CLASSWORK - 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.
Agnostic
An individual who believes that the existence of God cannot be proved or disproved.
Atheist
A person who does not believe in any deity (higher power).
Bias
A preference that inhibits impartial judgment.
Cultural assimilation
The process that occurs when a newly arrived cultural group alters its unique beliefs and behaviors and adopts the ways of the dominant culture (often referred to as the "melting pot" concept).
Cultural diversity
Differences based on cultural, ethnic, and racial factors.
Culture
The values, beliefs, attitudes, languages, symbols, rituals, behaviors, and customs unique to a particular group of people; it is passed from one generation to the next.
Ethnicity
A classification of people based on national origin and/or culture.
Ethnocentric
The belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture; believing that one's own ways are "right" and others are "wrong."
Extended family
A family unit that includes the nuclear family plus grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Holistic care
Care that provides for the well-being of the whole person, including physical, social, emotional, and mental needs.
Matriarchal
A family organization in which the mother or the oldest female is the authority figure.
Monotheist
An individual who believes in the existence of only one God.
Nuclear family
A family unit that usually consists of a mother, father, and children (or a single parent and child).
Patriarchal
A family organization in which the father or the oldest male is the authority figure.
Personal space
Often called territorial space, it describes the distance people require to feel comfortable while interacting with others.
Polytheist
An individual who worships and believes in many gods.
Prejudice
A strong feeling or belief about a person or subject that is formed without reviewing facts or information; it means to "pre-judge."
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.
Religion
An organized system of belief in a superhuman power or higher power, such as a particular god or gods.
Sensitivity
The ability to recognize and appreciate the personal characteristics of others.
Spirituality
The beliefs individuals have about themselves, their connections with others, and their relationship with a higher power; a person's need to find meaning and purpose in life.
Stereotyping
The process of assuming that everyone in a particular group is the same; it "labels" an individual.
Transcultural health care
s" an individual.
Transcultural health care: Health care based on the cultural beliefs, emotional needs, spiritual feelings, and physical needs of a person.