HUMAN RELATIONS IN A WORLD OF DIVERSITY 16 HUMAN RELATIONS IN A WORLD OF DIVERSITY

Objectives Diversity’s affect on human relations Prejudice challenges to human relations Origins of Prejudice Types of discrimination Connections between prejudice, discrimination and self-esteem How to decrease prejudice

48% 13% 12% 5.5% A Diverse Society Women Hispanics African Americans Asian Americans 48% 13% 12% 5.5%

Why is it important to examine your own prejudices? A Diverse Society Why is it important to examine your own prejudices?

Don’t Make Mistakes Like These:

Don’t Make Mistakes Like These:

Don’t Make Mistakes Like These:

Don’t Make Mistakes Like These:

Companies Have Regular Diversity Training

Prejudiced Attitudes Stereotypes Prejudice Discrimination

Stereotypes a thought or belief about members of a given group Can be positive Asians are good students and employees Can be negative Asians are bad drivers

Why are stereotypes potentially damaging?

Prejudice to prejudge or make a judgment without knowing a person beforehand Can be positive May lean toward or favor a person or group Can be negative May lean away from or disfavor a person or group

Why is a prejudice potentially damaging?

Discrimination acting on a prejudicial attitude Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate against anyone because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin Equal Employment Opportunity Commission monitors anti-discrimination laws

Why are People Prejudice?

Origins of Prejudice Social Causes Cognitive Causes Emotional Causes

Social Causes Institutions unintentionally creating racism, sexism, etc. Movies, TV Commercials, Authority Figures Prejudice helps people define themselves and feel socially accepted. Conforming to a group’s standards helps people feel more accepted. People form prejudices to try to raise their own self-esteem. It’s easier to feel superior when others are inferior.

the mind quickly sorts information into categories Cognitive Causes the mind quickly sorts information into categories Young or Old Male or Female Baggy Pants or Fitted Pants Race

Emotional Causes Ethnocentrism the belief that one’s ethnic group is more normal than others

Types of Discrimination Racism Economic Prejudice Sexism Overweight People Homosexuals Elderly People with Disabilities Religious Groups Pregnant Women

Racism prejudice and discrimination based on race difficult to overcome ethnocentrism is one of the factors in this problem Research shows: African American employees are recommended less for promotions than white employees 45% of black children live below the poverty line 75% of Division I black athletes fail to graduate There are more black men in jail than in college. Black students make up nearly 40% of learning disabled students.

Racism If you noticed someone being racially profiled or racism occurring around you, would you say something?

Economic Prejudice the struggle and resentment between the haves and the have-nots

What can YOU do to decrease economic prejudice?

Sexism Male chauvinism Workplace Conditions male superiority over females Workplace Conditions Difficult to get into middle and upper level management Women make about $0.77 for every dollar that men make Women must choose between the Fast Track and the Mommy Track

Sexism A businessman is aggressive. He is careful about details. He loses his temper because he is so involved in his job. He follows through. He’s firm. He makes wise judgments. He’s a man of the world. He isn’t afraid to say what he thinks. He exercises authority. He’s discreet. He’s a stern taskmaster. A businesswoman is pushy. She’s picky. She’s bitchy. She’s moody, so it must be her time of the month. She doesn’t know when to quit. She’s stubborn. She reveals her prejudices. She’s been around. She’s outspoken and opinionated. She’s a tyrant. She’s secretive. She’s difficult to work for.

Overweight People

Homosexuals This controversy revolves around: Is homosexuality a choice or genetic? Should homosexuality be protected from institutional discrimination just like race, gender, religion, etc.? California Colorado Connecticut Hawaii Illinois Iowa Maine Maryland Massachusetts New Mexico Minnesota Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New York Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin

The Elderly Until 1967 no law protected older people from discrimination Age Discrimination in Employment Act protects employees and job applicants from being discriminated against because of their age Ageism negative attitudes toward older people

People with Disabilities 18% of the U.S. population in the 18-64 age group is physically or developmentally disabled 85% of this number who could be working are not Americans with Disabilities Act allows people with disabilities to enjoy most of the benefits everyone else does

Religious Groups Employers may not treat employees different because of their religion. Employers cannot be required to participate in a religious activity as a condition of employment. Employers must reasonably accommodate employees sincerely held religious practices unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the employer Employers must take steps to prevent religious harassment of their employees. Employers may not retaliate against employees for asserting rights under Title VII

Pregnant Women

Sexual Harassment unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature Rachel starts weekly staff meetings with a dirty joke. Charlie teases his co-workers with comments like “You’re grumpy today; I bet you were alone last night.” Daily, Jack visits the job site of his crew and when he passes Sherry, he occasionally gives her a hug or a pinch on the butt. Last night, Robert went to a business dinner with his boss, Marie. He expected the entire staff to e there, but it was just the two of them. The restaurant was dimly lit and had a romantic atmosphere; Robert quickly realized that the focus of the dinner was Marie’s attraction to him. Just before suggesting a nightcap at her house, she mentioned the promotion Robert was seeking. Mark displays nude female centerfolds in the office he shares with Eileen and Sam. The loading dock crew whistles and comments on Michele’s figure when she wears tight jeans and sweaters.

Prejudice, Discrimination, and Self-Esteem A general observation about extremely prejudiced people is that they may suffer from low levels of self-esteem. Tolerant people are comfortable with who they are and have little trouble accepting others.

Looking Ahead Proximity Equal Status Interdependence If employees interact and communicate the chance they will come to like each other increases. Equal Status When companies hire all types of employees into all levels within the company. Interdependence When members of different groups must cooperate and depend on each other to reach a common goal.

Strategies for Success Reducing sexual harassment: Write a policy statement. Post the policy statement in a public place. Talk about the policy.