Using Shrek to Teach About Stigma

Abstract

We describe an active learning exercise to teach students about social stigma. After lecturing on the topic, the instructor distributes a worksheet and shows several clips from the movie Shrek, pausing after each clip to lead a discussion of the concepts. We provide information about the movie scenes, the student worksheet, and instructor discussion guide. Students who attended a lecture on stigma and participated in the Shrek exercise ( n = 14) scored higher on an assessment of the concepts than students who viewed the lecture and completed a self-reflection exercise ( n = 13) as well as students who only viewed the lecture and did not participate in an exercise ( n = 13). Students ( N = 52) also indicated that they enjoyed the exercise and believed it provides clarification of the topics above and beyond the lecture material. Thus, our Shrek active learning exercise is a useful tool for helping students learn about the sensitive issues of social stigma.