Respond to two colleague

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Discussion 1: Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes?

In this Discussion, explore your worldview and begin thinking about the values and beliefs that shape you.

Review this week’s Learning Resources, especially:

· Read Diversity Lecture – See Word doc .

· View Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Video - https://youtu.be/dLAi78hluFc

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Assignment:

Respond to at least  two of your peers' postings (listed below) in one or more of the following ways:

· Examine the ideas your peer presented and share whether you think they could have a positive effect on your community?

· How could you take these ideas and implement?

· Share ideas you think your peer may have overlooked in considering any intractable issues within his or her social change ideas?

· How to make the positive change he or she proposed a reality.

· 3 -4 paragraphs

· No plagiarism

· APA citing

1st Colleague’s post – Danielle Felicissimo

I was very surprised that I had not known about this experiment before, however I was not surprised by what happened in this context. I am a special education high school teacher and I also have a son with Autism. I routinely see first-hand the often horrific ways that people who are “different” are treated by society.

In researching the "Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes" experiment I found a lot of interesting information on the Minimal Group Paradigm, which then led me down a rabbit hole digging deeply into this phenomenon. Most shockingly to me is just how many times these type of experiments have been conducted and that the conclusions are similar no matter the pretext. Even minute or random distinctions between groups, such as the color of their shirts, can create conditions to favor one's own group to the detriment of others, even when it means sacrificing their own gains. (1)

The most interesting takeaway for me from the “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes” experiment was just how quickly and easily people can be influenced by prejudice and discrimination, especially by those they consider to be an authority figure. Even though the children in the experiment were only 8 years old, they were able to internalize the messages of both superiority and inferiority from the teacher. This clearly shows how powerful and pervasive these messages can be, and the importance of finding ways to combat them.

Researching these Minimal Group Paradigm experiments has influenced my thinking about diversity and inclusion in a number of ways. First, it has made me more keenly aware of the subtle ways in which prejudice and discrimination can manifest themselves. I feel like I now understand the concept of ”micro aggressions” more clearly. Second, it has taught me how important it is to challenge these messages, especially when they are coming from people who we trust. Third, it has reinforced the importance of fostering more inclusive environments, where stakeholders are aware of and are actively working on these internal biases, and everyone feels valued and respected.

1. Frank, M. G.; Gilovich, T. (January 1988). "The dark side of self and social perception: Black uniforms and aggression in professional sports". Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 54 (1): 74–85.

2nd Colleague’s post – Aleksandra Bookman

I had forgotten that I studied this experiment when I took a Child Psychology class in college and I'm glad to be reminded of it, especially as my own son is getting to the age where we're going to start having conversations about race, ethnicity, gender, etc. 

One of my  main takeaways is that it actually does surprise me, although it probably shouldn't given how children can be bullies, how early this behavior can manifest. And that makes me feel silly and naive because this is peoples' lived experience every day. I've of course heard about the prison experiment  which was also about hypothetical power dynamics, but that one makes more sense to me given the subjects were adults. It's sad that children can so quickly turn on one another over something so arbitrary (like eye color ...or skin color). And prejudice truly is arbitrary, despite literal centuries of politicians, "scientists", and religious/public figures trying to tell us otherwise.  

This experiment influences my thinking about D&I by reminding me about how arbitrary is and how quickly perception can be altered when people are given a sense of authority or power (or powerlessness), even if it's based on something that is of no doing (or fault) of their own. 

It also makes me wonder if a school teacher tried to perform this experiment today, would they get fired immediately? It feels like public discourse today, especially in and around classrooms, doesn't allow for these kinds of (incredibly important) lessons.