1. Chapter 12 Diversity and Your Relationships with Others

2. Living in a World of Diversity
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Our world is increasingly interconnected and interdependent
By the mid-21st Century, more people in the United States will be of African, Asian, Latin American and Arabic descent than those of Western European descent
Diversity encompasses racial, gender, sexual orientation, age, mental and physical characteristics
Additional diversity traits include religion, education, income level and individual differences
LO 12.1

3. Living in a World of Diversity
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LO 12.1

4. Race, Ethnicity, and Culture
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Race
Traditionally, biologically determined physical characteristics that set one group apart from another
Ethnicity
Shared natural origins or cultural patterns
Culture
The learned behaviors, beliefs and attitudes that are characteristic of an individual society or population, and including the products that they create
LO 12.1

5. Building Cultural Competence
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Cultural competence is learned
It is a knowledge of other people’s backgrounds, customs, perspectives and history
Provides a basis for civic engagement
Permits us to act with civility toward others
It allows us to make the most of our contribution to society
LO 12.2

6. Diversity – Prepare Accepting diversity as a valued part of your life
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Accepting diversity as a valued part of your life
We form relationships more easily with people who are similar to us
However, we can grow and be challenged when we seek out people that are different from us
We can learn what motivates other people and become aware of new ways to think about family, relationships, earning a living and the value of education
Learning to accept others who are different from you is an important job skill
LO 12.2

7. Diversity – Organize Exploring your own prejudices and stereotypes
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Exploring your own prejudices and stereotypes
Prejudice – the evaluations or judgments of members of a group based on their being members of that group
Discrimination – the behavior toward members of group based on their being members of that group
Stereotypes – beliefs and expectations about members of a group that are held because they are members of that group
LO 12.2

8. Diversity – Work Developing cultural competence
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Developing cultural competence
Study other cultures and customs
Travel
Participate in service-learning
Don’t ignore people’s backgrounds
Don’t make assumptions about who people are
Accept differences
LO 12.2

9. Diversity – Evaluate Ask yourself the following questions:
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Ask yourself the following questions:
How do I make judgments about people?
Who are my friends?
Do I openly express positive values about diversity?
Am I learning about other cultures?
Am I evenhanded in my relationships?
Do I recognize that all people have the same basic needs?
Do I look down upon other racial or ethnic groups because I take pride in my own?
Do I look at things with different perspectives?
LO 12.2

10. Diversity – Rethink
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Understand how your own racial, ethnic and cultural background affects others
Regardless of background, other students at your school share similar concerns about success, and life goals
Bridging differences can create lasting social ties
LO 12.2

11. Building Lasting Relationships
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Making friends
Invest time in others
Reveal yourself
Let others know you like them
Accept others as they are, not as you would like them to be
Show concern and caring
Be open to friendships with people who are very different from you
Not everyone makes a good friend
LO 12.3

12. Building Lasting Relationships
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The R-Word: Relationships
Trust
Honesty
Mutual support
Loyalty
Acceptance
Willingness to embrace change
LO 12.3

13. Communicating in Relationships
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Communicating well is a blend of talking and listening
Sometimes silence is the best support you can give
Improve your listening skills
Stop talking!
Demonstrate that you are listening
Use reflective feedback
Ask questions
Admit when you are distracted
LO 12.3

14. Loneliness
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One can be happy alone or lonely in a crowd. Loneliness is subjective.
Strategies for overcoming loneliness include:
Become involved in campus activities
Find a study partner
Know that you’re not alone in your loneliness
Take advantage of orientation and first-year student activities
Take a job on campus
Remember that loneliness is typically temporary
LO 12.3

15. Avoiding and Handling Conflicts
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Remember to make “I” statements
Remember that conflict is not necessarily bad
Conflict resolution tips:
Stop, look, and listen
Defuse the argument
Get personal
Listen to the real message
Show that you’re listening
If you are angry, acknowledge it
Ask for clarification
Be specific
Don’t think it’s a zero-sum game
End the relationship if emotional or physical abuse occurs
LO 12.3

16. When Relationships Are Over
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Time can work to heal the heartache of a lost relationship
Other strategies:
Stay busy
Accept your feelings
Talk with a friend or relative
Write about the relationship
Talk to a professional
LO 12.3