The Uncanny Valley
Clowns
Stephen King
Brain Chemistry
Food Webs
100

What is the Uncanny Valley?

used in reference to the phenomenon whereby a computer-generated figure or humanoid robot bearing a near-identical resemblance to a human being causes a sense of unease or revulsion in the person viewing it.

100

True or False.

Research shows that most children like clowns.

False

100

Define the "Gross-Out".

Something disgusting, morbid, or sick.

100

The "fear center" of the brain.

Amygdala

100

These critters are responsible for breaking down dead tissue to return to the earth and atmosphere. 

Decomposers

200

Define vagueness.

lack of certainty or distinctness.


200

Why are clowns creepy to some of us?

Unclear intention and inability to identify true emotions.

200

Define "Horror".

The fear of something unnatural, but easily identified as a threat.

200

The key neurotransmitter in the fear response. 

Glutamate.

200

What is the difference between a food web and a food chain?

A food chain shows a singular path that energy follows, whereas a food web is cyclical, demonstrating multiple paths energy can take to travel through an ecosystem.

300

Define ambiguity.

the quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness.


300

Name three characteristics of clowns that people might find troubling.

Large shoes, painted faces, makeup, unclear emotions.

300

Define "Terror".

Fear when there is no clear or obvious threat.

300

The adrenal glands release these two hormones.

Adrenaline and cortisol.

300

These reign at the top of the food chain with no natural predators. 

Apex consumers.

400

Give two examples of characters that could fall under the category of the Uncanny Valley.

Teacher discretion. 

400

In the Psychology Behind Our Fear of Clowns article, very long fingers is one characteristic of a psychopath.

True or False.


False

Being unable to predict a person's behavior increases the creepy factor.


400

Name three movies or shows that fall under the category of the "Gross-Out".

Walking Dead, World War Z, etc...

400

Adrenaline and cortisol have these bodily effects.

Increased respiratory rate.

Increased pulse rate.

Increase blood glucose.

400

Name the correct order of these levels in a food web.

secondary consumers

decomposers

the sun

primary consumers

producers

tertiary consumers 

the sun

producers

primary consumers

secondary consumers

tertiary consumers

decomposers


500

The creator of the "Singing Androids".

John Bergeron 

500

What year did the "Clown Sightings" trend happen?

2016

500

Name five books by Stephen King.

Salem's Lot, Dreamcatcher, The Shining, It, The Stand, Carrie...

500

Deindividuation is...

 when someone's true identity is hidden.

500

Give a plausible example of a food web from start to finish in the cycle of matter.

Teacher's discretion.