Thing: A blog post using application and connecting concepts from class research and Abram's Lost. (Application and Comparison writing)
Audience: E12 classes
Writer: me
Purpose: Self-select research from the provided in class material in order to create a piece of writing that connects the concepts, theories and research of modern neuroscientists about the human brain, emotions, actions and apply these to characters in the "Pilot" of Lost.
Context: I am studying self-reflection in E12 and gathering information about the brain's process in decision making and human reactions. I am creating connections of the different theories and applying these concepts to characters who make decisions in the "Pilot" episode of Lost.
Citations: Include the episode and at least four class research connections.
Lieber, Abrams, Lindelof, Jeff, J.J., Damon. "Lost Pilot Part I." Lost. ABC. 22 Sept. 2004. Television.
Zimbardo, Philip. "The Secret Powers of Time." Lecture. 24 Sept. 2013. You Tube. RSA Animate, 24 May 2010. Web. 24 Sept. 2013.
Ariely, Dan. Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2008. Print.
Gladwell, Malcolm. Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking. New York: Little, Brown and, 2005. Print
Dweck, Carol S., Ph.D. Mindset The New Psychology of Success. New York: Ballantine, 2008. Print
Lost
In order to evaluate the students' understanding of the function of the brain, the power and perspective of the mind, and the physiological theories about decision making process, my English 12 classes and I watched and analyzed the first episode of Lost. Students had to make connections to each of the texts and films that we viewed in class. The students' ability to apply the concepts and provide analysis will offer a clear picture of their comprehension.
Episode one of Lost, "The Pilot Part I" provides a fictional circumstance where characters must make decisions under pressure in a high stress situation. In "Pilot Part I", a plane crash on an isolated island provides the perfect environment for character analysis via reaction and decision making. For example, Jack's ability to control his fear in the face of danger is evident through his ability to prioritize and treat the wounded passengers immediately after the crash. In connection to History Channel's The Brain, Jack is able to through training like a military solider control his amygdala's response of fear and panic. Jack later reveals to Kate that his background in surgery prepared him for such action under pressure as Malcolm Gladwell state in Blink as one of the keys to successful quick decision making. In contrast to Jack, many of the passengers without his experience or ability to control their fear and panic walk around in a daze unaware; one passenger even is sucked into the engine because of his inability to assess his environment and situation. Furthermore, in connection to Dweck's Mindset and there are a few situation that reflect the growth versus fixed mindset. Jack is able to convince Kate, who has no medical experience, to stitch his wound after she is convinced she is unable to perform such a task. Jack, an example of the growth mindset, is convinced that Kate has the ability to stitch him and can learn through his instruction. Kate, a fixed mindset, retorts that she has no experience but after Jack's convincing moves to a growth mindset in her concession to try.
Another character that demonstrates coolness under pressure is Sayid. After the crash as many are focused on finding food or immediate comfort, he is focused on creating a fire for the rescue crew to see. According to Zombardo's "Secret Powers of Time" the decisions by the characters demonstrates Sayid's future and goal oriented focus versus the present hedonistic focus of the other characters. There are also a few characters who demonstrate selfish and irrational behaviors, for example Shannon is insistent that the rescue crew is on the way and refuses to eat the food; she also insists that there is no point in cleaning the dead bodies because the rescue crew will do that. Shannon's inability to face the reality of her situation reflects Airley's premise in Predictably Irrational when the mind get what it expects and the truth of relativity. Despite the evidence that suggests help will take much longer to reach them than the survivors predict and that her idea of quick rescue may be relative, Shannon is convinced otherwise and forgoes her responsibilities in the present. Furthermore, characters such as Charlie focus on his present hedonistic need for a fix when he accompanies Kate and Jack to the front section of the plane.
The Lost characters and setting provide a fascinating opportunity to analyze through the neuroscience and psychological lens.
Ariely, Dan. Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2008. Print.
Gladwell, Malcolm. Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking. New York: Little, Brown and, 2005. Print
Dweck, Carol S., Ph.D. Mindset The New Psychology of Success. New York: Ballantine, 2008. Print
Lost
In order to evaluate the students' understanding of the function of the brain, the power and perspective of the mind, and the physiological theories about decision making process, my English 12 classes and I watched and analyzed the first episode of Lost. Students had to make connections to each of the texts and films that we viewed in class. The students' ability to apply the concepts and provide analysis will offer a clear picture of their comprehension.
Episode one of Lost, "The Pilot Part I" provides a fictional circumstance where characters must make decisions under pressure in a high stress situation. In "Pilot Part I", a plane crash on an isolated island provides the perfect environment for character analysis via reaction and decision making. For example, Jack's ability to control his fear in the face of danger is evident through his ability to prioritize and treat the wounded passengers immediately after the crash. In connection to History Channel's The Brain, Jack is able to through training like a military solider control his amygdala's response of fear and panic. Jack later reveals to Kate that his background in surgery prepared him for such action under pressure as Malcolm Gladwell state in Blink as one of the keys to successful quick decision making. In contrast to Jack, many of the passengers without his experience or ability to control their fear and panic walk around in a daze unaware; one passenger even is sucked into the engine because of his inability to assess his environment and situation. Furthermore, in connection to Dweck's Mindset and there are a few situation that reflect the growth versus fixed mindset. Jack is able to convince Kate, who has no medical experience, to stitch his wound after she is convinced she is unable to perform such a task. Jack, an example of the growth mindset, is convinced that Kate has the ability to stitch him and can learn through his instruction. Kate, a fixed mindset, retorts that she has no experience but after Jack's convincing moves to a growth mindset in her concession to try.
Another character that demonstrates coolness under pressure is Sayid. After the crash as many are focused on finding food or immediate comfort, he is focused on creating a fire for the rescue crew to see. According to Zombardo's "Secret Powers of Time" the decisions by the characters demonstrates Sayid's future and goal oriented focus versus the present hedonistic focus of the other characters. There are also a few characters who demonstrate selfish and irrational behaviors, for example Shannon is insistent that the rescue crew is on the way and refuses to eat the food; she also insists that there is no point in cleaning the dead bodies because the rescue crew will do that. Shannon's inability to face the reality of her situation reflects Airley's premise in Predictably Irrational when the mind get what it expects and the truth of relativity. Despite the evidence that suggests help will take much longer to reach them than the survivors predict and that her idea of quick rescue may be relative, Shannon is convinced otherwise and forgoes her responsibilities in the present. Furthermore, characters such as Charlie focus on his present hedonistic need for a fix when he accompanies Kate and Jack to the front section of the plane.
The Lost characters and setting provide a fascinating opportunity to analyze through the neuroscience and psychological lens.
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