Immediate Emotional and Cognitive Responses
Jane Elliott’s Brown Eyes vs. Blue Eyes experiment elicited profound emotional and cognitive reactions from participants, demonstrating how quickly artificial hierarchies can shape self-perception and behavior. On the day the exercise was introduced, children who were designated as inferior (initially the blue-eyed group) exhibited visible distress, confusion, and frustration. Within hours, their academic performance declined—students who were normally confident in their work became hesitant, made more mistakes, and even began to doubt their own abilities. Some children cried, while others withdrew entirely, refusing to participate in classroom activities. These reactions mirrored the psychological impact of real-world discrimination, where marginalized individuals often internalize negative stereotypes, leading to diminished self-worth and impaired functioning. Conversely, the group deemed superior (the brown-eyed children) displayed increased assertiveness, with some becoming domineering or even cruel toward their peers. They embraced their elevated status, adopting an authoritarian demeanor that included mocking, excluding, and belittling the “inferior” group. This immediate shift in behavior underscores the powerful influence of social conditioning—when given unchecked power, even young children can quickly adopt oppressive behaviors.
The cognitive effects were equally striking. The inferior group began to accept their subordinate position as natural, demonstrating how systemic bias can warp self-perception. When questioned, some blue-eyed children parroted Elliott’s claims about their own inadequacy, showing how easily false hierarchies can be internalized. Meanwhile, the superior group justified their behavior by citing the “scientific” basis of their dominance, illustrating how prejudice is often rationalized through flawed logic. These responses align with theories of cognitive dissonance, where individuals adjust their beliefs to align with imposed social roles. The experiment also revealed how quickly group polarization occurs—once divisions were established, the children reinforced them through peer enforcement, ostracizing those who deviated from expected behaviors. These findings have significant implications for understanding real-world discrimination, showing that oppressive systems do not require long-term indoctrination to take hold. Even a single day of enforced hierarchy was enough to alter behavior, self-esteem, and group dynamics dramatically.
Long-Term Psychological Impact on Participants
While the Brown Eyes vs. Blue Eyes experiment lasted only two days, its psychological effects lingered far beyond the classroom. Follow-up interviews with participants years later revealed that the exercise had been a defining, often traumatic, moment in their lives. Many of the children who had been in the inferior group recalled feelings of intense shame and helplessness, emotions that stayed with them into adulthood. Some described the exercise as a painful but necessary lesson in empathy, giving them firsthand insight into the experiences of marginalized groups. Others, however, struggled with unresolved anger or confusion, particularly those who felt the exercise was unnecessarily harsh. The superior group members, in contrast, often reflected on their own capacity for cruelty with discomfort, realizing how easily they had embraced discriminatory attitudes when given permission. These long-term reactions highlight the duality of Elliott’s method—while it effectively taught empathy, it also exposed participants to psychological stress that some were unprepared to process.
The experiment’s lasting impact also speaks to the power of experiential learning. Unlike abstract discussions about racism, the visceral nature of the exercise ensured that participants never forgot its lessons. Many former students reported becoming more aware of prejudice in their daily lives, with some actively challenging discriminatory practices in their communities. However, critics argue that the emotional toll on young children may have outweighed these benefits, raising ethical questions about whether such intense methods are appropriate for elementary school settings. Despite these concerns, the long-term testimonies of participants largely support Elliott’s approach, with many crediting the experiment for shaping their lifelong commitment to equality. The exercise also demonstrated how early interventions can alter social attitudes—children who underwent the training were less likely to adopt prejudiced views later in life, suggesting that confronting bias at a young age can have enduring positive effects. These outcomes reinforce the importance of addressing discrimination through immersive, emotionally engaging methods rather than passive instruction.
Behavioral Changes and Social Dynamics Post-Experiment
One of the most revealing aspects of the Brown Eyes vs. Blue Eyes experiment was how it altered group dynamics and individual behavior both during and after the exercise. When the roles were reversed on the second day, the newly empowered group (formerly the oppressed) often replicated the same abusive behaviors they had previously condemned. This phenomenon mirrors real-world cycles of oppression, where marginalized groups, upon gaining power, may perpetuate similar systems of discrimination rather than dismantle them. The speed at which this shift occurred was alarming, demonstrating how deeply hierarchical thinking is ingrained in social behavior. Additionally, the experiment showed how quickly social norms can be enforced through peer pressure—children who resisted the imposed hierarchy were often ridiculed or ostracized by their own group, illustrating the coercive power of conformity. These observations align with social identity theory, which posits that individuals derive self-esteem from group affiliation and will enforce in-group norms to maintain cohesion.
