I would call it “why we need classes in rebellion” or something (to get their attention) and then talk about the Milgram obedience experiment and Asch’s conformity experiment. Two classic results that demonstrate the power of authority and peer pressure.
Then get your audience talking about how to foster independence without going too far in the other direction. E.g. teachers who nearly always teach the core curriculum, but once in a while throw out a huge whopper to test if you’re paying attention. (This works btw. I had a history teacher who tested our credulity by telling us that the pseudo-documentary Punishment Park was real. I googled it and called him a liar next class, and he gave me an A. The vivid memory of being terrified but right was useful for a few years)
I would call it “why we need classes in rebellion” or something (to get their attention) and then talk about the Milgram obedience experiment and Asch’s conformity experiment. Two classic results that demonstrate the power of authority and peer pressure.
Then get your audience talking about how to foster independence without going too far in the other direction. E.g. teachers who nearly always teach the core curriculum, but once in a while throw out a huge whopper to test if you’re paying attention. (This works btw. I had a history teacher who tested our credulity by telling us that the pseudo-documentary Punishment Park was real. I googled it and called him a liar next class, and he gave me an A. The vivid memory of being terrified but right was useful for a few years)