[December 3, 2023] A 1985 social science experiment by Drs. Robert Kleck and Christopher Strenta have been getting their deserved recognition (article link here) lately in media circles. I bring this up mostly to credit these scientists for telling us something most people already know. Their study is called the Scar Experiment. Here is the conclusion in the authors’ own words:
“This line of argument raises the interesting possibility that if we expect others to react negatively to some aspect of our physical appearance, there is probably little those others can do to prevent us from confirming our expectation.” – Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, Vol 3, No. 3, 1985, Kleck and Strenta, p. 266
In the “Scar Experiment,” Kleck and Strenta gathered participants and told them that the experiment was meant to observe if people behaved differently towards those with facial scars. Participants were placed in rooms with no mirrors. Make-up artists proceeded to draw a scar on their faces. After the scar was drawn, participants were given a short glimpse of it with a pocket mirror.
Participants were then invited to leave the room and interact with folks in the building. Before they left the room, the make-up artists told the participants that the scar needed some final touch-up. But what the make-up artists actually did next was wipe off the make-up scar.
The result was that the participants overwhelmingly reported that people stared at their scars and were mean and rude to them.
First, I will note that this experiment is classic science and highly creative. I’m not too surprised it was done before the year 2000, as I doubt social scientists would get permission to do this today. Second, the experiment changed the field of the psychology of perception, and that was a good thing. However, we are seeing a pushback on this kind of science and the knowledge it can generate.
I found the article very interesting because it crushes the Wokeism arguments that select groups of us that we are perpetual victims and there is nothing we can do about it. And it also runs counter to the idea we are defined by our group association rather than by our own efforts.
Great study. If you get a chance, read it. It’s very short.
—————
Please read my books:
Gen. Satterfield, you da man. Another excellent article that slams the current fad of victimhood.
Excellent job my friend
Scripture promises that God will bring healing to our scars. Psalm 147:3 says, “God heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.” He lovingly wraps His strong arms around me and gently whispers, “These scars are part of your story, and I think they are beautiful.” He does this for all of His children.
The scar are my reminder of what wounds we are healed from. A scar from emotional hurt. A scar from physical hurting from bad relationship. A scar from family or friends hurts. I preached this message several years ago. A scar is our testimony to tell the person who needs encouragement from our scar or scars you not the only one who got the scar.
So never be ashamed of yours scar
Jesus scars when He was whipped and nailed on tye cross.
Thank God for our scar or scars
Sir, nailed it. Thanks!
I’m new to this website on leadership and making myself better. I hope that I can add value here.
Welcome aboard, Marshall. I hope you enjoy my articles.
Gen. Satterfield and the study of victimhood. I would love to read more about his thoughts. Yes, I know that this website has its limits. But to get a series of articles, or maybe a short book that can be used by us as a starting point on how to think properly and to move away from victimhood, would be wonderful. I know that Thomas Sowell is a great writer and thinker who also addresses this point and I will be reading more about his thoughts.
—
Thomas Sowell: a ‘Maverick’ Leader
https://www.theleadermaker.com/thomas-sowell-a-maverick-leader/
Keep this website alive. It’s the best one to help us improve ourselves. Be HUMBLE, my friends, be humble.
👍 Great point. And Gen. Satterfield says the same thing.
Gen. Satterfield, another example of the psychological pull of the easy life and how we can be manipulated by outside forces so easily. Please continue with your victimhood articles. I’m loving them all. Hey, Mr. Gilliam, what do you have to say? I look forward to your comments too.
OUCH, “Participants were then invited to leave the room and interact with folks in the building. Before they left the room, the make-up artists told the participants that the scar needed some final touch-up. But what the make-up artists actually did next was wipe off the make-up scar. The result was that the participants overwhelmingly reported that people stared at their scars and were mean and rude to them.” Do not trust anything that comes out of a college. The lemmings are already marching over the cliff and you don’t want to be dragged along with them.
Yep, LM, the lemmings are, indeed, already headed off the cliff. Don’t get caught up with them or they will pull you over.
It often goes without saying that many of the creative social experiments of the past are enlightening of basic human psychology. furthermore, it is clear that these kinds of experiments (as harmless as they are) will no longer be tolerated in our Woke universities because of they fear the results.
Right, how far our universities have fallen both intellectually and morally. They are now run by abject cowards. And the cowards are rewarded and celebrated.
GGRRREEEEAAT comment, Marlboro Man. 😎
Yep, don’tbelieve this, then go to any campus and talk to the students one on one. They know nothing about government, American or world history, math, english, deportment, or any of the religions. They are just parrots repeating what they are force feed by their Marxist professors.
Powerful and spot on!
❤❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍👍 I agree Nick!!
I’m smiling all the way. Got my coffee, dog, and easy chair this Sunday morning. And all this done before going to church at 10:00 AM. Thank you Gen. Satterfield. BTW, I got yhour book “55 Rules for a Good Life,” and excellent primer on how to be a better person and live a good life.
Great to see you on Gen. Satterfield’s forum again, Patriot Wife. Thank you for helping stand up to the craziness.