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The Psych Files: 5 Reasons Why You’re Addicted to Your Phone and What To Do About It
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Activity Website:
Activity Description
The “Psych Files” provides information about human behavior and is of special interest to anyone studying psychology. In this activity, students listen to a podcast by Michael Britt titled “5 Reasons Why You’re Addicted to Your Phone and What To Do About It” in which he gives reasons drawn from psychological theories on how we learn. Students are then asked to share their thoughts about cell phone usage and what rules they would implement to help control their teenager’s use.
Preparation
- Check to be sure the site is not blocked at your school and that your speakers are loud enough to be heard by all students.
- Preview the podcast and handout.
- Jot down a few questions to help start the discussion.
- Download and make copies of the handout. See the link above.
How-To
- Start with a discussion of addiction. Give a definition of addiction and ask if you can be addicted to your phone.
- Introduce the podcast and then play it.
- Ask students for their response to the podcast. Use your discussion questions to expand the discussion.
- Pass out the handout and go over the psychological theories presented.
- Ask students to share their thoughts about cell phone usage in an essay and what rules they would implement to help control their teenager’s phone usage. Be sure to give students time to brainstorm and develop their essays.
- Share some of their ideas in a concluding discussion.
More Ways
You can also follow up with another podcast by Michael Britt titled, "Ep 260: We’re All Addicted To Our Phones. How You Can Feel Better About It" .. He covers a few more points that he was not able to cover in the first podcast.
Program Areas
- ASE: High School Diploma
- ABE: Adult Basic Education
- ASE: High School Equivalency Preparation
Levels
- All Levels
Lesson Plan
Warm-up
- Objective: Introduce the concept of addiction and stimulate initial thoughts on phone addiction.
- Activity: Begin with a class discussion on addiction. Define addiction and ask students if they believe it’s possible to be addicted to their phones. Have students share their initial thoughts in small groups.
Introduction
- Objective: Set the stage for the podcast and provide context on the topic.
- Activity: Introduce the podcast by Michael Britt, “5 Reasons Why You’re Addicted to Your Phone and What To Do About It.” Explain that the podcast explores psychological theories related to phone addiction.
Presentation
Engagement
Enhancement
- Objective: Present the podcast to the students.
- Activity: Play the podcast for the class. Ensure the volume is adequate for all students to hear clearly.
- Handout: Divide the class into small groups and pass out the handout.
Give students time to read and discuss the handout.
Practice
Engagement
- Objective: Encourage students to engage with and reflect on the podcast content.
- Activity: After listening, facilitate a discussion using prepared questions to delve deeper into the topic.
Distribute the handout that outlines the psychological theories discussed in the podcast. Review the key points together.
Practice Activity:
- Objective: Apply the knowledge gained from the podcast and discussion to a practical task.
- Activity: Have students write an essay sharing their thoughts about cell phone usage. Instruct them to include rules they would implement to control their teenager’s phone usage. Allow time for brainstorming and drafting their essays
Evaluation
Enhancement
Extension
- Objective: Assess students’ understanding and ability to articulate their thoughts on phone addiction.
- Activity: Conduct a concluding discussion where students share their essay ideas. Encourage students to provide feedback on each other’s suggestions.
Application
Extension
- Objective: Extend the learning experience and reinforce the concepts.
- Activity: Suggest listening to another podcast by Michael Britt, “Ep 260: We’re All Addicted To Our Phones. How You Can Feel Better About It,” which covers additional points on phone addiction. In small groups, discuss new insights gained from this follow-up podcast.
Documents
- Why You Can't Put Down Your Cell Phone - Handout
- Addicted to Your Phone.png - The Psych Files: Addicted to Your Phone
- 5 Reasons Why You're Addicted to Your Phone and What to Do About it.png - Screenshot of the Psych Files lesson on 5 Reasons Why You're Addicted to Your Phone and What to Do About it
Subjects
- Social Studies
- Psychology
Standards
- Reading
- CCR Anchor 7 - Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
- CCR Anchor 8 - Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.
- Speaking and Listening
- CCR Anchor 3 - Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric.
Tags
psych files, psychology, reinforcement, teenage, teenage brain, variable reinforcement, cell phones, essay
Creative Commons License
CC BY-NC:This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.