Human Diversity

Ethnic Diversity Involves people’s ethnic groups, which tend to unite them according to features such as their cultural heritage, race, language, and common history.

Biculturalism Functions competently within two cultures (the dominant culture in the US and another culture within the home, without losing their cultural identity or choosing one culture over another.

Probing of human diversity Enables students to appreciate the cultural heritages and historical problems of various ethnic groups

Question How can psychologists hope to understand the aspirations and problems of individuals from an ethnic group without understanding the history and cultural heritage of that group?

Gender The state of being male or female Not simply a matter of anatomic sex

Gender Involves a complex web of cultural expectations and social roles that affects people’s self-concepts and hopes and dreams, as well as their overt behavior.

Question How can sciences such as psychology and medicine hope to understand the particular viewpoints, qualities, and problems of women if most research is conducted with men and by men?

Gender Even much of the scientific research into gender roles and gender differences assumes that male behavior represents the norm.

Other Kinds of Diversity Age Ability Sexual Orientation

Contributors Know the different contributions made by women and different ethnic individuals.

Critical Thinking Taking nothing for granted and refers to a process of thoughtfully analyzing and probing questions, statements, and arguments of others.

Critical Thinking Principles of critical thinking Recognizing common fallacies in arguments Critical thinking=education