Difference-Education Improving Disadvantaged Students' Academic Outcomes by Changing Their Theory of Difference

This chapter provides an overview of difference-education: a wise intervention designed to help disadvantaged students overcome the psychological obstacles (i.e., a lack of fit and empowerment) that can negatively impact their opportunity to succeed in college. The defining feature of difference-education is that it teaches students about the contextual nature of social group differences through the stories of successful students from diverse backgrounds. This chapter explains what difference-education is, describes how it can reduce educational disparities, and provides an overview of strategies to implement it effectively. First, we provide an overview of the difference-education intervention approach and describe the literatures that we drew on to develop the methods and theorizing that underlie this approach. Second, we discuss the psychological processes through which difference-education produces its effects and provide an overview of supporting research. Third, we review how difference-education interventions have been implemented in college settings, explain some nuances and misconceptions, and describe potential directions for future research.