Dangerous Minds

1. Describe the students at the beginning of the movie. After learning about FBA, what are the causes of their behaviors especially those of Emilio, Raul, and Kelly?

The students were noisy, rowdy, and basically tough on Ms. Johnson in the beginning of the movie. They neither obeyed nor listened to what she was saying—disrespecting her along the way. The causes for their behaviors are very similar; they all belonged to the minority and lived in poverty. However, with Emilio and Raul, keeping their reputation in the neighborhood or class is another factor.

1. How did the behaviors described in question #1 change? Describe the transition from the time Miss Johnson first got their attention to the time they were able to convince her to stay after she planned to resign.

Miss Johnson was able to capture their attention, use applied behavioral analysis (Grandma’s rule and shaping were used), and develop a good relationship with them; and these acts were able to change the student’s behaviors. The transition was gradual because there were many obstacles that interfered; an example would be when Emilio and Raul had a brawl. These obstacles were eventually overcome which was shown when the students were forcing Miss Johnson to stay.

1. What is the 6 letter word that prompted the interest of students to talk about their views in life? What does it mean to you?  

Choose is the 6 letter word that led the students to talk about their views in life. Agreeing with Kelly, choose is a powerful word and one can always choose something. To me, choose is also means threatening, unpredictable, because to choose may or may not lead to good consequences.