The Impact of Diversity on Social Cohesion and Development

Embracing ethnic diversity helps society come together and move forward. It brings different views, skills, and stories into one. This helps everyone. Some studies have said having many cultures in one place can slow down how welcoming people are to each other. This can show up in not trusting each other or not wanting to help out.¹ But, what these studies find can change, and it’s not the same in all places.

The idea that someone from a different group might be a threat can affect how we all get along. So does how often people from different groups meet. These things play a big part in whether ethnic diversity helps or hurts how connected we feel. This study looks at what happens in Australia with lots of different ways to see if we get along. It looks at who we trust, how we help each other, and even who we feel safe with. The idea is to see if having many cultures together is really a bad thing for how we feel about each other when we think about all the different parts.

Key Takeaways

• Ethnic diversity brings people together in good ways, like making neighborhoods safer and more friendly.¹
• Sometimes, too many different cultures can make people in the main group feel less trust or not want to help as much.¹
• How different cultures mix might help or hurt different parts of how we work together, like getting into politics or simply trusting each other.¹
• Feeling unsure about others and how we get along is tied to our individual feelings of our place in society. This could be about how we’re doing money-wise, too.²
• But, when different cultures regularly come together, this can build on us working together in good ways. It can make us respect each other more, too.¹

Defining Ethnic Diversity and Social Cohesion

Ethnic diversity means different nationalities living together. It looks at the chance of two people from a spot having different backgrounds. Or it can be about how many immigrants are in a place. People can often tell someone’s ethnicity by how they look, their language, where they hold citizenship, or their homeland. In this, the language used is key in understanding ethnic diversity.¹

Ethnic Diversity Measurements

To understand ethnic diversity, look at how many different groups are in an area. Also, consider the portion of immigrants living there. The language people speak helps identify their ethnicity.¹

Components of Social Cohesion

Social cohesion is about how well people come together. It includes the strength and number of relationships within the community. Also, how much people feel like they belong and work towards shared goals. This involves caring and following the rules that help everyone.¹,³

The Ethnic Diversity and Social Cohesion Relationship

Studies tell us that places with many different ethnic groups often lack trust and involvement in the community. This could show in lower volunteering and less participation in groups.¹ Many research works confirm this link between diversity and social togetherness.¹

Differential Effects on Social Cohesion Indicators

But, the story isn’t simple. The impact of diverse groups varies. For example, it can weaken trust and working together in neighborhoods. But it might not do the same for the whole city or country.¹ This makes us question studies that only look at part of the bigger picture in community relations.

Neighborhood vs. Broader Community Level Effects

Diversity might not always be bad for larger communities. Think about cities or whole countries. Studies often don’t find a clear link between big diversity and less social togetherness. This changes in the US, where more than neighborhood connections suffer due to diversity.¹

Negative Correlation Between Diversity and Social Cohesion

Communities with many cultural backgrounds might struggle with trust and community work. This is well-known from lots of research.¹ So, the link between variety and how well we stick together is seen in many studies.¹

The Role of Perceived Threat

People can feel threatened by those different from them.¹ This might be why ethnic diversity can weaken the bonds between people in society, or social cohesion.¹ Essentially, when we see others as a threat, we trust both people we know and don’t know less.¹

In Germany, a study found that if someone is not comfortable with those from different backgrounds, they may struggle to accept diversity.² Also, economic struggles in an area can make people more afraid of outsiders.² Surprisingly, being able to understand someone else’s feelings or politics didn’t affect this acceptance.²

Another study looked at over 900 places in Germany, France, and the Netherlands.⁴ It showed that how people see diversity can impact how they feel about their local community’s unity.⁴ In Germany, this issue seemed to cause a bigger problem compared to the other two countries.⁴

Also, research has shown that areas with more ethnic diversity tend to offer less support for public welfare and services.⁴ This includes things like trust and being part of community groups.⁴ Yet, some studies disagree, saying ethnic diversity doesn’t always lower trust or community activity.⁴ This conflict in study results shows we need to better understand how diversity impacts different forms of community life.⁴

The Impact of Intergroup Contact

Intergroup contact theory says that when different ethnic groups interact positively, it promotes cooperation and respect. This can make societies better by improving how people from different backgrounds get along.¹ It shows that if we encourage these positive interactions, it can counterbalance the harmful effects of cultural differences on society.¹

Contact Theory

According to intergroup contact theory, when people from various ethnicities meet and interact well, it breaks down stereotypes and improves unity. By working together, sharing understanding and a strong sense of togetherness, it can help lessen fear and division among groups. This view encourages positive links between diverse groups for a better society.

