Diversity in Society

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses diversity and demographic characteristics that influence an individual's life. The author explains the many different aspects of diversity, and how each one can have a significant impact on the views, beliefs, and behaviors of individuals. The author concludes that diversity is the cornerstone of an advanced and progressive society and can bring great success to organizations that embrace it.

From the Paper:

"There are a multitude of diversity and demographic characteristics that profoundly influence an individual's behavior. These characteristics can include ethnicity, gender, age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, religion, geographical location, occupation, skills and abilities, values, and attitude. Though many misunderstandings and conflicts have resulted from these differences, there are even more benefits. A wide range of experiences, mindsets, and behaviors can be beneficial to all parties involved. The characteristics can lend creativity and revitalize a stagnant project or idea. For this reason, diversity is an important consideration when it comes to organizations and businesses. Four of the important characteristics include ethnicity, gender, age, and geographical location.
Ethnicity often plays a vital part of forming an individual's behavior. Individual cultures foster a variety of values and attitudes towards other cultures and life in general. Everything from language to local customs can be directly impacted by ethnicity; and nowhere are the differences more visible than in the course of human interaction. Many a misunderstanding has occurred because of slight differences in behavior between individuals of different ethnicities or cultures. Personal space, eye contact, group participation or interaction, and other tendencies can all send mixed or wrong signals when dealing with individuals from a different culture. On the other hand, differences in behavior and mindsets are the very things that are responsible for all the good traits of diversity. These differences often provide a variety of unique approaches and ideas; not only to a business or organizational environment, but to personal lives as well."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Schermerhorn, J. R., Hunt, J. G., & Osborn, R. N. (2005). Organizational behavior (9th ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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