Discussion: The Influence of Diversity

Discussion: The Influence of Diversity

Understanding how diversity affects an individual’s cognitive and social-emotional development requires examining various characteristics, including gender, race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation, and physical ability, among others. It’s crucial to explore how behavior within different groups varies and identify similarities and differences among them. The goal isn’t to determine the superiority of one group over another but to appreciate the rich diversity in human behavior. Cross-cultural research allows psychologists to test theoretical concepts and predictions to evaluate their applicability (Jensen, 2012). Moreover, studying cross-cultural results equips psychology professionals with the empathy and advocacy needed to serve diverse populations.

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In this Discussion, we will explore how diversity shapes cognitive and social-emotional developmental processes.

For this Discussion:

1. Think about a fictional human character, like a cartoon character, film/TV character, or a virtual character.

2. Consider only the cognitive and social-emotional developmental processes and how diversity, including aspects like gender, race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation, and physical ability, might shape and influence these processes. Remember that diversity is not adversity, but rather the differences and variations among people.

3. Reflect on how the character’s upbringing, experiences, and cultural background might affect their cognitive and social-emotional development.

By Day 4:

Post a brief description of the fictional human character you selected. Then, explain how diversity could shape and influence their cognitive and social-emotional developmental processes. Be specific and provide examples to support your explanation. You can use the knowledge from your Learning Resources or other scholarly sources to support your response. Use proper APA format and citations in your post.

By Day 6:

Respond to at least one of your colleagues’ posts and search the Internet or the Walden library to find an article related to how diversity might shape and influence their chosen character’s cognitive or social-emotional developmental processes. Using the article, explain how a specific aspect of diversity could impact the character’s development.

Come back to this Discussion later to read the responses to your initial post and reply as you wish. Reflect on what you’ve learned and any insights gained from your colleagues’ comments.

Rachel Green is a white woman from a privileged family living in New York City. She works as a waitress at a coffee shop, supported by close friends who encourage her to pursue her dreams.

Diversity profoundly impacts a child’s development, both physically and psychologically. Society’s perceptions of people with various skin colors, religions, socioeconomic statuses, genders, sexual orientations, and more can significantly influence a child’s development. Developmental researchers have found that ethnic minority children become more aware of societal opportunities and differences (Jensen, 2012). Clearly, children and individuals from diverse backgrounds have different societal and life experiences (Jensen, 2012).

Rachel, coming from a privileged white family, had many advantages and material comfort. She never had to worry about finances, which shaped her into someone who was very materialistic. However, Rachel decided to make her own way in life and turned down financial support from her family. This choice led her to experience the difficulties that come with limited resources, such as when she injured her ankle and couldn’t afford medical insurance.

Cognitively, Rachel has moved beyond Piaget’s four stages of development (Harris, 2005). But, had she grown up in a different financial situation, her cognitive development might have been different. She might have started working earlier to help her family financially and might not have left her fiancé at the altar if financial struggles were a concern.

Socially, her development would also have been different. Rachel was popular in high school, a cheerleader with many friends. If she had grown up in a less financially stable environment, she might not have had the same opportunities for social engagement, cheerleading, or leisure activities. Her relationship with her family and parents might also be different if financial struggles had been part of her upbringing.

Socioeconomic status plays a significant role in a child’s development, and Rachel’s experiences would have been profoundly affected if her upbringing had been different.

References:

Harris, Y. R. (2005). Cognitive development. In N. J. Salkind (Ed.), Encyclopedia of human development (Vol. 1, pp. 276-280). SAGE Publications, Inc. https://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781412952484.n138

Jensen, L. A. (2012). Bridging universal and cultural perspectives: A vision for developmental psychology in a global world. Child Development Perspectives, 6(1), 98-104. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-8606.2011.00213.x The Impact of Diversity Essay.