This page is from the teaching guide for the video "Trustworthiness" in the video series "In Search of Character" produced in association with Character Counts!

Even if you aren't showing this video there is a lot of material here you can use
to create a lesson plan. Feel free to modify it to suit your needs.

Are You a Trustworthy Person?
(Take this self-evaluation and find out.)

True	False
		I keep my promises; I am a person of my word.
		I am reliable; I follow through on commitments.
		I am honest.
		I keep secrets; I never betray a confidence or a trust.
		I have integrity; I don't cave in to temptation.
		I am loyal when loyalty is appropriate.
I think I am/am not a trustworthy person because: ___________________

Trust is the basis of all good relationships and a cornerstone of good character. This program shows what it means to be a person others can trust. We learn that trustworthy people keep their promises, are honest, reliable, principled, and never inappropriately betray a confidence. And to help understand how trusting relationships are developed, we look at a documentary about a high school peer counseling program, where trusting and being trusted are the keys to a healthy school community.

ABOUT THE SERIES In Search of Character spotlights ten core virtues that help teens develop into caring, respectful, responsible people who make choices based on what's right, rather than what's easy. In this series, viewers take a fun, behind-the-scenes peek at the Dr. Mike Radio Show, where callers explore different aspects of character with "Dr. Mike" (Michael Thomson, Ph.D.) and his co-host. Listen in on the lively, thoughtful, and revealing discussions of high school students from around the country. Watch inspiring documentary profiles of young people who exemplify the power of good character in the real world.

In Search of Character™
(Ten Part Video Series)

•  Trustworthiness •  Respect •  Responsibility •  Fairness •  Caring •  Citizenship •  Honesty •  Courage •  Diligence •  Integrity

For more information about these videos, including pricing, ordering, and previewing, click here.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

If you are using the video, ask question 1 before viewing.

1.    How do you know when you can trust someone?

2.    Some adults say that your generation cannot be trusted, that you've lost the values from past generations. Do you agree, or disagree?

3.    Is it a good idea to risk losing your parents' trust for temporary pleasure? In the video Clarence said "So what if you're in trouble for a little while?" Do you agree or disagree with Clarence's position?

4.    How important is trust in your relationships with friends and family? How would these relationships be affected if you found out someone was lying to you?

5.    Once trust has been broken, what can you do to get it back? Have you ever lost someone's trust? Has someone lost your trust? Explain.

6.    If your friends were here right now, would they say you were trustworthy? What would your parents say? Are you more trustworthy with your friends or with your parents? Do you think your parents should trust you automatically? Why or why not?

7.    The kids in the video identified several aspects of trustworthiness. What were they? Do you agree with them? Can you add any? What does trustworthiness mean to you?

8.    If you want someone to trust you, who has most of the responsibility— you or the other person? Why?

9.    Dr. Mike said that your trustworthiness may be questioned but your choices will never lie. What does that mean? Do you agree?

10.    As a general policy, should we start off trusting people and only stop trusting if they prove that they're not worthy? Or should we be cautious and not trust them until they prove themselves worthy? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each position?

11.    How did Rosa’s story (the peer counselor) make you feel? What did you learn from it?

12.    Rosa said, "Trust is the basis for every relationship." Do you think that's true? Explain.

13.    Rosa said that your willingness to trust another person is important if you want that person to trust you. Do you agree? Explain.

14.    Why did the Peer Resource Program at Rosa’s school use a ropes course to train peer counselors?

15.    What does being trustworthy have to do with the quality of your character?

16.    What are the benefits of being a trustworthy person? How do you benefit from the trustworthiness of others?

17.    Did the video present any ideas you disagree with?

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STUDENT ACTIVITIES

1. Many people complain that political leaders cannot be trusted. Develop a checklist for evaluating the trustworthiness of political leaders. Test out your checklist by listening to a politician speaking on TV. You can see entire speeches on C-SPAN.

2. Divide the class into small groups. Have each group develop a list of do’s and don’ts for being a trustworthy person. (See our list at the top of this column, or look on page 5 of the video discussion guide.) Have them make oral reports to the class addressing the following questions: What happens when people live in accordance with these guidelines? What happens when they don’t? In what ways does trustworthy and untrustworthy behavior affect our community and society? In what ways can/do young people demonstrate trustworthiness?

3. Have the students watch a movie, TV drama or sitcom, paying particular attention to the behavior of the main characters with regard to trustworthiness. How much trustworthy behavior did they find? How much untrustworthy behavior? Have a class discussion about these issues. (A great many TV plots are based on a deceit.)

4. Most people consider loyalty to be an important part of trustworthiness. What, exactly, is loyalty? Who should be loyal to whom or what, and under what circumstances? When is loyalty appropriate, and when might it be a bad thing? Give some specific examples. Break the class into small groups to ponder these issues and have each group give an oral report to the class.

(If you wish to copy or use any material from this website, please click here for Terms of Use.)