Social Diversity

Definition of Social Diversity

We are all different, so it would be virtually impossible to be in a social space that does not have social diversity.

Can you think of all the ways you are set apart from the other students in your class? The list is probably endless. We have different lifestyles, religions, taste preferences, and ethnicity. Social diversity can show up at work, in a classroom, on the bus, or simply walking down the street.

Psychologists are especially interested in social diversity because it plays a significant role in how we interact with one another and how we view ourselves as individuals. By understanding our differences, perhaps we can find ways to better get along, work towards a common goal, and foster inclusivity.

Fg. 1 Racial and ethnic diversity, Pexels.com

Types of Social Diversity

Diversity can be found in several different areas of society. Some types of social diversity include groups that are specifically protected by law and others that still play a large role in what makes us different.

Protected Class

Diversity can be found in several different areas of society. The diverse groups in society that a protected by law are often referred to as a protected class. In the United States, there are laws that protect members of a protected class from facing discrimination or maltreatment.

Racial

Race is a social construct, which means it's based on arbitrary rules that are formed or agreed upon by society. Race often refers to a person's physical traits including the color of their skin.

Cultural

Cultural diversity refers to differences in ethnicity or country of origin. Culture influences how we are raised, our values, and our morals. Some cultures are collectivistic (i.e. many Asian cultures) and others are individualistic (i.e. many Western cultures).

Sex and Gender

Sex and gender differences create social diversity. Sex is assigned at birth and refers to a person's biological features. A person's sex may be male, female, or intersex.

Gender on the other hand refers to how a person identifies in society. Sometimes, a person's gender does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. These individuals may identify as transgender.

Sexual Orientation

Sexual orientation is often thought of as a spectrum. It can include heterosexuality as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or asexual. (LGBTQ+).

(Dis)ability Status

Disabilities can vary greatly in society and can be either physical or mental. The diversity of disabilities in society should be considered in every setting to guarantee inclusivity and accessibility.

Age

There can be a lot of differences between generations. Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen X can each have different values and interests.

Religious

In America, everyone has the freedom to practice whatever religion they choose. As a result, this creates widespread religious and spiritual social diversity.

Other Types of Social Diversity

Outside of protected class, other forms of social diversity can still exist. A lot of things can make us different including:

• Education -- some people have a high school education and others have a doctorate.

• Socioeconomic background -- some people make $30,000 a year and others are millionaires.

• Overall worldview -- some people believe in the death penalty, others do not

• Life experiences -- some people are war veterans, others are pre-school teachers.

• Personality -- some people are quiet and shy, others are loud and charismatic.

Importance of Social Diversity

What is the importance of social diversity? Even in nature, diversity helps a species survive. More diversity among animals and plants, for example, can decrease the likelihood of certain diseases spreading. Diversity among humans can strengthen us and increase our chances of survival as well.

Social diversity is also important because it prevents stagnation and fosters creativity. When we experience new cultures and new perspectives, it helps us generate new ideas and consider new approaches to solving a problem. Diversity also increases the likelihood for minorities to have the opportunity to interact with people that are in their own group. This interaction can help reduce a minority's chances of experiencing a stereotype threat.

Fg. 2 Social diversity in the workplace, Pexels.com

Stereotype threats can cause minorities to underperform in certain settings. But the presence of other minority members in a group can act as a buffer for all minorities, protecting them from underperformance as well as negative stereotypes, and self-doubt. These advantages of social diversity can be especially valuable in the workplace. While interacting with others that are different from us can be difficult, diversity in the workplace can lead to more productivity and inclusivity.

Social Diversity Examples

Let's take a look at a few social diversity examples of how it can impact learning, intergroup attitudes and behaviors, and civic engagement.

Learning

Next time you're in class, look around you and note all of your differences. How many different types of diversity might you see? The classroom can be one of the most diverse spaces we can be in. You may see diversity in race, religion, ethnicity, culture, learning styles, socioeconomic background, gender, sexual orientation, or language. As we mentioned earlier, social diversity can help foster creativity and pushes us to consider new approaches. These advantages can in turn help improve the process of learning. Simply the presence of minorities can trigger better cognition for individuals. Having to understand different views than your own forces you to stretch your thinking and consider perspectives outside of your own experiences.

Intergroup Attitudes and Behaviors

It is our natural tendency to be drawn to people who are more like us. It's often the easiest way to interact with others. However, social diversity can help change our attitudes and behaviors toward those who are not like us and increase our empathy towards them as well. Men who take a women's studies class may adjust their attitudes towards women or white students who take a Latin-American studies class may adjust their attitudes towards the Latino community.

Civic Engagement

When we are empathetic towards others, we are more likely and willing to want to help them, even if they are different from us. In this way, social diversity can help foster civic engagement.

Fg. 3 Civic engagement, Pixels.com

When we understand one another better, one group's struggle is all of our struggles. We become more likely to act to inspire change, even if it doesn't directly affect our group. This is called collective action.

Two things must be present to predict the odds of collective action in response to diversity in action:

1. Understanding outgroup perspectives

2. Feelings of guilt

Social Diversity Issues

Diversity offers several advantages to society. But there are social diversity issues that can arise due to our differences. In a diverse space, we might have to interact with people who speak a different language than ours or simply have different communication styles than the culture we group up in. This can lead to communication issues that may be difficult to work around or manage.

Also, it's true that working with people who are more similar to you may help that group make decisions more quickly. If everyone in a group thinks alike and believes the same thing, chances are you will be able to quickly agree on the same thing as well. However, if a group is very diverse and has people with different cultures, lifestyles, or beliefs, they may have a more difficult time making decisions.

Even though social diversity may lead to slower decision-making, it is usually worth it to make a decision with several different perspectives.