Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson. The academic subject for which the text must be created - Psychology. Content must be appropriat...
aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_typeGive a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subjectPsychology
What age groupCollege
What topicDefinitions of abnormality
Quantity1
Any other preferences

Lesson Introduction: Definitions of Abnormality in Psychology

Icebreaker Activity: "What Makes Us Normal?"

Objective: To engage students and prompt critical thinking regarding the concept of normality and abnormality in psychological terms.

Step 1: Thought-Provoking Questions

Start the lesson by posing the following questions to the class:

  1. "What does it mean to be 'normal'?"
  2. "Can you think of behaviours that you might consider abnormal? Why?"
  3. "In your opinion, is abnormality a universal concept or does it vary by culture?"

Step 2: Group Discussion

Divide the class into small groups of 4-5 students. Give them 10 minutes to discuss their thoughts on the questions. Encourage them to share personal anecdotes or cultural references that illustrate their views on normality and abnormality.

Step 3: Class Sharing

After group discussions, bring the class back together and ask each group to share one key point from their discussion. As they do, write their responses on the board. This will serve to visually catalogue varying perceptions of normality and abnormality, creating a rich tapestry of ideas for the class to reflect upon.

Step 4: Transition to Academic Content

After discussing various viewpoints, frame the conversation towards academic definitions by stating:

"Now that we have explored the subjective nature of normality and abnormality, we can delve into how psychology defines these concepts. Understanding these definitions is crucial for identifying and addressing psychological disorders in clinical settings."

Conclusion

This initial engagement sets the tone for the lesson, encouraging critical thinking and emphasising the complexity of the subject matter. The students will be more prepared to grasp the academic definitions of abnormality through the lens of their own perspectives that have just been shared.