Category Archives: Psychology Quest

Closing Out With a Celebration

June 29, 2013Collaboration, Launches, Psychology Quest, Ranch trip, UncategorizedClaire, Ellie, Hayes, Jack, Sarahsandefer

On Thursday and Friday, we symbolically closed out the year as we started, with a ranch trip.

The first activities were three real world math experiments, designed by Eagles to introduce trigonometry, algebra and geometry.

For trigonometry, teams competed to solve a surveying problem that required calculating the hypotenuse of a right triangle, in order to earn the right to solve a trigonometry puzzle, which revealed the first clues of an algebra puzzle, that involved creating a human Cartesian grid to unearth buried treasure.

Next came a geometry challenge that led new meaning to the term Pi – as contestants had to find the real life area of an apple pie with one slice removed.

Did the math challenges go smoothly? No.

One of the challenges fell apart when a mistake was discovered and the instructions turned out to be confusing. A shouting match broke out between frustrated Eagles, leading to tears.

A disaster? Not at all. Everyone quickly made up and all was forgiven. But what wasn’t forgotten was the importance of prototyping field experiments before introducing them into the wild.

Next came competing on an obstacle course designed with input from the Navy Seals.

Two rules: “no person left behind” and “no one can re-enter the course after finishing.”

These rules put Eagles under stress, because after most had crossed the finish line, one Eagle sat down, “paralyzed” (following secret instructions from the Gamemakers.)

Would the Eagles listen to an adult and refuse to re-eneter the course or go to help their fallen comrade? Of course, most disobeyed the authority figure and rushed to help their fallen Eagle, the same Eagle who had bungled leading the math challenge, carrying him to victory.

Next it was time for swimming and watermelon eating by the river.

After swimming, time to gather five special objects, eat hamburgers and hot dogs and tour the ranch on a hayride looking for wildebeests, buffalo, elk, deer and other wildlife.

In the next post, our final ceremonies.

And the vedict is….

March 28, 2013Exhibition, Psychology Quest, Quests, Salem Witch TrialCharlie, Elliesandefer

“All rise. Court is in session.”

Today the Elementary and Middle School Eagles recreated the Salem Witch Trials.Would those accused of witchcraft and sowing illness in Salem hang or go free?

The setting was 17th century Salem, but Eagles were free to submit 21st century forensic science and psychology experiments as evidence.

Elementary Eagle Townspeople protested outside. Opening statements came from the prosecution and defense. Witnesses were questioned and cross examined. All written by the Eagles, based on 17th century characters they created.

Finally it was time for closing statements in the Middle School trial. Then the judge delivered instructions to the Parent Jury.

After fifteen minutes, the verdict was in: the defendants were “not guilty,” but asked to close a local bakery that may have been responsible for illnesses in Salem.

Case closed – and the end of another successful Quest.

Gamifying PE

March 25, 2013PE, Psychology Quest, Questssandefer

Coach Carpenter was out of town, pursuing an entrepreneurial mission. So did we cancel PE? Not a chance. Before any Guide could intervene, several Eagles seized the moment and began planning the day’s physical activities.

They even added an element of gamification to PE – with the puzzle problem below.

In the afternoon, Eagles reviewed the Social Psychology experiments we have conducted, in preparation for Wednesday’s Salem Witch Trial.

From Tribes to Prison

March 14, 2013Psychology Quest, QuestsCharlie, Claire, Hayes, Kenzie, Pacesandefer

Today we continued the Psychology Quest by recreating (with kinder and gentler oversight) the Stanford Prison experiment made famous by Zimbardo, with Eagles tribal loyalties still fully intact.

During launch, Eagles were informed that there were secret police among them, armed with the power to arrest for a “lack of intention” or even on a whim. Tension was in the air during Core Skills.

Mid-morning, we paused to run the Prisoner’s Dilemma, and discussed what game theory can teach us about human nature; how “past determines the future” and the importance and fragility of trust.

Then, at 11 AM, one Eagle donned a hat, reflective sunglasses and a badge and made the first arrest. Soon, another arrest followed and more Eagles were deputized to serve as jailers.

At first, all of those jailed were Oranges, leading to charges of prejudice. Then a few Reds filled out the prison. Only a few Eagles remained as bystanders.

