Do Now 1/13/14

On a scale of 1-10 I can say that I'm a 5, after reading about multitasking. I'm not as good as I thought I was, most of the time when I'm doing more than one thing at the same time I tend to lose focus on a particular task.

Quick Write

My plan for my independent reading project is to ask them a few question's that I have stored for them, and once I asked them the questions I will explain to them about the 2 type of mind-sets we have and the differences. After that's done the class will then know what type of mind-sets they have and what are the differences of two mind sets are.

Questions: Harrison Bergeron

1. Describe the experiment that was designed to show whether distractions make us “dumber.” 

In the experiment, 136 subjects were asked to read a short passage and answer questions about it. There were three groups of subjects; one merely completed the test. The other two were told they “might be contacted for further instructions” at any moment via instant message
  
2. What were the results of the experiment?


Those who were warned of an interruption that never came improved by a whopping 43 percent, and even outperformed the control test takers who were left alone.

  
3. What is the possible explanation for the “On High Alert” group performing even better than the control group who was left alone?

There’s a simple explanation, participants learned from their experience, and their brains adapted. 




  4. Did you miss any important points in the article because someone or something distracted you? If so, do you believe it was because you are addicted to messaging or because you were robbed of brain power? Explain.

I was robbed of brain power, once people begin to speak to me or when outside conversations are going on, I tend to lose focus and instead focus on what's going on outside rather than inside.


 5. Based on "Brain, Interrupted", do you believe the United States Handicapper General in "Harrison Bergeron” made an effective use of distractions to create an equal society?  Explain. 

I feel like Harrison did make an effective use of the distractions to create an equal society, the use of the ear piece making noise was a very good way of demostrating distractions. 

Exogenous & Endogenous, Which one are you?

For me it's not as hard to control my impulses, because I've trained my mind to be at peace when I get the urge to want to act out of character. But it does tend to be a bit difficult when I'm in a stressful stage and I'm not trying to act out of character, I often dismiss myself from the position I'm in at that point. So I would say I'm endogenous, I think before I act upon things. Most of the time when I snap it's because I'm caused under a lot of stress and it makes it hard to think about the scenario I'm in.

Quick Write

The best advice I believe parents can give to their children on drugs, alcohol and other risky behaviors are to compare kids who do drugs and attend school and kids who don't do drugs and go to school. Kids who stay away from drugs at a early age have a better chance of having a good future, then kids who get introduced to drugs at a young age. I personally feel like the "Just say no" slogan may not work for the majority of teens in today's era. Teens now often believe they don't have to follow or listen to any rules especially from adults. Most teens go through a rebelous stage. My concern will be for the parent to let their teens take risk but also as a parent always remind them about the difference between taking the road down to drugs, and turning away from them.

Ted Talk Answers..

1. How does Ms. Balkmore define adolescence? How long does it last?                                   Ms. Blake more define adolescence as the period of life that starts at your bi logical hormone changes of puberty. It ends at the stage where the individual is stable and in a independent role in society (20's or 30's)
2. What is the significance of the prefrontal cortex? Which section is this on the diagram we viewed yesterday?                                                                                                                            It's located on the front of the brain behind the fore head, that specific section of the brain is in charge of abstract thinking and thought analysis, it's also responsible for regulating behavior. This includes mediating conflicting thoughts, making choices between right and wrong, and predicting the probable outcomes of actions or events
3.  What is synaptic pruning and what is the significance of the process?                                         Synaptic pruning is the beginning of the process where you begin to get your neurons.
4. What is the social brain?                                                                                                                The social brain is the network of brain regions that we use to understand other people and interact with them. 
5.  Explain the design and results of the experiment in which adolescents were compared to adults in seeing things from another person's perspective.                                                     
6.   It stated that adolescents are more active when they make social decisions and think about other people than it is in adults. Adults have more experience than adolescents, what is new for teens is old for adults.
7. Describe the difference between the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex in teenagers and adults.                                                                                                                                  Since adults have seen more in life their able to be inhibited in any situation they occur in. For teenagers it's a bit different because we're risk takers.
8. Do you see your own adolescence as a problem or an opportunity? Explain.                               I see it as an opportunity because it takes us through the different stages of life without going through our "teenage" problems and all the things teens seem to hate. We wouldn't know how to become responsible individuals.

Do Now:

• The Human Brain goes through distinct stages of development as it matures to childhood = 1
• The teenage brain is at a unique point in development = 2
•  Because of their brain development, teenager sometimes struggle with decision-making = 2

1.  What makes teenagers different?

Once you hit the stage of 13 your officially a teen. At that point teens are already aware of what goes on around them, you start coming to understandings and asking more questions about certain things that happen in your life. But what most teenagers don't realize, that most adults do is that your in control of your own destiny. Being an adult you becoming independent and realize what you need to do for yourself but as a teenager you become dependent or loss or out of place when ever you don't have that guidance you received when you were younger. A teenager being different has a lot to do with realizing things and being more aware of the things that are happening around you. It's a stage when you begin/learn to take charge.



  2. Should teenagers have the same rights as adults


 I believe that teenagers shouldn't have the same rights as adults because being a teenager you don't have the kind of mindset as an average adult, most teens mature at a young age and some take time. But also your only young for a short period of time and then you spend the rest of your life being an adult. You grow older not younger, it's always great to enjoy your childhood and the rest of your teen years while you have them before you turn step into the real world.