of the word. The actual words are printed in a colour of ink
different from the colour name they represent. Here you need to ignore reading the word
and just say the colour you see.
Record your time in seconds:
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
seconds
17
3.
Did your reaction times differ between the two tests? If so, how did they differ? (2
points)
Step 3 – Now, read the Introduction and the Neurophysiology sections on the Stroop
effect at the following website and answer the questions that follow.
http://snre.umich.edu/eplab/demos/st0/stroopdesc.html
4.
Research what attentional fatigue is and define it in your own words. (2 points)
5.
How do you think the brain handles "mixed messages"? (2 points)
Step 4 – Answer the following questions:
6. Was your hypothesis correct? (1 point)
7. Do you think that practicing will improve your speed in identifying colours? Why or
why not? (2 points)
8. How do you think that turning the chart upside down would affect the results? (1 point)
9. Try flipping the chart upside down and do the test again. Record your times below. (3
points)
Record your time in seconds:
seconds
Record your time in seconds:
seconds
10. Are your results different from the first trial?
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
18
11. State one reason for these results.
Step 5 – Watch the PBS-Scientific American Frontiers video segment titled ‘Tough
Choices’ from the episode, Make Up Your Mind, found at the following website,
http://vsx.onstreammedia.com/vsx/pbssaf/search/search?query74=Make%20Up%20Your%20Mind
&query_field74=vlabel_EpisodeTitle&query_op74=must_contain&pageSize=999&search_type=VIR
_CAT_CLIP&query75=Public&query_field75=clabel_Access&query_op75=must_contain
*Important Use Google Chrome as your browser.
12. What part of the brain does the video identify as being mainly responsible for making
those moral decisions or tough choices? (1 point)
13. Give one example from the video of a ‘tough choice’ that involves using this part of
the brain. (1 point)
SCIENCE IV - PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 2011
19
Assignment 5 - Marking Scheme (Rubric)
To the Student: When working on assignment 6, you should use this rubric to evaluate your work as you progress through the
assignment. An honest self-assessment will help you critically examine your work prior to submitting the final product for marking.
Select the appropriate number based on the extent to which you have:
PART A:
Each question has been addressed and answered correctly
Extra research has been done on the disorder
Structured your report well, including introduction, analysis and conclusion.
Maintained the appropriate length.
Cited at least two quality references.
PART B:
Outlined the story in a clear and concise manner.
Discussed observed symptoms and treatment.
Commented on the accuracy of the portrayal of the disorder.
Addressed the other questions correctly
Structured your report well, including introduction, analysis and conclusion.
Total mark (max. = 30)
Instructor
Student
Evaluation:
Evaluation:
 x2




 x2














Comments:
SCIENCE IV PSYCHOLOGY
Revised June 10, 2011
20