Psychological Disorders

Speed Dating and Personality Disorders

Unit:

Abnormal Behavior

Topic:

Personality Disorders

Type of Lesson:

Entire Class Activity

Standard:

National Standards for the Teaching of High School Psychology

Domain: Variations in Individual and Group Behavior
Standard Area: VA: Psychological Disorders
Content Standard: VA-3 Major categories of abnormal behavior
Performance Indicator: VA-3.1 Discuss major categories of abnormal behavior as classified in
the DSM-IV-TR

Time Frame:

One or two class periods

Materials:

See option below

Description:

Most, if not all, of your students will have heard of Speed Dating as popularized in Sex and the City and
the Simpsons. If they are not sure how it works, explain the concept to them before telling them that they
are going to be speed dating with their classmates.
You can do this activity AFTER a lecture on the Personality Disorders. If this is your approach, simply
assign each student one of the disorders, given them a moment to think about their character, and then turn
the Speed Dating party on. Tell students that they should not reveal their disorder to their date.
Remember to rotate every three minutes! After all dates are finished, hold a discussion with the entire class
and try to figure out who had which disorder. It is always interesting to vote on who played the best role!
If you would rather this be more of an exploratory experience, have each student research an assigned
personality disorder then commence with the Speed Dating Party as explained above.
Your final option could be to assign each student a personality disorder and provide them with a card
containing the facts about the disorder (see chart on next page). Then commence with the SDP as
explained above.

Source:

Michael Lavin (Truman College) shared this idea with me.

NCSS Community
Houston 2008

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Psychological Disorders
Speed Dating and Personality Disorders
Personality Disorder

Cluster A
Paranoid
Schizoid

Schizotypal

Cluster B
Histrionic

Narcissistic
Antisocial
Borderline

Cluster C
Avoidant
Dependent
Obsessive Compulsive

Characteristics
Includes paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders. People with these disorders often seem odd
or eccentric, with unusual behavior ranging from distrust and suspiciousness to social detachment.
Suspiciousness and mistrust of others; guarded, overcautious, unforgiving, tendency to see self as blameless; on
guard for perceived attacks by others; reluctant to confide in others; hypersensitive, bear grudges; not usually
psychotic;
Inability to form social relationships and a lack of interest in doing so; do not have good friends; unable to express
feelings and are seen by others as cold and distant; lack social skills and can be classified as loners or introverts;
solitary interests and occupations; do not take pleasure in many activities; indifferent to praise or criticism; not
very emotionally reactive
Not only excessively introverted and have pervasive social and interpersonal deficits; they also have cognitive
and perceptual distortions and eccentricities in their communication and behavior. Although reality contact is
usually maintained, highly personalized and superstitious thinking exhibited. Believe they have magical powers
and may engage in magical rituals.
Includes histrionic, narcissistic, antisocial, and borderline personality disorders. Individuals with these disorders
have in common a tendency to be dramatic, emotional, and erratic. Their impulsive behavior, often involving
antisocial activities, is more colorful, more forceful, and more likely to bring them in contact with mental health or
legal authorities than the behaviors characterizing disorders in Cluster A.
Excessive attention seeking behavior and emotionality; tend to feel unappreciated if not the center of attention;
lively, dramatic, and excessively extroverted styles; in seeking attention, their appearance and behavior are often
quite theatrical and emotional, as well as sexually provocative and seductive; highly suggestible and consider
relationships to be closer than they really are; relationships are stormy; self centered and vain; over concerned
about approval of others;
Exaggerated sense of self importance; preoccupation with being admired; lack of empathy for the feelings of
others; strong tendency to overestimate their abilities and accomplishments while underestimating the abilities
and accomplishments of others;
Continually violate and show disregard for the rights of others through deceitful, aggressive, or antisocial
behavior, typically without remorse or loyalty to anyone; impulsive, irritable, and aggressive; lack of moral or
ethical development; history of conduct problems as a child; shameless manipulation of other people.
Show a pattern of behavior characterized by impulsivity and instability in interpersonal relationships, self image,
and mood; disturbances in basic identity; sense of self is unstable; fear abandonment; hard to control anger,
outbursts; low tolerance for frustration; sense of emptiness; mood swings; self destructive behaviors (excessive
gambling, sex, substance abuse, driving)
Includes avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. In contrast to the other clusters,
anxiety and fearfulness are often part of these disorders, making it difficult in some cases to distinguish them form
anxiety based disorders. People with these disorders, because of their anxieties, are more likely to seek help.
Pattern of extreme social inhibition and introversion leading to lifelong patterns of limited social relationships and
reluctance to enter into social interactions. Fear of criticism. Do not enjoy their aloneness. Low self esteem and
self consciousness.
Extreme dependence on other people; clinging submissive behavior; Difficulty in separating in relationships;
discomfort at being alone; subordination of needs in order to keep others involved in a relationship;
indecisiveness; cant make decisions on own; need constant reassurance; lack self confidence
Excessive concern with order, rules, and trivial details; perfectionistic; lack of expressiveness and warmth;
difficulty in relaxing and having fun; very scheduled; fear mistakes and constantly check to make sure they are not
making mistakes; dont get much accomplished because of constant checking;

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Houston 2008

http://communities.ncss.org/