Prejudice and discrimination are inbuilt creation in people’s minds which develops hard to crack barriers of effective coexistence of differentiated groups. The study by Jane Elliot presents the reality that the minority groups have to undergo only because they are discriminated by the others. The study shows reveals that the behaviour of the minority group is influenced by the circumstances that exist. Elliot shows that when an individual is offered a good environment to operate in, he tends to behave in a superior way and have a positive perception of success in life. The study has established a barrier that is created by the discrimination and stereotyping that has been hardwired into the thinking of people, due to the circumstances evident in their lives.
The lesson in Elliot’s study will forever have a positive impact on the diversified workforce of today. The brown-eyed pupils behaved differently from the blue-eyed pupils even when the roles were reversed. The false ideas generated by discrimination and prejudice rewire the brains thinking into inferior and superior perception. The lesson helps colleagues at work understand that the behaviour of the minority group is as a result of the stressful environment they are put in, and not their genes weakness. Individuals that are placed in a powerless environment based on their physical characteristics tend to become passive, helpless, resigned and will live down to the expectation of others about them. The lesson will have a positive impact on the efficiency of the workforce. If the entire workforce understands the importance of avoiding and eliminating discrimination of any type at the workplace, then everybody will have a positive work environment and thus will gain the natural orientation of pursuing success. The benefits of tapping many talents in a diverse workforce will thus be easily achieved.
References
Peters, W. (Director). (1985). A Class Divided [Motion Picture]. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/divided/etc/view.html
