The Three O's

We live in a complex, interconnected world. Ongoing waves of movement and migration over human history mean that cultures and societies are perpetually evolving and influenced by one another. How might we support young people to sensitively and thoughtfully engage with the complexity and variation of individual and collective stories, geographies, and cultures? How might we help them avoid what we have come to call The Three O’s of overgeneralization, overconfidence, and othering when they encounter unfamiliar people, places, and perspectives? The infographic below introduces the Three O’s—a framework that supports students to thoughtfully interpret and navigate the world and to avoid common pitfalls when engaging with difference, such as making assumptions, stereotyping, or viewing one’s own culture or perspective as the norm. The infographic also offers some helpful tips for young people, inspired by conversations with students participating in Out of Eden Learn.