Responses to people in authority

EasyMediumHard
123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051
Question 14
Medium

An investigation into social categorization

A psychology teacher splits her class of 24 students into two groups using colored lanyards to investigate if arbitrary labeling leads to discriminatory behavior. The blue-lanyard group are told they are the "academic elite" and are highly capable. They are given comfortable seats, regular praise, and allowed to lead class discussions. The green-lanyard group are expected to sit on hard stools at the back of the room, work in silence, and cannot use the classroom resources without permission. When a green-lanyard student asks to borrow a calculator, the teacher tells the class, “A lack of organization and poor preparation are typical green-lanyard traits.” In response, the blue-lanyard students smirked.

During the lesson, the green-lanyard students became quiet and demotivated, and their test scores dropped. The blue-lanyard students achieved higher-than-average marks. The blue-lanyard students complied with the setup even though some admitted feeling it was unfair. When a green-lanyard student dropped their ruler, a blue-lanyard student remarked, “Typical green-lanyard clumsiness.”

Outline one reason the blue-lanyard students ‘complied with the setup even though some admitted feeling it was unfair’. Support your answer with evidence from the source.

[3]

Responses to people in authority Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Psychology
  3. /Responses to people in authority