Key Terms
Acculturation
The process of learning the beliefs and behaviors of a dominant culture and assuming some of the characteristics of that culture.
Cultural diversity
Differences among people related to cultural or ethnic factors that influence behavior, self-perception, judgment of others, and interpersonal relationships.
Holistic care
Care that provides for the well-being of the whole person, meeting physical, emotional, social, and mental needs.
Personal space
The distance people require to feel comfortable while interacting with others.
Sensitivity
The ability to recognize and appreciate the personal characteristics of others
Agnostic
A person who believes that the existence of God or a higher power is unknown or cannot be known.
Culture
The values, beliefs, attitudes, languages, symbols, rituals, behaviors, and customs unique to a group of people and passed from one generation to the next.
Matriarchal
A family structure in which the mother or oldest female is the authority figure and may make health care decisions.
Polytheist
A person who believes in more than one god.
Spirituality
An individual’s beliefs about themselves, their connections with others, and their relationship with a higher power, including the need to find meaning and purpose in life.
Atheist
A person who does not believe in the existence of God or a higher power.
Ethnicity
A classification of people based on national origin and/or culture.
Monotheist
A person who believes in one God.
Prejudice
A strong feeling or belief about a person or subject that is formed without reviewing facts or information.
Stereotyping
Making assumptions that everyone in a particular group is the same, ignoring individual characteristics.
Bias
A preference that inhibits impartial judgment.
Ethnocentric
Believing that one’s own cultural values are superior to the cultural values of others.
Nuclear family
A family consisting of one or two parents and a child or children.
Race
A classification of people based on physical or biological characteristics such as skin color, hair, eye color, blood type, and bone structure.
Transcultural health care
Care is based on an individual’s cultural beliefs, emotional needs, spiritual feelings, and physical needs, recognizing alternative healing methods and the influence of spirituality and emotions on care.
Cultural assimilation
A process in which a newly arrived cultural group alters unique beliefs and behaviors and adopts the ways of the dominant culture.
Extended family
A family that includes the nuclear family plus grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Patriarchal
A family structure in which the father or oldest male is the authority figure and makes most health care decisions.
Religion
An organized system of belief in a higher power, usually associated with a particular form or place of worship.