Identity Omission: Impact and Insights

April 2024
Cornell University

Introduction

Hey students! Ever felt invisible when your identity wasn't on a form? Cornell University's latest study discusses how missing identity options on forms like job applications can make people feel less valued and even spark anger. This fascinating research, Devaluation by Omission, reveals that not seeing your group listed can actually strengthen your connection to that identity. Dive into this intriguing exploration of identity, inclusion, and the simple changes that can make everyone feel welcome.

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Why It Matters

Discover how this topic shapes your world and future

Feeling Seen and Heard

When you fill out a form and don't see an option that represents your identity, how does it make you feel? Maybe overlooked or frustrated? This is a significant issue because it touches on how inclusive our society is. The research by Fath and Proudfoot highlights that missing identity options on forms can make people feel like they don't belong and even trigger anger. This is crucial because it affects how groups, especially minorities, perceive their value in society. Understanding this can help us push for more inclusive practices in everything from job applications to surveys, ensuring everyone feels acknowledged and valued. This topic isn't just about filling out forms; it's about recognizing and respecting the diverse identities that make up our world, which is something you might experience or witness as you interact with different systems and communities.

Speak like a Scholar

Demographic Information

Data collected about the characteristics of people, like age, race, or gender, used to categorize individuals in a population.

Identity Omission

The exclusion of certain group identities as options in demographic data collection, leading to feelings of being overlooked or undervalued.

Inclusivity

The practice or policy of including people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or mental disabilities, or belong to other minority groups.

Belonging

The feeling of being accepted and included in a group or community.

Minority Groups

Sections of a population differing from others in some characteristics and often subjected to differential treatment.

Ethnic Identity

The identity or sense of belonging to a particular ethnic group, and the degree to which one attributes their thinking and behavior to that group.

Independent Research Ideas

Survey the Survey

Investigate how different high schools handle identity options in their forms and surveys. Analyze how inclusive these practices are and propose improvements.

Global Identity Recognition

Compare how various countries' official forms (like census or passport applications) accommodate diverse identities. What can be learned from the most inclusive practices?

Corporate Inclusivity

Examine the impact of inclusive demographic options on employee satisfaction within a particular sector, such as technology or retail.

Historical Evolution of Identity Recognition

Trace the changes in how demographic information has been collected over the past decades and its impact on public policy and minority rights.

Cultural Impact on Identity Formation

Explore how different cultures recognize or neglect various identities and the psychological impact on individuals from those cultures.

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