CULTURAL DIVERSITY

CHAPTER 9

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

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

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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

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

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

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?”

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

• 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

BIAS, PREJUDICE, AND STEREOTYPING

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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?

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

UNDERSTANDING CULTURAL DIVERSITY

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• 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

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UNDERSTANDING CULTURAL DIVERSITY

• Language• Personal space and touch• Eye contact• Gestures• Health care beliefs • Spirituality and religion

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