Cognitive diversity is a term used to describe the variety of ways in which a group of individuals can perceive, interpret, recall and respond to information, either consciously or unconsciously. It is a concept rooted in neuroscience, noting the heterogeneity of the human brain. It considers the diversity of thought processes and capacities in different people, and acknowledges that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to problem-solving or decision-making. By valuing diverse perspectives within a group, we are more likely to arrive at creative and effective solutions. Cognitive diversity should be seen as a strength that encourages collaboration, rather than a barrier that divides.

See also: right hemisphere, left hemisphere, corpus callosum, neural network, genetic change