Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M2091

Tokenism

Tokenism
CultureHigh supportSociology
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Refers to the practice of symbolically recruiting a very small number of members from disadvantaged groups (such as "the only Black person" or "the only female executive") in an organization to superficially conform to political correctness regarding racial or gender equality, without actually granting them real power or changing discriminatory structures.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Critiquing false inclusion. It reminds us that diversity is not about counting heads (numbers), but about genuine participation and influence. If that person is just a "showpiece" or "mascot," that is tokenism.

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Anchor fast decisions

Symbolic window dressing: using superficial compliance or visible decoration to meet external expectations without addressing substantive improvements.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TokenismZH · Explicit
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