Minds On
Who influences you?
Begin by exploring the following images in the carousel.
It is important to have positive influences in your life.
What type of influence are you?
Making decisions based on your values can be challenging.
There is a teenager who is frowning. There are four others in the background. One is holding up a cell phone.
There is a teenager who is frowning. There are four others in the background. One is holding up a cell phone.
There are many people in your life who can influence you and who you have influence over as well! Reflect on and answer the following questions.
- Who has a positive influence on your life?
- When have you had to stand up for yourself?
- What type of influence do you think you have on others?
You may record your answers using a method of your choice.
Action
How does alcohol affect the brain?
Alcohol has a powerful effect on the brain. To reach the brain, alcohol must first be ingested into the stomach. Some alcohol enters the bloodstream from there, but most alcohol will enter the small intestine. The alcohol will then pass through the walls of the small intestine and into the bloodstream. The heart then pumps the alcohol through the body’s bloodstream and eventually reaches the brain. Once alcohol enters the brain, it can quickly cause changes in both mood and behaviour.
Explore the following chart that reviews the many short- and long-term effects that can occur due to alcohol consumption.
| Short-term effects | Long-term effects |
|---|---|
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Peer pressure
It is normal to want to feel like we “fit in” and are accepted by others. Peer pressure can often create challenges that cause people to make decisions that they would normally not make, such as experimenting with alcohol.
It is important that you develop good decision making skills that are based on your personal values. There are many people in your life who may influence your decision making.
Who influences me?
Consider five people who influence you. Possible choices could include a parent/guardian, a peer, a close friend, a celebrity, a teacher, a sibling, or another family relative.
For this activity, you will complete the Level of Influence Chart in your notebook or by using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
Press the following tabs to access the steps of this activity.
Record the five people using a noun like the ones mentioned, rather than the individual’s personal name.
Once you have recorded your five influences, use the rating scale to identify the level of influence of each person (1 = minor amount, 2 = fair amount, 3 = major amount).
After you have identified the level of influence of each person, select whether you would consider the influence to be Positive (P), Negative (N), or Both (B).
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Level of Influence Chart.
| I am influenced by: | Level of influence: | (P)ositive, (n)egative or (b)oth? | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
Consolidation
The power of influence
Using your preferred method of communication (audio, video, or written form), express your thoughts and ideas on the following questions:
- Were you surprised at the level of influence that some people had?
- What can you do to make sure you are aware of someone’s influence on you?
- Are you now more aware of who influences your decision making?
- What can you do to be a positive influence for others?
Reflection
As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.