Diversity
Joe Colossale
Cody Ross
3 Types of Diversity
Demographic
Psychological
Organizational
Gender
Values/Morals
Social Status
Race & Ethnicity
Personalities
Occupation
Nationality
Knowledge
Role/Rank
Age
Experiences
Religion
Skills/Abilities
Diversity in a team setting
• Every team has some type of diversity
• Everyone is unique in their own
individual way
• Teams need diversity to
be successful
• Diversity can benefit a team
or it can be detrimental
to a team
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
• New perspectives
• “Two is better than one”
• Perform better on decision
making, problem solving and
creativity tasks
• Misperceptions of group
members
• Stereotypes
• Subgroups form
• Competition between
subgroups
Misperceptions
Common ways we misperceive
Fundamental Attribution
Error
Explain other’s behavior using
demographics rather than look at the
situation
First Impression Error
Base judgments off of only first impression
Halo Effect
We assume they are good/bad at everything
they do
Similar –to - me effect
People similar to us = good
Selective Perception
Only notice things that confirm judgments &
not anything that contradicts
Creating Safe Environment
•
•
•
•
•
Not stereotyping people
Being open to others ideas
Encourage communication and collaboration
Allow for disagreement
Required to reach consensus
Everyday Diversity
Work field




Young and old working together (technology)
Gender roles being extinguished (construction & nurses)
Many different nationalities (teaching)
Many different religions (teaching)
College
 People from all over the world
 People with different experiences, knowledge and skills
 Socializing, working together, and interacting
Activity
• The world is going to be struck by a meteor
• There is a bunker that can fit 5 people to try and
save the earth or re populate the earth after the
meteor strike
• Each person needs a different
identity
• List Age, Gender, Occupation.
Questions
• Why did you chose your identity?
• What would be your role?
• Did you have a diverse group?
Was everyone similar?
• What's the benefit of having a diverse group
References
• Dr. McDiarmid Chapter 13 Handout