Phase I
Education + Building Awareness
(FORTIFY)
The first phase is rooted in social psychology. Oftentimes, invisible social and psychological influences are powerful and can affect our thoughts, actions, and behaviors without our knowledge: these tendencies, such as the Bystander Effect and “In Group” Favoritism, can serve as barriers to heroic action. By gaining awareness and understanding of these influences, members are able to reflect on their actions and recognize when these influences are at play, empowering them with the agency to act heroically.
Phase II
Defining a Hero + Heroic Act
(INSPIRE)
In the next step of the journey to heroism, members will explore what it means to be a hero and act heroically. In order to become heroes ourselves, we first must reflect on what being a hero means. In Phase 2, club members will engage in open discussion about heroism, as well as become inspired by current heroes.
Phase III
Reflecting + Committing to Heroism
(CALL TO ACTION)
In Phase 3, members will reflect on the values and causes that they are passionate about. Members will recognize how they can become heroes, commiting to living a life of bravery and courage in which they will stand up and speak out, ultimately taking charge as the next generation of changemakers.
PHASE I
Phase 1 Session 1: Welcome to the HIP Hero Club
The first session aims to introduce members to the HIP Hero Club while fostering camaraderie between the club leader and fellow club members. This session consists of icebreaker activities and an overview of the curriculum. Together, members will brainstorm values that are important to them which they hope to foster throughout their club.
Phase 1 Session 2: Power of the Situation
Members embark on their HIP Hero Club journey by exploring the Power of the Situation, a foundational concept for the rest of Phase 1. The Stanford Prison Experiment is a powerful example of how situational and social factors can greatly affect behavior. Members will brainstorm how they may both recognize and combat these invisible influences.
Phase 1 Session 3: Conformity
Through the means of the seminal Asch Experiment, members will learn about the power of conformity– the pressure to change behaviors, attitudes, and/or beliefs in order to comply or agree with the majority. This session sparks discussion about the factors that influence people to conform and how to overcome these tendencies.
Phase 1 Session 4: The Bystander Effect
The Bystander Effect occurs when the presence of inactive others leads people not to act in a moment of need. In this session, members will learn about the Bystander Effect through real and relevant examples, reflect on their own experiences, and brainstorm how to fortify against this negative influence.
Phase 1 Session 5: Blind Obedience to Authority
Through the Milgram Experiment, members will explore people’s natural tendency to blindly obey authority figures, even when the authority’s orders oppose their morals and result in harm to others. Members will discuss the factors that contribute to this tendency and how they may overcome them.
Phase 1 Session 6: "In Group" Favoritism (Prejudice)
Through learning about the Brown Eyes Blue Eyes experiment, members will recognize people’s natural inclination to categorize themselves and others into “in-groups” and “out-groups” and the harmful implications that come with these classifications. Members will reflect on their personal “in-groups” and “out-groups” and how they can choose to promote greater inclusivity.
PHASE II
Phase 2 Session 1: Defining a Hero
In this session, members explore what it means to be a hero and to act heroically. Members will analyze HIP's definition of a hero as “someone who takes action for the good of others while understanding the risk or sacrifice involved” and explore the differences between a “Proactive” and a “Reactive Hero.”
Phase 2 Session 2: The Hero's Journey
Joseph Cambell’s classic Hero’s Journey is a powerful framework for understanding our own heroic endeavors. In this session, members will analyze the steps of the Hero’s Journey and explore how they can apply them to real-world situations and their own lives.
Phase 2 Session 3: Hero Talk/ Hero Inspiration
Hearing from people who have acted heroically can serve as motivation for our own heroism. In this session, members gain inspiration by either inviting a hero to speak to their club (can be a community member, a teacher, a student, a celebrity, etc.) or by watching interviews with heroes online (provided by HIP).
PHASE III
Phase 3 Session 1: Becoming a Hero Part 1
To start off the final phase of the HIP Hero Club, members learn what they can do in their daily lives to cultivate heroic actions. Members recognize how being a positive deviant, looking outside themselves, and identifying as a hero can make them more likely to act heroically when the situation calls for it.
Phase 3 Session 2: Becoming a Hero Part 2
In this session, members foster two more skills that will empower them to act heroically in a moment of need: broadening their social groups and practicing their heroic imaginations. At HIP Hero Club, we believe the most impactful heroism stems from the intersection of causes you are passionate about and your core values. Members reflect on their values and passionate causes.
Phase 3 Session 3: Call to Action and Conclusion
In the concluding session, members reflect on what they have learned throughout the HIP Hero Club and the impact it has had on their lives. Members finish by taking the Hero Pledge, in which they make an individual plan for how they will act heroically and positively impact the world.