Smartphones: Let's think critically!

Several people recommended this Atlantic article by Jean Twenge to me recently (link below). The author makes a compelling, and frightening, argument about the impact of smartphones on our students.

Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation? 

Psychologist Sara Rose Cavanagh wrote a response in Psychology Today, arguing that Twenge doesn't have evidence to back up her claims in the Atlantic article:

No, Smartphones are NOT Destroying a Generation

Psychology teachers might be able to use these two articles as part of a useful critical thinking lesson: what can we "know" based on a lot of correlational evidence? What can't we know? What conclusions should we draw about important issues when all we can get is correlational evidence?


posted by Rob McEntarffer

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Radio West:  The Hidden Brain        

Hello Everyone!

Radio West is a program produced by KUER (our local NPR affiliate) that delves into many topics that help the public understand how the world works.  The host, Doug Fabrizio, does an excellent job interviewing interesting characters and delving into topics relevant to the teaching of Psychology.  Check out this interview with NPR's Shankar Vedantam who is the host of the podcast the Hidden Brain.  In this program, the conversation centers on how our behavior is oftentimes influenced by unconscious forces. You'll be hooked!


http://radiowest.kuer.org/post/hidden-brain-0


Best!


Kristin Whitlock

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UTOPSS Fall Conference

The UTAH-Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools Fall Conference is just around the corner!  We have a FABULOUS line-up of guests!

Friday, September 29, 2017

8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Westminster College, Salt Lake City Utah

Presentations:

*Tiffany Karns, Rowlett High School, Rowlett TX

“It’s Not Just What We Teach, But Also Who We Teach

Making it Personal: Adverse Childhood Experiences and Brain Development”

 

*Dr. Susan Manville, Westminster College

"Teaching At The Intersection of Psychology & Health"

*APA Summit on High School Psychology Education: Exciting directions for Introductory Psychology

Julie Gowans, Payson High School

Annette Nielsen, Woods Cross High School

Tomee Pace, Mountain High School

Dan Rozanas, Alta High School

Kristin Whitlock, Davis High School

*Participant Idea Share

*Break-out sessions

AP Psychology: Jonathan Lungreen (Tooele High School)

Introductory Psychology: Erik Bayles (Utah Valley University & Pleasant Grove High School)

Sports Psychology: Bart Thompson (Salem Hills High School)

Registration is $50.00 and is due September 22, 2017

Go to: 

https://www.westminstercollege.edu/about/academic-schools/undergraduate-schools/school-of-arts-and-sciences/psychology-department/utopss-conference#0

I hope you can join us!

Kristin Whitlock

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. address, APA convention, 1967

Did you know that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addressed the APA convention in 1967? I didn't! This blog post about his talk might be a very useful (and timely) post to use with your students.

Answering MLK Jr.’s Wake-Up Call

Here is the full text of his speech at the APA convention:

King's challenge to the nation's social scientists

posted by Rob McEntarffer

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