...In the first class I said that there was an island within sight. Maybe I shouldn't have said that. I believe it effected the thinking of one group. This group wanted to save everyone, but since they couldn't fit everyone in the lifeboat they chose to exclude the youngest and healthiest looking individuals. Their reasoning, and their hope, was that these people might be strong enough to swim to the island and save themselves.
One student in one of the groups wanted to eliminate the cheerleader and the rapper. She was especially strong minded about the cheerleader. She thought these people would think themselves too good or too special and not do any work to contribute to the survival of the group. ...
Yes, you probably wouldn't want to tell them there was an island within sight. I would made the same choices as your students to eliminate the strongest thinking that they would be strong enough to swim.
Again, like our old exercise, the choice of the cheerleader is based on stereo types. Many cheerleaders are athletic, smart and very resourceful as I worked for a few of them in the corporate environment before.
This sure is a fun exercise. I am glad you were able to use it in your class.