700234 USS Week 6

Understanding Psychology - Lecture Worksheet

Activity 1: Putting Shyness in Perspective

In pairs, answer the following questions:

1. How might a shy person feel emotionally around strangers (e.g. excited, curious)?
Shy, Nervous, Anxious, Alienated, (Excluded/Disliked), Different, “social battery” drains at
a higher rate.

2. How might a shy person behave around strangers (e.g. eye contact, body language)?
Not making eye contact, closed-off body language (arms folded, body turned away at angle),
shuffling feet, fidgeting, nervous tics, Seeking out familiarity.

3. What physical symptoms might a shy person experience when speaking with strangers
(e.g. heart rate)?
Sweating, Increased heart rate, dilation/constriction, in extreme cases lightheadedness,
panic/anxiety attacks or nausea,

Activity 2: Describe Yourself

During the lecture in pairs, you will each take four minutes in turns to describe yourself in
terms of how shy you are (or not). For example, do you consider yourself shy, have you
changed in this regard while growing up, are there situations where you have been shy or
surprised yourself with your confidence, etc.? If preferred, you may tell the listener about
someone you know well, rather than talk about yourself. You can describe your experiences
of shyness by adding points below.

VERY IMPORTANT: The listener must convey his/her understanding by nodding

and using affirmations but is not allowed to ask questions or share any of their own
experiences until it is their turn. The significance of this listening activity will be explained at
the end of your discussions on your own experiences of shyness.
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Activity 3: Sociocultural Perspective - Greeting People

In groups of 2 or 3, explain the correct way of greeting people in various settings (family,
workplace, shops, friends) in any cultural group you are familiar with. Record some notes on
the style of greeting below:
Family- Warmth, affection, familiarity Distant Family- Warmth, respect, familiarity
Workplace- Professionalism, smalltalk, can depend on the relationship with the colleague
Shops/ Restaurants- Politeness, smalltalk, patience Friends- Big variance
Teachers- Formal Ettiquite

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Activity 4: Definition of Seven Psychology Perspectives and Public Speaking

Define the seven modern psychology perspectives and guess how each perspective would
explain the fear of public speaking.

The Psychodynamic Perspective is ______________________________________________

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The Psychodynamic Perspective would explain the fear of public speaking as:

The Behavioural Perspective is _________________________________________________

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The Behavioural Perspective would explain the fear of public speaking as:

The Humanistic Perspective is __________________________________________________

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The Humanistic Perspective would explain the fear of public speaking as:

The Cognitive Perspective is ___________________________________________________

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The Cognitive Perspective would explain the fear of public speaking as:

The Biological Perspective is ___________________________________________________

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The Biological Perspective would explain the fear of public speaking as:

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The Evolutionary Perspective is _________________________________________________
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The Evolutionary Perspective would explain the fear of public speaking as:

The Sociocultural Perspective is ________________________________________________

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The Sociocultural Perspective would explain the fear of public speaking as:

Activity 5: Biopsychosocial Model

Briefly explain the three levels of the Biopsychosocial Model and provide an example for
each level.

Biological: _________________________________________________________________
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Example: ___________________________________________________________________

Psychological: ______________________________________________________________
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Example: ___________________________________________________________________

Social/Environmental: ________________________________________________________
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Example: ___________________________________________________________________