Overview of Diversity
Student Edition
CMS Urban Education
Sociology

12.C.2 Students will understand how socialization
regulates individual behavior.
Objectives
 12.C.2.1 Analyze the theoretical development of
perspectives on socialization.
 12.C.2.2. Analyze the roles of the family, school,
peer groups, and media in socializing adolescents.
Sociology

12.C.4 Students will analyze human relationships
in terms of inequality and stratification.
Objectives
 12.C.4.2 Analyze how individuals and groups
respond to and resolve issues of discrimination.
 12.C.4.3 Analyze how social inequalities and
stratifications are perpetuated by social
institutions.
 12.C.4.4 Analyze how socioeconomic class, race,
ethnicity, gender and social standing impact
relationships.
Think about the aspects of diversity. Which of
these components would you include in your
definition of diversity?

1. religion
 2. gender
 3. socio-economic status
 4. learning preferences
 5. family structure
 6. culture
 7. language
 8. exceptionality
 9. ethnicity
 10. race
CMS students introduce us to
the idea of diversity.
 http://cms-k12-
nc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?clip_
id=984
Which of the following
definitions of diversity do
you feel is most
appropriate? Vote for either
definition A or B.
 Definition
A - University of Oregon:
 The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance
and respect. It means understanding that each
individual is unique, and recognizing our
individual differences. These can be along
the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual
orientation, socioeconomic status, age, physical
abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other
ideologies. It is the exploration of these
differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing
environment. It is about understanding each other
and moving beyond simple tolerance to
embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of
diversity contained within each individual.
 Definition
B - dictionary definition:
 social inclusiveness: ethnic variety, as
well as socioeconomic and gender
variety, in a group, society, or
institution "a company committed to
diversity"
Bias
 An
inclination to present or hold a partial
perspective at the expense of (possibly
equally valid) alternatives.
 A particular tendency or inclination,
especially one that prevents
unprejudiced consideration of a
question; prejudice.
Can you recognize bias?
 1.
"Today I would like you to create a
Mother's Day card for your mother,
thanking her for all that she does for
you."Choose one answer.
 Bias
 Not Bias
 2.
"Welcome to AP Physics. I'm
especially happy to see so many girls in
this class. With my expertise and your
hard work, everyone will be successful
in this course and on the AP exam in
May." Choose one answer.
 Bias
 Not Bias
 3.
A teacher plans small-group work for
students grouped by ability. The
majority of the students in one group
are of the same ethnicity.Choose one
answer.
 Bias
 Not Bias
 4.
A teacher composes a welcome
letter to be distributed to all families in
August. The letter begins, "Dear
Parents and Guardians."Choose one
answer.
 Bias
 Not Bias
 5.
A teacher is considering a transfer to
a school with a high percentage of
students of poverty. The teacher
decides not to transfer due to concerns
about potential behavior
problems.Choose one answer.
 Bias
 Not Bias

6. While grading papers the first week of
class, Mr. Green came across Ling's paper.
He couldn't determine if Ling understood the
concept but saw there was a correct answer.
Instead of marking the solution as
incomplete, he assumed Ling understood and
just didn't write down all the steps to his
solution.
Is this bias?
Choose one answer.
 a. Yes
 b. No
 7.
Mr. Thompson worked hard to
prepare an engaging lecture for his
class. He shared his ideas with his
colleagues who thought the material
was wonderful.
Is this an example of bias?
Choose one answer.
 a. No
 b. Yes

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8. Mrs. Goodman came into the grade level planning
and announced a special opportunity for academically
strong students to participate in a new afterschool
enrichment program. She asked the teachers to give
her a list of students who should be considered.
Mr. Williams explained that none of his students
should be involved because he teaches the remedial
students.
Mrs. Jones explained she has 8 children that should be
considered. The rest of her students are just learning
to speak English.
Mrs. Belfield wanted all of her students to be
considered for the enrichment program.
Which teacher is exhibiting bias?
Choose one answer.
a. Mr. Williams
b. Mrs. Jones
c. Mrs. Belfield
 9.
Kaitlyn, a third-grade gifted and
talented student, was not doing well in
math class.
 She struggled with multiplication and
computation. Kaitlyn’s teacher was
convinced Kaitlyn was not applying herself.
The teacher met with Kaitlyn’s parents
and told them that a gifted and talented
student should be doing better in
mathematics.
 Is the teacher is demonstrating bias?
Write & Share:
What are the pros and cons of having a diverse
society?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRdbLRkxs3g
PROS
• Living up to societal values like equality,
acceptance, freedom to live the life that you want
(pursuit of happiness), etc.
• Learning new ideas and being more globally
aware
• Gaining new cultural traits. (Ex: Diverse food
selection)
• What else?
CONS
• ISMs
– Racism, sexism, ageism
•
•
•
•
Stereotypes
Conflict
Discrimination
Bias: unfair preferences for or against
something (can be positive or negative)
Googling Stereotypes
•
•
•
•
•
•
Why are girls so…/Why are boys so…
Why are old people so…
Why are black people so…
Why are Asians so…
Why are whites so…
Why are Muslims… /Why are Christians so…
Race vs. Ethnicity
• Race refers to a person’s physical appearance.
– Skin color, hair color, eye color, bone/jaw
structure, etc.
• Ethnicity deals with cultural factors
– Nationality, culture, ancestry/heritage, language
White
Ethnicity?
• Irish, Italian, German, French, Russian...
Caucasians
Asian
Ethnicity?
Guess My Race
• You will be shown several pictures…
• In groups of three, you will go around the
room and try to guess the race of each of the
people pictured.
• You must AGREE as a group.
• We will go over this when we are done!

