Perspective Taking ITS IMPACT ON THE SOCIAL AND ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF STUDENTS 1
Dec 30, 2015
2Today’s Learning Outcomes
To understand the complexities of perspective taking and the implications it has on a student’s ability to thrive both socially and academically
To gather practical ideas and resources for supporting the growth and development of perspective taking skills
3Overview Of The Day
Introductions/ice breaker/initial thoughtsDefine perspective taking qualitiesWhat is the social and academic impact on students
who lack the ability to take perspective?Break (15 minutes)How do we support growth and development of
perspective taking skills?Closing thoughts and questions
4Introductions
Introduce yourself to a partner and tell them three things about yourself
You and your partner will take turns introducing each other to the class
5Ice Breaker
OceanWhat words come to mind when you think of the
ocean?Think of what you might see, hear, smell or feelWrite your thoughts on the cards provided
6What is perspective taking?
“Perspective taking refers to our ability to relate to others. It is our ability to perceive someone else’s thoughts, feelings, and motivations. In other words it refers to our ability to empathize with someone else and see things from their perspective.”
7Continued…
“Most people can intuitively tell how someone else feels in a conversation. When they speak to someone who’s looking around and not paying attention, they perceive the person is not interested in the conversation or is distracted for some reason. They know if they see tears in the person’s eyes that the person is upset (Isa Marrs, 2014).”
8What is Theory of Mind?
“Theory of Mind is the ability to not only understand that people have different beliefs, motivations, knowledge and moods but also understand how that effects their actions and behavior as well as our own. Theory of Mind is a necessary component of perspective taking. (Isa Marrs, 2014).”
10Three Steps to Perspective Taking
Step 1When you come into my space I have a thought
about you and you have a thought about me
Step 2 I understand you have thoughts and feelings
different from mine
11Continued…
Step Three
I can adjust my thinking and actions based on others thoughts and feelings. To keep you thinking about
me the way I would like you to think about me
12What makes us good perspective takers?
Recognizing each person as an individual Recognizing each person has his or her own feelings and
emotionsUnderstanding each person has their own motives
desires and intentions
Adapted from Michelle Garcia Winner, 2007
13Continued…
Recognizing social conventions in specific social environments
Understanding social conventions are specific to settingUsing eye contact to remain aware Knowing how to
inquire about another person’s interestsRealizing individuals have their own personality
14Continued…
Having an innate desire to learn about others interests and history
Remembering a person to help build and maintain relationships, as well as develop an understanding of a person’s possible actions
the persons different possible feelings/emotions through out an interaction
Considering prior knowledge and experience of the person you may talk to
15Selman’s Five Stages of Perspective Taking
Stages and Ages Description
Undifferentiated Perspective TakingAge 3-6
Recognize that self and others have different thoughts and feelings
Frequently confuses the twoSocial-informational Perspective TakingAge 5-9
Recognize different perspectives may be due to people accessing different information
Self –reflective Perspective TakingAge 7-12
Able to step into another person’s shoes and view thoughts and feelings from another perspective
Aware that others can do the same
Third-party Perspective Taking Age 10-15
Able to step out of a two person interaction and imagine how they are being viewed by a third party
Societal Perspective TakingAge 15-Adult
Able to understand that third party perspective can be influenced by larger societal values.
17Consequences for Lack of Perspective Taking
Social Academic
• Social isolation• Being considered
insensitive• Maybe considered a bully
or self centered • Difficulty maintaining
friendships
• Difficulty working in groups• Lack of understanding of
assignments• Difficulty accepting teacher
feedback leading to challenging relationships
• Lack of comprehension
19How do we facilitate the development of perspective taking?
Find a target area to work on. Consider the list of qualities and stages of perspective taking to help target an area.
Consider the cognitive ability of your student. Does he/she need visuals, physical acting out, video taping? What will work best to get the message to them?
Create an environment that is safe and comfortable for the student. ie: If they work best with another student in a quiet place, consider removing them for a quick daily lesson with a carefully chosen classmate.
20Continued…
Be realistic, this is a work in progressTry things for a period of time. It’s rare for
change to happen overnightDo not reinvent the wheel. There is a
tremendous amount of activities and worksheets already to be used both online and in resource books
21Activities to Support Perspective Taking
The following is a very small sample of activities to support perspective taking.
Please participate and enjoy the process!
22Activity #1 Social Behaviour Mapping
Social Behaviour MapBehaviours that are UNEXPECTED!
Place: Lunchroom
Unexpected behaviours
How they make others feel
Negative consequences you experience
How you feel about yourself
1.Refusing to share the lunch table 2. Refusing to clean up after you eat
Rejected Confused Sad Afraid Lunch monitors are frustrated Stressed out Lack trust Unhappy
Classmates don’t want to sit with you or get to know you People hovering Conflict Privileges revoked
Rejected Confused Lonely Frustrated Embarrassed Frustrated Angry
Social Behaviour MapBehaviours that are EXPECTED!
Place: Lunchroom
Expected behaviours How they make others feel
Positive consequences you experience
How you feel about yourself
1.Sharing the lunch table 2. Putting your lunch and dishes away after lunch
Welcomed Included Interested in you Lunch monitors are relieved More relaxed Happy to see you Trusting
Classmates want to sit with you and get to know you Independence Privileges in the lunch room Becoming a monitor Opportunity to be a leader
Included Happy Proud Proud Motivated Excited
24Activity #2 Look Inside My Head!The thoughts in my
head show you about my experiences, beliefs and interests. This influences what I say and how I respond to things during social interaction. This is my perspective. What’s yours?
26Resources to Check Out
Michelle Garcia Winner and Pam Crooke, Social Thinking website and many resource books with activities and worksheets
Jill Kuzma: http://jillkuzma.wordpress.com/perspective-taking-skills/teaching-ideas/
Pintrest has endless ideas for quick perspective taking activities
http://www.pinterest.com/kcssw/social-thinking-perspective-taking/
Youtube has many excellent videos that demonstrate perspective taking
28For Next TimeChoose one activity you tried today and use it with a student.
Bring feedback… Did you alter anything to make it more suitable for your
student? Was the student receptive? Will it be helpful to build long term perspective taking skills?
Remember, many activities need to be repeated several or many times in order to experience growth and development of a skill.
29References Slides 7 & 8
M. Garcia Winner & P. Crooke. (2014). Zooming In. Workshop, Richmond, BC. Slides 12, 13 & 14
M. Garcia Winner. (2007). Thinking About You, Thinking About Me. San Jose, CA. Think Social Publishing Inc.
Slide 16
Selman’s Five Stages of Perspective Taking. (2002). Retrieved September 3, 2014. from http://everything2.com/title/Selman%2527s+Five+Stages+of+Perspective+Taking