Grievances were filed. Privileges taken away. Punishments levied. Punishments increased. Soon a few guards – surprisingly some of the kindest Eagles – began to let power go to their heads. Duty became cruel delight.

One Eagle prisoner agreed to denounce his tribe (photo above as an Eagle changes his tribe colors); in a real prisoner’s dilemma bind, an Eagle ratted out an innocent classmate; another prisoner agree to become an informant in return for pay and privileges.

Before long, a number of Eagle prisoners were in solitary confinement. And even some taunting began. It was time to call the experiment before things got out of hand. (Guides commented how eerily the posing mimicked photos from Abu Graib.)

During a lengthy debrief, it was clear that powerful lessons had been learned, like:

“Given power, a human will become an animal;”
“Power hides the truth;” and
“Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Then it was time to heal the tribe. In a powerful ritual, the Eagles tied their tribal bandanas to a rope that was used in a trust exercise, and then following a discussion about and photos from Abu Graib and how each of our shadows can cause us to treat fellow human beings as objects, we buried our shadow objects and reunited a tribe.

Understanding the power of Tribes and Shadows. Feeling the power of a Shadow unleashed. Turning Shadows from projection to Gold. All experiences that leaders who will someday change the world should experience, long before they hold the corrupting influence of real world power in their hands.

Tribes II

March 14, 2013Psychology Quest, Questssandefer

Today was our second day of dividing MS Eagles into the “reds” and “oranges,” an experiment launched by giving each Eagle a red or orange bandana.

The results were startling. Below, statements overheard during the day:

“We are the Orange Empire. We must assemble to protect ourselves.”

“Red’s have the smartest and best.”

“We are going to hold you hostage.”

“From now on, only the Red’s can…”

“You, Orange, you are going to jail in the girl’s bathroom.”

“Freeze Red, in the name of justice.”

“You Oranges are weaklings.”

“Who is your leader? We will assassinate him.”

The most aggressive tribe began wearing bandanas over their faces, outlaw style, as if to protect their identities.

All of this occurred after Eagles watched a video about mass killings of Hutus by the Tutsi in Burundi, and Guides pleaded for all to work together in harmony.

In the Elementary School, where the experiment was running in parallel, a study group that has worked together for over a year split up. One identical twin Orange turned against her Red sister.

All because some Eagles were handed red pieces of cloth; others orange.

Only one Orange said he couldn’t turn against the Red. His family has strong ties to the University of Oklahoma (red jerseys), rivals to the hometown Texas Longhorns (who wear orange.) Apparently some tribal affiliations are stronger than others.

Many years ago, I met a man who worked for General Electric in Yugoslavia. He told of being warned by the US State Department to leave the country because ethnic tensions were on the rise:

“I told them the warning was ridiculous. I knew these people. The Serb and Croat neighbors on my street had lived and worked together for decades and were peaceful people. Yet I was ordered to leave.”

He continued: “Less than 24 hours later, neighbors on my street, people I knew, friends who had barbequed together and whose children were lifelong friends, were butchering each other.”

Tribal affiliations are a powerful and deeply imbedded part of our human nature. Something Eagles who want to change the world should understand, on a gut level.

Tomorrow, a powerful twist on the experiment. Then we bring all of the Eagles back together into one tribe.

Tribes

March 13, 2013Psychology Quest, QuestsCraytonsandefer

Once the world was patriarchal. Then hierarchical. Today the world is much flatter. But relationships still matter – self organizing tribal relationships.

As a continuation of our Psychology Quest, we moved from individual dream and shadow analysis to group psychology. Today we gave each Eagle either a red or orange bandana.

No instructions, except to tie the bandana around your arm.

In less than five minutes, the groups had formed into tribes and engaged in “us versus them” behavior. Less than five minutes.

Today the experiment continues.

Only the Shadow knows

March 7, 2013Culture, Hero's Journey, Journey maps, Psychology Quest, QuestsClaire, Pacesandefer

Today our Eagles explored their “Shadow,” the unclaimed part of the psyche that leads us to project our fears and worries on others.

Is there a politician you truly despise because he or she seems “dogmatic?” Carl Jung would say this is a part of you disowned at an earlier age, more than likely because you were shamed when you exhibited a similar behavior. (Shadows also show up as the dark or scary characters in your dreams.)

