Mind Control
Nothing is so unbelievable that oratory cannot make it acceptable.
-Marcus Tullius Cicero
Linc website: www.deanza.edu/linc
Course Description
Welcome to our exciting learning community! Mind Control: Persuasion & Propaganda combines
the concepts covered in Psych 1 and Speech 10 by focusing on the topic
of persuasion and social influence. This class is
a hands-on practical class that provides an introduction to the theory,
basic principles, and methods of psychology and effective oral
communication.
We
believe that true learning only occurs when everyone is involved and
interested in the material presented. Our class will consist of a
combination of lectures, discussions, group activities, projects, and
speeches. Through constructive feedback, we will all have the
opportunity to teach and help each other. I encourage you to use
this course to explore and broaden your world view.
Spring 2009 Final Grades
Mind Control: Persuasion and Propaganda Green Sheet (in PDF format)
Philip Morris Smoking Article
How President Obama is using the science of change article
Interview Tips and Articles
Reading Notecard for pages 1-15 in reader due April 9th
(1) What is the authors' definition of persuasion?
(2) What are the key differences among coercion, propaganda and persuasion?
(3) Do you feel your entire education experience has been a form of persuasion? Why or why not?
Reading Notecard for pages 17-35 due April 14th
(1) Identify the components of attitudes.
(2) List the ways/tools/techniques in which scientists evaluate attitudes. Which method do you find the most effective?
Reading Notecard for pages 57-72 due April 15th
(1) How do the authors define theory and what do they claim is the prupose of theory?
(2) What are the five steps in conducting research to test theory?
Reading Notecard Perception article in reader due April 16th
(1) Define perceptual sets.
(2) Is there evidence for parapsychology? Explain your answer.
(3) Discuss how the placebo effect works using examples about subliminal stimulation.
Reading Notecard for pages 293-311 due April 20th
(1) How is ethics related to culture?
(2) Identify the key characteristics of the 7 ethical
perspectives discussed in the book [list each perspective and give its
key characteristic(s)].
Reading Notecard for pages 261-284 due April 21st
(1) What kinds of involvement are there and how do the different types affect persuasive outcomes?
(2) Why should a persuader analyze his/her audience? How should this be done?
(3) What are subliminal messages and are they effective?
Reading Notecard for pages 91-111 due April 28th
(1) How are balance, congruity and cognitive dissonance theories similar? How are they different?
Reading Notecard Listening article in reader due April 29th
(1) List the steps of Informational Listening. Give an example of your successful informational listening from your life.
Reading Notecard for pages 159-177
due May 4th
(1)
What is elaboration? What are the routes available for processing
persuasive messages? How are these routes different?
(2) What factors influence motivation to process and what factors influence ability to process?
Reading Notecard for pages 207-234
due May 5th
(1) How does a one-sided message differ from a two-sided message? Give and example of each.
(2) What are the four language features of powerless language? Give an example of powerless language from your life.
Reading Notecard for Self article in the reader Due May 7th
(1) How do the authors define self-concept? List two elements that are important in your self-concept.
(2) How do other people influence our self-concept?
Reading Notecard for pages 185-202
due May 11th
(1) What are the dimensions of source credibility? Describe an example of advertising where source credibility is used.
(2) What message variables and receiver factors affect credibility's role in persuasive success?
Reading Notecard for Juries article in the reader
(1) Discuss the accuracy of eyewitnesses. Are they
accurate? How does this affect your thinking about the legal
system?
(2) If you were arrested for a crime and were going to trial, what kind
of jury and instructions would you want (based on what you read)?
Describe the characterisics of the jury and the judges instructions
that would be most favorable to you.
Reading Notecard for Fast Food Nation Article article in the reader due May 27th
(1)
Describe the different types of techniques kids use to make requests or
appeals from their parents. Which do you think works best and why?
(2)
Identify at least three different techniques/strategies fast food
companies use to attract kids to come eat at their restaurants.
Reading Notecard for Groups article in the reader due June 3rd
(1) What is role differentiation and why is it important in groups?
(2) Describe what group formation by "punctuated equalibrium" is.
Reading Notecard for Propaganda article in the reader due 6/10
(1) What is the role of ideology in propaganda?.
(2) Define "resonance" and its importance in propaganda.
Reading Notecard for Toxic Leaders article in the reader due 6/11
(1) How do our early experiences with parents, teachers and clergy affect our relationships to our leaders?
(2) Comment on one of the "needs" the author mentions. Do you agree with it and why?
Using Numbers to Know Us
MC AssignmentsOutline form
Sample Victim of Persuasion
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