Ways of knowing and cultural awareness

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between ways of knowing and attitudes toward diversity awareness and acceptance. The purpose was to determine whether there was a link between individuals with a higher propensity for either of the two epistemological orientations, connected knowing or separate knowing, and their ability to be accepting and understanding of others who are different from them. Important to this study was also the investigation of the potential factors that predict diversity awareness the most. Connected knowing, separate knowing, gender, age, and ethnic status were the five predictor variables used during exploration. There were a total of 211 undergraduate and graduate participants from two Midwest universities, between the ages of 18 and 58. Participants completed the Attitudes Toward Thinking and Learning Survey (Galotti, Clinchy, Ainsworth, Lavin, & Mansfield, 1999), the Miami University Diversity Awareness Scale (MUDAS) (Mosley-Howard, Witte, & Wang, 2011), a vocabulary test, and demographic questions. Main analyses revealed a significant positive correlation between ways of knowing and all of the MUDAS subscales. Contrary to what was expected, analyses also revealed a significant positive correlation between separate knowing and four MUDAS subscales. Among the significant predictor variables found were: connected knowing, separate knowing, and gender. Exploratory ancillary analyses revealed three significant differences between men and women. Specifically, differences in means were found for separate knowing, value/appreciation, and intercultural interaction.