Multiculturalism and Mindfulness

Inference is essential for our functioning. It allows us to categorize and generalize what’s around us, so that we can interact with reality. But how far does this help us, and how instead can it generate even unexpected problems?

Some of the categories we use relate to people: stereotypes. Psychology research has shown that stereotypes are generally accurate. Nonetheless, when the information that we have is wrong, inference can lead us to inaccurate conclusions (e.g., when we rely on indirect sources, instead of direct experience; or when we rely on in-group versus out-group reasoning).

Also, stereotypes can do harm, not just in the expected ways. Being reminded of a stereotype attached to oneself or one’s community, can impact performance. This is also true for categories that have been legally abolished, but are clearly still in place in the cultural arena. As an example, Indian students from a low-caste (even if this doesn’t legally exist nowadays) perform worst when they are reminded of their origins. Cooperation also lowers in mixed groups when such cultural identifiers are made explicit.

The main categories in which we place people are race, age, sex. This is demonstrated, among other studies, by research that uses the so-called memory confusion protocol. Babies do these categorisations too. They are naturally attracted by individuals of the same race, and even more with the same language.

This impacts our functioning in multicultural environments, not just explicitly, but more importantly so in implicit and unconscious ways. As multiculturalism is more and more diffused, also in organisations, it become essential to become aware of such biases and their implications. This is were mindfulness comes in, as a tool that can help us.

First of all, mindfulness allows us to be in the present moment. It means that we allow ourselves to see each moment as novel in itself, each person as worth our full attention, each encounter (yes, even with the same person!) as a first meeting. A beginner’s mind is an incredible antidote against cultural bias.

Secondly, being mindful leads to observe that we often act on automatic pilot. It is the case for our biases towards age, race, sex, out-groups, opponents’ coalitions. As research has shown, our perceptions and behaviours are often implicit. Making them explicit with a mindfulness practice is an incredible step towards becoming aware of how much and how often we divide the world in “us versus them”.

Finally, and more generally, mindfulness allows us to appreciate the human that is within each of us. It makes us see others, as well as ourselves, from a more compassionate perspective. Divisions blur when compassion is taken into account and becomes a daily practice.

These are just few ideas on the utility of mindfulness in multicultural contexts. It is by no means an attempt at being complete, but rather a starting point for conversation and practice. In which other ways can mindfulness help us work towards a world where multiculturalism is a richness, and not a threat?

#mindfulness #multiculturalism #society #perception