The Diversity Paradox: Opportunities and Challenges of “Contact in Context” Across Development

Abstract

As the United States diversifies, we review research on both the benefits and challenges of diversity in developmental science.  Taking a “contact in context” approach, we focus on how structural and interpersonal diversity influence ethnic/racial developmental processes and outcomes from early childhood to adolescence.  We also consider how a child’s own ethnicity/race may shape diversity experiences.  We offer this review with the ultimate goal of optimizing benefits and minimizing challenges.  We offer a “contact in context” conceptual model that integrates diversity at multiple levels, child ethnicity/race, and developmental changes over time.  We conclude with recommendations for future research.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (R21MD011388); National Science Foundation (1354134).