1

Cultural Diversity

2

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

3

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

4

Culture

• Culture is learned

• Culture is shared

• Social in nature

• Dynamic and constantly changing

5

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

6

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

7

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?”

8

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

9

Bias, Prejudice, and Stereotyping

• Bias: belief that prevents 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

10

Bias, Prejudice, and Stereotyping

• Creates barriers to relationships

• Health care workers need to avoid feelings and assumptions

• Ways to avoid bias, prejudice, and stereotyping

11

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

12

Understanding Cultural Diversity

• Family organization– Nuclear– Extended– Patriarchal versus

matriarchal– Recognition and

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

13

Understanding Cultural Diversity

• Language• Personal space and

touch• EyeEye contact• Gestures• Health care beliefs (See

Table 9-1 in text)

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

14

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