Bias Breakdown

This 10th-grade psychology sequence explores the cognitive and social roots of prejudice, moving from individual implicit bias to systemic applications of Social Identity Theory. Students analyze how stereotypes form, escalate into discrimination, and evaluate evidence-based strategies for prejudice reduction.

Mind Gaps

Students investigate the brain's natural tendency to categorize information using schemas and heuristics, exploring how these necessary cognitive shortcuts can lead to implicit bias and unconscious prejudice.

Us Versus Them

This lesson introduces Tajfel’s Social Identity Theory to explain the psychological drive for positive distinctiveness and in-group favoritism through simulations and theoretical application.

Escalation Path

Students examine the progression from cognitive stereotypes to behavioral discrimination using the Robbers Cave Experiment and Realistic Conflict Theory as primary frameworks.

Systemic Cycles

Moving beyond individual psychology, this lesson explores how aggregated biases create systemic discrimination in social institutions like hiring, housing, and law enforcement.

Breaking Bias

Students evaluate the efficacy of reduction strategies such as the Contact Hypothesis and superordinate goals, culminating in the design of a targeted psychological intervention.