Reflecting on Prejudice: A Personal Experience
Introduction
The PBS documentary “A Class Divided” presents a poignant examination of prejudice and discrimination through an experiment conducted by teacher Jane Elliott in the wake of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. In her classroom, she divided students based on eye color to illustrate the arbitrary nature of discrimination and its harmful effects. This powerful portrayal compelled me to reflect on my own experiences with prejudicial feelings and how misattributions influenced my judgments about others.
A Personal Experience
During my sophomore year in high school, I participated in a group project with classmates from diverse backgrounds. One day, I noticed that one of my peers, who was from a lower socioeconomic background, seemed less engaged and struggled to contribute effectively to our discussions. Unconsciously, I began to attribute his lack of participation to a perceived laziness or lack of ambition. This quick judgment led me to dismiss him as a valuable contributor to our project.
Attribution Processes
Two key attribution processes that influenced my judgment were the fundamental attribution error and stereotyping.
1. Fundamental Attribution Error: This cognitive bias occurs when individuals overemphasize personality traits while underestimating situational factors in judging others’ behavior. In my case, I focused solely on my peer’s apparent disengagement, attributing it to his character rather than considering external circumstances that might have contributed to his behavior—such as personal challenges at home or a lack of familiarity with the subject matter. By failing to acknowledge these situational factors, I misjudged his capabilities and potential contributions to our project.
2. Stereotyping: The second attribution process at play was stereotyping, which involves forming generalized beliefs about a group based on limited information. My preconceived notions about students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds influenced how I perceived my classmate. I unconsciously associated his demeanor with stereotypes of underachievement and lack of motivation, leading me to underestimate his intelligence and potential value to our group. This stereotyping created a barrier that prevented me from seeing him as an individual with unique strengths and weaknesses.
Reflection on Prejudicial Feelings
Reflecting on this experience, I realize how my judgments were not only unfair but also detrimental to my peer’s confidence and our group’s dynamics. My prejudicial feelings were shaped by cognitive biases that clouded my ability to empathize with him and appreciate his contributions.
The documentary “A Class Divided” emphasizes the importance of recognizing the arbitrary nature of prejudice, urging viewers to confront their biases directly. Elliott’s experiment revealed how easily individuals can adopt discriminatory attitudes based on superficial characteristics, highlighting the need for self-awareness in our interactions with others.
Conclusion
This reflection serves as a reminder of the impact that misattributions and prejudicial feelings can have on our judgments of others. Recognizing these cognitive processes allows for greater empathy and understanding in our interactions, encouraging us to see people beyond labels and stereotypes. Moving forward, I strive to be more mindful of my own biases and remain open to understanding the complex realities that shape each individual’s experiences. By doing so, I hope to foster a more inclusive and compassionate environment in both my personal and professional life.
Our orders are delivered strictly on time without delay 
