© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Chapter 9

Cultural Diversity

© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

9:1 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

© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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

(continues)

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Culture (continued)

• Culture is learned

• Culture is shared

• Social in nature

• Dynamic and constantly changing

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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

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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

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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?”

© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

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

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9:2 Bias, Prejudice, and Stereotyping

• 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

(continues)

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Bias, Prejudice, and Stereotyping(continued)

• Creates barriers to relationships

• Health care workers need to avoid feelings and assumptions

• Ways to avoid bias, prejudice, and stereotyping

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9:3 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

(continues)

© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Understanding Cultural Diversity(continued)

• Family organization– Nuclear

– Extended

– Patriarchal versus matriarchal

– Recognition and acceptance of family organization is essential in all aspects of the health care field

(continues)

© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Understanding Cultural Diversity(continued)

• Language

• Personal space and touch

• Eye contact

• Gestures• Health care beliefs (See Table 9-1 in text)

• Spirituality and religion (See Table 9-2 in text)

© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

9:4 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