What are the key ingredients of civil behavior in Social Science class?

Why is the way students respond to one another so central to the success of the group?

In what ways can everyone in the class contribute to the progess of discovery and learning?

How does the silent member affect the group dynamic?

The answers to these questions point to the central role that the behavior of each individual plays in the climate or attitude of the group.  Essential to the process of working together throughout the year is the civil behavior of each student, whether listening or speaking.  The respectful and supportive interactions in the group, which encourage people to speak honestly and directly about personal experiences, because they feel comfortable, lead to substantial discoveries about human behavior, which is the major quest of the course.  When students are forthcoming and expressive of their views and interest in one another, as well as self-discovery, it creates an environment that is productive of important realizations about psychology and sociology.  Revealing stories that enrich the discussion are told because of the trusting attitudes of the individuals.  On a day to day basis, each student has the choice to contribute to the richness of the exchange and teach classmates about self-confidence, empathy and intellectual realizations.  The class is practicing the fusion of what Howard Gardner calls interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence.