Social Psychology
Question:
Prejudice and discrimination is a problem that our society has been wrestling with for a long time. Take a look at the video here to see how social psychologists have approached this problem. http://cid.cmich.edu/CID/multimedia/PSY330/prized_eyes/main.html What is your take on Jane Elliott’s ‘blue eyes-brown eyes’ classroom experiment? Does this have any relevant application beyond gradeschool? Do you think that the children who went through this would show any lasting effects of their experience? What about the concept of stereotype threat? How might we create practical ways to reduce the impact of stereotype threat on performance? What is your take on Jane Elliott’s ‘blue eyes-brown eyes’ classroom experiment? Does this have any relevant application beyond gradeschool? Do you think that the children who went through this would show any lasting effects of their experience? What about the concept of stereotype threat? How might we create practical ways to reduce the impact of stereotype threat on performance?
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The ‘blue eyes-brown eyes’ classroom experiment conducted by Jane Elliott is a powerful demonstration of the impact of prejudice and discrimination on individuals and their behavior. By dividing the children in her classroom based on the color of their eyes and treating them differently, Elliott was able to illustrate the ways in which arbitrary characteristics such as eye color can be used to create and reinforce social hierarchies.
I think that this experiment has relevant applications beyond gradeschool, as prejudice and discrimination are pervasive problems that affect individuals at all stages of life. For example, the experiment could be adapted for use in high school or college classes to explore issues related to race, gender, or other social identities.
It is likely that the children who went through this experiment would show some lasting effects of their experience. In particular, they may develop a heightened awareness of the ways in which prejudice and discrimination can shape our perceptions and behavior, and they may be more sensitive to the impact of these forces in their own lives and in society.
The concept of stereotype threat is also relevant to this experiment, as it describes the negative impact that stereotypes can have on individuals’ performance and self-esteem. To reduce the impact of stereotype threat, it is important to create environments that are inclusive and supportive, and to provide individuals with the tools and resources they need to succeed. For example, this could include providing targeted support and mentoring for individuals from underrepresented groups, and creating opportunities for individuals to develop their skills and abilities. It is also important to challenge and address stereotypes and biases whenever they arise, and to foster a culture of inclusion and respect within organizations and communities.
