CULTURAL DIVERSITY GUIDED NOTES
1. Differentiate between culture, ethnicity, and race.
Culture is the values, beliefs, attitudes, languages, symbols, rituals behaviors,
and customs unique to a particular group of people that is passed from one
generation to another. While ethnicity is a classification of people based on
national origin and/or culture. It could also be defined as people who share a
common heritage, geographic location, social customs, language, and beliefs.
Lastly, race is classification of people based on physical or biological
characteristics including; skin color, hair eyes, facial features or bone structure.
As well as blood type.
2. Name five common ethnic groups and at least two countries of origin
for each group.
African American (Africa and America), Asian American (China and America),
European American (Europe and America), Hispanic American (Mexico and
America), And Arabic American (Saudi Arabia and America).
3. Create examples of how a bias, prejudice, and stereotype may interfere
with providing quality healthcare.
These factors may interfere with providing quality healthcare by, someone assuming that
just because you’re a 22-year-old, bisexual women (biases) you’re not qualified for your
job or it’s not the right position for people like that. Another example, just because
you’re a person of color people make assumptions about you as a healthcare worker even
though they don’t know you (prejudice). Another example would be, just because
someone is overweight they aren’t a good person to be working in the health department
(stereotyping).
4. Do you feel acculturation occurs in the United States? Why or why not
i belive there is some acculturation that occurs in the u.s as immigrants move into the
country tend begin to learn English and the American culture
5. List four specific ways to respect cultural diversity.
1) knows & be consciously aware of own beliefs
2) obtain as much info as possible for ethnic group
3) be sensitive to behavior
4) evaluate all info before forming opinions
6. Explain the philosophy of individual worth and how it relates to work
in healthcare.
Individual value theory is focused on the assumption that "regardless of personal
circumstances or personal characteristics, every human being has worth and is entitled to
respect as a human being." Regardless of color, cultural context, economic status, conduct,
physical condition, or sexual orientation, health care workers must seek to provide the
same quality of care to all patients.
7. What is the definition of culture?
Values, shared values and behaviors, social organization, family and personal
relationships, vocabulary, daily habits, religious traditions, and conceptions of
time and space are all associated in the word culture.
8. What do culture refer to?
Culture refers to a community of people's characteristics and awareness, which
includes language, faith, cuisine, social behaviors, music, and the arts. As a
consequence, it can be thought of as the formation of a collective identity fueled
by social patterns particular to the group.
9. What is the difference between cultural diversity and cultural competence?
The degree to which a community represents individuals from various recognizable
backgrounds is referred to as diversity. ...... Cultural competence is
characterized as a collection of values, habits, attitudes, and practices within a
structure, organization, program, or among individuals that enable them to
function effectively across cultural boundaries.
9. Define dominant culture?
Dominate culture refers to what are generally considered to be the
foundational beliefs and ideal behavior of a society or country.
10.__Spirituality__ Is often described as an individual’s need to find
meaning in life
11. Defense mechanism
a defense mechanism, is an unconscious psychological mechanism that reduces
anxiety arising from unacceptable or potentially harmful stimuli.
12. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Cultural backgrounds form the frameworks for physical, psychological,
and spiritual development of human beings.
Abraham Maslow is an American psychologist that developed a model to help
health care professionals to better understand their patients.
13. Personal space
The distance people require to feel comfortable when interacting with others. Varies
greatly among ethnic/cultural groups. Health care providers must be alert to a patient’s
verbal and nonverbal cues to determine personal space
14. Prejudice
A strong feeling or belief about a person or subject that is formed without
reviewing facts or information. Causes fear and distrust of others. Interferes with
interpersonal relationships. Health care workers must be aware of our prejudices
and to make every effort to obtain as much information about a situation as
possible.
15. Shaman
Shamans or medicine men. Shamans serve as the mouthpiece of the spirits,
which are believed to exist throughout the universe
16. Self-actualization
realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak
experiences.
17. Self esteem
-confidence in one's own worth or abilities; self-respect.
18. Define ethnicity
A classification of people based on national origin and/or culture. Members share a
common heritage, geographic location, social customs, language, and beliefs.
19. Define race
Classification of people based on physical or biological characteristics including:
-Color of skin, hair, and eyes
-Facial features
-Blood type
-Bone structure
20.Cultural assimilation
Absorption of a culturally distinct group into a dominant or prevailing culture. Requires
that a cultural group alter their unique beliefs and behaviors and adopt
the ways of the dominant culture. However, in the US, we are striving for a
society where cultural differences are appreciated and respected.
21. __ atheist_________ a person who does not believe in any deity
22._____ agnostic______ an individual who believes that the existence of
God cannot be proved or disproved.
23. Define Religion
Religion is a set of beliefs and rituals that a community of people use to answer
the ultimate issue of human nature. Religion is a variety of standards and
traditions aimed at something that is thought to have sacred meaning and
transformative strength.
24. What does religion include?
Religion is a system of symbols and meaning. Symbols can also represent faith.
Events such as birth, death, marriage are marked by rituals.
25. List 6 ways we can overcome bias, prejudice, and stereotype in healthcare.
1. know and be consciously aware of your own personal beliefs and values.
2. obtain as much information as possible about different ethnic/cultural groups.
3. be sensitive to behaviors and practices different from your own.
4. remember that you are not being pressured to adopt other beliefs, but that you
must respect them.
5. develop friendships with a wide variety of people from different ethnic/ cultural
groups.
6. evaluate all information before you form an opinion.
