“Precious beyond measure”: rethinking the current approach to diversity

Mattheiss, Samantha R.

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1336590

OPINION article

Front. Psychol., 08 December 2023

Sec. Personality and Social Psychology

Volume 14 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1336590

“Precious beyond measure”: rethinking the current approach to diversity

$\r\nSamantha R. Mattheiss$ Samantha R. Mattheiss^*

School of Arts and Sciences, Felician University, Lodi, NJ, United States

Introduction

In recent years, there has been great effort to establish new, and reinforce existing, groups with the goal of capturing the wide range of phenotypes represented in the human population. Such groups, or identities, include neurodiverse, straight, aromantic, nonbinary, white, black, interracial, Hispanic or LatinX, and non-Hispanic or LatinX. With an emphasis on diversity, social movements have emerged which rightly aim to support marginalized groups, eradicate discrimination, and foster improvement amongst countless lives. Such movements align with psychological research demonstrating that group identification can protect against depression (Cruwys et al., 2014) and promote well-being by fostering a sense of belonging and meaning (Jetten et al., 2017; Haslam et al., 2018). Despite these advances, hate crimes have risen in recent years (Miller and Rivas, 2022; Farrell and Lockwood, 2023) and global conflict persists (Pandey et al., 2023; United Nations, 2023). While group identification is inarguably beneficial, does overemphasizing categories come with a cost? Moreover, is there evidence pointing toward another way to effectively embrace the beautiful, infinite diversity of humanity?

Continuum

To begin with, many of the characteristics on which we tend to categorize ourselves are, in fact, not categorical in nature, but rather are inherently continuous—in that each facet is better represented on a continuum, or spectrum. In terms of gender, for example, research shows that each individual shares some characteristics historically thought to be “male” and others “female,” regardless of biological sex (Monro, 2005). The same is true for sexuality (Savin-Williams, 2014), with many individuals across the sexual identity spectrum reporting multiple identities as well as changes in identities over time (Ruberg and Ruelos, 2020).

Moreover, it is increasingly clear that cognitive and emotional traits lie on a continuum, rather than in discrete categories. For example, not all individuals within clinically defined diagnostic categories, such as depression, benefit from the same treatment, suggesting that existing clinical categories may not accurately represent phenotypes. In fact, van Os et al. (2023) demonstrated that a transdiagnostic approach, in which a number of factors (e.g., symptom dimensions such as persistence; clinical factors such as early adversity) are taken into account, is more valuable to patients than the existing categorical approach (van Os et al., 2023). Neurobiological (Gray et al., 2020; Dugré et al., 2022; Feng et al., 2022; Li et al., 2022) and genetic (Hoy et al., 2022; Chawner et al., 2023; David et al., 2023) evidence also supports the heterogeneity of symptoms within neuropsychiatric disorders, with biomarkers predicting transdiagnostic symptoms rather than discrete diagnoses.

Other research suggests that a categorical approach may also be inadequate for capturing racial and ethnic identities. For example, an increasing multiracial and multiethnic—also termed mixed (Törngren et al., 2021)—population (Livingston, 2020) challenges the rigidity of existing racial and ethnic identities (DaCosta, 2020). Further, with genetic ancestry testing (e.g., 23&Me, Inc.), some receive information about their ancestry that contradicts their existing, socially constructed racial and ethnic identities (Elliott and Brodwin, 2002; Shim et al., 2018), thereby potentially impacting one's group identity (Theunissen, 2022). Together, such findings suggest that a rigid approach to racial and ethnic identities is insufficient.

Beyond measure

Such findings across gender, sex, ability, disability, disorder, race, and ethnicity suggest that diversity may be beyond what human language can capture. Indeed, each person differs on countless characteristics, inspired by a unique set of over 100,000 (and counting; Salzberg, 2018) human genes, over 100 billion neurons (Toga et al., 2012), and over 700 trillion connections between neurons (The Brain Preservation Foundation, 2015). Each person differs in their life experiences–beginning prenatally–with exposure to distinct levels of nutrients, hormones, and toxins prior to birth (e.g., Ferreira, 1965; Maccari et al., 2003; Kingston and Tough, 2014; Gómez-Roig et al., 2021); and then, different experiences during birth, infancy, childhood, and beyond (e.g., Cannon et al., 2002; Bouchard and McGue, 2003; Annear et al., 2014; Hughes et al., 2017). As such, our differences are inherently beyond what we can categorize with language.

