Diversity in the communication curriculum: Impact on student empathy

Abstract

This study explored the impact of integrating cultural diversity into the communication curriculum. Students in control and experimental groups (N = 237) were pre/post‐tested for empathy, a central component of intercultural communication competence. Results indicated significant gains in empathy as a trait, attitude, and behavior for students completing a course in “Intercultural Communication” and significant gains in empathy as an attitude and behavior for basic speech course students receiving interpersonal communication instruction which had been infused with diversity. No significant gains in empathy were demonstrated by basic course students who completed one speech on a “diversity and communication” topic or media students who produced a media segment on a cultural group different from their own contrasted with students in comparable classes without a diversity component.