Paranoia

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/paranoia

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the cognitive style?Characterized by persecutory beliefs and suspicion, often to the point of delusion
2. What is the distinguishing feature?Involves perceived malevolent intent and blame, unlike phobias
3. Why do people feel paranoid?It can happen when the brain's threat-detection system is too active, especially if a person has anxiety or has been hurt before.
4. How does paranoia make everyday things scary?People might think a friendly wave is a secret plan or a small accident is a planned attack, because they see danger where there is none.

Persecutory Delusions: Fixed, false beliefs that one is being harmed, harassed, or persecuted by others.
Attributional Bias: A systematic error in explaining the causes of events or behaviors.
Dopamine Hypothesis: A theory suggesting that imbalances in dopamine neurotransmitters contribute to psychosis.