Shadow projections cause us to blame others. Shadow projections are the root of scapegoating. Shadow projections waste an incredible amount of energy that could be put to a more positive use.

The antidote to your shadow is to turn the negative into a positive – “dogmatic” becomes “principled” when the cause is just; “laziness” becomes “rest” when used wisely; “silliness” becomes “fun” with a different perspective.

Above Eagles trace their real shadows. The interplay between symbols and ritual in the real world can help reveal new insights in the inner world.

Here Eagles turn “dark” shadow images into their positive counterparts.

Why does this matter? Because our young Eagles are going to change the world. Having the tools, intentionality and courage to take an inner Hero’s Journey provides reserves of moral judgment and energy for the times our Eagles will need them the most.

Active Imagination and the Hero’s Journey

March 5, 2013Collaboration, Core Skills, Culture, Hero's Journey, Psychology Quest, Quests, SpeechesKenzie, Masonsandefer

As part of the Forensic Psychology Quest, Eagles today experimented with Active Imagination, a challenging technique invented by Carl Jung.

Building on their work in dream analysis and word association, Eagles learned to “daydream” in an intentional way to invite and record conversations with different archetypal characters inside them, revealing inner thoughts and conflicts and clarifying real world struggles.

While Active Imagination at first sounds somewhat “far out,” it was Jung who championed the idea of an inner Hero’s Journey as an important part of fully lived life, and many people have found the technique brings great clarity to important life decisions.

Theory aside, the Eagles were fascinated with Active Imagination, not only taking quickly to the technique, but begging for more time to continue the conversations with the characters who emerged from their unconscious. Several learned extremely powerful lessons about themselves.
Add the Active Imagination challenge to a day where Eagles listened to and analyzed a Winston Churchill speech, and several guided younger Eagles in the Elementary School as part of their Learning Badge project, and it was quite an important day for our young leaders who someday will change the world.

Apprenticeships: Ready for Lift Off

March 1, 2013Apprenticeships, Communications, Core Skills, Hero's Journey, Pitches, Psychology Quest, Quests, SpeechesAna, Charlie, Ellie, Masonsandefer

We launched this morning by listening to Ronald Reagan’s Challenger speech and comparing it to Franklin Roosevelt’s First Inaugural Address.

The goal is to have Eagles luxuriate in great speeches – soaking in the most powerful words, phrases and symbols as they listen and observe more intentionally.

Next session each Eagle each will choose a historical figure and write and deliver a speech as that character, at an important time and place.

This morning Eagles rehearsed and polished their final Apprenticeship pitches – determined to secure each a real world apprenticeship by April.

How do you grab someone’s attention early in an email, call or in person meeting, long enough to ask an important question?
How do you explain a complex idea like an apprenticeship, in just a few words?
How do you ask for the job; clearly, directly in a way that’s difficult to refuse?

Bravely, our Eagles explored these questions and prepared for the “Big Ask” next week.

Then, in the afternoon, ink blot tests and more Jungian dream analysis, the beginning of understanding the power of that FDR and Reagan’s symbols – and especially the Hero’s Journey — are deep inside each one of us.

Inner work and the dreams of heroes

February 27, 2013Art, Culture, Journey maps, Psychology Quest, QuestsAna, Charlie, Claire, Kenzie, Mason, Sarahsandefer

This week our Detectives-in-Training become Forensic Psychologists in training, as our Eagles begin to dig into their own inner worlds.

Why do some people keep repeating unhelpful behaviors? How can understanding yourself make you a more successful athlete or a better friend? How can you decide whether the boy or girl you just met is the “right one” for you or a passing infatuation?

All pressing questions for middle school students.

During the next five weeks in the Psychology Quest, we’ll explore dreams, the shadow self (projecting); active imagination, scapegoating and mob mentality, all as the Eagles began preparing for a reenactment of the Salem Witch trials with modern day forensics.

On Day One of the Psychology Quest, Eagles were introduced to Carl Jung as a hero, and explored the unconscious, sub-conscious and conscious mind through word association, free drawing and free sculpting.

A psychologist would have a field day with the symbols, archetypes and emotions that poured out.

Our Eagles also received dream journals and pledged to start recording their nightly dreams, for later analysis.

Let the dreams begin!

Our Hero's Journey

Acton Academy Middle School and Launchpad (High School)