CHAPTER 1

UNDERSTANDING
 CHAPTER 1

UNDERSTANDING DIVERSITY

Objectives:

At the end of the chapter you will be able to:

 Discuss the meaning and significance of diversity.

 demonstrate the use of Loden's Wheel of Diversity; and

 Support diversity as a positive component of relationships, education and organizations.

In this chapter, you will obtain a better understanding of what diversity is. Using Loden's
Wheel of Diversity, the various aspects that make one person different from the other will enable
you to discuss how each aspect contributes to each one's identity, beliefs, practices, and behavior.
You will also gain an understanding of why it is important to recognize disability as part of
diversity. You will learn about how diversity, as a positive component, contributes to progress
and productivity. It is important that we recognize and accept diversity. This means accepting,
respecting, and tolerating each other's differences. It means awareness of laws, policies, and
systems that uphold one's individuality and uniqueness. These would mean a more peaceful and
humane world.

1. DEFINITION

If a group of people were asked to list down their characteristics and compare them, the
chances of having a good number with exactly the same characteristics will be zero. Even twins
will have different personalities and characteristics. There are many factors that make one person
different from the other person.

There are marked differences that are visible. These are physical characteristics like the
color of skin, color of hair, shape of eyes, nose, height, weight, gender, age, socio-economic
class, occupation, and many others. These characteristics are quite obvious and noticeable. As
you walk through a mall, you will easily notice the differences of people you meet. There are
other differences brought about by one's beliefs, mind-sets, values, sexual identity, intelligence,
personality, and others that are not easily evident or are invisible. These characteristics are not
seen but are manifested through behavior, decisions made, and words spoken. You will need to
get to know a person closer to be able to that different from other people. invisible characteristics
of necessarily connected because there are times when a visible characteristic like skin color will
easily be related to a disposition For example, people Africa who skin color are believed to be
poor and unschooled.

It is the uniqueness of each one that is the root of diversity. The English noun that
captures the essence of difference is the word diversity. Diversity is Latin word divertere, which
means to turn away, separate, oppose (Latin Dictionary n.d.). The Collins dictionary defines
diversity as "the state or quality of being different or varied; a variety or assortment; a point of
difference; the inclusion of people of different races, genders, religions, etc. in a group; the
relation that between two and only they are not identical; the property of being numerically
distinct.

In the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO)

Guide on Ensuring Inclusion and Equity in Education (2017), diversity is defined as "people's
differences which may relate to their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, language,
culture, religion, mental and physical ability, class, and immigration status." (UNESCO 2017).

Diversity is an issue we have to face and conquer. Presently, people recognize and
consider the differences of each person as important. We all live in a global village that brings
about changing demographics both in the work force and education. As our communities become
more diverse, it is imperative that we make an effort to understand the different dimensions of
diversity, which is not just all about accepting, understanding, and tolerating one's uniqueness or
differences. Confronted with the need to live in one global village, it is valuable that we discover
and explore areas that could connect us and allow us to do collaborative works. Accepting and
celebrating the uniqueness of each individual will allow for respecting different experiences and
qualities of individuals that will open up more avenues to solve problems and innovate.
Collaboration and communication are skills that are needed to develop and succeed. It is,
therefore, important that we understand our differences and master how these could be used to
harness tolerance, cooperation, and unity that will lead to productivity.

Prepared by:

Noria Saptula and Samraida Ugalingan

2BEED - A
II. LODEN'S DIVERSITY WHEEL

In 1990, Marilyn Loden, an American writer, and Judy Rosener, a professor at the
graduate school in the University of California, Irvine developed a framework to respond to the
flourishing divergence in America's labor force. Their goal was to capacitate people to make
their voices heard by pointing to their diversity and its impact on their person, their rights, and
their freedom (Lou and Dean 1991). Loden and Rosener published the book "Workforce
America! Managing Employee Diversity as a Vital Resource" (Irwin Publishing 1991). In this
book, the original version of the Diversity Wheel model was introduced. Loden recognized the
demand for an instrument that would help people better understand how group-based differences
influence people's social identities. Dissatisfaction, distrust, and competition would ensue when
the different dimensions of diversity are not given recognition. Loden and Rosener's extensive
research led them to maximizing the workforce of a diverse group of people, managing
diversities as assets to develop productive working relationships. The model was revised in 1996
to cover additional aspects of group differences that were implied in the first model. The changes
were to recognize the experiences of people who identified these aspects as most important to
their personhood. The different components in the Diversity Wheel played significant roles in
building character and possibly forming stereotypes. She hoped that this could be used to further
discuss diversities not only in the work force but globally. In her book, Loden states, "I think
diversity discussions are really about understanding our social identities, acknowledging what is
important and learning to integrate into society so that no sub-group feels excluded or one down"
(Loden and Rosener 1991).

