My AI-Integrated Teaching and Learning Approach Applied to AP Psych

With a focus on Topic 8.5: Trauma and Stressor-Related, Dissociative, and Somatic Symptom Disorders

My name is Peter Paccone, and I am a Social Studies teacher at San Marino High School with nearly thirty years of teaching experience. Currently, I teach APUSH and AP US Gov., though I also tutor three students in AP Psych, with this tutoring taking place once a week since the start of the school year. It is with these students in mind that I have developed this work: My AI-Integrated Teaching and Learning Approach Applied to AP Psych.

My approach begins with the teacher teaching an AP Psych topic the way he/she always has. Then, the teacher invites the students to use AI to create several multiple-choice questions (MCQs) related to the topic taught. These MCQs should include terms from a list that the teacher has developed, using AI if the teacher wishes.

Then, students are asked to do the following in the order presented:

1. Attempt to answer several free-response questions (FRQs) that the teacher, in collaboration with AI, has created. These FRQs are directly related to the taught topic.
2. Consult AI to see how it would answer these FRQs.
3. Use AI to explore various “stories worth sharing,” the titles of which appear on a list produced by the teacher in collaboration with AI, with the student permitted to choose which stories to explore. Although these stories are relevant to the topic and of high interest, they were not covered in class due to time constraints.
4. Respond to one or more Free Response Questions (FRQs) that have been uploaded to an AI-based instant feedback platform. These FRQs are created by the teacher in collaboration with AI and are assigned as homework.

My Approach, Topic 8.5, and the Terms

When applying my AI-integrated teaching and learning approach to AP Psych Topic 8.5, the first thing I did was to create a list of terms in collaboration with AI, with the students encouraged to mention these terms in their MCQs:

1. Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
2. Adjustment Disorders
3. Body Dysmorphic Disorder
4. Complex PTSD
5. Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)
6. Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
7. Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
8. Dissociative Amnesia
9. Dissociative Disorders
10. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
11. Factitious Disorder
12. Illness Anxiety Disorder
13. Malingering
14. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
15. Psychogenic Amnesia
16. Reactive Attachment Disorder
17. Somatic Symptom Disorder
18. Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
19. Trauma-Informed Care
20. Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders

My Approach, Topic 8.5, and the Free Response Questions

The next thing I did was to craft a set of free-response questions (FRQs) in collaboration with AI, with the students initially prompted to try to answer these FRQs without the use of AI. Only then were they provided the opportunity to ask AI how it would answer these questions.

Q1: Concept Application

Maria has been experiencing severe anxiety and flashbacks ever since she was involved in a car accident six months ago. Despite her fear of driving, she decides to start driving again to regain her independence. Her therapist, Dr. Smith, has been helping her through cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. Maria’s friend, Alex, offers support by accompanying her on short drives around the neighborhood. After each successful drive, Maria feels a sense of accomplishment and gradually begins to drive longer distances.

Explain how each of the following concepts relates to the scenario.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Exposure Therapy
• Positive Reinforcement
• Dissociative Amnesia
• Conditioned Response
• Social Support
• Resilience

Q2: Rereach Design

A psychologist is interested in understanding how individuals with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) manage their symptoms and navigate their daily lives. The psychologist recruits 10 participants diagnosed with DID. Half of the group is assigned to a treatment plan that includes psychoeducation and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), while the other half receives no specific treatment and continues their usual care. The psychologist measures the participants’ ability to manage DID symptoms and their overall quality of life at the start of the study and again after six months

Part A
Identify each of the following in this study.

• Experimental group
• Control group
• Dependent variable

Part B
Explain how the concept of dissociation applies to this research study.

Discuss whether the treatment plan was effective based on the outcomes.

Identify and describe how to address one potential ethical concern in conducting this study.

Q3: Miscellaneous Contrast Questions

1. Briefly describe ONE major difference between PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder (ASD).
2. Briefly describe ONE major difference between Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and Dissociative Amnesia.
3. Briefly describe ONE major difference between Somatic Symptom Disorder and Illness Anxiety Disorder.
4. Briefly describe ONE major difference between Adjustment Disorders and Complex PTSD.
5. Briefly describe ONE major difference between Factitious Disorder and Malingering.

