1. Acculturation
The process of learning the beliefs and behaviors of a dominant culture and assuming some of the characteristics.
Agnostic
A person who believes that the existence of God cannot be proved or disproved.
Atheist
A person who does not believe in any deity.
Bias
A preference that inhibits impartial judgment.
Cultural assimilation
The process requiring that a newly arrived cultural group alter unique beliefs and behaviors and adopt the ways of the dominant culture.
Cultural diversity=
The differences among people resulting from cultural and ethnic factors.
7. 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
. Ethnicity
A classification of people based on national origin and/or culture.
Ethnocentric
Individuals who believe that their cultural values are better than the cultural values of others.
Extended family
A family structure that includes the nuclear family plus grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
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.
Matriarchal
A family organization where the mother or oldest female is the authority figure.
Monotheist
An individual who believes in the existence of one God.
Nuclear family
A family structure that usually consists of one or two parents and a child or children.
Patriarchal
A family organization where the father or oldest male is the authority figure.
Personal space
Also called territorial space, this 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.
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.
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.
Stereotyping
Occurs when an assumption is made that everyone in a particular group is the same.
Transcultural health care
Care based on the cultural beliefs, emotional needs, spiritual feelings, and physical needs of a person.