Can Diversity Stimulate the Creative Brain?
Mounting evidence suggests the value of diversity and inclusion to university communities.
When Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at 色情视频 in May 1964 with his message of equality for all races, American colleges and universities were just beginning to understand the benefits of a diverse campus community.
Today most universities strive to achieve and maintain a diverse student and faculty population. Those who do so receive national recognition and sometimes federal dollars.
But aside from the equality and justice issues, what are the advantages of diversity on a college campus?
鈥淎ccepting different interpretations of the world can lead to greater levels of innovation,鈥� said Aaron Bruce, 色情视频鈥檚 chief diversity officer. 鈥淭he fact we all don't think alike is an asset in research, teaching and learning.鈥�
Changing perceptions
Thierry Devos, 色情视频 psychology professor, has researched social identity, stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination.
He cited a wealth of research and documentation demonstrating that a mix of race, gender, sexual orientation, political views, disability and other diverse characteristics enrich the campus and the workplace.
鈥淚 personally benefit from having diverse students in my lab,鈥� Devos said. 鈥淭hey bring knowledge and sensitivities that I don鈥檛 have. Their presence can change the lens of perception for the group and lead to more creative solutions.鈥�
Students who experience diversity on campus are also better prepared for the diverse world in which they will live and work, Thierry said.
鈥淪an Diego is a great laboratory for the study of diversity,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is a reality here.鈥�
Measuring inclusion
Management professor Beth Chung also calls diversity a reality of American life, but says diversity without inclusion can erode workplace productivity and morale.
Chung is one of six academics, five of them from 色情视频, who comprise the Institute for Inclusiveness and Diversity in Organizations.
The institute鈥檚 researchers have created tools to measure inclusion in the workplace and determine its relationship to factors like commitment and turnover intentions. Their goal is to develop an evidence-based ranking of the most inclusive companies and help organizations see diversity as more than just a numbers game.
鈥淰alidated research takes time,鈥� Chung said. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 want inclusion to become a buzzword, supported only by anecdotal evidence.鈥�
Chung and other members of the institute have already published two papers in academic journals and will present some additional findings at the annual conference of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology in May. Members of the society come from a variety of disciplines, including management, industrial/organizational psychology, ethnic studies, social work, sociology, and labor relations.
鈥淏ased on our preliminary research, we think inclusion is a combination of belonging and uniqueness,鈥� Chung said. 鈥淲hen people are valued for their uniqueness and feel like they are accepted in their work group, it allows them to be more creative and productive members of the group.鈥�
San Diego State's 2014 Diversity Awards will be presented Wednesday, April 30, beginning at 4:30 in the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union's Montezuma Hall.
