Cultural Diversity Awareness on Social Development: A Study of Perception and Practices on Grade 12 HUMSS Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64807/71v4md40Abstract
This quantitative correlational research investigates the relationship between cultural diversity awareness and social development among Grade 12 Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) students at Initao National Comprehensive High School. The study examines students’ levels of awareness regarding cultural differences, their appreciation of cultural traditions, and their knowledge of cultural practices, and how these factors impact their empathy, openness, and tolerance. A total of 139 students were selected using a stratified random sampling method. Data were gathered through a validated 32-item survey questionnaire and analyzed using mean scores and Pearson correlation. Results revealed that students demonstrated a high level of cultural awareness and social development. Furthermore, findings indicated a statistically significant positive relationship between cultural diversity awareness and social development outcomes. The study highlights the importance of incorporating cultural awareness into educational settings to promote inclusivity, empathy, and harmonious social relationships among students.
Keywords:
cultural diversity awareness, social development, cultural practices, humanities, social sciences, inclusive educationReferences
Aichhorn, N., & Puck, J. (2017). “I just don't feel comfortable speaking English”: Foreign language anxiety as a catalyst for spoken‑language barriers in MNCs. International Business Review, 26(4), 749–763. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2017.01.004
Aldrup, K., Carstensenf, B., & Klusmann, U. (2022). Is empathy the key to effective teaching? A systematic review of its association with teacher–student interactions and student outcomes. Educational Psychology Review, 34(3), 1177–1216. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-021-09649-y
Aras, G. A., & Akbay, M. E. (2022). The effect of cultural awareness training on pre-service teachers’ intercultural competence and attitudes. Journal of Multicultural Education, 18(3), 211–230.
Baltes, B., Hernandez, D., & Collins, C. (2015). Increasing cultural awareness through a cultural awareness program. Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 5(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.5590/JERAP.2015.05.1.01
Baylan, G., & Huntley, S. (2003). Foreign language learning and cultural awareness. El Guiniguada. Revista de investigaciones y experiencias en Ciencias de la Educación, 12, 37–44.
Bennett (1993). Towards ethnorelativism: A developmental model of intercultural sensitivity. In R. M. Paige (Ed.), Education for the intercultural experience (pp. 21–71). Intercultural Press.
Bennett, M. J. (1986). A developmental approach to training intercultural sensitivity. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 10(2), 179–196. https://doi.org/10.1016/0147-1767(86)90005-2
Briones, N. L. J. S. (2022). Level of awareness on cultural diversity and cultural thinking skills among senior high school students in San Pablo City. Psychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 2(4), 308–315. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6719020
Burgos, M. V., Politico, J. F., & Vergara, M. M. (2024). Cultural identity and English language learning: Narratives of Filipino college students. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 2(12), 487–500.
Byram, M., & Fleming, M. (Eds.). (1998). Language learning in intercultural perspective: Approaches through drama and ethnography. Cambridge University Press.
CASEL. (2020). SEL Framework: What are the core competencies? Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/what-is-the-casel-framework/
Constantin, E. C., Cohen‑Vida, M. I., & Popescu, A. V. (2015). Developing cultural awareness. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 191, 696–699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.04.228
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
Deardorff, D. K. (Ed.). (2009). The SAGE handbook of intercultural competence (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.
