1. Teresa Rogers Butler County ATC Summer 2010
Cultural Diversity
Teresa Rogers
Butler County ATC
Summer 2010

2. Objectives Students will:
List the four basic characteristics of culture
Differentiate between culture, ethnicity, and race
Identify some of the major ethnic groups in the United States
Provide an example of acculturation in the US
Create an example of how bias, prejudice, or stereotype can cause barriers to effective relationships
Describe ways to avoid bias
Differentiate between a nuclear and extended family
Identify ways in which language, personal, space, touching, eye contact, and gestures are affected by cultural diversity
Compare and contrast the diverse health beliefs of different ethnic/cultural groups
List five ways health care providers can show respect for an individual’s beliefs
Identify methods that can be used to show respect for cultural diversity

3. Culture
The values, beliefs, attitudes, languages, symbols, rituals behaviors, and customs unique to a particular group of people that is passed from on generation to another
Includes:
Family relations
Child rearing
Education
Occupational choice
Social interaction
Spirituality
Religious beliefs
Food preferences
Health beliefs
Health care

4. Culture Culture is learned. Culture is shared.
Culture is social in nature.
Culture is dynamic and constantly changing.

5. Ethnicity
A classification of people based on national origin and/or culture.
Members share a common heritage, geographic location, social customs, language, and beliefs.
Common Ethnic Groups
African American
Asian American
European American
Hispanic American
Middle Eastern / Arabic American
Native American

6. Race
Classification of people based on physical or biological characteristics including:
Color of skin, hair, and eyes
Facial features
Blood type
Bone structure
Cuts across multiple ethnic/cultural groups

7. Cultural Diversity
Differences based on culture, ethnicity, and race that influence one’s behavior, self-perception, judgment of others, and interpersonal relationships
Includes:
Family organization
Language
Personal space
Touching
Eye contact
Gestures
Health care beliefs
Spirituality
Religion

8. 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.

9. Acculturation
The process of learning the beliefs and behaviors of a dominant culture and assuming some of the characteristics.
Occurs slowly over a long period of time.
Example:
Recent immigrants are more likely to use the language and follow the behavior patterns of their origin country than their children or grandchildren

10. Sensitivity
The ability to recognize and appreciate the personal characteristics of others.
It is essential for health care professionals to understand and respect these differences to provide care that meet the needs of all individuals.

11. Bias A preference that inhibits impartial judgment of others
Common biases:
Age
Education
Physical size
Occupation
Sexual preference
Gender

12. 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

13. Stereotyping
Process of assuming that everyone in a particular group is the same
It ignores individual characteristics and “labels” the individual
May occur with regard to:
Race
Gender
Body size
Occupation
Ethnicity

14. Overcoming Bias, Prejudice, and Stereotyping
Be conscious of your own personal and professional values and beliefs
Learn as much as you can about different ethnic/cultural groups
Be sensitive to behaviors and practices that are different from your won
Remember that you do not have to adopt others’ beliefs, but you must respect them

15. Overcoming Bias, Prejudice, and Stereotyping
Develop friendships with a wide variety of people
Ask and encourage questions from others to share ideas and beliefs
Evaluate all information before forming an opinion
Be open to all differences
Avoid offensive language and jokes
Understand that mistakes happen. Apologize and forgive.

16. Holistic Care
Care that provides for the well-being of the whole person
Meets not only physical needs, but includes social, emotional, and mental needs
Health care workers must understand the cultural and ethnic beliefs in order to provide care the meet each of these needs

17. Family Organization
Refers to the structure of a family and the dominant or decision-making personal in a family
Nuclear family – usually consists of a mother, father, and children or a single parent and children
Extended family – includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins

18. Language
Based on the 2000 census, almost 20% of the population under 65 speaks a language other than English at home.
Health care provides must determine a patient’s ability to communicate and intervene to help those who do not understand English by use of:
Translators
Family members
Gestures or pictures
Cue cards

19. 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

20. Eye Contact Eye contact is affected by cultural beliefs
Lack of eye contact is usually interpreted as “not listening” but in some cultures is a sign of respect
Health care workers must be alert to an individuals comfort level when using direct eye contact and adjust accordingly

21. Gestures
Are used to communicate many things including agreement or disagreement
Can vary among ethnic/cultural groups
Health care providers must be aware of how a patient responds to gestures and avoid any that seem to be offensive

22. Health Care Beliefs Vary widely throughout all groups
Can affect an individuals response to health care
Most cultures have common conceptions regarding:
The cause of illness
Ways to maintain health
Appropriate response to pain
Effective methods of treatment

23. “Western” Medicine or Biomedical Health Care
Based on the cause of disease and eliminating, treating, or preventing those causes
Providers receive training and are licensed to practice as professionals
Beliefs of this system include:
Encouraging patients to learn about their illness
Teaching self-care
Using medications and technology to treat illness
Teaching preventive care

24. Alternative Health Care Methods
Becoming more widely accepted in the US and includes:
Nutritional methods – organic, herbs, vitamins
Mind and body control methods – meditation, hypnotherapy, biofeedback
Energetic touch therapy – massage, acupuncture, acupressure
Body-movement methods - chiropractic, yoga, tai chi
Spiritual methods – faith healing

25. Spirituality
The beliefs individuals have about themselves, their connections with others, and their relationship to a higher power
Is often described as an individual’s need to find meaning in life
Is often expressed through religious practices, but is not the same thing as religion

26. Religion
An organized system of belief in a superhuman power or higher power
Are associated with a particular form or place of worship
May include beliefs about birth, life, illness, death, and dietary practices

27. Other Belief Systems
Atheist – a person who does not believe in any deity
Agnostic – an individual who believes that the existence of God cannot be proved or disproved

28. Respecting Cultural Diversity
Each individual must be regarded as a unique individual
Ways to achieve this goal is to:
Listen as patients express their beliefs
Appreciate individual different differences
Learn more about cultural and ethnic groups in your area
Recognize signs of prejudice, bias, or stereotyping