Psychology - Psychology Diversity Issues - Quick Guides | Psychology

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Study GuidePsychology–Psychology: Diversity Issues1.Culture and RacePeople live in many different cultures and come from many racial backgrounds. While this diversityenriches societies, it can also sometimes lead toprejudiceanddiscriminationwhen individuals orgroups form negative beliefs about others.1.1What Is Culture?Culturerefers to theshared ideas, beliefs, behaviors, values, and traditionsof a large group ofpeople. Culture is passed down from one generation to the next and shapes how people think,communicate, and behave.Although culture can include racial differences, it is important to remember that:•There isgreat diversity within a single culture•People of the same race may belong to very different cultures1.2Race and EthnicityRaceis based ongenetic ancestryand refers to biological heritage.Ethnicity, on the other hand, islearned, not inherited. It involves:•Shared background•Cultural traditions•Religious beliefs•Group identity and loyaltiesEthnicity develops through family life, social relationships, and personal experiences.1.3Genetics and Human DifferencesResearch shows thatonly a small amount of human genetic variationis linked to race. In fact:

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Study Guide•People within the same racial group often differ more from one another than from people inother racial groupsBecause of this, psychologists focus on both:•Group differences(such as cultural patterns)•Individual differences, which are often more significantUnderstanding these differences helps psychologists better explain human behavior.1.4Reducing Prejudice and DiscriminationBecause humans canlearn and adapt, prejudice and discrimination are not inevitable.Efforts to promote acceptance include:•Educational programs on cultural diversity•Courses that explore race, racism, and social psychology•Increasing representation of faculty from underrepresented racial and cultural groupsDifferent cultures have different rules about acceptable behavior and different ways of guidingpersonal development. Learning about these differences helps reduce misunderstanding.1.5The Role of Education and Personal ContactOne of themost effective ways to reduce prejudiceis throughdirect contactwith people fromdifferent cultures. Personal relationships help challenge stereotypes and replace them withunderstanding.Courses in thepsychology of racismexamine:•Key psychological concepts related to race and racism in the United States•Universal principles of racism that apply across societiesKey TakeawayCultural and racial diversity is a normal and valuable part of human life. While differences cansometimes lead to prejudice, education, personal interaction, and awareness can promoteunderstanding, acceptance, and respect for others.

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Study Guide2.AgeAgeismrefers toprejudice against older adultsand the discrimination that occurs because of aperson’s age. This discrimination is often based onmyths and stereotypesabout what older peoplecan or cannot do.Many of these myths suggest that older adults—especially older women—are less capable, lessproductive, or less adaptable. These beliefs are usuallyincorrectand are not supported by research.2.1Ageism in SocietyIn the United States, ageism can be seen in several areas:•Thejob market, where older adults may be overlooked or forced out•Everyday interactions, where they may not be taken seriously•Media portrayals, which often present aging in a negative or unrealistic wayBecause of these attitudes, many older adults experience unfair treatment simply because of theirage.2.2Why Ageism Is a Growing ConcernAgeism is expected to become a much bigger issue in the future. By the year2030:•One in five Americanswill be elderly•More than8 million peoplewill be85 years old or older•Most of this older population will bewomenIf ageism is not addressed, it will affect a growing number of people and become an increasinglyserious social problem.2.3Studying Aging ScientificallyPsychologists who studyadult development, along with experts in fields likegerontology, work tounderstand aging based onresearch and evidence, not stereotypes.

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