In this journal activity, you will explore perspectives on social consciousness through the research of Jean Piaget, Daniel Goleman, and Carol Gilligan. You will have the opportunity to apply this topic to a situation that involves pay inequity.

Scenario: As a sous-chef at an upscale restaurant, you loved your work. When your boss announced an opening for another chef, you were happy to recommend your friend Jasmine, a Native American chef with a flair for fusion cuisine. Because Jasmine had several years of experience as an executive chef, her previous employer provided her with a glowing reference. Several months after Jasmine was hired, you left the restaurant and accepted a chef position at another restaurant.

About a year later, you and Jasmine meet to catch up. During your conversation, Jasmine shares that she loves her position at your former restaurant; however, she is concerned that she is a victim of pay inequity. Jasmine explains that even though she received a pay increase on her one-year anniversary, her predecessor, James, earned 30 percent more after working at the same restaurant for the same amount of time as Jasmine.

In truth, Chef James had less culinary experience than Jasmine. Even worse, James left the position because the restaurant received a less than five-star review that complained about his lower quality dishes. By contrast, Jasmine has consistently received outstanding reviews on her dishes during her entire tenure at the restaurant, and has even been featured on a national television program that showcases America's best restaurants. Since that program aired, business has increased, with customers and critics alike raving about Jasmine's dishes. Concerned about the inequity of your friend's situation, best to support Jasmine.

As you conclude your conversation with Jasmine, integrate the perspectives of Piaget, Goleman, and Gilligan by exploring the following questions: According to Piaget, what is one factor that could inhibit your ability to take Jasmine's perspective? How might Goleman's concept of empathy mitigate this factor? How does Goleman's concept of empathy relate to Piaget's concept of perspective-taking in your conversation with Jasmine? How do Gilligan's views on morality relate to Goleman's concept of empathy in your conversation with Jasmine?