Tag: Psychology

Why Do We Cringe?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Now more than ever, we feel the urge to cringe, especially about things we see online. It could be a verb, noun, and an adjective which means recoil of embarrassment or shrink. We cringe because we witness something funny or pleasurable or something disgusting or awkward.

Watch the video below about the cringe theory, empathetic embarrassment, why we cringe, etc.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What makes you cringe? Share a moment when you feel embarrassed or awkward or something hilarious that you cried your heart out due to fondness.
  2. Why do we cringe more recently?
  3. Do you tend to cringe more if someone close to you or someone you do not personally know did something embarrassing? Why do you think that is?
  4. Have you ever made someone cringe? Share your story.
  5. Is cringing bad or good or could be an insult? Explain.
  6. How do you deal with a cringey/cringe-worthy person or situation?

Why We Shouldn’t Be Afraid of Nightmares

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Did you know that most people dream 3-6 times per night? Dreaming is one of the most mysterious aspects of sleep. They can be fun, romantic, disturbing, frightening, and sometimes bizarre.

A nightmare is a bad dream. It’s normal to have a nightmare fom time to time. However, for some people, they recur frequently disrupting sleep and negatively impacting their waking life as well.

Read the article below to know why we shouldn’t be afraid of nightmares.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210330-why-we-shouldnt-be-afraid-of-nightmares

Discussion Questions:

  1. How often do you remember your dreams?
  2. Have you ever had the same dream many times? Was it a good one or a bad one?
  3. Have you ever woken up screaming in the middle of the night because nightmares?
  4. What is the worst nightmare you have ever had? Were you able to go back to sleep?
  5. Do you think that we can learn anything from our dreams? Some people claim that we can learn things about the future from dreams. What do you think about this idea?
  6. How can you help stop nightmares and get better sleep?

Teen Angst

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many, if not all, do have some issues dealing with teenagers. When we go through puberty, we have some sort of mixed and very complicated emotions or mood swings. It is very hard to figure out where it comes from. Most of the times, you could be so happy and in just a matter of second, you instantly get crabby.

Watch the video below and learn more about teen angst.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is teen angst?
  2. What are the causes of such complicated emotion?
  3. Did it happen to you? Share your experience.
  4. What was your teenage years like?
  5. If you are someone who deals with teens, how do you cope with teen angst?

Why We Procrastinate On the Tiniest of Tasks

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Etymologically, “procrastination” is derived from the Latin verb procrastinare — to put off until tomorrow. Procrastination is a challenge we all have faced at one point or another.

For as long as humans have been around, we have been struggling with delaying, avoiding, and procrastinating on issues that mean little or matter greatly to us alike.

Let’s read the article below to find out why we procrastinate even on the most simple tasks and explore strategies for managing and prioritizing our tasks more effectively.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210310-why-we-procrastinate-on-the-tiniest-of-tasks

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do people procrastinate?
  2. Do you prefer getting things done soon or just any time you want to? Why?
  3. What are the things that you normally forget to do or procrastinate on? Do you think your mind does it on purpose?
  4. How do you feel when other people put off something you want to be done immediately?
  5. Do you want to accomplish many things in your life or do you want to take it easy? Explain.
  6. In what ways can procrastination be a good thing?

Hitting a Pandemic Wall

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It’s been almost a year after the pandemic hit the world and everyone’s been fighting their own demons since. Safe to say, it’s really been tough on everybody. After nearly a year into this whole ordeal, many people have been suffering from the so-called ‘pandemic fatigue’. 

Read the article below to find out more about how to cope when you hit the pandemic wall.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/coronavirus-pandemic-wall-mental-health_l_601b3c9dc5b6c0af54d09ccb

Discussion Questions:

  1. Discuss your thoughts on the following statements:

a. The pandemic has over-activated my stress system.

         b. Uncertainty also plays a huge role in hitting this wall.

        c. Hitting the pandemic wall is a completely valid response to totally irregular circumstances.

2. Do you think you experience or have experienced the dreaded pandemic fatigue? How is/was this moment for you?

3. What were your ways of coping with stress pre-pandemic and what are new ways that you have learned to cope with everyday stress during the pandemic?

4. What are the good things that came out from your experience of a pandemic?

5. What lessons can you take away from this whole experience?

Are You a Body With a Mind or a Mind With a Body?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Man has made a lot of advances in the field of Natural Sciences. However, despite these accomplishments, we are still yet to fully understand the very core of all these—our brains. Experts say that we are yet to fully understand how the brain processes information.

There are a lot of theories that attempt to define what a “self” is, but the fundamental question remains. Are you a body with a mind or a mind with a body?

Let’s watch the video and find out.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, what does the Rubber Hand Illusion experiment show about our judgment?
  2. Do you believe that our body is part of our consciousness? Why or why not?
  3. What do you think is the reason why despite extensive research, we still understand very little of how the brain works?
  4. What is your opinion on neuroprosthetics and/or mind uploading? Do you think they’re possible?
  5. Based on the arguments raised in the video, which one do you think are we? A body with a mind or a mind with a body? Explain your answer.

Stress Baking During US Election

B1 – Intermediate

Often, talks about politics cause stress on some people. Americans were under a lot of stress due to the last election in their country. They had to find a way to release all those stress.

Read the lesson to find out what they did to cope with their stress.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2011/201105-stress-baking-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is baking and making bread helpful in fighting stress and anxiety? 
  2. What is your opinion on using baking as a stress reliever?
  3. What hobbies/activities did you do because of stress?
  4. What do you normally do during stressful situations at work?
  5. What is the most stressful day for you this year?
  6. What are some causes of your stress nowadays?

The Dunning-Kruger Effect

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you have an underperforming colleague but has absolutely no clue about it and instead prides himself on his terrible performance at work? This is the Dunning-Kruger Effect.

Let’s watch the video and know more about it.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the Dunning-Kruger effect?
  2. Do you know people who are exceptionally competent? Are they aware of it?
  3. On the other hand, do you know people who are incompetent but think they’re amazing? What is it like working with them?
  4. Do you have the ability to recognize your errors? What do you do when you have been made aware of them?
  5. What are the tips to have an accurate assessment of yourself that were mentioned in the video?

What Causes Panic Attacks and How Can You Prevent Them?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Learning about panic attacks could be uncomfortable but recognizing what’s causing them is the only way to prevent them. Have you seen someone experienced lightheadedness, numbness, or hyperventilation? Those are only a few things you can feel when having panic attacks.

Find out more about what causes it and how it can be prevented from the video below.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can trigger panic attacks?
  2. What are the two main treatments for panic disorder?
  3. What does “Fear can’t hurt you, but holding on to it will escalate panic” mean?
  4. Have you ever had / seen someone have panic attacks before? Talk about your experience.
  5. Why do you think it is important to know more about this topic?
  6. What is the best thing to do when things get a little too scary?

World Autism Awareness Day

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Autism is a growing global health crisis. The United Nations General Assembly declared April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in Qatar, 2007. WAAD aims to educate people about autism and different intervention. It celebrates the unique talents and skills of people with this disorder. People with autism are warmly welcomed and embraced in community events around the world.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript and be able to discuss the questions that follow.

https://eslholidaylessons.com/04/world_autism_awareness_day.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the UN adopting a resolution to recognize this disorder?
  2. How can this resolution help people with autism?
  3. How are people with this disorder viewed and treated in your country?