key terms
Acculturation
The process of learning the beliefs and behaviors of a dominant culture and assuming some of the characteristics, occurring when interaction between the two cultures changes them both
Cultural diversity
Differences among people resulting from cultural, ethnic, and racial factors
Holistic care
Care that promotes physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual well-being
Personal space
The distance people require to feel comfortable while interacting with others; also called territoriality
Sensitivity
The ability to recognize and appreciate the personal characteristics of others
Agnostic
A person who believes that the existence of a God cannot be proved or disproved
Culture
The values, beliefs, ideas, customs, and characteristics passed from one generation to the next.
Matriarchal
Social organization in which the mother or oldest woman is the authority figure
Polytheist
The belief in and worship of many gods
Spirituality
The beliefs individuals have about themselves, their connections with others, and their relationship with a higher power; often described as an individual’s need to find meaning and purpose in life
Atheist
A person who does not believe in any deity
Ethnicity
Classification of people based on national origin and/or culture
Monotheist
The belief in the existence of one God
Prejudice
A strong feeling or belief about a person or subject that is formed without reviewing facts or information
Stereotyping
The process of assuming that everyone in a particular group is the same
Bias
A preference that inhibits impartial judgment
Ethnocentric
The belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic group
Nuclear family
A family group consisting of a mother, father, and children (often usually living in one household)
Race
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
Health care based on the cultural beliefs, emotional needs, spiritual feelings, and physical needs of a person.
Cultural assimilation
The absorption of a culturally distinct group into a dominant or prevailing culture
Extended family
A family group that includes the nuclear family plus grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins
Patriarchal
Social organization in which the father or oldest male is the authority figure
Religion
An organized system of belief in a superhuman power or higher power