This document outlines how to integrate psychology topics into a 10th grade science curriculum. It suggests covering perception and attention in the first semester by discussing factors that influence visual perception and experiments on divided attention. Practicals include a Stroop test and measuring the effects of divided attention on reaction time. The second semester could include medical science topics and positive psychology. Positive psychology tasks have students analyze surveys, construct their own, identify personal virtues, write gratitude letters, and examine thinking styles. A practical on deep breathing and stress is also proposed. The goal is to introduce students to psychology as a science and engage them in topics to potentially pursue in 11th grade.
3. Why? Introduces Psychology as a science To engage students to choose Psychology in year 11 Gives students theopportunity to do a scaled down investigation.
4. Where? How to fit psychology into a crowded year 10 curriculum? 1st Semester topics: Biology: Genetics Chemistry: Fuels Physics: Road Science
15. Attention Definition Attention is the cognitive process of selectively concentrating on one aspect of the environment while ignoring other things. Related Concepts: Alertness Concentration Selectivity Year 10 MYP Science
16. Divided Attention -the ability to divide our attentional processing between more than one task. Dual task experiments Get people to perform multiple tasks and look at the effects on performance Performance suffers, this shows limitations and nature of the human information-processing system Year 10 MYP Science
18. Attention while driving List all the things you may need to attend to while driving in a car. Describe 3 things that may enhance your focus while driving Year 10 MYP Science
19. Dual Task Performance Divided attention is difficult when: Tasks are similar Tasks are difficult When both tasks require conscious attention Divided attention is easier when: Tasks are dissimilar Tasks are simple When at least one of the tasks does not require conscious attention Tasks are practiced Year 10 MYP Science
20. Different Processes Some tasks are easier to perform than others and don’t seem to affect attention Especially tasks that are well practiced Other tasks are tedious and require our conscious attention (white line fever) Year 10 MYP Science
21. Cuing Attention Give people a cue where a target will appear in the visual field Manipulate the kind of cue Valid Cue Neutral Cue Invalid Cue How does cue affect performance? Year 10 MYP Science
22. Cues while driving Turn signals Road markings Road signs Cars Instruments Year 10 MYP Science
26. 2nd Semester Subject Medical Science Topics include Biomedical Devices Cardiovascular Medicine Skeletal Medicine Life Support, Pulmonary System Non-invasive and Minimally Invasive Techniques
28. Major Concept The mind can strongly affect physical health and by understanding how we can influence our thought processes we can improve our physical and mental health.
29. Tasks in Positive Psychology Students apply the scientific method to psychology investigations. critically analyse a survey construct their own survey. take a survey to determine their Personal Character Virtues. write a gratitude letter. examine unhelpful thinking styles.
