Never miss an Arthur’s column again. Sign up to receive an email notification whenever a new article is published.
Did you happen to miss Diversity Day a few months ago? This annual event takes place on May 21 and is officially recognized by the United Nations as “World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.” Personally, I always make it a point to celebrate this day, complete with a cake and sometimes even a party.
Admittedly, May 21 also happens to be my birthday. And to be honest, if it weren’t for that, I’m not sure I would make such a big deal out of Diversity Day. Do we really need the United Nations to remind us to embrace diversity? While most people recognize the importance of diversity, the bureaucratic push can make it feel like a chore rather than something enjoyable. In my opinion, it’s better to view diversity as something that brings us happiness on a daily basis.
In reality, diversity is incredibly beneficial for both society as a whole and individuals. Research has shown that connections between different groups of people, also known as “bridging social capital,” consistently promote peace, prosperity, and social progress. However, seeking out these connections goes against our natural instincts, which tend to gravitate towards the familiar. Additionally, the most valuable forms of diversity, such as encountering varying values and attitudes, are often the most challenging to pursue and adopt. But with some knowledge and practice, we can all improve in this area and experience greater happiness as a result.
One of the most widely recognized observations in friendship research is that humans have a strong inclination to associate with those who are similar to themselves. This applies to attitudes and values, personality traits, as well as demographic characteristics such as race, age, education, job, and gender. This bias is likely rooted in our evolution. Individuals who share similarities with us are more likely to be part of our kin or clan. As various scholars have argued, similarity makes communication easier, fosters trust, and enhances our ability to predict others’ behavior. In short, homophily likely played a role in keeping our ancestors safe, and even today, it reduces the mental and emotional strain of interacting with others.
However, just like many things that provide short-term comfort, such as sitting on the couch and watching TV instead of going to the gym, homophily bias is not optimal in the long run. Putting in the effort to diversify our relationships can lead to increased well-being, improved performance in certain areas, and enhanced social skills. For instance, studies on college students’ cross-group friendships have shown that greater diversity enhances academic and social skills and boosts overall satisfaction with college. Even among children, diverse friendships have proven beneficial. A 2011 study discovered that children in racially and ethnically diverse elementary school classrooms felt less ignored and socially excluded when they had more diverse friendships.
When we think about building more diverse friendships, we often focus on racial and ethnic differences. While this approach is certainly valuable, it’s worth noting that this definition of diversity tends to be easier for many people. Psychologist Angela J. Bahns’ research indicates that individuals who value diversity, as revealed through surveys, are more likely to have friendships that encompass a wide range of races, religions, and sexual orientations. However, these same individuals tend to have friend groups that align closely in terms of political attitudes and social values. So, the “Celebrate Diversity!” bumper sticker often refers to looking different while thinking the same, unfortunately.
This is regrettable because diversity in attitudes can be incredibly beneficial. Management researchers have consistently found that diversity of ideas and ideologies leads to better, more creative business outcomes. Recent research has taken this further, demonstrating that when respectful, courteous dialogue is fostered, explicit political disagreement within teams actually leads to superior performance. In a 2019 study published in Nature, scholars from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Chicago examined the quality of Wikipedia articles on disputed topics, which had been written and edited by different teams. They discovered that within the context of Wikipedia’s strong collaborative and civil norms, the highest-quality entries were produced by the most politically polarized teams, as opposed to politically homogeneous teams. This was because individuals in these teams felt compelled by their peers to present multiple perspectives on the issue at hand.
Unfortunately, many platforms that involve conflicting attitudes tend to reward abusive behavior (as is often the case on social media). Additionally, certain communities, such as academia, often face challenges in achieving the necessary balance for beneficial diversity of attitudes due to ideological homogeneity.
Knowing that diversity in our social lives leads to happiness and success is one thing; actually implementing it is another challenge. Here are three approaches to get started:
1. Engage with strangers: By default, it’s easier to stick with our usual friend circle, where interactions are familiar and comfortable. However, psychological studies by Nicholas Epley and Juliana Schroeder have revealed that this tendency is based on our overestimation of how awkward or unpleasant it would be to strike up conversations with strangers. In their experiment, participants were divided into groups. Some groups were asked to initiate conversations with strangers on trains and buses, while others were told not to. Interestingly, almost everyone predicted beforehand that not talking to strangers would be more pleasant, yet the results showed the opposite to be true. So, step out of your comfort zone and engage with strangers, as it’s likely to be more positive than you expect.
2. Adopt a social scientist mindset: Now, let’s tackle the more challenging aspect of diversity, which involves attitudes and viewpoints. Engaging a stranger with your strong opinions on recent Supreme Court decisions, for example, might not be the best approach unless you’re trying to keep the seat next to you on a bus empty. Even if the person happens to agree with you, they may perceive you as unhinged or inappropriate. A more effective strategy is to create an environment that invites others to share their opinions without feeling threatened. Asking people you meet socially for their honest views on various issues can help facilitate this. It might seem difficult initially, but you can imagine yourself as a social scientist conducting research. Seek out individuals with whom you’re likely to disagree and genuinely seek to understand their perspectives. While you might offer alternative viewpoints, the goal is to listen and comprehend deeply without engaging in combative discussions. This approach will make people feel comfortable, lead to more interesting friendships, and sometimes even result in a change of perspectives for both parties, influenced by your curiosity and attentive listening.
3. Embrace heresy: If you’re prepared to fully commit to diversity, try forming a friend group that explicitly values heterodox thinking. Some of the most rewarding social circles I’ve been a part of were those where everyone celebrated hearing ideas that were far outside their comfort zones, be it politically, philosophically, or morally. The objective isn’t to reach a consensus; it’s about expanding your mind without the fear of being canceled or the pressure to cancel others. This echoes the spirit of 19th-century free thinkers who fearlessly questioned everything. One notable advocate for this approach was Robert G. Ingersoll, known as “the Great Agnostic” for his unwavering commitment to challenging the status quo. In his 1877 book, “Heretics and Heresies,” Ingersoll wrote, “Heresy is the eternal dawn, the morning star, the glittering herald of the day.”
By implementing these strategies, you can actively embrace diversity in your social life, fostering greater happiness, personal growth, and improved social interactions.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
