Time
5 minutes
Description
This demonstration helps participants see that a different perspective can change the way that they see things.
Materials
- None
Preparation
- None
Procedure
Use the following script (or modify to suit your needs):
- “Everyone stand up.”
- “Take your right hand, and point your index finger at the ceiling.” (Hold up your right hand and point at the ceiling to demonstrate.)
- “Now, turn your finger in the same direction that the hands on a clock move.” (Demonstrate what you’ve asked them to do. Your finger should turn in a circular motion to the right, i.e. clockwise.)
- “Good, now keep your finger turning, and slowly lower your hand until your finger is below the level of your nose.” (Demonstrate the action.)
- “What happened?” (When their hands are below the level of their noses, their fingers should now appear to be moving in a counter-clockwise motion.)
- “Now, raise your hand up above your head again while you continue to move your finger in the same direction.” (Demonstrate.)
- “What happened?” (Their fingers should now appear to be turning clockwise again.)
- “Can anyone explain what is happening?” (Allow them to try to explain what happened if they can. If not, point out that their finger is always turning in the same direction. However, their perspective has changed. When they are below their fingers and looking up, their fingers look one way, and when they are looking down on their fingers, they look another way.)
- “So what can we learn from this activity?” (Responses should include that what people can see the same thing from two different perspectives and have very different experiences of the same event. They might also note that it’s a good idea to look at things from multiple perspectives before making decisions or judgments.)
Teach Them 