Objective:

Provide examples of how commercials persuade decisions, and begin to question the persuasion tactics that are being used. This is to make the students begin thinking more critically about the world around them. This is done by giving them an overview of the condition of values in America and how people perceive one another.

Preset Activity: Have students get in groups and ask them to develop an outline of what lying is. What someone has to do to be lying.
 

Activity: Watch video of different kinds of commercials. Have students look for things that meet their criteria of lying in the commercials.
 

Lesson:

Ask students if they saw anything in the commercials that met their criteria for lying and discuss why it would be lying. Explain that not everyone has the same idea of what lying is, or that it is even wrong to lie in certain situations. What about "white lies," what are the students views about lying? Is it alright to ever lie?

Time Magazine reports that Ethics have become somewhat of a taboo to claim. We have the "we should stick together" approach. In 1992, in a survey conducted on college students, 1/6 have lied on a resume. 1/5 have cheated on a test. If people find out, what could happen to these people? In 1999, 71% have stated that people are not as honest today. It is the practice of companies to decide what they want to prove then design research that will find statistics that prove their point.
 

In light of this news, are advertisers really trying to lie to people? If they are lying, why would they do this? If they get caught what could it do to their credibility?
 

Reflection: Fill out survey and hand in. No names put on the survey, instead have them number them in case some don't want to participate. This way credit can be given to those who participate, and they don't have to worry about you stereotyping students. Results will be calculated and given to the students.