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.
Athiest
A person who does not believe in any deity or higher power.
Bias
A preference or inclination that inhibits impartial judgment of others.
Cultural Assimilation
The process where newly arrived cultural groups alter their unique beliefs and behaviors and adopt the ways of the dominant culture.
Cultural Diversity
Differences among people 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.
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.
A family group 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 spiritual needs.
Matriachal
: A family structure where the mother or oldest female is the authority figure.
Monotheist
An individual who believes in the existence of only one God.
Nuclear family
A family group usually consisting of a mother, father, and children.
Patriarchal
A family structure where the father or oldest male is the authority figure.
Personal Space
The physical distance people require to feel comfortable when 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 (e.g., skin color, hair, 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
The process of assuming that everyone in a particular group is the same.
Transcultural Health Care
Health care based on the cultural, emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of a person.