Understanding Discrimination Through Experimentation

The video explores a classroom experiment by Mrs. Jane Elliott, who uses eye color to teach third graders about discrimination and prejudice. Set in Wrightsville, a predominantly white town, the experiment highlights societal biases and the impact of discrimination. The video also discusses the broader American context and the importance of understanding and addressing prejudice.

What was the initial discriminatory statement made by the teacher?

• Blue-eyed people are more intelligent than brown-eyed people.

• Brown-eyed people are more intelligent than blue-eyed people.

• All students are treated equally.

• Eye color does not affect intelligence.

What is the demographic makeup of Spillville?

• Majority Hispanic

• Predominantly African American

• Diverse with multiple ethnicities

• All white and all Christian

What was the purpose of Mrs. Jane Elliott's experiment?

• To demonstrate the effects of prejudice

• To improve reading skills

• To encourage sportsmanship

• To teach math and science

How were students divided in the classroom experiment?

• By age

• By height

• By eye color

• By gender

What privilege was given to blue-eyed students during the experiment?

• Extra homework

• No privileges

• More recess time

• Less lunch time

What behavioral changes were observed in students during the experiment?

• No change in behavior

• Improved academic performance

• Increased cooperation

• Decreased cooperation and increased discrimination

How did the students feel when they were discriminated against?

• Empowered

• Hurt and excluded

• Happy

• Indifferent

What lesson did the students learn from the experiment?

• Discrimination is acceptable

• Prejudice has no impact

• Eye color determines intelligence

• Prejudice and discrimination are harmful

What did the teacher observe about the students' behavior when given superiority?

• They became more aggressive and discriminatory

• They became more cooperative

• They became more empathetic

• They showed no change

What was the overall impact of the experiment on the students?

• It made them dislike school

• It helped them understand the effects of discrimination

• It had no impact

• It reinforced their prejudices