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PSYC FPX 1540 Assessment 1 A Class Divided Worksheet Insights

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PSYC FPX 1540 Assessment 1 A Class Divided Worksheet Insights

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Student Name

Capella University

PSYC-FPX1540 The Psychology of Human Differences and Society

Prof. Name

Date

A Class Divided Worksheet

Directions

Follow the instructions carefully for each section. Complete all five parts thoughtfully.

Preparation

Before beginning this worksheet, ensure that you have watched A Class Divided from your reading list. This documentary details the renowned blue eyes/brown eyes classroom experiment created by schoolteacher Jane Elliott following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. The exercise aimed to demonstrate the mechanisms and effects of prejudice and discrimination based on arbitrary characteristics.

Part 1: Connecting Concepts

Scoring Criterion

Describe the effects of culture, ethnicity, and diversity on the human experience.

Purpose

To explore how information from two distinct sources can be combined to enhance understanding of social concepts like stereotypes and categorization.

Directions and Responses

Directions Your Response
1. Quote your textbook’s explanation of how stereotypes develop. “Stereotypes emerge progressively through social learning that encompasses categorization, overgeneralization, and selective perception processes that shape group-based attitudes” (Blaine & Brenchley, 2020).
2. Summarize a key point from the video A Class Divided related to how stereotypes form. The documentary A Class Divided illustrates how stereotypes can evolve and spread rapidly when people are divided based on arbitrary traits, such as eye color. This dynamic highlights how categorization influences perceptions and behaviors (Frontline, 1985).
3. Compare the video summary to the textbook explanation—how are they similar? Both the reading and the documentary emphasize categorization as a foundation for stereotypes. They reveal how overgeneralizations about group traits reinforce discrimination and alter interpersonal dynamics, fostering biased perceptions.

Putting It Together

Main Idea:
Stereotypes are constructed and transmitted through social interactions that rely on categorization and selective perception, influencing how individuals view cultural, ethnic, and social differences.

Paragraph (Using MEAL Plan):
Stereotypes are constructed and transmitted through social interactions that rely on categorization and selective perception, influencing how individuals view cultural, ethnic, and social differences. “Stereotypes emerge progressively through social learning that encompasses categorization, overgeneralization, and selective perception processes that shape group-based attitudes” (Blaine & Brenchley, 2020). The documentary A Class Divided illustrates how stereotypes can evolve and spread rapidly when people are divided based on arbitrary traits, such as eye color (Frontline, 1985). Both the textbook and the film highlight the role of categorization in reinforcing overgeneralizations, demonstrating how individuals begin to perceive and treat others based on generalized group characteristics rather than individual merit.

Part 2: Common Fallacies

Scoring Criterion

Describe the relationship between common fallacies in thinking and inaccurate conclusions.

Purpose

To identify and understand thinking errors that lead to false assumptions or biased interpretations.

Directions Your Response
Describe ultimate attribution error. The ultimate attribution error refers to the tendency to attribute others’ negative behaviors to internal causes, such as personality traits, while attributing one’s own actions to external circumstances.
Describe an example from the video A Class Divided that shows ultimate attribution error at work. In A Class Divided, when the brown-eyed students were declared superior, they attributed their success to personal qualities rather than the artificial advantage given by the teacher. This reflects the ultimate attribution error, as the situation—not inherent ability—dictated their behavior and confidence.

Part 3: Communication

Scoring Criterion

Describe the relationship between culture, value, bias, and misunderstandings in communication.

Purpose

To analyze how bias and cultural perceptions shape the way people communicate and interpret messages.

Directions Your Response
Describe an example from the video A Class Divided that shows how a stereotype (eye color) affected communication between the participants. In the experiment, once the brown-eyed students were labeled as superior, communication between groups deteriorated. Conversations became defensive and hostile, as students viewed one another through the lens of their assigned group status. This demonstrates how stereotypes distort interpersonal communication and amplify bias, causing misunderstanding and emotional distance.

Part 4: Self-Reflection

Scoring Criterion

Describe the potential for prejudice and discrimination in oneself and others.

Purpose

To connect theoretical knowledge with personal and observed experiences, promoting self-awareness and empathy.

Directions Your Response
Describe one of the processes of stereotypes (personal exposure, distinctive individuals and behaviors, socialization) from the textbook. According to Blaine and Brenchley (2020), stereotypes often emerge through socialization, where individuals learn group norms and biases from influential figures and cultural institutions. This process explains how Jane Elliott’s students began internalizing beliefs about superiority and inferiority once social norms in the classroom shifted.
Describe an experience from the video A Class Divided that shows a process of a stereotype developing. In the video, the children’s perception of one another quickly changed after being told that eye color determined worth. This demonstrates social learning and categorization, where repeated exposure to messages about group status led to the development of bias and discriminatory behaviors (Frontline, 1985).
Describe an experience from your life that shows a process of a stereotype developing. I have witnessed how media portrayals can shape gender stereotypes. For instance, a friend who was frequently exposed to negative depictions of men developed a belief that all men are aggressive or insensitive. This illustrates how repeated socialization and selective exposure to biased narratives reinforce stereotype formation and biased behavior.

Part 5: Looking to Careers

Scoring Criterion

Describe the importance of working effectively in diverse work environments.

Purpose

To reflect on how understanding diversity and bias enhances professional and interpersonal skills applicable in real-world settings.

Directions Your Response
Using bullet points, describe three job-related skills or abilities you’ll develop in this course. • Cross-cultural empathy • Inclusivity and open-mindedness • Cultural competence and awareness
In a full sentence, describe one skill or ability you’ll develop in this course that you can use in life right away. This course will help me cultivate empathy toward individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, improving my ability to engage respectfully and effectively in any social or professional setting.
Describe one thing you learned from this activity (or A Class Divided) that you can use in life right away. Through this activity, I learned how quickly stereotypes can form and influence perception. Recognizing this process allows me to challenge biases, foster inclusivity, and create environments free from prejudice and discrimination in both personal and professional contexts.

References

Blaine, B. E., & Brenchley, K. J. M. (2020). Understanding the psychology of diversity (4th ed.). Sage Publications.

PSYC FPX 1540 Assessment 1 A Class Divided Worksheet Insights

Frontline (Producer). (1985). A class divided [Video]. Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).




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