How Psychologists Study Behavior • Lesson • Lenny.com
How Psychologists Study Behavior
An engaging 12th-grade Psychology lesson exploring primary research methods—case studies, surveys, and naturalistic observation. Includes a Bell Ringer, a collaborative design challenge, a chunked presentation, and an independent checkout worksheet with scaffolded IEP accommodations.
Spend six months closely studying one single teenager with an extremely rare sleep disorder.
Study one closely
👉 Hold up 1 finger for A, or 2 fingers for B! (No writing needed)
Method 3 Surveys
💡 Main Idea
Ask a lot of people the same questions.
📊 Real-Life Example
Asking high-school seniors how many hours they sleep on a school night.
✔️ Strength (Pro)
Ask lots of people quickly.
❌ Limitation (Con)
People may lie, forget, or misunderstand the question.
Let's look at one major trap for surveys: Bias!
Watch Out What is Bias?
⚠️ Simple Definition
Bias is something that unfairly pushes people's answers or the results in one direction.
💡 Biased questions force unfair choices!
❌ Biased Question (Unfair)
"Do you agree that school lunch is awful?"
✔️ Fair Question (Neutral)
"How do you rate the school lunch?"
👉 Quick Partner Talk: Which question above is fair? (No writing needed)
Check Spiral Check
Timer: 03:00
✍️ In your spiral, write down ONLY the correct method for each situation:
1. Watch how students choose where to sit during lunch.
2. Closely study one person with an unusual memory problem.
3. Ask 200 students how many hours they sleep each night.
👉 Just write: 1. ______ 2. ______ 3. ______ (No full sentences needed!)
Quiet, focused writing. Keep your spiral neat!
Group Work Mini-Method Design Challenge
Timer: 10:00
WHAT: Choose one research question on the right and design a simple way to study it.
WHO: Work in groups of 2–4.
WHERE: Every student must record the group's basic plan in their own spiral.
HOW MUCH: Choose: Observation or Survey. Write 1. Your method, 2. Your step-by-step plan, and 3. How your group would collect the information fairly and accurately.
FINISHED: Be ready for one person to briefly explain your group's plan!
🎯 Pick One Research Question:
🤔 Topic A: Do students walk slower when texting?
🥱 Topic B: Are people more likely to smile if you yawn first?
🍕 Topic C: Do kids sit with different friends when eating pizza?
Keep the plan simple and direct!
Practice Behavior Detective Practice
Timer: 15:00
WHAT: Complete the Behavior Detective Handout.
WHO: Work completely independently.
WHERE: Write directly on the paper handout.
HOW MUCH: Complete ALL sections (Parts 1 and 2).
HELP: You may use today's slides and your spiral notes.
FINISHED? Follow the "Finish & Turn In" checklist on the final slide!
The handout serves as your mastery grade and exit ticket today!
Vocabulary Unit 1 • Lesson 2 Key Terms
Timer: 07:00
1. Naturalistic Observation
Watching behavior in natural settings without changing anything.
2. Case Study
Studying one person or situation very closely.
3. Survey
Asking many people the same questions.
4. Bias
Something that unfairly pushes answers in one direction.
👉 IF TIME ALLOWS: Write these 4 words and definitions in your spiral!
Finish & Turn In
End of Lesson
📦 Before You Leave:
Finish the Behavior Detective Handout.
Make sure your name is clearly written on your paper.
Turn in your handout to the Turn-It-In Bin.
Finish all 4 vocabulary words and definitions in your spiral (if time allowed).
Return your spiral notebook to the class tray.
Thank you for being amazing behavior detectives today!
