Human Services Delivery HN 410 Unit Eight “Cultural Competency”

Culture What is culture? Some of the cultures of the world that I have been exposed to are…

Cultural Competency Learning About Your Own Culture The first step of increasing your Cultural Awareness and sensitivity is learning about your own Culture, (Who I am, and the groups I am associated with). “I am…… Complete the statement “I am________” using the first words that come to mind

Cultural Competency Grouping What racial group do you identify with? What ethnic group do you identify with? What socioeconomic class do you identify with? What is your earliest memory of belonging in a group (other than your family)? What is your earliest memory of being excluded from a group? What is your earliest memory of excluding someone from a group?

Cultural Competency Understand Your Own Worldview Worldview – How you see the world or “the way things are.” Western – “Time is money. vs. “Time is relative.” “When one is blind to his own culture, he will not be able to see the differences in values between cultures.” “Ethnocentrism is defined as the tendency of human beings ‘to think that their ways of thinking, acting, believing are the only right, proper, and natural ways’ and that beliefs, values, and practices that differ from ones’ own are wrong.” (Purnell 1998)

Cultural Competency Acknowledge Assumptions and Biases What are some common “Assumptions or Biases” we have about the following? Gender: Men Women Ethnicity: Hispanics African Americans Caucasians Asians

Cultural Competency Generation: Older: Younger:

Cultural Competency Assess your own level of response: I feel I can genuinely try to help this person without prejudice. Even though I do not agree with this person, I feel I can accept this person as he or she is, and I am comfortable enough to listen to him/her. I do not feel that I have the background knowledge or experience to help this person. I feel uncomfortable taking care of this person. I feel biased and prejudiced against this person.

Cultural Competency IndividualYour Response Iranian immigrant____________ Child Abuser____________ Mexican American____________ Prostitute____________ Southern Baptist Minister____________ Gay/Lesbian____________ A Wiccan Believer ____________

Cultural Competency White American____________ Amputee____________ Morbidly Obese Person____________ Person with Aids____________ Homeless Person ____________ Person who does not Speak English____________

Cultural Competency.Develop Cultural Competence “Cultural competence begins with an honest desire not to allow biases to keep us from treating every individual with respect. It requires an honest assessment of our positive and negative assumptions about others. Be honest about your own current limitations in this area. Increase your own awareness about your worldview and the affects of that worldview has on how you see and treat others. Increase your understanding of different cultures that you come in contact with everyday.

Cultural Competency Catch yourself viewing or treating people differently. Treat each person the same, respectfully and with value. Golden Rule: “Treat others as you would want to be treated.” Recognize that how you treat others can affect how they respond to you. Reference:

Questions?

GOOD NIGHT!