(EsPCEx - 2017)
How diversity makes us smarter
Decades of research by organizational scientists, psychologists, sociologists, economists and demographers show that socially diverse groups (that is, those with a diversity of race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation) are more innovative than homogeneous groups. It means being around people who are different from us makes us more creative, more diligent and more hardworking.
It seems obvious that a group of people with diverse individual expertise would be better than a homogeneous group at solving complex, non-routine problems. It is less obvious that social diversity should work in the same way – yet the science shows that it does. This is not only because people with different backgrounds bring new information. Simply interacting with individuals who are different forces group members to prepare better, to anticipate alternative viewpoints and to expect that reaching consensus will take effort.
Diversity of expertise confers benefits that are obvious – you would not think of building a new car without engineers, designers and quality-control experts – but what about social diversity? The same logic applies to social diversity. People who are different from one another in race, gender and other dimensions bring unique information and experiences to bear on the task at hand. A male and a female engineer might have perspectives as different from one another as an engineer and a physicist – and that is a good thing.
The fact is that if you want to build teams or organizations capable of innovating, you need diversity. Diversity enhances creativity. It encourages the search for novel information and perspectives, leading to better decision making and problem solving. Diversity can improve the bottom line of companies and lead to discoveries and breakthrough innovations. Even simply being exposed to diversity can change the way you think.
Adapted from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-diversity-makes-us-smarter/
According to the text, choose the correct statement.
It takes more than interaction with others to become a better person.
Homogeneous groups work as hard as heterogeneous ones.
According to science, social diversity works just like diversity of expertise.
When it comes to bear on the task at hand, a male is better than a female.
Solving complex problems is easier than searching for novel information.
Gabarito:
According to science, social diversity works just like diversity of expertise.
A questão pede para assinalar, segundo o texto, a afirmativa correta.
A: It takes more than interaction with others to become a better person. = É preciso mais do que interação com os outros para se tornar uma pessoa melhor.
Incorreto. O texto não fala sobre como se tornar uma pessoa melhor; apenas afirma que grupos socialmente diversos têm melhor desempenho que grupos homogêneos, pois a interação com os outros promove a troca de informações e experiências.
B: Homogeneous groups work as hard as heterogeneous ones. = Grupos homogêneos trabalham tão duro quanto os heterogêneos.
Incorreto. "[...] socially diverse groups [...] are more innovative than homogeneous groups. It [...] makes us more creative, more diligent and more hardworking." Neste trecho, argumenta-se que grupos socialmente diversos, heterogêneos, são mais inovadores que grupos homogêneos; a diversidade nos torna mais criativos, mais diligentes e mais trabalhadores.
C: According to science, social diversity works just like diversity of expertise. = De acordo com a ciência, a diversidade social funciona da mesma forma que a diversidade de experiência profissional.
D: When it comes to bear on the task at hand, a male is better than a female. = Quando se trata de cumprir a tarefa em mãos, um homem é melhor do que uma mulher.
Incorreto. "People who are different from one another in race, gender and other dimensions bring unique information and experiences to bear on the task at hand. A male and a female engineer might have perspectives as different from one another as an engineer and a physicist – and that is a good thing." Neste trecho, argumenta-se que pessoas diferentes umas das outras, em raça, gênero e outros aspectos, trazem informações e experiências únicas para a realização da tarefa que têm em mãos. Um engenheiro e uma engenheira podem ter perspectivas tão diferentes quanto profissionais de áreas diferentes — e isso é uma coisa boa.
E: Solving complex problems is easier than searching for novel information. = Resolver problemas complexos é mais fácil do que procurar informação nova.
Incorreto. "Diversity [...] encourages the search for novel information and perspectives, leading to better decision making and problem solving." Neste trecho, argumenta-se que a diversidade estimula a busca por novas informações e perspectivas, o que leva à melhorias na tomada de decisões e na solução de problemas.