Costs associated with group identification

In addition to the challenge of maintaining categories to represent the true diversity of humanity, there are also risks associated with increasing the saliency of groups. For example, experimentally manipulated categories resulted in increased perceptions of differences between the “ingroup”—the group with which an individual identifies—and “outgroup” (Tajfel et al., 1971); as well as increased discrimination of “outgroup” members (Turner et al., 1979). Moreover, once individuals identify with a group, their self-concept may be influenced by perceptions of their group (Turner et al., 1987; Hogg and Williams, 2000), even when those perceptions are inaccurate, negative, or inconsistent with their personality identity (Hogg and Williams, 2000; Sim et al., 2014).

An alternative approach

Appreciation of beauty

There are potential benefits and costs to group identification. As such, I am not proposing that we get rid of categories or shift any group movements aside, but rather that we take a moment to pause, and recognize the incredible and beautiful diversity of the human person—one which is simply beyond categories.

Cognitive neuroscientist David Eaglemen describes a sense of awe at the human mind, which, he describes is “inimitable, mysterious…precious beyond measure” and “more remarkable than any orb in the sky” (Eagleman and Downer, 2016).

What if we were to emphasize the preciousness of each person we encounter? What if we were to actively seek beauty and goodness in the individual next to us, across from us, ahead of us, behind us? In fact, experiences of beauty are related to self-transcendence (Diessner et al., 2018); awe (Keltner and Haidt, 2003); prosocial behavior (Zhang et al., 2014); a reduction in the self-other distinction (D'Aquili and Newberg, 2000); decreased discrimination (for review, see Pohling and Diessner, 2016); and greater love of humanity (for review, see Pohling and Diessner, 2016).

In addition to appreciation of the beauty of the individual human, an appreciation of the beauty of unity-in-diversity (Diessner, 2004), or when “various diverse elements that are integrated into unities” (Diessner et al., 2006, p. 307), is also beneficial. Specifically, appreciating the beauty of unity-in-diversity lends to effective moral reasoning about valuation of individual differences amongst unity; greater acceptance of differences; and decreased discrimination (Diessner et al., 2006; Diessner and Niemiec, 2023).

Given such findings, it just might be in recognizing the beauty of each individual- and of the diversity of humanity- that we become increasingly united in our common humanity.

Recategorization

In addition to emphasizing the beauty of each immeasurably unique human person, might we also emphasize our similarities? Although we are incredibly unique, we also share 99.9% of genes (Nhgri, 2019). Moreover, populations across the globe share a common earth; some share a common workforce, neighborhood, or school; and countless share inter- and intra-personal joys and struggles. Across cultures, individuals share in the expression of the universal emotions (Russell, 1994), as well as the developmental trajectories designated by the human genome (Venter et al., 2001).

Appreciating similarities may be beneficial. In fact, feeling similar to someone is not only a core component of social connection (Seppala et al., 2013), but also increases feelings of connectedness which extend to other members of the “outgroup” (Galinsky et al., 2005). Social connection is linked to other benefits as well, including improved health, wellbeing, and even longevity (Seppala et al., 2013).

Several studies have empirically examined the effects of recategorization of groups based on similarities. For example, evidence supports the common ingroup identity model (Gaertner et al., 1989, 1993), which suggests that if individuals of two separate groups reorganize their identities such that they belong to a single, inclusive group, they will experience more positive attitudes toward each other (Gaertner et al., 1993). Studies demonstrate that even experiencing a shared high stress activity (vs. low stress and vs. unshared/different activities) can foster prosocial behavior (Dovidio and Morris, 1975); and that reorganization of one's identity group can foster positive attitudes toward out-group members (Gaertner et al., 1989).

