Cultural Diversity

 Physical characteristics  Family Life  Socioeconomic status  Religious beliefs  Location  Education  Occupation  Life experiences  Cultural/ethnic heritage

 values, beliefs, attitudes, languages, symbols, rituals, behaviors, & customs unique to a particular group of people & passed from one generation to the next. “Set of rules” All cultures have 4 characteristics: -Culture is learned -Culture is social in nature -Culture is shared -Culture is dynamic & constantly changing.

 Classification of people based on national origin and/or culture.  Can share a common geographical location or heritage but may not share same beliefs.  Examples include – African American, Asian American, European Americans, Hispanic Americans, Middle Eastern/Arab Americans, Native Americans

 A classification of people based on physical or biological characteristics such as the color of skin, hair, and eyes; facial features; blood type; and bone structure.  Race cuts across multiple ethnic/cultural groups. Example: -Blacks from Africa & Blacks from the Caribbean both share many of the same physical characteristics, but they have different cultural beliefs and values. -White or Black Hispanics -White Africans & Caribbean's -White & Black Asians

 The differences based on cultural, ethnic, & racial factors.  Cultural assimilation – absorption of a culturally distinct group into a dominant or prevailing culture. Requires that the newly arrived cultural group alter unique beliefs & behaviors & adopt the ways of the dominant culture.  Acculturation – process of learning the beliefs & behaviors of a dominant culture and assuming some of the characteristics.  Sensitivity - the ability to recognize and appreciate the personal characteristics of others.

 Bias – preference that prevents impartial judgment.  Ethnocentric – Individuals who believe in the supremacy of their own ethnic group.  Prejudice – “pre judge” a strong feeling or belief about a person or subject that is formed without reviewing facts or information.  Stereotype - an assumption is made that everyone in a particular group is the same.  Holistic Care – care that provides for the well- being of the whole person.

 The structure of a family and the dominant or decision making person in a family.  Families vary in their composition and in the roles assumed by family members

Nuclear Family Mother, Father, & Children. Can also consist of a single parent and child(ren) Extended Family Nuclear family + grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins.

 Patriarchal – Father or oldest male in the family is the authority.  Matriarchal – Mother or oldest female in the family is the authority. How does this affect health care? -If a family is patriarchal, the dominant male will make most health care decisions for all family members. -Regardless of who is in authority, respect for the individual and the family must be the primary concern

 In the United States the dominant language is English.  20% of the US population under age 65 speaks a language other than English at home.

 Whenever possible find a translator or a family member who speaks the language.  Speak slowly & use simple words.  Use gestures or pictures to clarify the meaning of words.  Use nonverbal communication (smile/gentle touch)  Avoid the tendency to speak louder  Try to learn some words or phrases in different languages

 “territorial space”  The distance people require to feel comfortable while interacting with others.  Some cultures use close contact (comfortable standing very close to and even touching  some cultures use distant contact (opposite of close contact)

 Arabs – very close contact, will touch, smell, & feel people.  French/Latin – tend to stand very close while talking.  Hispanic – comfortable with close contact & use hugs & handshakes.  Gender- women tend to stand closer than men do and children stand closer together then adults.  European/African Americans – prefer some space during interactions but do not hesitate to shake hands as a greeting.  Asian – stand closer but usually do not touch. Affection is reserved for intimate relationships but never in public.  Cambodia – members of the opposite sex will never touch in public, even siblings.  Vietnamese – only elderly can touch  Middle Eastern – men may not touch females who are not family.  Native Americans – personal space is important but they will lightly touch another person’s hand during greetings.

 Most European Americans regard eye contact during a conversation as a sign of interest and trustworthiness.  Asian Americans consider direct eye contact to be rude  Native Americans may use peripheral vision and avoid direct eye contact.  Hispanic & African Americans may use brief eye contact  Muslim woman may avoid eye contact as a sign of modesty  In India, people of different socioeconomic classes may avoid eye contact

 Common gesture in the US is nodding the 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.  Asians and Native Americans feel pointing is a threat, but in the US it is commonly used to point out something.