What Is Culture?

“We talk a lot and talk pretty well about race, but we don’t listen enough. And I’m hoping that if we listen to each other, we can begin to … make this society of ours into less and less of a country of strangers.”

-David Shipler, 1997

“Appreciation of our differences starts with the acknowledgment of our similarities”

-Peter Reese

Culture?

The customary ways in which humans live. For example; diet, family forms and processes, social organizations, and religions.

The Four Skills of Cultural Diversity Competence, by Mikel

Hogan-Garcia

Ethnic Group or Culture Group

The cultural heritage, or aspects of culture, that a group shares and attempts to hand down from one generation to the next through learning.

The Four Skills of Cultural Diversity Competence, by Mikel Hogan-Garcia

Aspects of Culture or Ethnicity History-time period and conditions under which a group migrated or immigrated.

Social Status Factors – education, occupation, income

Social Group Interaction Patterns. Value Orientation – standards of judgment. Language and Communication: Verbal and Nonverbal. Family Life – gender roles, family dynamics. Religion – spiritual beliefs and practices Art and Expressive Forms – art, music, stories,

dance, etc. Diet/Foods – preferred food. Recreation – activities, sports for leisure, etc. Clothing – types, styles, and extent of body

coverings.

Personal Culture – Identity

Includes everything an individual finds meaningful, beliefs, values, perceptions, assumptions, and framework about reality.

Developed through social interaction with family and others in your environment.

Competence Skill Areas

Awareness and Acceptance of Differences

Self-Awareness Dynamics of Difference Knowledge of The Others Culture

Adaptation of Skills

Self-Awareness 1

“It is impossible to appreciate the impact of culture on the lives of others, if one is out of touch with his or her own cultural background.”

Self-Awareness 2

“Many people never acknowledge how their day-to-day behaviors have been shaped by cultural norms and values and reinforced by families, peers, and social institutions. How one defines ‘family’, identifies desirable life goals, views problems, and even says hello are all influenced by the culture in which one functions” (Cross, 1988, p.2).

Self-Awareness 3

Requires self-knowledge of own culture in order to know when cultural limits are likely to be pushed, foreseeing potential areas of tension, and conflict with specific client groups.

Become Culturally Competent…

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one’s own group or culture is superior to all other groups or cultures.

The tendency of most people to use their own way of life as a standard for judging others; now also indicates the belief, on the part of most individuals, that their race, culture, society, etc., are superior to all others

nku.edu website

Ethnorelativism

People not only accept cultural differences, but also are willing and are able to adjust their own behavior to conform to different norms. They can empathize with people from different cultures. In many ways, they become multi – cultural.

They do not give up native culture's values and beliefs, but they do integrate aspects of other cultures into it.

www.peacecorps.gov