Cornerstone:First Year ExperienceUWG 1101

Chapter Twelve:Relate

Celebrating People, Cultures, and Diversity “We must learn to live

together as brothers or perish together as fools.”- Martin Luther King, Jr

Chapter Goals

1. Understand the concept of globalization and its impact on personal and work relationships.

2. Define and discuss ethnocentrism and xenocentrism

3. Identify and understand the dimensions of diversity.

4. Understand the power of having an open mind.

5. Understand how the dimensions of diversity can bring people together.

Act with compassion and understanding for people who are different from you.

Develop a good understanding of the different cultures, beliefs, and issues embraced by people from around the world.

Travel internationally and experience firsthand people from around the world.

Listen carefully, think differently, and solve problem that emerge in the workplace and in communities because of cultural differences.

Understand historical perspectives in order to understand reasons for the tensions between and among different cultures.

“Think Globally, Act Locally”

Connectivity over they years

How did we become so globally connected? Radio – It took 38 years for radio to reach 50 million

users Television – It took 13 years for television to reach 50

million users Internet – It took 5 years for the internet to reach 50

million users

Internet users are roughly 35% English and 65% non-English – roughly 14% are Chinese.

Google’s Index stands at over 8 billion pages Today we have over a billion internet users.

Ethnocentrism The tendency to believe that one’s ethnic or

cultural group is centrally important, and that all other groups are measured in relation to one’s own.

We tend to fear people from other ethnic backgrounds or lump them together and view them as a group.

Xenocentrism

The opposite of ethnocentrism Belief that other cultures are superior to

one’s own culture and that one’s own culture has little to offer.

Often an overcorrection to ethnocentrism.

Dimensions of Diversity

Racial What is racism? Where do you see racism in the world

around you?

Dimensions of Diversity

Religious Three Major beliefs people have about other

religions:◦ Exclusivism

Other faiths are in grave error and viewed as opponents.

◦ Inclusivism Other faiths have some truth in them, but are only

partly developed.◦ Pluralsim

All faiths are valid when viewed from within their particular cultures.

Dimensions of Diversity

Gender ◦ Research indicates that gender roles are among

the first that individuals learn and that all societies treat males differently from females.

Gender roles – a set of social and behavioral norms.

What are some of the gender roles predominant in our culture?◦ The way we dress◦ The way we act◦ Career choices

Dimensions of Diversity

Age Ageism – discrimination based on a person’s

age.◦ Can target the young, old, and middle aged.◦ Influences hiring practices◦ Impacts heath coverage◦ Ageist stereotyping

Dimensions of Diversity

Ethnic◦ A social group that is typically distinguished by

race, religion or national origin.◦ A group socially distinguished or set apart, by

others or by itself, primarily on the basis of cultural or national-origin characteristics.

Dimensions of Diversity

Sexual Orientation◦ An enduring pattern of emotional, romantic,

and/or sexual attractions to men, women, or both sexes. – American Psychological Association.

◦ Some argue this orientation is developed naturally…

◦ Others argue is an influenced decision of choice.◦ Objective evidence shows that the factors

influencing relationship satisfaction, commitment, and stability are remarkably similar for both same-sex and heterosexual couples

Dimensions of Diversity

Social Class◦ Using parameters of a person’s income, education

level, type of work, or family heritage to classify someone.

◦ Examples in the world around you?

Dimensions of Diversity

Generational◦ Different from Age Diversity◦ Basis of a generation in which someone is raised◦ Examples:

“Traditionals” “Baby Boomers” “Generation X” “Generation Y” “Milllennials”

◦ Challenges? How/When work should be completed Loyalty Communication

Dimensions of Diversity

Geographic◦ Prejudice against people from certain geographic

regions in the country.◦ Examples?

Northerners/Yankees are callous and rude Southerners are all Rednecks West Coasters are tree hugging extremists

Dimensions of Diversity

Physical, Mental, and Emotional◦ Visually Impaired, Deaf, Confined to a wheelchair◦ Depression, bipolar, high anxiety.◦ Learning Disabilities such as dyslexia◦ Other examples?

Dimensions of Diversity

Ideological◦ The sum total of our beliefs based on family

backgrounds, socioeconomic status, religious beliefs, cultural experiences, politics, education, travel experiences, etc….

Seeing the world with clear eyes To experience other people and receive the

benefits of knowing someone, you have to enter all relationships (work, school, personal, and others) with an open mind.

Derogatory mind-sets create barriers to keep you from really getting to know someone

It’s all about treating people as individuals, not group members.

Chapter Reflections

Examine your own personal values and beliefs

Listen to people and try to understand them before forming opinions

Stand up against intolerance of any kind. Develop relationships with people from a

variety of backgrounds Learn to appreciate and celebrate differences Maintain close friendships with both people

who share your values and beliefs AS WELL AS people who bring new and different ideas into the mix.

Quiz

1. How long did it take the internet to reach 50 million users?

2. Define Ethnocentrism.Bonus!3. Identify and discuss 3 dimensions of

diversity.4. Define the difference between age and

generational diversity.

Wednesday Group Presentation Review Journal Entry Due – “Library - 2010”