Revisiting the Pink Triangle Exercise: An Exploration of Experiential Learning in Graduate Social Work Education

Abstract

The pink triangle exercise is an example of an experiential learning exercise that creates cognitive dissonance and deep learning of unrealized internalized biases among social work students. Students wear a button with a pink triangle on it for 1 day and write a reflection paper. The exercise increases self-awareness, cultural competence, and the understanding of abstract concepts. An analysis of reflection papers over three annual courses revealed consistent themes, which were presented back to students. The thematic analyses, an application of the process of experiential learning, and the implications this exercise and type of learning are presented.

Keywords:

• experiential learning
• pink triangle exercise
• social justice
• cognitive dissonance

Notes

A previous version of this paper was presented at the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, San Antonio, TX, November 2009.