The brains of boys and girls.
1.
The corpus callosum, which connects the left and
right hemispheres of the brain, is generally 25%
larger in a girl's brain.
The hippocampus, which is a memory storage
area, is usually larger in a girl's brain.
The prefrontal cortex in a girl's brain is usually
more active and it develops at an earlier age. This
results in more logical thinking.
For the most part, girls have more neurons in their
brains especially in the temporal lobes (=more
memory storage, better listening skills)
The left side of the brain develops faster in girls
than boys. By middle school, girls have about a 4
year advantage. (more logical, analytical, objective)
2.
3.
4.
5.
Socioeconomic Status
Upper, Middle, Lower Class
 The
upper class is generally defined as the
top 1% of households, with annual
household income of $380,000 or above.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PsUyE
YO16E&feature=player_embedded
 In 2012, the poverty level was defined by
the U.S. government as a family of four
with an annual income of less than
$23,050. Low student achievement is
closely correlated with poverty.
Different perspective: Life in Tokyo, Japan:
A Gaijin Out of Water
Thinking About Respect
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0POmdK18WU
Complete the following statements:
•The person I respect most is _________ because ____________.
•My parents taught me to respect ________________ (a
person/place/thing/idea). Respecting this person/place/thing is
important because _________.
•I wish people were more respectful of __________ because
__________.
Expectations: You’re writing silently in your journal.
Pair-Share!
Talking Points!
In our society, who are you expected to respect?
Why is outwardly demonstrating respect
important?
What is the difference between respecting
someone/something and fearing
someone/something? Does this difference affect
your behavior?
Interviews with Holocaust Survivors
http://dornsife.usc.edu/vhi/creatingcharacter/lesson/re
spect/index.html
•Look for demonstrations (examples) of respect or
disrespect that the survivors describe.
This I Believe…
• “We Are Each Other’s
Business” by Eboo Patel
• “The Right to Be Fully
American” by Yasir Billo
• http://www.npr.org/templates/st
ory/story.php?storyId=4989625
• http://www.npr.org/templates/st
ory/story.php?storyId=6608111
•
Write a similar statement on what you believe is
true or should be true in our society .
• I believe in the power of respect. If we respect each
other’s differences, we have the opportunity to learn
from each other…
• I believe that we as a society (or community) are
empowered by our diversity. We learn from each
other’s culture, but also from individuals’
experiences. We learn about what makes us different,
but also about what connects us (what we have in
common)…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi35XQjFV_A
IDENTITY
• I am _____, ________, and ______.
• Use 3 words that best describe who you are (can be
race, religion, character traits).
• I am honest, curious, and of mixed heritage.
Identity and challenging
stereotypes
• I am (a/an) _______, but I am not (a/an)
___________.
• I am Christian, but I am not judgmental.
Damaging Stereotypes
MEN
Males may believe that to be masculine they
should:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Be in control and appear unemotional
Be the dominant partner in a relationship
Become sexually active early and have
many partners
Work in careers that are mechanical or
analytical
Assume responsibility as the
“breadwinner.”
Achieve status by earning lots of money
Avoid traditionally female work
WOMEN
Females may believe that to be feminine they
should
–
–
–
–
–
–
Be emotionally sensitive and vulnerable
Have children, regardless of personal
wishes
Meet the needs of others before their own
Choose careers in the “helping”
professions
Be physically attractive, by someone else's
standards
Avoid nontraditional careers in math or
the sciences
Gender Advantages and
Disadvantages
• What are the
advantages of being the
opposite gender?
• What are the
disadvantages of being
the opposite gender?
The Lottery
• http://youtu.be/RV03h3XWTDU