Chapter 6: Cultural And Spiritual Concepts Flashcards
Culture encompasses:
1-shared patterns of belief, 2- feeling, 3- knowledge that guide people conduct and are passed down from generation to generation
How are ethnic groups tied together?
By a shared heritage
In what terms do cultural groups differ?
In terms of communication, space, social organization, time, environmental control, and biological variations
Who are the descendants of the first immigrants to the United States and make up the current dominant group?
Northern European Americans
Values of Northern European Americans
Punctuality, work responsibility, and a healthy lifestyle.
What race traces their roots in the United States to the days of slavery?
African Americans
African Americans
Have large support systems and a strong religious orientation. Many have assimilated into and have many of the same characteristics as the dominant culture, some African Americans from the rural south may receive health care from a folk practitioner.
Native americans
Many still live in reservations, they speak many different languages and dialects. They often appear silent and reserved and many are uncomfortable with touch and expressing emotions. Health care may be delivered by a healer called shaman.
Asian Americans
Languages are very diverse. Touching during communication has historically been considered unacceptable. They may have difficulty expressing emotions and appear cold and aloof. Family loyalty is emphasized. Psychiatric illness is viewed as a behavior that is out of control and brings shame to the family
Latino Americans
The common language is Spanish. Large family groups are important and touch is a common form of communication. The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism and the church is often a source of strength in times of crisis. Health care may be delivered by a folk healer called curandero, who uses various forms of treatment to restore the body to a balanced state.
Western European Americans
Have their origins in Italy, France, and Greece. They are warm and expressive and use touch as a common form of communication. The dominant religion is Roman Catholicism for the Italians and French and Greek orthodoxy for the Greeks. Most follow the health practices of the dominant culture, but some beliefs and superstitions endure.
Arab Americans
They trace their ancestry and traditions to the nomadic desert tribes of the Arabian peninsula. Arabic is the official language of the Arab world and the dominant religion is Islam. Mental illness is considered a social stigma and symptoms are often somaticized
Jewish
Came to the United States predominantly from Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Eastern Europe. Four major Jewish religious groups exist: Orthodox, reform, conservative, and reconstructionist. The primary language is English. A high value is placed in education. Are very health conscious and practice preventive health care. The maintenance of ones mental health is considered just as important as ones physical health
Culture-bound syndromes
Are clusters of physical and behavioral symptoms that are considered illnesses or “afflictions” by specific cultures, but do not fit into the western conventional diagnostic categories
Spirituality
Is the human quality that gives meaning and sense of purpose to an individual’s existence