Mediated Contact Theory

Mediated contact theory adds that these positive interactions can help lessen the fear directly and indirectly, improving the overall fabric of society.² Research shows that such links are crucial for a positive social environment. Therefore, creating opportunities for people of different backgrounds to come together in positive ways is highly important.

The Impact of Diversity on Social Cohesion and Development

Research has shown that being part of a diverse community can be very good. It leads to greater happiness, better health, and positive feelings.¹ But, some studies in Europe and North America found that too much ethnic diversity can harm trust and the desire to help others.¹ However, a different study discovered something interesting. It involved over a thousand Australians whose families have lived there for three generations. It found that when people from different backgrounds get to know each other, it’s good for the community. This leads to more trust and willingness to help.¹

Figuring out how diversity, contact, and threat interact is key. It helps in building communities that welcome everyone and help them thrive.

Putnam, a researcher, thought that too much diversity could make people withdraw. This seems to especially affect those who are in the majority.¹ But, other studies point to something more hopeful. They say that through immigration, different groups come together in positive ways. This promotes working together and respecting one another. In the end, this strengthens the bond within a society.¹ Diversity is mostly looked at based on the sizes of different groups or how mixed they are. On the other hand, social cohesion is seen through how people connect, how attached they feel, and if they aim for similar things.¹

Not all findings on diversity and social connections are bad, though.¹ Some work says the challenges that come with diverse neighborhoods might not apply to whole cities or countries.¹ In the USA, for example, the link between diversity and how well people connect seems to go beyond just the immediate neighborhood.¹ But, we’re still trying to really understand why diversity sometimes makes it hard for communities to grow strong together.¹

Multidimensional Approach to Social Cohesion

The Bertelsmann Social Cohesion Radar (SCR) sees social cohesion in a broad way. It includes social relationships, connectedness, and focus on the common good.² This method overcomes the limits of using only trust to measure social cohesion. It shows that when diversity increases, cohesion might not decrease. Sometimes, it even gets better, opposite to what was once thought.²

Bertelsmann Social Cohesion Radar

The Bertelsmann Social Cohesion Radar (SCR) looks deeply into social cohesion. It goes beyond simple measurements. This method understands that social cohesion is complex. It involves many parts of community life and our well-being together. By looking at more factors, the SCR gives a better view of diversity and its effect on social cohesion. It changes the idea that more diversity always means less social cohesion.

Using the Bertelsmann Social Cohesion Radar, researchers have seen a deeper link between diversity and social cohesion.² This method goes against the old idea that more diversity weakens social connections. It offers a view that sees the full picture, showing the many sides of diversity’s effect on society.

Individual Characteristics and Diversity Acceptance

Research shows some key individual traits that can affect how people accept diversity. Intergroup anxiety makes people feel nervous about interacting with those from different ethnicities. This can lower their acceptance of diversity and impact social cohesion.²

Such anxiety can lessen the belief in diversity within a community. The economic status of a place, shown in its per capita GDP, can make this anxiety worse. This adds to the fear of other groups.²

Empathy

On the other hand, empathy is tied to greater acceptance of diversity and a positive view of others. This positive link can strengthen social unity.² Yet, the level of empathy did not significantly affect individual acceptance of diversity.²

Political Orientation

One’s political orientation, especially being more conservative, might mean less acceptance of diversity. Such views can affect social harmony.² Studies link intergroup anxiety, levels of empathy, and political beliefs to how much people accept diversity. They highlight how personal traits play a big part in community unity.²