In another study, recategorizing a partner in black – white friendship dyads as belonging to the same subordinate group as oneself led to greater concern for others as well as security in the relationship (Lemay and Ryan, 2021). Interestingly, perceived similarity was responsible for the effect. Moreover, both motivation and relationship security predicted prosocial behavior and relationship satisfaction.

In a similar line of research, shared sufferings, including perceptions of hate and prejudice, have been shown to foster group identity and elicit within-group oneness (Whitehouse et al., 2017; Walters et al., 2020). These findings deepen our understanding of intergroup conflict, yet they may also be relevant here. Across the globe, we share sufferings such as losing a loved one and enduring physical illness. It's possible that recognizing shared sufferings can lead to benefits associated with perceived similarity.

Overall, such findings imply that an emphasis on identifying similarities between self and other—even amidst an apparent difference in group identity—may be key.

Translation into practice

The translation of such findings into real-world practices presents a challenge, yet it seems surmountable. First, it is generally accepted that individual traits, including personality and cognitive traits, change with experience (e.g., Peterson and Seligman, 2004; Cloninger et al., 2019; Zwir et al., 2019; De Vries et al., 2021). Moreover, the biopsychosocial basis of personality demonstrates the drive to align one's actions with their goals and values (Garcia et al., 2023), with more alignment corresponding to greater implementation of virtue in action (Moreira et al., 2022). Together, such findings alongside neurobiological mechanisms of change (i.e., brain plasticity, Kolb and Whishaw, 1998), suggest that positive intrapersonal and thereby, interpersonal, change is possible.

Additionally, several studies demonstrate the efficacy of practices that enhance intra- and interpersonal growth. These include role-taking and social play amongst children (e.g., Ahammer and Murray, 1979), mobile phone applications (e.g., Morris et al., 2010), focus groups (e.g., (Lundqvist et al., 2010), therapy (Bamelis et al., 2014) including a person-centered approach (Garcia et al., 2023), interventions (e.g., Shonin et al., 2015), social emotional learning (SEL) curricula (Duchesneau, 2020; Murano et al., 2020), and public awareness campaigns (e.g., Agha, 2003). Such practices have been shown to be effective across populations, including those diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (Lundqvist et al., 2010) and personality disorders (Bamelis et al., 2014).

Translation of the proposed approach into real-world practices might begin with the modalities described above. Future research can develop and test the effectiveness of specific practices.

It's also important to note that many existing practices incorporate other approaches to reduce discrimination (e.g., Devine et al., 2012; Gronholm et al., 2017; Windisch et al., 2021). The proposed approach here does not negate existing approaches, but rather aims to add a new perspective to the discussion.

Striving toward equality

Finally, this approach requires a concomitant striving toward equality and respect for all persons. Intergroup inequality not only drives group identity and behavior (Lei and Vesely, 2010), but also signifies deep injustice. The proposed approach to diversity calls for equity as a starting point. Yet the relationship is bidirectional. If the approach fosters positive personality growth, prosocial and altruistic action should ensue (see Garcia et al., 2023), which should reduce inequality. Moreover, emphasizing our common humanity may, in turn, promote a greater desire for and action toward equality (see Tropp and Barlow, 2018).

Conclusion

Overall, existing evidence challenges the current approach to diversity. Such points to another all-encompassing approach to diversity. This approach fosters an appreciation of the beauty of each individual, exquisitely unique beyond what human language can ultimately communicate. It also promotes a search for similarities between oneself and the other, and possibly a reorganization of transient, subordinate groups based on commonalities. With this approach, we celebrate the splendorous differences across the human population while also recognizing our common humanity. With an awareness of the immeasurable diversity of humanity, we just might find another beauty, described by Diessner et al. (2006)—one which is elicited by the coexistence of each and every one of us unrepeatable and exquisitely unique.

Author contributions

SM: Conceptualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing.

Funding

The author(s) declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Acknowledgments

The author thanks Dr. Rhett Diessner for his communication and insight regarding beauty and unity-in-diversity.

Conflict of interest

The author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher's note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

References

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