The Diversity Wheel pointed to the significance of our social characters and the ways in
which people develop their identity when they are able to establish a connection with a specific
group of people. The wheel consists of primary or core and secondary dimensions of diversity.
The categories put forward the effect of these differences on a person's beliefs, expectations, and
life experiences. The dimensións are the components that comprise the whole person.

The primary or core dimensions are in the inner circle. These are the stronger ones. These
are the characteristics we were born with or established by significant experiences we had or
people we interacted with. These are considered to be distinctly persuasive in establishing who
we are-our principles, our sense of self, our image, our perceptions, and how we think about
others. These core dimensions or attributes are in place or established and are the least likely to
change. These core elements are age, ethnicity, gender, physical abilities/qualities, race, income,
sexual orientation, class, and spiritual beliefs.

The secondary dimensions are in the outer circle. These characteristics are also part of
our social identity, but they can change or be discarded as our life experiences impact us. They
are influenced by people we encounter, places we go to or live in, and experiences we go
through. The second dimension is composed of geographical location, marital status, religious
beliefs, parental status, income, education, work experience, military experience, first language,
family status, and work and communication styles.

Together, the core or primary dimensions and the secondary dimensions notably affect
our prior experiences, viewpoints, and principles, giving us an exclusive mind-set of the world
around us, making each one of us distinct individuals. Race: Malay

Figure 1.1. Loden and Rosener's Diversity Wheel (Loden 1991).

 Prepared by:

Amir Abdullah Nahdy Solayman

2BEED - A
III. ABILITY (AND DISABILITY) AS A DIMENSION OF DIVERSITY

Another dimension of diversity that is significant is the dimension of ability and

disability. Diversity covers the limitless domains of an individual's unique characteristics,
experiences, and capabilities. Diversity encompasses respect and tolerance of differences that
enable a celebration of uniqueness.

According to the Collins English Dictionary, ability refers to the possession of the
qualities required to do something; necessary skill or competence, or power. Disability, on the
other hand, is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO n.d.) as the umbrella term for
impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions, referring to the negative aspects
of the interaction between an individual (with a health condition) and that individual's contextual
factors (environmental and personal factors). This definition underscores that disability is not
only a health issue but also an issue that affects a person's state in life and the environment
he/she is in. A person's self-identity and his/her perspectives of the world around him/her are
affected by both ability and disability. The American Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) "defines a
person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially
limits one or more major life activities. This includes people who have a record of such an
impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability. It also includes individuals who do
not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability."

"Disabilities may affect one's senses or one's mobility; they may be static or progressive,
congenital or acquired, formal (affecting the shape of the body) or functional, visible or
invisible" (Couser 2005).

A person's disability makes him/her a unique individual who is, at times, shunned from
places and activities. They have to be acknowledged as part of the spectrum of diversity. They
have to be recognized as human beings who should not be discriminated against, but rather
understood, and tolerated. They have to be accorded their rights. Disabilities have to be seen as a
natural part of life and a natural part of diversity. People with disabilities have to be perceived
and accepted as people with distinct abilities. They have to identify themselves as having
disabilities so that the world can accept them and create avenues for them to live in.

Prepared by:

Princess Lumahog
2BEED - A

IV. THE DILEMMA OF DIVERSITY

In this age of fast-paced development where diversity plays a unique role, there are still
challenges that confront a lot of people who have been identified as "different. Discrimination
issues around race, gender, age, and intellect still abound in spite of charters, laws, and policies
that uphold diversity.

In some workplaces, women and people of color are still discriminated against and not
given positions in management or administration. People of a certain race are stereotyped to be
of a specific character. A number of times, Muslims have been taken aside in immigration and
interrogated. Non-married and same-sex couples are still not accepted in some parts of the world.
In some schools, children with special needs are shunned for the reason that they are not ready
for school yet or are not suited for school. Children from indigenous groups have to go through
an educational system that does not consider their ethnic background, needs, and values. Though
there is still so much effort that needs to be put in so that diversity is accepted, respected, and
tolerated, there has been progressing in a lot of areas. In more workplaces, there are systems and
processes put into place to intentionally promote diversity. Diverse ways of thinking and doing
things bring in creativity and productivity. Innovative thinking and collaboration are encouraged
when different people work to come up with solutions to problems or challenges. In schools,
diversity is the best way to teach what it means to be tolerant and respectful of each other's
differences. In government, the acknowledgment that diversity is an integral component of
community equates to laws and policies being passed to look out for the welfare of people of
diverse cultures and backgrounds. Diversity, therefore, is an integral component of life and of
living.
 Prepared by:

