How Does My Brain Work?

The students will learn about the following three concepts:
1) How do we know how to teach our dog to sit, stay and roll over?
A long, long time ago this weird scientist named Ivan Pavlov thought it was important to measure dog saliva. (Yuck!) While doing so, he accidentally discovered that dogs could be trained, or "classically conditioned." What does this mean for us? Are there things in our world that we are conditioned to expect?
2) Why is my brother so bad at waiting for his turn when we play a game?
The Marshmallow test is a famous experiment that examined a child's ability to tolerate "delayed gratification." The researchers determined that delayed gratification lead to better long term success in life. New research suggests that other factors might have played a role. Students will be invited to think outside the box and wonder if their might be another explanation for why the more patient children did better in life.
3) Even if everyone else likes peanut butter and jelly, it's still okay to like tuna fish.
In the 1950s, psychologist Solomon Asch decided to find out just how important peer pressure is. The answer: Really important. Students will be invited to discuss why this study is so valuable when it comes to friendship.