Ch. 10 Cultural Diversity
Atheist
Someone who does not believe in the existence of any god or gods.
Agnostic
Someone who believes it is impossible to know for sure whether a god exists; they hold a "wait and see" or "undecided" stance.
Monotheist:
A person who believes in only one god (e.g., Christianity, Islam, Judaism).
Polytheist
A person who believes in multiple gods (e.g., ancient Greek religion or some forms of Hinduism).
Religion
An organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods.
Spirituality:
A personal sense of peace, purpose, or connection to something bigger than oneself; unlike religion, it doesn't always require a church or specific doctrine.
Culture:
The shared values, beliefs, customs, and behaviors that characterize a specific group of people.
Cultural Diversity:
The existence of a variety of cultural or ethnic groups within a single society.
Ethnicity:
A person's identity based on shared national or cultural traditions, such as language, ancestry, or customs.
Race:
A category used to group humans based on shared physical traits (like skin color) or social qualities, though it is a social construct rather than a biological one.
Acculturation
When a person adopts some traits of a new culture but still keeps their original cultural identity. It's like a "cultural blend."
Cultural Assimilation
When a person or group completely adopts the customs of a new culture and loses their original identity to "fit in."
Ethnocentric:
Believing that your own culture is superior to others or using your own culture as the "correct" yardstick to judge everyone else.
Bias:
A preference or leaning toward one thing over another, often in a way that is unfair.
Prejudice:
A pre-conceived opinion or "pre-judgment" about a person or group that isn't based on actual experience or reason.
Stereotyping:
Making a broad, oversimplified assumption about a group of people (e.g., "all teenagers are lazy").
Sensitivity:
Being aware of and respecting the feelings, needs, and cultural differences of others.
Nuclear Family:
A small family unit consisting usually of parents and their children.
Extended Family:
A larger family group that includes relatives like grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins living nearby or together.
Matriarchal:
A social system or family where the mother or oldest female is the head of the group.
Patriarchal:
A social system or family where the father or oldest male is the head of the group.
Personal Space:
The physical distance people like to maintain between themselves and others to feel comfortable. This distance varies by culture.
Holistic Care:
Treating the "whole person," including their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs, rather than just treating a disease.