Date of Graduation
Spring 2020
Degree
Master of Science in Psychology
Department
Psychology
Committee Chair
Adena Young
Abstract
Negative views regarding diversity can lead to bullying, decreased empathy, and overall detrimental academic and social environments. The aim of this study was to implement and evaluate diversity workshops designed to raise awareness about and illuminate barriers among middle school children that manufacture from real and/or perceived differences. These workshops utilized activities that fostered communication between students about diversity but also the commonalities among themselves. A goal of the discussions was to prevent issues associated with infrequent peer group intermingling, because infrequent contact can result in diminished empathy, unmet basic needs, and reduced effectiveness of contact hypothesis. Specifically, the design of workshops was to promote positive views about diversity, celebrate group differences, and highlight the respect and acceptance of individual differences. Researchers analyzed pre- and post-surveys to determine whether workshops changed diversity attitudes of students and reduced victimization/aggression. The analysis included examination of the basic needs (i.e., autonomy, competence, relatedness) to determine possible relationships with core diversity influences (i.e., bullying/aggression) and overall diversity perceptions. While no differences in basic psychological needs scores existed, basic psychological needs did predict diversity perceptions and aggression. Findings encourage future empirical research about the role of psychological needs in relation to diversity attitudes and perceptions.
Keywords
diversity, bullying, victimization, basic psychological needs, Self-Determination Theory, Contact Hypothesis, stereotype
Subject Categories
Social Psychology
Copyright
© Taylor S. Smith
Recommended Citation
Smith, Taylor S., "Diversity Pep-Talk: Finding Strengths in Differences – An Examination of Diversity Workshops in Middle School" (2020). MSU Graduate Theses. 3470.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/3470
