Ch. 10 Cultural Diversity - Key Terms
Acculturation
The process of learning the beliefs and behaviors of a dominant culture and assuming some of its characteristics.
Cultural diversity
Differences based on cultural, ethnic, and racial factors.
Holistic care
Care that provides for the well-being of the whole person and meets not only physical needs, but also social, emotional, and mental needs.
Personal space
(Territorial 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
An individual who believes that the existence of God cannot be proved or disproved.
Culture
The values, beliefs, attitudes, languages, symbols, rituals, behaviors, and customs unique to a particular group of people and passed from one generation to the next.
Matriarchal
The mother or the oldest female is the authority figure.
Polytheist
Individuals who worship and believe in many gods.
Spirituality
The beliefs individuals have about themselves, their connections with others, and their relationship with a higher power.
Atheist
A person who does not believe in any deity.
Ethnicity
A classification of people based on national origin and/or culture.
Monotheist
Individuals who believe in the existence of one God.
Prejudice
Means to prejudge; a strong feeling or belief about a person or subject that is formed without reviewing facts or information.
Stereotyping
Occurs when an assumption is made that everyone in a particular group is the same.
Bias
A preference that inhibits impartial judgment.
Ethnocentric
Individuals who believe in the supremacy of their own ethnic group.
Nuclear family
Usually consists of a mother, father, and children (can also consist of a single parent and children.
Race
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.
Transcultural health care
Care based on the cultural beliefs, emotional needs, spiritual feelings, and physical needs of a person.
Cultural assimilation
The absorption of many cultures into a dominant culture; requires that newly arrived cultural groups alter unique beliefs and behaviors and adopt the ways of the dominant culture.
Extended family
Includes the nuclear family plus grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Patriarchal
The father or the oldest male is the authority figure.
Religion
An organized system of belief in a superhuman power or higher power, such as God.