Researchers used the Bertelsmann Social Cohesion Radar (SCR) to gauge social cohesion. It looked at acceptance of diversity as a key measure of social unity. This highlights how personal views on diversity matter for overall community harmony.²

Increasing Diversity in Western Societies

Since the Cold War’s end, Western countries have seen more ethnic diversity because of global migration. This change has sparked discussions and studies on how diversity affects communities.²

Living in close-knit areas makes people feel happier, healthier, and more stable. Yet, as diversity grows, so can feelings of distrust among neighbors.²⁵ In places with many different ethnic groups, trust can be lower, affecting everyone, not just minorities.⁵

The US has a unique mix of challenges, including high income inequality. Sometimes, more diversity makes it harder for people to trust each other, and societies become less united as a result.⁵

Oddly, a 1970s study found African Americans were more trusting where there was more diversity. This shows that how diversity impacts trust can vary among different groups.⁵ Yet, many studies have only looked at whether people overall trust each other, ignoring any rise in tensions towards certain groups.⁵

Evaluating different responses to diversity, like multicultural or assimilation policies, is crucial. This approach can shed light on what works best for community harmony.⁵

Divergent Findings in the US and Europe

The link between ethnic diversity and social cohesion has led to lots of study. These studies in the US and Europe show different results.⁶

US Studies Show Negative Relationship

In the US, research always finds a bad link between ethnic diversity and social cohesion. They look at trust and volunteering. This “constrict theory” says diversity makes people pull away from each other. It includes their own and other ethnic groups.⁶

Mixed Evidence in European and UK Studies

In Europe and the UK, though, findings are mixed. Some studies show a bad connection between diversity and social cohesion. But, other research doesn’t find this or sees it change with intergroup contact and economic inequality.⁷

The mix of US and Europe/UK findings underlines how tricky the connection is between ethnic diversity and social cohesion. It shows the need for more detailed research on what affects this relationship.⁶⁷

The Role of Economic Inequality and Deprivation

Experts say that how rich or poor an area is might affect how well people get along more than their mix of cultures.⁸ Studies in the UK show that having the same background as your neighbors can help build strong bonds. Also, being of the same ethnic group might help, especially if you’re facing hard times together.³

In the UK, the gap between those with much and those with little money is big.⁸ The richest fifth of families make 40% of the country’s money. Yet, the poorest fifth earn just 8%.⁸ Things used to be more fair from 1938 to 1979, but money differences have grown since.⁸ Now, by 2009/2010, the top 10% grabbed 31% of the income, up from 21% in 1979.⁸ The story is similar for wealth: the richest have most of it. For example, the top 10% has 45% of the wealth, while the least well-off half only owns less than 9%.⁸

Unlike what has been found in the US,³ UK research shows a strong link between income inequality, and lack and socio-economic tension. It may play a bigger role in breaking down social ties than cultural diversity does.³ This opens the door for further exploration into how poverty and ethnic variation mix. This mixing may shape social connections in places where many cultures meet.

Importance of Intergroup Contact in Diverse Communities

Intergroup contact in diverse communities has a big impact. It shows positive interactions between different ethnic groups. This can reduce the negative effects of diversity on social trust. Studies suggest that getting to know people from other groups lessens the fear and boosts trust.³

Studies have shown that making kids and teens interact can reduce prejudices.⁹ Positive effects were found in these programs, but results varied. In England and Northern Ireland, a big program reaches many teens.⁹ This shows how such efforts can improve relationships between groups in varied communities.

Teenage years are key for building good relations with people from different groups. The idea is that during these years, attitudes towards others form. Programs that make kids meet others do best with those who haven’t had much chance to meet before, as well as those who have had negative experiences.⁹ Designing such programs thoughtfully is crucial to their success.

Source Links

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5875770/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7970233/
3. https://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/briefings/immigration-diversity-and-social-cohesion/
4. https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/228773/1/Full-text-article-Koopmans-et-al-Statistical-and-perceived.pdf
5. https://lirias.kuleuven.be/retrieve/132105
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10663700/
7. https://germjanmaat.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/nier-article1.pdf
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5901394/
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8116240/