Cultural Diversity: Understanding and Respecting Differences

1. Chapter 9 Cultural Diversity

2. Culture, Ethnicity, and Race • Health care workers are involved with many different people • Respect individuality • Be aware of factors that cause each person to be unique • Influence is cultural/ethnic heritage

3. Culture • Culture- Values, beliefs, attitudes, language, symbols, rituals, behaviors, and customs unique to a particular group of people • Passed from one generation to next • Often defined set of rules • Foundation of behavior, but variances (continues)

4. Culture • Culture is learned- does not just happen; it is taught • Culture is shared- common practices and beliefs are shared with others in a cultural group • Social in nature- individuals in the group understand appropriate behavior based on tradition that has been passed down from generations • Dynamic and constantly changing- new ideas may generate different standards for behavior

5. Ethnicity • Classification of people based on national origin and/or culture • Share common heritage, geographic location, national origin, social customs, language, and beliefs • Common ethnic groups • Subgroups within larger ethnic groups

6. Race • Based on physical or biological factors • Color of skin, hair, and eyes • Facial features • Blood types • Bone structure • Race cuts across multiple ethnic and cultural groups

7. Cultural Diversity • Differences among people resulting from cultural, ethnic, and racial factors • These differences influence a person’s behavior • Differences exist within ethnic/cultural groups • United States called a “melting pot,” or is it more accurately a “salad bowl?”

8. Acculturation • Process of learning the beliefs and behaviors of a dominant culture and assuming some of the characteristics • Every individual has unique blend of characteristics • Need to develop sensitivity to differences

9. Bias, Prejudice, and Stereotyping • Bias: preference or inclination that inhibits impartial judgment • Prejudice: strong feelings or beliefs about a person or subject; pre-judging others without reviewing facts or information; often based on fear • Stereotyping: making the assumption that everyone in a group is the same (continues)

10. Bias, Prejudice, and Stereotyping • Creates barriers to relationships • Health care workers need to avoid feelings and assumptions • What are ways to avoid bias, prejudice, and stereotyping?

11. Understanding Cultural Diversity • Cultural and ethnic beliefs will affect behavior • Health care worker needs to be aware of these beliefs to meet the physical, social, emotional, and mental needs of individuals: holistic care

12. Understanding Cultural Diversity(continued) • Family organization • Nuclear- mother, father, and children • Extended- includes nuclear family plus grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins • Patriarchal versus matriarchal • Recognition and acceptance of family organization is essential in all aspects of the health care field (continues)

13. Understanding Cultural Diversity • Language • Personal space and touch • Eye contact • Gestures • Health care beliefs • Spirituality and religion

14. Respect Cultural Diversity • Regard each individual as unique • Everyone adopts beliefs and forms a pattern of behavior based on culture, ethnicity, race, life experiences, spirituality, and religion • Health care workers must learn to respect differences in individuals