Eden, C. A., Onyebuchi, N. C., & Adeniyi, I. S. (2024). Cultural competence in education: Strategies for fostering inclusivity and diversity awareness. International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences, 6(3), 383–392. https://doi.org/10.51594/ijarss.v6i3.895
Elom, C. O., Okolie, U. C., Uwaleke, C. C., Umoke, C. C., Abonyi, S. O., & Nwele, A. O. (2024). The effect of openness to experience on students’ readiness for school-to-work transition. Journal of Career Assessment, 32(4), 797–817. https://doi.org/10.1177/10690727241239943
Fatima, F., Ali, S., Siddiqi, F. A., & Sadiq, N. (2024). Relationship between cultural diversity awareness and achievement motivation of medical students at the undergraduate level in Pakistan. Frontiers in Education, 9, Article 1447731. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1447731
Garcia K. A., & Pantao J. G. (2021). Cultural sensitivity and classroom management of teachers. International Journal of Professional Development Learners and Learning, 3(1), ep2108. https://doi.org/10.30935/ijpdll/11093
Gokalp, A., & İnel, Y. (2022). An analysis of secondary school students’ empathy skills in terms of student- and school-related variables. Educational Policy Analysis and Strategic Research, 17(1), 40–57. https://doi.org/10.29329/epasr.2022.248.3
Gregersen-Hermans, J. (2015). The impact of exposure to diversity in the international university environment and the development of intercultural competence in students. In A. Curaj, L. Matei, R. Pricopie, J. Salmi, & P. Scott (Eds.), The European higher education area: Between critical reflections and future policies (pp. 73–92). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20877-0_6
Grothaus, T., Johnson, K. F., & Edirmanasinghe, N. (2020). Culturally sustaining school counseling. American School Counselor Association. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279550667_Diversity_and_Higher_Education_Theory_and_Impact_on_Educational_Outcomes
Habeb, L. A. (2019). Cultural diversity, awareness and teaching: A study in an EFL context. The Journal of Asia TEFL, 16(3), 987–995. https://doi.org/10.18823/asiatefl.2019.16.3.15.987
Hernandez, H. P. (2020). Filipino graduate students’ attitudes toward teaching educated Philippine English: A sample from a premier Teacher Education Institution. Asia‑Pacific Social Science Review, 20(1), 31‑42. https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1280
Jagers, R. J., Rivas‑Drake, D., & Williams, B. V. (2019). Transformative social and emotional learning (SEL): Toward SEL in service of educational equity and excellence. Educational Psychologist, 54(3), 162–184. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2019.1623032
Kiremitçi Canıöz & Coskun (2020). Investigation of empathy as a moderator of the relationship between social identity and helping behavior in young adults. Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry & Psychology, 2(2), 75‑81. https://doi.org/10.35365/ctjpp.20.02.11
Lara, R. A. P., Maglente, C. C. M., Bolambot, K. R., & Dagohoy, R. G. (2021). Interpersonal and social empathy toward openness to diversity of Humanities and Social Sciences students. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 5(4), 95–102. https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2021.5405
Lozano and Etxebarria, I. (2007). Tolerance of diversity in adolescents and its relationship with self‑esteem, empathy and the concept of human being. Infancia y Aprendizaje, 30(1), 109–129.
Magsanay, M., Diamante, J., & Carriedo, J. K. (2024). Cultural values and intercultural sensitivity among College of Teacher Education students. Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 50(3), 132–143. https://doi.org/10.9734/AJESS/2024/v50i31288
Marvi (2023). Impact of cultural diversity in classrooms of secondary schools. Creative Education, 14, 197–211. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2023.14101
McCrae, R. R., & Sutin, A. R. (2023). Openness to experience and adaptive functioning: A meta-analytic review. SAGE Open Psychology, 11(1), 1–22.
Morriseau, K., & Fowler, S. B. (2023). A concept analysis of cultural appreciation in addressing the wholistic health needs of Indigenous people. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 42(2), 202–210. https://doi.org/10.1177/08980101231189397
OECD. (2022). Global competence for an inclusive world. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Pandey (2023). Role of cultural diversity in promoting tolerance and understanding in secondary schools. Boniface International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 2(4), 86–93. https://doi.org/10.70798/Bijmrd/02040012
Santos, F., & Lee, C. S. (2024). Cultural diversity awareness and achievement‑motivated behaviors in medical undergraduates. Frontiers in Education, 9, 1447731.
Septian, M. R., Supriatna, M., Nurihsan, J., Budiman, N., & Manuardi, A. R. (2023). Contributive factors of tolerance among senior high school students. Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling, 8(1), 47–58. https://doi.org/10.17977/um001v8i12023p47-58
Tabanao, E. G. V. (2024). Cultural diversity and students’ learning outcomes in social science. Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 2(12), 326–337. https://www.jippublication.com/
Tajfel (1979). Social identity theory.
Özdemir, S. B., Özdemir, M., & Boersma, K. (2021). How does adolescents’ openness to diversity change over time? The role of majority–minority friendship, friends’ views, and classroom social context. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 50(1), 75–88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-020-01329-4
Villafuerte T. (2024). Cultural diversity and students’ learning outcomes in Social Science. Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 2(12), 326–334. https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2024.0524
Winkelman (2005). Cultural awareness, sensitivity and competence.
Zhang, L., & Caiyun, Z. (2015). On cultural awareness in middle school English teaching. Proceedings of the International Conference on Social Science and Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.2991/icsshe-15.2015.40
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Eanna Jamaica Acera, Claire Malalay, Rhiza Mae Nangcas, Rogelyn Besandre, Benjie Eyana II, Sydney Jay Villarin (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All articles published in QCU Journals are made available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
This license allows for:
- Sharing – copying and redistributing the material in any medium or format.
- Adapting – remixing, transforming, and building upon the material for any purpose, including commercial use.
