Key Terms
acculturation-
or the process of learning the beliefs and behaviors of a dominant culture and assuming some of the characteristics, does occur. However, danska acculturation occurs slowly over a long period, usually many years. Recent immigrants to the United States are more likely to use the language and follow the patterns
cultural diversity-
cultural diversity include family organization, language, personal space, touching, eye contact, gestures, health care beliefs, spirituality, and religion.
holistic care-
Health care providers must be aware of these beliefs in order to provide holistic care, that is, care that provides for the well-being of the whole person and meets not only physical needs, but also social,
personal space-
Personal space, often called territorial space, describes the distance people require to feel comfortable while interacting with others. This varies greatly among different ethnic/cultural groups
sensitivity-
Sensitivity, the ability to recognize and appreciate the personal characteristics of others, is essential in health care
agnostic-
An agnostic is an individual who believes that the existence of God cannot be proved or disproved.
culture-
Most cultures have common traditional conceptions regarding the cause of illness, ways to maintain health, the appropriate response to pain, and effective methods of treatment.
matriarchal-
In a matriarchal family, the dominant female may assume this responsibility. For example, if the mother or other female is the dominant figure in a family, they will make the health care decisions for all members of the family.
polytheist-
Other individuals are polytheists and worship and believe in many gods, a characteristic of Hinduism
Spiritually-
the coexistence of varied, deeply held beliefs, values, and practices that provide individuals with meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater
atheist-
an atheist is a person who does not believe in any deity
ethnicity-
Ethnicity is a classification of people based on national origin and/or culture. Members of an ethnic group may share a common heritage, geographic location, social customs, language, and beliefs.
monotheist-
Some individuals are monotheists and believe in the existence of one God, a characteristic of Judaism, Christianity, and the Islamic religion.
rejudice-
Prejudice means to prejudge. A prejudice is a strong feeling or belief about a person or subject that is formed without reviewing facts or information
stereotyping-
Stereotyping occurs when an assumption is made that everyone in a particular group is the same. A stereotype ignores individual characteristics
bias-
A bias is a preference that inhibits impartial judgment. For example, individuals who believe that their cultural values are better than the cultural values of others are called ethnocentric
ethnocentric-
For example, individuals who believe that their cultural values are better than the cultural values of others are called ethnocentric
nuclear family-
A nuclear family usually consists of one or two parents and a child or children
race-
Race is 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. People may share many of the same physical characteristics, but they can have different cultural beliefs and values. In addition, there are different races present in most ethnic groups.
cultural assimilation-
Cultural assimilation requires that the newly arrived cultural group alter unique beliefs and behaviors and adopt the ways of the dominant culture, In reality, the United States is striving to be more like a "salad bowl"
extended family-
extended family includes the nuclear family plus grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins
patriarchal-
In a patriarchal family, the dominant male will make most health care decisions for all family members.
religion-
religion may be an inherent part of every ethnic or cultural group. Spirituality is defined as the beliefs individuals have about themselves, their connections with others, and their relationship with a higher power.