IndexIntroductionThe concept of the brown-eyed/blue-eyed experimentAcademic consequences and lessons learnedImpact and relevanceConclusionReferencesIntroductionIn the video "A Class Divided", Jane Elliott, a teacher from Riceville , Iowa, conducts a challenging experiment in her third-grade classroom. Its goal is to help children understand the concepts of prejudice and discrimination. Interestingly, this experiment was not limited to the classroom, as it was later replicated with adults. This essay delves into the impact of the experiment, examining its implications, results, and relevance in today's society. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The Concept of the Brown-Eyed/Blue-Eyed Experiment In the Brown-Eyed/Blue-Eyed Experiment, Jane Elliott instructed her third-graders to have blue-eyed students who were superior to their peers with brown eyes. To distinguish between groups, brown-eyed children had to wear collars. Elliott told the blue-eyed children that not only were they smarter and kinder, but he had also given them special privileges. Instead, he constantly criticized brown-eyed children, labeling them as troublemakers and poor performers, even cutting down on their playtime. Before the experiment began, these children were friends who cooperated and got along with each other without problems. However, as the experiment progressed, the insidious effects of discrimination began to take root. As the experiment unfolded, students in both groups began to show signs of discrimination. The next day, during recess, a child in the group with blue eyes began hurling derogatory comments at a child in the group with brown eyes. This change in behavior stemmed from their new beliefs: the blue-eyed group felt superior, while the brown-eyed group perceived unfair treatment. Surprisingly, the experiment wasn't just limited to the classroom; it infiltrated students' homes, where they began to show hatred, even towards their teacher, because of the divisive beliefs that had taken hold. Jane Elliott then changed roles, telling the brown-eyed group that they were now superior, which led to a noticeable change in their performance. The superior group consistently outperformed the other, illustrating the profound impact of prejudice. Academic Consequences and Lessons Learned The consequences of the experiment were not limited to the social sphere; it also affected students academically. When deemed “superior,” the brown-eyed children completed a project in just two and a half minutes, compared to the five minutes it took when not in the superior position. Their grades mirrored this pattern, going down when they were lower and improving when they were higher. Overall, the experiment highlighted how discrimination can impact not only social dynamics but also academic performance. At the end of the experiment, Jane Elliott reassured her students that they were all created equal, emphasizing that no one should be judged based on eye color or anything else superficial. criteria. Relief was palpable among the students as both groups came together, once again fostering harmony and cooperation. This restoration of unity highlighted the potential for change and the malleability of prejudices,, 90(5), 751-783.