Activity 1.2.2 Diverse Situations

Purpose

To acknowledge situational prejudices and reactions

Materials

Handout–Diverse Situations Reaction Form

Time

1 hr

Method

1. Inform participants that you are going to read a situation in which they are required to rate their reactions. (See handout on next page)
2. Begin by telling participants to close their eyes and imagine that it is a beautiful sunny day. Read each situation to the group. Ask participants to complete the handout.
3. After the participants have finished rating their reactions to the first situation, read the next situation.

   SITUATION 1: You just sat down to rest on a bench in a park. A couple is across from you at the next bench. They start to argue very loudly. It is obvious from their conversation that it is a lovers’ quarrel. The man begins to intimidate the woman with pushing and shoving movements. The woman is very upset and crying.

   SITUATION 2: You just sat down to rest on a bench in a park. A couple is across from you at the next bench. They start to argue very loudly. It is obvious from their conversation that it is a lovers’ quarrel. One man begins to intimidate the other man with pushing and shoving movements. The man who is being pushed around is very upset and crying.

4. When both situations have been rated by participants ask participants to talk about their comfort level in each situation. Did they have different reactions for different couples? Were they more helpful to one couple than the other? Why?
5. Guide a discussion on why the reaction would be different in similar situations. Is the situation being judged or are the people being judged in the situation?
6. Ask participants what they imagined these couples looked like. Does it make a difference when it comes to giving assistance?
7. What did they learn about themselves?