The Dunce Cap is a pointed hat traditionally used as a form of punishment in schools, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was often worn by students who were considered slow learners or who had misbehaved. The cap was meant to publicly shame the student, reinforcing the idea that they were not performing well academically. The term "dunce" originates from the name of the philosopher and theologian John Duns Scotus, whose complex ideas were mocked by later scholars. Over time, the Dunce Cap became a symbol of ignorance and ridicule, representing the negative attitudes toward education and learning difficulties.