FREE Psychology 101 High School Readers Theater Script Empathy, Ethics, Manipulation

This 16-scene Readers’ Theater script for grades 6–12 transforms Chase Hughes’ behavioral insights into an engaging high school journey, guiding students through self-mastery, empathy, and ethical leadership.

The opening scenes establish self-mastery with micro-commitments, as students combat procrastination in a vibrant classroom. Cameo appearances by Leonardo da Vinci, Mahatma Gandhi, Maya Angelou, and Eleanor Roosevelt enrich Hughes’ frameworks, offering disciplined habits, empathetic listening, clear communication, and tribe-building to complement neural reinforcement, field decoding, and ethical influence.

Fictional mentors Ms. Patel (Hughes-inspired) and Mr. Ellis (psychology-based) help students Alex, Riley, Sam, and Taylor tackle teen challenges like distractions, miscommunication, and peer pressure using concepts like the FATE model, Authority Triangle, FOG, and emotional intelligence.

(a single PDF with links to Google Docs/Slides, if print format is preferred you can download from your Google Drive to word/pdf/ppt/etc)

What’s Included
• 16-scene script (~4000 words, 15 pages, 12 characters, Google Doc)
• Teacher guide with CCSS alignment, tips, answer keys (10 pages)
• Student worksheet with vocabulary, analysis, discussion (25 Google Slides)

Skills Addressed
• Reading fluency and comprehension
• Emotional intelligence and empathy
• Collaborative discussion
• Ethical decision-making
• Behavioral analysis

Worksheet Components
• Short-Answer: Basics like “What does Riley journal about ethics?”
• Challenge Questions: Scenarios like “How would you use FOG to handle pressure?”
• Themes/Discussion: Self-mastery, ethical leadership
• Application: Real-world tasks like managing stress
Teaching Tips
Assign roles over 3–4 weeks, matching student strengths. Use discussions for SEL integration.

Script Summary

Eight acts explore discipline, empathetic communication, leadership, and ethical influence, fostering behavioral awareness and group reading.

Act I: Self-Mastery Foundations: Leonardo da Vinci and Ms. Patel teach students micro-commitments and the two-minute rule to build discipline, helping Alex overcome procrastination in a classroom setting.

Act II: Empathy in Action: Riley uses field decoding to connect with Jamie, while Gandhi shares empathetic listening techniques, fostering trust and cognitive empathy at a school dinner.

Act III: Communication Skills: Students practice authentic debate arguments, and Maya Angelou guides clear digital messaging, emphasizing congruent communication to avoid missteps.

Act IV: FATE Model Leadership: Ms. Patel introduces the FATE model’s focus and authority, and Eleanor Roosevelt emphasizes tribe-building, empowering students to lead ethically on a ropes course.

Act V: Authority Triangle Insights: Mr. Ellis explains the Authority Triangle (behavior, effect, habits), with Gandhi, Roosevelt, and Angelou illustrating its diverse applications in leadership.

Act VI: Ethical Influence Tools: Students learn to identify FOG (Fear, Obligation, Guilt) tactics and journal ethical compass questions, committing to transparent, respectful influence.

Act VII: Emotional Intelligence Growth: A counselor teaches students to label emotions, and Taylor supports Jamie in a peer circle, reinforcing self-awareness and empathy’s role in trust.

Act VIII: Avoiding Manipulation: Ms. Patel revisits FOG, guiding students to rephrase manipulative requests, and students reflect on ethical questions to uphold integrity in leadership.