Final answer:
Understanding is the response to diversity that involves recognizing the cultural basis for practices differing from our own. This reflects a deeper engagement with diversity, as seen in the pluralistic "salad bowl" metaphor, and contrasts with intolerance or xenophobia.
Step-by-step explanation:
When we begin to recognize the cultural basis for practices that diverge from our own, we are reflecting an understanding response to diversity. This level of response goes beyond mere tolerance or passive acceptance, and indicates a willingness to actively comprehend and appreciate differences. An understanding of cultural diversity is essential for healthy intergroup relationships, such as those represented by the "salad bowl" metaphor, which signifies pluralism, or the co-existence of multiple distinct cultures in a society without the requirement to assimilate.
Our perspectives are deeply rooted in social constructs, and gaining a better understanding of other cultures helps us to understand our own society more clearly. Intergroup relationships such as segregation show the least tolerance, reflecting a separation of groups, whereas pluralism encourages the idea that a diverse society can thrive with each cultural group maintaining its distinctiveness. When individuals hold an irrational fear or hatred of another culture, it is referred to as xenophobia. Engaging in practices that actively seek to challenge and reflect on personal biases, like the confirmation bias, is an important part of embracing cultural diversity.