Study Guide PDF

Module 7: Social Construction of Identity 1.​ Describe an aspect of the social construction of your own identity.​ Social identity is shaped by societal norms, expectations, and cultural influences. For instance, being a student is part of your identity that comes with societal expect...

Module 7: Social Construction of Identity 1.​ Describe an aspect of the social construction of your own identity.​ Social identity is shaped by societal norms, expectations, and cultural influences. For instance, being a student is part of your identity that comes with societal expectations of academic achievement, time management, and collaboration. This role might influence how others perceive you and how you interact in various social settings. 2.​ Explain how social identity is both intersectional and fluid.​ Intersectionality refers to the interconnectedness of various aspects of identity (e.g., race, gender, class). For example, a working-class woman may experience life differently from a wealthy woman due to her socioeconomic status. Social identity is fluid because it can change over time; someone identifying as a student today might later identify primarily as a professional. 3.​ Why is it difficult for individuals with social privilege to recognize systemic inequity?​ Beverly Tatum argues that privilege often blinds individuals to inequities because privilege can create a “bubble” of normalized advantage. Barriers include denial, lack of exposure to marginalized experiences, and cognitive dissonance. To gain perspective, privileged individuals can actively seek diverse viewpoints, educate themselves about systemic issues, and engage in meaningful dialogues. Module 8: Evolved Traits 1.​ What did Darwin propose about the relatedness of all living things?​ Darwin proposed that all living organisms share a common ancestor and that the diversity of life resulted from natural selection acting on heritable traits. This evolutionary process enables organisms to adapt to their environments over generations. 2.​ Describe natural selection using an example.​ The peppered moth is an example. During the Industrial Revolution, soot darkened trees, favoring darker moths, as they were better camouflaged and less likely to be eaten by predators. This demonstrates how fitness changes based on environmental conditions. 3.​ Misconception from the “March of Progress” image.​ The image implies a linear progression from apes to humans, suggesting humans are the pinnacle of evolution. In reality, evolution is a branching process without predetermined endpoints. Evidence from paleontology shows many hominin species coexisted, with no single linear path. Module 9: Colonization Road 1.​ Royal Proclamation of 1763​ The proclamation recognized Indigenous land rights and established protocols for land negotiations. Its relevance today lies in ongoing legal cases and reconciliation efforts affirming Indigenous sovereignty. 2.​ Residential Schools and “Kill the Indian in the Child”​ Residential schools aimed to assimilate Indigenous children by erasing their cultural identities through forced language changes, religious indoctrination, and abuse. This violated the Two Row Wampum Treaty, which promised mutual respect and coexistence. 3.​ Settlers and “We Are All Treaty People”​ Settlers perpetuate colonization by benefiting from Indigenous lands. The phrase means everyone in Canada, Indigenous or not, is bound by treaties that require mutual respect and responsibility. En-Roads Climate Summit 1.​ How the Greenhouse Effect Works​ Greenhouse gases (e.g., CO₂, CH₄) trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere, preventing it from escaping into space. This leads to global warming, primarily caused by burning fossil fuels and deforestation. 2.​ Revenue-Neutral Carbon Tax​ A carbon tax increases fossil fuel prices, incentivizing reduced use. Revenue-neutral means the tax proceeds are returned to the public through rebates, ensuring affordability while lowering emissions. 3.​ Four Policy Decisions to Reduce Climate Change ○​ Transition to renewable energy sources. ○​ Increase energy efficiency standards. ○​ Implement afforestation and reforestation projects. ○​ Encourage sustainable agricultural practices. Module 11: Meaningful Life 1.​ Example of Meaning in Your Life​ A hobby like playing music can provide joy, connection, and a sense of accomplishment. 2.​ Coherence, Purpose, and Significance ○​ Coherence: Understanding how life events fit into a larger narrative. ○​ Purpose: Pursuing long-term goals. ○​ Significance: Feeling that life matters. Playing music offers coherence through self-expression, purpose through mastering an instrument, and significance through connecting with others. 3.​ Frankl on Purpose, Freedom, and Love​ Viktor Frankl found that even in the worst circumstances, meaning arises from love,  creative work, or the attitude toward suffering. He emphasized inner freedom—the ability to choose one’s response—as essential to purpose. Module 12: Happiness 1.​ Impact Bias and Decision Making​ The impact bias leads to overestimating how future events will affect happiness. For example, a bad grade might feel catastrophic but has less long-term emotional impact than anticipated. 2.​ Purpose of Happiness​ Gilbert and Loewenstein argue happiness motivates goal-directed behavior and helps humans adapt to changing circumstances. 3.​ Using Knowledge of Impact Bias​ Understanding impact bias helps prioritize decisions based on long-term values rather than fleeting emotions, such as choosing meaningful work over higher-paying, less fulfilling jobs.