Abstract for: Failing Diversity Dynamics

Conventional diversity training consistently fails to alter behaviour; thus, this paper explores potential theories driving it’s failures/successes with conceptual and simulation models. Diversity training failure is a repetitive pattern that implores asking what structures may be driving the pattern and if the structure can produce better behaviour. The theories explored in the paper include those by psychology experts Jung, Brown, Peterson and McGilchrist, yet focuses on the hypothesis proposed by the Theory of Enchantment (ToE), founded by Chloé Valdary. The main dynamic hypothesis focus on how insecurities (triggering or resolving) directly affect negative behaviour, amplifying or diminishing diversity destruction. The theory is first expressed as a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) and systematically expanded into system dynamics simulation using the Loop Stock Transform (LST) methodology. Three main scenarios are explored, revealing that “taking no action is not a solution”. Secondly, poor training may create long-term damage to people’s ability to deal with diversity, while, effective training that considers and deal with insecurity triggers could create successful diversity integration. Although the simulation is a qualitative exploration of psychological theories, it shows how system dynamics can expand parts of ToE and how diversity training can fail but also succeed.