Beyond the classroom, the experiment influenced how participants interacted with authority and perceived societal structures. Some children developed a heightened skepticism toward arbitrary rules and asserted dominance, questioning unjust systems in other areas of their lives. Others, however, became more submissive, having internalized the idea that authority figures could arbitrarily dictate their worth. These divergent responses highlight the complex interplay between power, resistance, and socialization. The experiment also revealed how quickly abusive systems can become self-sustaining—once the hierarchy was established, the children needed little prompting to enforce it, showing how oppression is often maintained through collective participation rather than top-down control alone. These insights remain relevant in modern discussions about systemic racism, workplace discrimination, and social justice movements, emphasizing the need for active, intentional efforts to disrupt prejudiced systems rather than passive compliance.
Ethical Debates and Psychological Safety Concerns
The Brown Eyes vs. Blue Eyes experiment has sparked significant ethical debates, particularly regarding psychological safety and informed consent. Critics argue that Elliott’s methods subjected children to undue emotional harm, comparing the exercise to psychological manipulation. The sudden, intense nature of the discrimination could have triggered anxiety, self-doubt, or even trauma in some participants, particularly those already vulnerable to emotional distress. Additionally, because the experiment was conducted without prior warning or parental consent in its initial iterations, it raised questions about the boundaries of educational authority. Some psychologists contend that while the exercise was effective in teaching about prejudice, the potential for lasting harm outweighed its benefits, particularly for young children who lacked the emotional tools to process the experience. These concerns have influenced modern ethical guidelines, which now emphasize the importance of debriefing, psychological support, and voluntary participation in similar exercises.
Supporters of Elliott’s work, however, argue that the discomfort was necessary to achieve meaningful empathy. They point to the participants’ own testimonies, many of whom described the exercise as life-changing in a positive way, fostering a deep understanding of discrimination that theoretical lessons could not provide. Elliott herself has defended the experiment, stating that the temporary distress was a small price to pay for lifelong awareness. She also notes that the children were fully debriefed afterward, with discussions about the exercise’s purpose and the artificial nature of the hierarchy. This follow-up was crucial in helping participants contextualize their emotions and apply the lessons constructively. The ethical debate surrounding the experiment continues to inform contemporary discussions about experiential learning, highlighting the balance between emotional impact and psychological safety in education and diversity training.
Broader Implications for Anti-Racism Education
The Brown Eyes vs. Blue Eyes experiment has had far-reaching implications for anti-racism education, offering a model for how to teach about privilege and discrimination in a tangible way. Traditional methods of discussing racism often rely on abstract concepts, which can fail to resonate on a personal level. Elliott’s approach, by contrast, forced participants to feel the effects of bias, creating an indelible emotional memory that reinforced the lesson. This method has since been adapted for adult diversity training programs, where simulations of discrimination are used to foster empathy and self-reflection. Corporations, universities, and government agencies have employed variations of the exercise to help employees recognize unconscious biases and understand systemic oppression. The experiment’s success in these settings underscores the importance of active, participatory learning in combating prejudice.
However, the exercise also highlights the limitations of short-term interventions in addressing deeply entrenched societal biases. While the experiment effectively demonstrated individual-level discrimination, real-world racism is sustained by historical, economic, and institutional forces that cannot be replicated in a two-day simulation. Critics argue that focusing solely on interpersonal bias risks overlooking larger structural issues, such as redlining, wage gaps, and unequal access to education. Nevertheless, Elliott’s work remains a vital tool in anti-racism education, providing a foundation upon which broader discussions about systemic change can be built. By first helping individuals recognize their own role in perpetuating bias, the exercise creates a pathway for more comprehensive societal transformation.
Conclusion: Lessons for Modern Society
Jane Elliott’s Brown Eyes vs. Blue Eyes experiment remains a powerful testament to the malleability of human behavior and the insidious nature of prejudice. Its findings—that discrimination can be taught and internalized with alarming speed, that power corrupts empathy, and that oppressive systems are maintained through collective participation—hold urgent relevance in today’s world. The experiment challenges us to confront our own biases and recognize how easily we might perpetuate injustice when placed in positions of authority. It also serves as a call to action, emphasizing that combating racism requires active, intentional effort rather than passive goodwill. While ethical concerns about the exercise persist, its enduring legacy lies in its ability to foster profound, lasting empathy in those who experience it. As society continues to grapple with systemic inequality, Elliott’s work reminds us that change begins with self-awareness and the courage to challenge unjust systems, no matter how deeply ingrained they may be.