My Approach, Topic 8.5, and the Stories Worth Sharing

Next, I produced, in collaboration with AI, a list of 20 “stories worth sharing”, that I did not have time to teach and that I permitted the students to use AI to research on their own in class to close out the unit:

1. The Case of Shirley Ardell Mason (Sybil): Shirley Ardell Mason, known as Sybil, was a patient who reportedly had 16 distinct personalities, a case that significantly influenced the understanding and diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder.
2. The Case of Chris Costner Sizemore: Chris Costner Sizemore’s life story, involving over 20 personalities, inspired the book and film “The Three Faces of Eve,” bringing widespread attention to Dissociative Identity Disorder.
3. The Case of Agatha Christie: In 1926, the famous mystery writer Agatha Christie disappeared for 11 days, creating a real-life mystery. When she was found in a hotel registered under a different name, she claimed no memory of how she got there. Her disappearance has been speculated to be a case of dissociative fugue, triggered by personal stress and loss, illustrating the enigmatic nature of the human psyche under distress.
4. The Case of Jeanne Fery: A Sixteenth-Century Case of Dissociative Identity Disorder, Jeanne Fery’s documented experience offers one of the earliest known instances of DID, highlighting the historical presence of the disorder.
5. The Case of Ansel Bourne: Known for his sudden amnesia and establishment of a new identity in another state, Bourne’s case is an early example of dissociative amnesia and identity change.
6. The Case of Clara Norton Fowler (Eve Black/Eve White): Subject of “The Three Faces of Eve,” Fowler’s case involved distinct personalities known as Eve White and Eve Black, contributing to early research on multiple personalities.
7. The Case of Kim Noble: A contemporary artist with over 100 personalities, Noble uses her art to express the perspectives and experiences of her diverse identities.
8. The Case of Judy Castelli: Castelli, an artist diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, utilizes her work to explore and communicate the complex world of her multiple identities.
9. Herbert Spiegel’s Hypnosis Patients: Spiegel worked with patients displaying dissociative identities, demonstrating the significant role hypnosis can play in accessing and understanding different personalities.
10. The Evolution of the DSM and Its Impact on Diagnosing Dissociative Disorders: Changes in the DSM have significantly influenced the diagnosis and understanding of dissociative disorders over time.
11. The Role of Neuroimaging in Understanding PTSD: Advances in neuroimaging have provided deeper insights into the brain structures and functions affected by PTSD.
12. The Controversy Surrounding Repressed Memories and Their Legal Implications: The debate over the validity of repressed memories has profound implications for therapy practices and legal proceedings.
13. The Psychological Effects of War on Soldiers: From Shell Shock to PTSD: The impact of combat and war stress on soldiers has evolved from being termed shell shock to the modern diagnosis of PTSD, reflecting changes in understanding and treatment approaches.
14. The Influence of Culture on the Manifestation of Somatic Symptom Disorders: Cultural factors play a crucial role in how somatic symptoms are experienced, interpreted, and treated across different societies.
15. The Use of Virtual Reality Therapy in Treating Anxiety Disorders: Virtual reality technology offers innovative ways to simulate environments for therapeutic purposes, particularly in treating anxiety disorders.
16. The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Adult Psychological Disorders: Early life trauma is a significant risk factor for a range of psychological disorders in adulthood.
17. The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Treating Dissociative Disorders: CBT has been shown to be a valuable treatment method for managing symptoms of dissociative disorders.
18. The History and Psychological Effects of Solitary Confinement: The use of solitary confinement in prisons has been linked to various negative psychological effects, including the exacerbation of mental health disorders.
19. The Use of Animals in Therapy for PTSD and Other Stress Disorders: Animal-assisted therapy has gained recognition for its effectiveness in reducing symptoms of PTSD and other stress-related disorders.
20. The Use of Psychedelics in Treating Trauma-Related Disorders: Emerging research suggests psychedelics may offer new therapeutic pathways for treating PTSD and other trauma-related psychological conditions.

My Approach, Topic 8.5, and the Homework

Lastly, I upload two Free Response Questions (produced in collaboration with AI) to an AI-based instant feedback platform of my choosing, assigning both as homework.