Read article here: Bad Behaviour Reading
1. Would you ever consider using swearing as a way of managing anger? Swearing often appears unprofessional; what is the best way of doing it: under your breath, out loud, only when you are on your own?
2. It sounds ludicrous to suggest that drinking should be a part of language learning, but if science suggests otherwise, how would you feel about joining an English class where alcohol consumption was part of the curriculum? Are there other areas where 'Dutch courage' is useful?
3. When do you need to be creative? Has boredom ever led you to do something creative?
4. Which subjects did you elect to study at school/university? Did you choose them because you were good at them, or because there were gaps in your knowledge that you wanted to fill? Should education teach students how to be 'productively stupid' i.e. making students aware of how much they don't know? Should there be a greater focus on testing as a way of doing this? Should it apply to all age groups?
5. Which of the following would you be prepared to do (if there were a potential positive outcome)? Which annoy you the most?
a) Not wear a mask in a supermarket where all the other customers are wearing one.
b) Not maintain a distance of two metres while queuing.
c) Walk on the wrong side of the pavement.
d) When people ask how you are doing, tell them about your whole day.
e) Talk to others when they are extremely busy.
f) Ask telemarketers if you can call them back.
6. Are there any social norms in your country that might not be evident to a visiting foreigner?
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Situation
You work in HR for your present company. It's time for the employees' annual appraisal, and this year you have used consultants from Keele University (authors of the article) as a means of improving appraisals.
The first employee to be appraised is an account manager (your teacher) who has been at the company for many years. He has often received criticism from other members of staff. The criticisms include swearing in the office, excessive drinking, and being ignorant about some of the company's services.
Soften your criticism of him with the latest findings on bad behaviour.
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Discuss quotes
“I always think the opening moments of a party are the hardest, before everyone has had enough to drink.”
― Stephanie Clifford
“Swearing was invented as a compromise between running away and fighting.”
― Finley Peter Dunne
“The price of being a sheep is boredom. The price of being a wolf is loneliness. Choose one or the other with great care.”
― Hugh MacLeod
“The life of the creative man is led, directed and controlled by boredom. Avoiding boredom is one of our most important purposes.”
― Saul Steinberg
"How many psychologists do you need to change a lightbulb? Just one - but the lightbulb has to really want to change!"
__ Typical psychologist joke
Student Handout PDF: Bad Behaviour