After learning about diversity in Professor Chen’s lab, Kaitlin Tinker was inspired to combine that with her long-held interest in personality. Her unique approach to these subjects reinforced the importance of understanding diversity in the workplace. Kaitlin has particularly appreciated the opportunity her research has given her to make a difference in how society views these issues. After graduating from UC Irvine, Kaitlin moved on to pursue a Master’s degree in Applied Psychology at USC, and she hopes to pursue a career as a consultant in organizational psychology.

This study examines whether personality factors influence individuals’ preferences for racially diverse, versus non-diverse, workplaces. We hypothesized that individuals who are high in openness to experience, extroversion and agreeableness would be more attracted to a racially diverse workplace, whereas individuals high in neuroticism and conscientiousness would be less attracted to a diverse workplace. Undergraduate participants completed an online survey after viewing a company fact sheet with either high or low minority representation among its employees and a traditional or open company culture. After viewing the fact sheet, participants indicated the extent to which they found it an appealing place to work and completed the Big Five Personality Scale. On average, participants significantly preferred the racially diverse workplace to the one that had few minorities. In addition, participants who were high in openness to experience especially preferred the racially diverse organization. These findings are important because they aid in a better understanding of individual differences in workplace preferences, especially as organizations are trying to become more diverse.

Jacqueline M. Chen School of Social Ecology

As American society becomes increasingly racially heterogeneous, intergroup dynamics can become more harmonious or more strained. In recent years, we have seen evidence that some Americans embrace racial and cultural diversity whereas others reject it. As social psychologists, we are interested in explaining the personality and situational factors that can predict whether people wish to approach or avoid diverse environments. The results of Kaitlin’s project indicate that aspects of individuals’ personalities, specifically their openness to new experiences, may help to determine their willingness to join diverse groups. Her project highlights the need for researchers and employers to pay attention to individuals’ personality traits as suggestive of their racial attitudes.