L5: Cultural Initiatives

Question 1

define diversity management

4

Answer 1

planned & systematic programs and procedures designed to
- improve interaction among diverse ppl
- make diversity a source of innovation and increased effectiveness rather than miscommunication, conflict, or obstacles to employees performance, satisfaction, and advancement

2 types interventions: structural (L4) & cultural (L5) interventions

Question 2

what is the goal of cultural interventions?

1

Answer 2

creating an environment in which diversity can flourish

Question 3

define diversity blindness

3

Answer 3

the ideal that we should ignore differences between groups (eg cultural groups) and instead focus on each other as individuals or on what we have in common w each other
often studied as colorblindness

Question 4

where does diversity blindness (or color blindness) originate from?

3

Answer 4

in efforst to increase equality!
- theres neg consequences of categorization into groups
- so we think that if we dont pay attention to differences between gorups, there will be less conflict & bias (so more equality)

Question 5

does diversity/colour blindness actually reach its goal of increasing equality?

3

Answer 5

no! we see & evaluate ppls race/ethnicity within milliseconds according to brain research

Question 6

define diversity awareness

2

Answer 6

the idea that we should recognize value & celebrate differences (eg between cultural groups)
often studied as multiculturalism

Question 7

what is the background of diversity awareness or multiculturalism?

3 main ideas

Answer 7

• focus on positive consequences of different group memberships
• “ignoring group memberships does a disservice to those who value their culture and group”
• its not group membership that causes prejudice, its negative affect associated w it

Question 8

melting pot vs mosaic

Which metaphor represents which diversity ideology?

2

Answer 8

• melting pot: color blindness
• mosaic: multiculturalism

Question 9

What are the prominent diversity ideologies?

2

Answer 9

• diversity awarness aka multiculturalism
• diversity blindness aka colorblindness

Question 10

what is the organizational version of colorblindness ideology?

4

Answer 10

belief that a harmonious company can be achieved if we recognize that at our core we are all the same, that ppl w different racial ethnic backgrounds are created equal, and that we are primarily a collective

Question 11

what is the organizational version of multiculturalism ideology?

2

Answer 11

belief that a harmonious company can be achieved if we better appreciate our diversity & integrate the different qualities of employees w different racial ethnic backgrounds in our organization

Question 12

What are the 2 main ways of studying diversity ideologies & their effects?

Answer 12

• effects between groups: intergroup (how do diversity ideologies make employees think & feel about other groups)
• effects withing roups: intragroup (how do diversity ideologies make employees think and feel about themselves)

Question 13

what are the cons of multiculturalism?

4

Answer 13

• activates stereotypes
• makes us prefer minorities that conform w those stereotypes more
• can make the majority group feel excluded
• when majority group feels excluded they are also less likely to support the diversity policy (since theres perception that diversity initiative may overlook fairness or merit)

Question 14

what are the pros of multiculturalism?

5

Answer 14

• reduced the majoritys group bias towards the minorities
• increases minorities psych engagement at work
• generally benefits minorities self perceptions at work
• fosters inclusion for minorities
• increases leadership efficacy

Question 15

what are the pros of colourblindness?

3

Answer 15

• activates stereotypes less
• makes everyone feel included (including majorities)
• supports the idea of fair, merit based achievement

Question 16

what are the cons of colourblindness?

3

Answer 16

• increases majorities group bias towards minorities
• decreases minorities psych engagement at work
• increases minorities perception of bias at work

Question 17

How can we keep the positive effects of multiculturalism for employee groups while reducing its negative effect?

2

Answer 17

multicultural meritocracy could be the answer!
approach centered around merit & diversity

Question 18

what are the benefits of multicultural meritocracy?

3

Answer 18

• shown to activate stereotypes less than multculturalism
• shown to increase feelings of inclusion for majority when compared to multculturalism
• while still having the benfits of makign minorities feel included

Question 19

define gender awareness

4

Answer 19

gender differences matter & are meaningful thus they should be recognized & appreciated

Question 20

define gender blindness

3

Answer 20

gender differences do not matter and are not meaningful thus they should be ignored

Question 21

what is the historical division of labor which created gender roles?

6

Answer 21

• male roles: agency (aggressive, independent, self-asserted)
• female roles: communality (other-orientation, gentle, warm)
• qualities associated w men: qualities associated w leaders while this is not the case for women

Question 22

What is the impact of gender awareness on women at work?

Answer 22

• exacerbates stereotypes that hinder gender inequality
• makes women feel more self conscious

Question 23

What is the impact of gender blindness on women at work?

5

Answer 23

makes women identify more w agency (key component of leadership) which increases workplace confidence, action, and leadership emergence

Question 24

what is the value-in-merit diversity approach?

Answer 24

focuses on equal treatment based on competence
similar to colour blindness