1. Cultural Diversity
Spring 2015

2. Culture
Values, beliefs, attitudes, languages, symbols, rituals, behaviors, and customs unique to a particular group of people passed from one generation to the next.
Examples: family relations, child rearing, education, social interactions, spirituality, religion.
Is shared
Is social in nature
Is dynamic and changing

3. Ethnicity
Classification of people based on national origin and/or culture
May share common heritage, geographic location, language, and beliefs
Examples: African Americans, Asian American, European American, Hispanic American, Middle Eastern, Native American

4. Race
Classification of people based on physical or biological characteristics such as color of skin, hair, and eyes; facial features, blood type, and bone structure

5. Cultural Diversity
Differences based on cultural, ethnic, and racial factors
Differences can exist within ethnic/cultural groups and in individuals within a group

6. Cultural Assimilation
The process of the absorption of many cultures into the dominant culture
Requires that the newly arrived cultural group alter unique beliefs and behaviors and adopt the ways of the dominant culture

7. Acculturation
Process of learning the beliefs and behaviors of a dominant culture and assuming some of the characteristics
Occurs slowly over period of time

8. Cultural Sensitivity
Ability to recognize and appreciate the personal characteristics of others
Essential in healthcare

9. Bias Preference that prevents impartial judgment
Examples of some biases:
Age: Young people are physically and mentally superior to older people
Education: College-educated individuals are superior to uneducated individuals

10. Ethnocentric Believing in the supremacy of your own ethnic group
Believe that cultural values are better than the cultural values of others.

11. Prejudice To pre-judge
Strong feeling or belief about a person or subject that is formed without reviewing the facts or information
We all want to feel that our own beliefs are correct, which means we are prejudiced to some degree

12. Stereotyping
Occurs when an assumption is made that everyone in a particular group is the same.
Ignores individual characteristics and “labels” an individual

13. Holistic Care
Care that provides for the well-being of the whole person.
Meets not only physical needs, but also social, emotional, and mental needs
Family organization, language, personal space, eye contact, gestures, health care beliefs, spirituality and religion

14. Family Organization
Structure of a family and the dominant or decision making person in a family

15. Nuclear Family
Usually consists of a mother, father, and children. Single parent and child(ren)
Typically basic unit in European American

16. Extended Family
Includes the nuclear family plus grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins
Basic unit for Asian, Hispanic, and Native American
Example: Most Asian families have a great respect for their elders and consider it a privilege to care for them

17. Patriarchal Father or oldest male is authority figure
Will make most healthcare decisions
Examples: Asian and Middle Eastern families, men have the power and authority
Women are expected to be obedient and men often accompany woman to doctor’s appts

18. Matriarchal Mother or oldest female is the authority figure
Will make all of the healthcare decisions for family

19. Language
Health care provider must determine the patient’s ability to communicate by talking with the patient or relative
Get translator when possible
Speak slowly, use simple words
Use gestures or pictures
Avoid tendency to speak louder
Try to learn some words or phrases

20. Personal Space
Territorial space, distance people require to feel comfortable with interacting with others.
Varies greatly among different ethnic/cultural groups
Arabs: very close contact, touch, feel with people they interact
French and Latin American tend to stand very close while talking
Hispanic Americans comfortable with close contact

21. Personal Space European and African Americans prefer distance
Asian Americans will stand closer but usually do not touch during conversation
Middle Eastern countries: men may not touch females who are not immediate family and only men may shake hands with other men

22. Personal Space
When personal care must be provided to a patient, the health care provider should determine the patient’s preference by talking with the patient or asking questions.
What are some examples of questions you might ask?

23. Personal Space
Do you prefer to do as much of your own personal care as possible or would you like assistance?
Would you like a family member to assist with your personal care?
Are there any special routines you would like followed while receiving personal care?
Do you prefer to bathe in the morning or evening?
Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?

24. Eye Contact
Health care providers must be alert to the comfort levels of patients while using direct eye contact and recognize the cultural diversity that exists.
Most European Americans regard eye contact during a conversation a sign of interest.
Some Asian Americans consider direct eye contact to be rude
Native Americans may use peripheral vision and avoid direct eye contact. May regard direct stares as hostile.

25. Eye contact
Hispanic and African Americans may use brief eye contact, but then look away to indicate respect and attentiveness.
Muslim women may avoid eye contact as a sign of modesty
In India, people of different socioeconomic classes may avoid eye contact with each other.

26. Gestures
Common gesture in the US is nodding your head up and down for yes and side to side for no; In India, the head motions for yes and no are the exact opposite
Pointing at someone is very common in US and is frequently used to stress specific ideas; to Asian and Native Americans, this can represent a strong threat.

27. Health Care beliefs United States uses biomedical or “Western” system
Bases cause of disease on such things as microorganisms, diseased cells, and the process of aging
Health care is directed toward eliminating microorganism, conquering disease process and/or preventing effects of aging.

28. Health care beliefs Beliefs of the “Western” system:
Encourage patients to learn as much as possible about their illnesses
Informing patients about terminal diseases
Teaching self-care
Using medications and technology to cure or decrease effects of disease
Teaching preventive care

29. Health care beliefs Beliefs vary greatly among cultures
In US, increasing use of alternative methods
Individuals have right to choose their method of health care

30. Health care beliefs in different cultures
South African:
Maintain harmony of body, mind, and spirit
Causes of illness: spirits, demons or punishment from God
Treatment: prayer or religious rituals

31. Health care beliefs in different cultures
Asian
Health is a balance of yin and yang
Treatment: herbal remedies, acupuncture
Believe pain must be endured silently

32. Health care beliefs in different cultures
European:
Illness caused by outside source
Treat with medication, surgery, diet, exercise

33. Health care beliefs in different cultures
Hispanic:
Health is a reward from God, good luck
Heat and cold remedies to restore balance, prayers, massage

34. Health care beliefs in different cultures
Middle eastern:
Health is spiritual, cleanliness essential
Males dominate and make decisions on health care
Spiritual causes of illness, evil eye

35. Health care beliefs in different cultures
Native Americans
Health is harmony with nature
Illness caused by supernatural forces and evil spirits
Healer: medicine man
Tolerance of pain signifies strength and power

36. Spirituality and Religion
Part of every ethnic or cultural group
Spirituality: the beliefs individuals have about themselves, their connections with others, and their relationship with a higher power.
Individuals need to find meaning and purpose in life
Spirituality and religion are not the same

37. Religion
Organized system of belief in a superhuman power or higher power
Particular form or place of worship

38. Atheist
A person who does not believe in any deity.

39. Agnostic
Individual who believes that the existence of God cannot be proved or disproved
As a healthcare provider, you must determine what each individual holds important.

40. Showing respect for a patient’s spiritual beliefs and practices
Be a willing listener
Support for spiritual and religious practices
Respect of symbols and books
Privacy during clergy visits
Refrain from imposing your beliefs on a patient