Intragroup Diversity

Groups are often defined by characteristics that members of the group share, such as language, gender, religion, or ethnicity. Yet even when members of a group share defining characteristics, they also have differences that distinguish them from one another. For example, members of the same ethnic group may have different political views, levels of wealth, or educational backgrounds. Intragroup diversity is a construct that allows the multiple characteristics and salient differences of group members to be identified and discussed. Unlike intergroup diversity, which focuses on groups as a whole and examines differences between and among different groups, intragroup diversity looks within the group to identify characteristics that differentiate group members. This entry identifies some of the major characteristics of intragroup diversity and illustrates the multidimensional ...