How Diversity Potentially Impacts Sociological Considerations - Term Paper Example

 Diversity Summary The proponent presents how diversity potentially impacts sociological considerations. In addition, how this chosen discipline differs in its perspective in explaining group behavior compared with psychologist and other point of view is also included. Cultural relativism is used in order to discuss this concept. It is found that diversity could be well explained from different perspectives or disciplines. As elaborated from the context of the complex human behavior, there is a need to require different perspectives or disciplines in order to understand the concept of diversity in great detail. This will eventually establish the real essence of whatever perspective or discipline should be used in understanding the complex human behavior. Keywords: sociological perspective, economic perspective, psychological perspective Introduction How does diversity impact sociological considerations is one of the important aspects discussed in this essay. Furthermore, how this chosen discipline differs in its perspective in explaining group behavior compared with psychologist and other point of view is substantially discussed. Particularly, the proponent chooses cultural relativism in the discussion of this concept. Diversity According to Hofstede’s theory of cultural dimension, the US is most likely to have a strong individualistic culture. This means that this country always seeks to look forward to competitive advantage placing individual achievements on top of their culture (Ivancevich, 2010). As a result, many companies such as Apple Incorporated remarkably would want to create a sense of being a cut above the other. Thus, competitive strategies may be required (Porter, 1998). Furthermore, within this organization, a remarkable culture is encouraged and that everyone should substantially create a positive essence of competition (O’Grady, 2008). This means that everyone in this company is always exposed to a certain competition in which the bottom line is to create superior product for Apple Incorporated that would be in line with its main goal to produce highly innovative product offerings which feature a remarkable cutting-edge technology. On the other hand, Japanese culture may not have exactly the same national culture as it is rumored that this country has strong sense of cultural collectivism due to the remarkable presence of resilient family ties as compared to its counterparts in Western societies (McKinstry & McKinstry, 1991, p.130). In other words, in contrast to highly individualist culture, Japanese are always moved to work in a team. There is a sense of teamwork which has become the elemental benchmark of success. In other words, instead of having an individual to be recognized, it is the whole team or group that usually deserves the credit of appreciation. At this point, it is clear that there is corresponding diversity when it comes to achieving and viewing success especially within the context of group or organization. Achieving competitive advantage for instance may differ from how the US tries to take a look at it compared from the entire Japanese perspective as illustrated earlier. This means that diversity substantially creates impact on sociological consideration. Based on the previous illustration and according to cultural relativism as cited by Hofstede’s theory of cultural dimension, there is a significant point that culture plays in the creation of diversity. At this point, it is not easy to judge a certain culture. From economic perspective, competitive advantage may be equated with profit or other monetary values, but it has to specifically consider cultural perspectives in great detail. It is not just easy to implement managerial decisions and strategies into Japan’s culture that could be well be fitted in the US culture. At this point, relative decisions are necessary in order to come up with highly effective outcome. Diversity therefore impacts sociological considerations by taking into account the importance of relative cultural background and orientation prior to initiating specific actions or moves. As there are varying cultural backgrounds and orientations, it is necessary to bear them in mind prior to initiating effective moves that could take into account cultural relativism. Culture therefore is a specific elemental factor on how to understand the concept of diversity from sociological perspective. On the other hand, psychology for instance would normally try to look at diversity from the point of view of varying human behaviors. In fact, there are different perspectives that are in line with this that try to attempt to explain the complex human behavior which substantially involve biological, psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, and humanistic approach (Feldman, 2003). For example, achieving competitive advantage may be well explained from the perspective of behavioral approach based on the concept of motivation. In psychology, motivation is something like what would encourage an individual to move and work in order to reach a goal, as it is a set of factors involving conscious or unconscious that determines an act or behavior (Feldman, 2003). Achieving competitive advantage therefore could be well explained based on the concept of varying human needs and behaviors and not on social or cultural orientation. For instance, in the case of Apple Incorporated, the ultimate reason why there is a need to compete with the other within the organization is to ultimately come up with a reward or even address specific, but varying needs, either tangible or not. Reward system would definitely create specific response which could be determined on the actual behavior of an individual. In this case, due to prestigious reward, which at some point could be determined in the person’s needs, an individual would certainly aim to discover excellent output. At Apple Incorporated, every individual is encouraged to come up with excellent output as this would be aligned with the company’s ultimate goal, and that is to come up with excellent products that are highly innovative, differentiated and would become a cut above the other. However, from psychological perspective, there is a point of understanding the whole context of this not on cultural consideration, but above all on individual psychological response. The concept of motivation may eventually have specific explanation for this. Since there is a concept of reward involved in this situation, an individual may be motivated to work hard because of the opportunity to achieve the prize and even address some of his or her important needs in life. Clearly, sociological, economic and even psychological aspects vary on how they view actual group behavior. After all, they are of different discipline, which only shows that they have specific concepts or theoretical frameworks in understanding diversity especially on how it would place impact on them. Conclusion It is shown that diversity could be well explained from different perspectives or disciplines. However, the bottom line of this would still be clearly elaborated from the context of human behavior. The fact that human behavior is so complex, diversity particularly on how human behaves exists, which would then require different perspectives or disciplines in order to understand it in great detail. Whatever perspective that will be used in understanding this, each therefore has its supporting specific theoretical framework that at some point would establish its essence. References Ivancevich, J. M. (2010). Human Resource Management (11th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Feldman, R. S. (2003). Essentials of Understanding Psychology (5th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. McKinstry, J., & McKinstry, A. N. (1991). Jinsei Annai, “Life’s Guide.” Glimpses of Japan Through a Popular Advice Column. London: M.E. Sharpe. O’Grady, J. D. (2008). Apple Incorporated. Westpoint, Connecticut: ABC-CLIO. Porter, M. E. (1998). Competitive Strategy. New York, NY: Free Press. Read More