Psychology 20 - Social Perception: Social Activism Research project

Social Activism Research Project

Social perception is the study of how people form impressions of and make inferences about other people. We learn about others' feelings and emotions by picking up on information we gather from their physical appearance, and verbal and nonverbal communication. 

Activists are typically challengers to policies and practices, trying to achieve a social goal, not to obtain power themselves.

This assignment addresses the "dark side" of human thoughts that have propelled others throughout history to fight for civil rights, or to increase opportunity for all members of society.  By conducting research into the lives of one of the social activists below you will learn about negative social perceptions such as: stereotypes, biases, prejudice, discrimination, racism and many more. 

Purpose: To perform meaningful research on a historical social rights activist within a group. You                      will provide background, details, relevance, and significance to their cause. 

Requirements: 

               - Must use a minimum of four sources.

               - One source must be a text source (Book, journal article, print encyclopedia, etc.)

               - All projects must contain a properly sourced reference list.

               - All write ups are to be 12pt font, double spaced. 

Project Options:

1. Writing

     a) Children's Story Book

     b) Diary

          * minimum of 10 entries

          * Include major events

     c) Newspaper

     d) Script (movie or a play)

     e) Scrap book (labelled)

2. Visual - Must include a two page write up answering the four focus questions.

     a) Painting

     b) Poster/collage

     c) Simulation game

     d) Diorama

3. Video (3-5 minutes)

     a) Act, or use still photos 

     b) Must be historically accurate

     c) Provide a reference list at the end

4. Power Point Presentation (10 - 15 slides - must be printed out and handed in)

    a) Pictures

    b) Detailed descriptions 

    c) Reference List (last slide)

Groups - There will be a minimum of 2 and maximum of three students per group. 

Topics: Topics will be randomly drawn once groups are selected. 

             1. Rosa Parks - Alexis

             2. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. - Hoss

             3. Mahatma Gandhi - Jalayna

             4. Mother Theresa - Curyine

             5. Nelson Mandela - Karlee

             6. Russell Means - Teevahn

             7. Tommy Douglas

             8. Terry Fox - Serina and Brayden
             9. Claudette Colvin - Mikayla

Create 4 focus questions that will guide your research. Remember that the big picture is social change. These questions must be high end, thought provoking and grade level appropriate. 

Copy and paste the following into a word document.

Our focus questions are:

Question # 1:

Question #2:

Question #3:

Question #4:

Group Responsibilities

Topic:

Group Members:

Project type:

Group member #1 will do....

Group member #2 will do....

Group member #3 will do.....

Checklist

Did you...

• Pick a topic?  ____
• Develop four high level focus questions? ____
• Show Ms. Doyle your focus questions before researching? ____
• Use 5 sources, and use at least one text source? ____
• Cite your sources? ____
• Create a project? ____
• Answer all focus questions in your project? ____
• Include a 2 page write up if doing a visual project? ____
• Are you ready to present? ____