Norjana Ulama
2BEED – A
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
DIRECTION: Choose the letter of the correct answer and write it on your paper.
1. How will you promote diversity in a classroom?
A. Let them bully their classmates
B. Do not entertain your student who has a disability
C. Make your students of all backgrounds feel supported and included.
2. As a future educator how can you handle the situation if one of your students has a
reading disability? How can you use diversity in that particular scenario?
A. Make a simple instruction
B. Provide oral instructions
C. Let her/him read your instructions
3. Why that we must study the importance of diversity?
A. To help us not understand that all individuals have differences.
B. It's important for us all to honor our differences
C. Studying diversity is not able for us to work with people from other races,
ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds.
4. If one of your friends has a disability, what will you go to do to make her feel
that he/she is included in your group?
A. Let her feel that she is not part of a group
B. Let your other friends laugh at her.
C. Let her feel comfortable and included.
5. As a future educator how would you react if you heard that one of your students has a
disability?
A. Talk with your student calmly and nicely.
B. Ignore him/her
C. Let her/him do the task
6. Ana wants to be friends with her classmates but she's having a hard time
communicating because she's the only Maguindanaon in her class
A. Diversity
B. Disability
C. All of the above
7. The teacher discriminates Yuna for being a Bajao.
A. Dilemma
B. Disability
C. Diversity
8. Yuna is a Christian girl while Amera is a Muslim one united for a group
activity.
A. Diversity
B. Lack of diversity
C. All of the above
 9. The Muslim and Christian students of CFCST have unity on the campus during
the celebration of buwan ng wika.
A. Diversity
B. Unity
C. Both A and B
10. Kim did not attend her class because she was bullied by her classmates for having
dark skin.
A. Companion
B. Discrimination
C. Both A and B.
11. The students in Grade one B are celebrating Eid even though there’s a Christian in
that class. There’s unity in that class.
A. Diversity
B. Ability
C. Lack of diversity
D. All of the above
12. The teacher of Grade one A called the principal because their students fought in the
classroom.
A. Internal dimension
B. Diversity
C. Lack of diversity
D. External dimension
13. The lovely elementary school did not accept the applicant because he was gay.
A. Lack of diversity
B. Lack of companion
C. Ability
D. Disability
14. The student can’t dance because of her inborn injury.
A. Ability
B. Diversity
C. Lack of diversity
D. Disability
15. Both males & gays are accepted in the pageant.
A. Companionship
B. Ability
C. Disability
D. All of the above
16. You saw an impaired woman having a hard time picking up the apples
she accidentally let go. What will you do?
A. Help her pick up the apples.
B. Pick up the apples and throw them away.
C. Just watch her.
17. Loren needs to pay Php. 5,000 for her seminar which is a requirement for one of her
subjects however her parents couldn’t afford it. What disability can be seen in
Loren’s situation?
A. Lack of Financial Support
B. Physical Disability
C. Lack of Experience
18. Josh is an artist. He can draw realistically. What does Josh possess?
A. Ability
 B. Disability
C. Job
19. If you cut your finger accidentally with a knife and let you bleed a little. Are
you having a physical disability after?
A. Yes, because it will give you a scar.
B. No, because it will heal after and you will still be able to use your finger.
C. Yes, because it bleeds.
20. You are yelling when you’re calling and talking to your sister. What kind of
disability does your sister have?
A. Hearing Impairment
B. Eye Disability
C. Physical Impairment
21. Grace is good at memorizing. What does Grace possess?
A. Physical Ability
B. Intellectual Activity
C. Intellectual Ability
22. what book did Lodens and Rosener publish in 1990?
A. Workforce American managing employee diversity as a vital resource
B. Worker American managing employee diversity as a vital resource
C. Workforce American management employee diversity as a vital resource
23. Jackson was born with parents that are baptized as Islams that Jackson was
born as Islam. identify what dimension of the diversity wheel is presented in this situation.
A. Primary Dimension
B. Secondary Dimension
C. Both Dimension
24. Nash dreams to be a doctor when he was a kid but then as he grows up he
realizes that he wants to pursue law. identify what dimension of the diversity wheel is
presented in this situation.
A. Primary Dimension
B. Secondary Dimension
C. Both Dimension
25. Moner was born an Islam but lived in a Christian community. He adapted to the
culture in this community as he interacts with them in a long time.
A. Primary Dimension
B. Secondary Dimension
C. Both Dimension

ANSWER KEY
1. A
2. B
3. B
4. C
5. A
6. B
7. A
8. A
9. B
10. B
11. A
12. C
13. B
14. D.
15. A
16. A
17. A
18. A
19. B
20. A
21. C
22. A
23. A
24. B
25.A