1. An article that stood out to me when conducting my research was “The Impact of Method, Motivation, and Empathy on Diversity Training Effectiveness” by Alex Lindsey et al, which examined diversity training methods. These methods of diversity training are perspective-taking, goal setting, and stereotype discrediting along with individual differences and how they impact the effectiveness. Each method is talked about in great length investigating the cause and effects, methods, comparison, and conclusion. Each topic has its sections to first give an overview of the topic and mention general facts, such as how perspective training resulted in increased positive attitudes, along with side comparisons and discussions. These touch on each hypothesis and their findings, along with specific details such as the positive impact reported towards LGB individuals and more.
I found this article very useful to my research because of how thoroughly it investigates diversity training. More specifically it directly discusses empathy and perspective which are the main focus of my topic. When searching for evidence about empathy and perspective as a way to make people more accepting of diverse groups I found a lot of opinions that were helpful but they were also subjective. Using a scholarly journal brings as a source adds credibility along with data and facts. The use of multiple hypotheses and analysis of both successes and failures of the training helps the discussion become more well rounded.
2. The response that stood out to me was “The pressure to keep up appearances”. I connected to this response because I often find my physical comfort translating to my mental comfort, and if I am not comfortable I find it hard to accomplish and even focus work. Reading how uneasy it made the women feel to be watched all day made me understand that they had many added pressures to their work because of an open office. The writer adds to the ideas of the original article because the pressure to keep up appearances is a direct result of men staring. Schwab quotes “men in particular, often in groups, look obsessively at women” which is similar to the mention of her need to “look proper because I was visible from all angles” illustrating that an open office is extremely exposing for women.
Indeed–our physical comfort level and our mental comfort level are undeniably related. When we feel off-kilter in either respect, it affects the other, so a sense of scrutiny can translate into physical discomfort.