From: Kim Molinaro

Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 7:08 PM

To: Janice Thiel

Subject: Form Submission (Critical Thinking Activities & Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs))

Critical Thinking Activities & Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs)

Thank you for submitting your Critical Thinking Activity/RLO idea. Please forward this message and attach any supplemental files (e.g., Handouts, PowerPoints, etc.) to Thiel.Janice@SPCollege.edu

*1.

Title of Critical Thinking Activity/RLO:

Your Answer: Psychological Investigation Research Paper

*2.

Briefly describe or summarize the Activity/RLO:

Your Answer: Developing Intellectual Humility and Suspending Judgment In PSY 1012, I have students conduct a "psychological investigation" on a person with printed literature regarding his/her life. The first section requires them to objectively describe the person, noting the psychosocial factors that influenced their development. The second section requires students to identify their preconceived notions, biases, misinformation, sources of misinformation, and ways those preconceived notions challenged their objectivity. They also are required to identify the limitations to their objectivity and the limitations to their thoroughness as case study researchers.

*3.

Subject Area(s) - Select all that apply:

Your Answer: Social Science

*4.

What is(are) the Major Learning Outcome(s) addressed by this Activity/RLO (from course outline)?

Your Answer: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the major theories of psychology.

*5.

What is(are) the Course Objective(s) addressed by this Activity/RLO (stated in performance terms)?

Your Answer: Assessing the principles of the major theories, such as psychoanalytic, personality, humanistic, behavioral, cognitive and Gestalt. Comparing the major contributors and research supporting each theory. Judging the continued utility of classical theories to contemporary issues facing the field of psychology today.

*6.

Type of Activity/RLO - Select all that apply:

Your Answer: Individual

*7.

Time - How much time does it take to conduct this Activity/RLO?

Your Answer: Portion of One Class

*8.

List the materials that are necessary to conduct this Activity/RLO:

Your Answer: Library Online (PsychArticles; Biographical Index) Ability to cull out credible from unreliable resources. The majority of the work is completed out of class. Also, I recommend using Turnitin (through ANGEL) with this assignment.

*9.

Instructions - Give detailed step-by-step instructions on how to conduct this Activity/RLO:

Your Answer: Option B. Psychological Investigation Report Each student will be required to choose a "famous" person (either living or deceased) whose life has been written about in printed literature (biographies, autobiographies, etc.). If a tremendous amount has been written about the person you have chosen (for example: John F. Kennedy), then judge the material and choose the resources that may be the most accurate or objective reflection of the person's life. Try to choose literature that gives you the best "psychological history" of that person's life. Please submit the person's name that you have chosen to "psychologically explore" to the instructor. Your Psychological Investigation Report must be typed, preferably double-spaced, and will be divided into 4 sections. Psychological Investigation Report Instructions On the title page of the Psychological Investigation Report, include a word count for Section I, Section II, Section III, Section IV, and a total word count of all four sections. On the last page of your report, include a Reference Page. The reference page consists of bibliographic information for each book, article, or website you used in your report. Please include the author(s), year, title of book, city of the publication, and publisher. If you are referencing a journal, please include the author(s), year, title of article, journal, journal issue, and page numbers. If you are referencing a website, please include the web address and if relevant, please include the author(s), year, and title of the web publication. APA style is preferred; MLA style will also be accepted. Section 1: Description of (insert person's name whom you have chosen) – In this section, objectively describe the person you have chosen. Provide information about the person, such as: Where was he/she born and raised? What is his/her cultural background? How is he/she diverse (for example: race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, etc.)? How old is he/she? Describe his/her family. Describe his/her career. What is his/her personality? How did other people describe him/her? Overall, the goal of this section is to explain the key life experiences that contributed to his or her psychological development. The word count guideline for this section is 600 words. Section II: Analysis of (insert person's name whom you have chosen) – In this section, discuss your impressions, thoughts, and feelings about the person you have chosen. Did he/she meet your expectations and preconceived notions? Self-analysis is part of psychology; therefore, include in this section what you have learned about his/her life. Analyze your thoughts, feelings, and attitudes about him/her and why you were affected in that way. What personal assumptions, values, and perspectives did you have regarding the person you chose that were challenged during this investigation? Also, provide some insights into your own analysis of how the person you chose may have changed for the better or improved his/her life. The word count guideline for this section is 600 words. Section III: Integration of the Psychological Investigation of (insert person's name whom you have chosen) with Psychological Theory and Concepts – Choose three psychological concepts or theories presented in your text or presented during this course and apply them to analyze the results of your psychological investigation. The topic for each integration of concepts and theories should be specific [for example: if you write about Marilyn Monroe, you may want to apply how object relations theory (outlined in Chapter 11) explains her psychological conflict regarding her mother]. Avoid selecting concepts or theories that are too general, such as the psychodynamic approach. Also, please avoid re-stating the theory or defining the concept. Please see the instructor for assistance with this section if you need help. The word count guideline for this section is 600 words. Section IV: Reflection – Discuss any conclusions you may have about your experience conducting a psychological investigation. Was your experience worthwhile? What did you learn from this process? What would you do differently next time to improve the depth of your investigation? What (if any) missing information were you not able to uncover through your research? How did this experience change your perceptions, feelings, thoughts, and attitudes about not only the person you investigated, but also yourself? The word count guideline for this section is 200 words.

*10.

List Additional Resources, for example: Web address/URL, Handouts, PowerPoint, etc. Copy/Paste URLs here. Later, when you receive your confirmation message, forward any supplemental files to the QEP Director.

Your Answer: Directions are provided in Step 9.

*11.

SPC established as its definition of critical thinking: The active and systemic process of communication, problem solving, evaluation, analysis, synthesis, and reflection, both individually and in community, to foster understanding, support sound decision-making, and guide action.

Which aspect(s) of critical thinking does this Activity/RLO address? - Select all that apply:

Your Answer: Communication, Analysis, Synthesis, Reflection

*12.

How will this improve our students’ ability to think critically?

Your Answer: Section 1 of the paper highlights the Communication Performance Element. Section 2 focuses on the Analysis Performance Element. Also and to a lesser extent, Section 2 addresses the Evaluation Performance Element. Section 3 addresses the Synthesis Performance Element, and Section 4 is Reflection based.

*13.

Have you consulted the Activity/RLO Guidelines?

Your Answer: Yes

· Email:molinaro.kim@spcollege.edu

If you have any questions or comments about this form, please contact Janice Thiel at Thiel.Janice@SPCollege.edu or call (727) 341-3110