|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |  |
|
Psychological Diversity
| Guest post by: Gary Jordan, Ph.D. |
Article Overview: Diversity is all around us. Most often people associate the word with differences in ethnicity, language, gender, values, sexual orientation, culture, economic class, or religion. Psychological diversity is often overlooked but is the most important kind of diversity because it is at the core of explaining the differences between people.
 |
Free Download - Success Psychology: The Freedom to Be Yourself By Gary Jordan, Ph.D. |
Psychological Diversity
Diversity is all around us. Most often people associate the word with differences in ethnicity, language, gender, values, sexual orientation, culture, economic class, or religion. The news talks about it, companies provide training about it, churches offer symposiums about it, and universities have curriculums about it. But psychological diversity is often overlooked. That's probably because it is the one very real diversity that can't easily be discerned by looking at someone or through a simple conversation.
The important role psychological diversity plays in behavioral science is one of the seven principles of Perceptual Style Theory or PST. Exploring principle #2 of PST:
Principle #2: Differences in perception result in psychological diversity, and psychological diversity is the most profound diversity there is.
People's psychology is built on their perception of the world around them. People make decisions about how to be and act in the world based on what they perceive. Because perception is different from person to person, people's psychology is also different. This perceptual difference results in a psychological diversity that is the most important kind of diversity because it is hard wired, not changeable, and not overtly apparent. What this means is that without an understanding of psychological diversity there are many people whose actions, views, and approaches to life will make no sense to you. You may ascribe this disconnect to some more obvious difference between you such as "she's a girl and I'm a boy and so she doesn't get it."
The reality is psychological diversity cuts across all other types of diversity and it is at the core of human differences. Believe it or not, you will find like-minded people (meaning people who see the world just like you do) in every other category of diversity. It's not uncommon to feel more than a little surprised when this happens to you. So why is that?
Why Can't We All Just Get Along?
Society provides a non-stop barrage of labeling people into groups. We do it in sports ("the fans of xx team are always exceptionally rowdy"), politics ("all the XX party people are nuts"), age ("Baby boomers just don't get it, Gen X understands"), etc, etc, etc. At the heart of any labeling is an attempt to qualify, quantify, or explain why there are differences between people.
Social differences such as language, culture, values, economic class, and religion are real, but they are the result of circumstance, environment, and learning. Other diversity categories are facts of birth. And, most importantly, so is psychological diversity. The way you perceive the world is innate. You are born with it, and it is an integral part of who you are and how you experience life.
Physiological diversity is at the core of explaining the differences between people. All other types of diversity are secondary - literally layers on top of psychological diversity.
We Must Embrace Diversity
How Perceptual Style Determines Our Natural Skills and Abilities
Dealing With Different Personality Types: What M&Ms Teach You About Life
Psychological Style Theories: What They Are, and Why They Matter
Behavioral Science and the 6 Universal Categories of Perceptual Style
Living Beyond the Statistic and Claiming Your Talent Advantage
Encouraging Diversity In The New Zealand Workplace
Encouraging Respect and Diversity in an Organization
Diversity Training Can Help Your Business Succeed
What Is the Importance of Attitudes to Workplace Diversity?
Managing Diversity: A Bliss or a Curse
Could it be the work of the Hamburgler: McDonald's Confronts an Online Hoax
Crossing Boundaries With Mentoring
Understanding Diversity in the Workplace
Diversity Means They will be Different
The EEOC Task Force Splendid Approach for Businesses
Tracking The Value Of Diversity Programs: Organizational Perspectives
Mentoring is the Answer to Diversity Initiatives in your Organization
Financial Reform Bill Diversity Requirement Has Challenges
Inclusiveness Expands Our Knowledge
Article Tags: life success, Perceptual Style, Personal growth, personality theory, skills, success, success in life, talents
|
About the Author: Gary Jordan, Ph.D. RSS for Gary's articles - Visit Gary's website Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 27 years of experience in clinical
psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching.
He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California
School of Professional Psychology – Berkeley. He is co-creator of
Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system
that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success.
He’s a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm
that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and
talents. For free information on how to succeed as an entrepreneur or
coach, create a thriving business and build your bottom line doing more
of what you love, visit www.YourTalentAdvantage.com
Click here to visit Gary's website   The Benefit of the Doubt How Perception Can Make All the Difference The 6 Perceptual Styles What We Value and How We See the World The Goals Style A New Definition of Success How to Listen to Your Inner Self and Create Your Own Brand of Success Who Do You Think You Are How Social Roles Can Determine Success in Life Successful Entrepreneurs and The Importance Of Building A Team |
Related Forum Posts
Re: Springboard for Female Entrepreneurs
- I would suggest looking at articles from the American Psychological Association (APA) regarding motivators and key performance indicators for women across the globe. It is interesting to read the basic science behind everything and how it contirbutes to success or failure. It will make all women feel equipped to deal with any troubles, tribulations, or shortcomings. Search their web site for in depth researched articles.
Re: Two Useful Books To Help You Focus On The CLIENT
- Hi David,
To add to your thread, I'd like to recommend Jonathan Tisch's "Chocolates On The Pillow Aren't Enough: Reinventing The Customer Experience".
Tisch's book includes content on "Welcoming Customers", "The New Art of Customization", "The Challenges of Customer Diversity" and "Offering Something Extra to Your Customers" to name a few.
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
by: 
How To Use Carbon Copy Pro As A Strategic Tool For Your Business
Best Automated Forex Trading Strategy
Build Your List with Joint Venture Giveaway Events
May 2012 Top 100 Social Media Experts to Follow on Twitter
What to measure to be phenomenally successful in business
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.