sensitivity training: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Formal, Professional
Quick answer
What does “sensitivity training” mean?
Training designed to make people more aware of and responsive to the feelings, perspectives, and rights of others, especially regarding differences in race, gender, disability, or culture.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Training designed to make people more aware of and responsive to the feelings, perspectives, and rights of others, especially regarding differences in race, gender, disability, or culture.
A structured program in organisational or educational settings aimed at reducing prejudice, discrimination, and unconscious bias by fostering empathy, self-awareness, and appropriate interpersonal behaviours. It can also refer to training focused on specific sensitivities like data sensitivity in security contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. The compound noun is used identically. However, related terms like 'diversity training' or 'inclusion workshops' may be preferred in some UK contexts to avoid potential negative connotations of 'sensitivity'.
Connotations
In both varieties, can sometimes be viewed sceptically as a box-ticking exercise or as politically correct. In the US, it is more deeply institutionalised in corporate and public sector contexts due to legal frameworks.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English, reflecting its longer history in US corporate and legal environments (e.g., post-Civil Rights Act). However, it is common in UK professional contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “sensitivity training” in a Sentence
to undergo sensitivity training on [topic]to send someone for sensitivity trainingto implement sensitivity training for [group]to be required to complete sensitivity trainingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sensitivity training” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The staff will be sensitivity-trained next quarter.
- They are sensitis*ing* the team through workshops.
American English
- All managers got sensitivity-trained after the incident.
- The program aims to sensitize employees to microaggressions.
adverb
British English
- He responded sensitivity-trained-ly to the complaint. (Highly awkward; adverbs from this noun are rarely used.)
- The topic was handled with great sensitivity.
American English
- She acted very sensitively after the training. (Uses the base adjective's adverb.)
- They discussed the issue sensitively.
adjective
British English
- She is a sensitivity-trained mediator.
- We follow a sensitivity-based approach.
American English
- He is a sensitivity-trained facilitator.
- The sensitivity-focused curriculum was effective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Mandatory training for employees to prevent harassment lawsuits and foster an inclusive workplace.
Academic
Studied as an organisational intervention within sociology, psychology, or business ethics courses.
Everyday
Mentioned when discussing workplace requirements, news stories about corporate scandals, or school programmes.
Technical
In data security, can refer to training on handling sensitive information (e.g., GDPR).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sensitivity training”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sensitivity training”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sensitivity training”
- Using 'sensible training' (incorrect – 'sensible' means practical).
- Misspelling as 'sensivity training'.
- Using it as a countable noun incorrectly: 'a sensitivity training' (usually uncountable; better: 'a sensitivity training session/course').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not universally mandated by law, but many jurisdictions require anti-harassment or diversity training for certain employers. Courts may also order it as a remedy in discrimination lawsuits.
Research is mixed. Well-designed, ongoing, and interactive programs can increase awareness and change short-term attitudes. However, one-off sessions often have limited long-term impact on behaviour and may sometimes backfire if perceived as coercive.
They are closely related and often overlap. Sensitivity training tends to focus more on individual awareness, empathy, and interpersonal behaviour. Diversity training often has a broader scope, including organisational policies, systemic inequities, and building inclusive cultures.
Yes. While general in nature, it is often tailored to specific areas such as cultural sensitivity, disability awareness, LGBTQ+ inclusion, or religious sensitivity.
Training designed to make people more aware of and responsive to the feelings, perspectives, and rights of others, especially regarding differences in race, gender, disability, or culture.
Sensitivity training is usually formal, professional in register.
Sensitivity training: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsensəˈtɪvəti ˈtreɪnɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsensəˈtɪvədi ˈtreɪnɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[It's] a wake-up call (similar function)”
- “to walk a mile in someone else's shoes (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a sensitive scale that needs careful handling. 'Sensitivity Training' is like calibration for your social awareness—adjusting your responses to weigh others' feelings accurately.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL AWARENESS IS A SKILL / PREJUDICE IS A BLIND SPOT (training removes the blind spot).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary goal of sensitivity training in a business context?