Diversity Flashcards
What is diversity?
The range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religious or ethical values system, national origin, and political beliefs.
Example sentence: Diversity in the workplace leads to a more inclusive and innovative environment.
Definition of sex
Sex: “a medical term used to refer to the chromosemal, hormonal and anatemical characteristies that are used to classity an individual as female or male or intersex,” (Killermann, 2020)
Define gender
Gender: “the internal perception of one’s gender, and how they label themselves, based on how much they align or don’t align with what they understand their options for gender to be” (Killermann, 2020)
• Social, behavioural, and psychological dimensions
Sexiest language
“Includes words, phrases, and expressions that unnecessarily differentiate between females and males or excludes, trivializes or diminishes either sex”
E.g. Working mother
• E.g. Girls/women’s hockey team vs. men’s hockey team
• E.g. “You guys”
Age difference/ generational issues
Age cohorts share experiences of cultural and historical events
Eg. Indigenous Peoples, WW2
Veterans,
Generation X,
Millennials,
Social class/ role differences
• Socially constructed categories- distinctions based on way of life, family, job, money, education
• Communication styles may differ
• Can usually change social class through education, employment and income
Define Culture
Definition: “The language, values, beliefs, traditions, and customs people share and learn” (Adler et. al., 2016, 405)
In-groups: Groups with which we identify
Out-groups: Those we view as different
Definition of Intercultural communication
• Definition: When members of two or more cultures exchange messages in a manner that is influenced by their different cultural perceptions
Definition of cultural communication
• Definition: Ability to adapt behaviour toward another appropriate to their culture
• Includes: seeking knowledge, portraying appropriate attitudes and behaviours towards people of a variety of cultural and diverse backgrounds
Definition of cultural safety
• Definition: “an outcome based on respectful engagement that recognizes and strives to address power imbalances inherent in the health care system. It results in an environment free of racism and discrimination, where people feel safe when receiving health care.” (First Nations Health Authority.
Definition of cultural humility
• “A life-long process of self-reflection and self-critique to understand personal biases and to develop and maintain mutually respectful partnerships based on mutual trust.” (First Nations Health Authority.
Why study diversity and culture
> To provide cultural competent care
Globalization
Electronic communications
Diversity of Canadian people
• personal relationships
• work relationships - clients and co-workers
Define Low context culture & High context culture
Low-context culture:
Uses language primarily to express thoughts, feelings, and ideas as directly and logically as possible
High-context culture:
Relies heavily on subtle, often non-verbal cues to maintain social harmony
What are some barriers to intercultural communication
Ethnocentrism: Belief that one’s own culture is superior to others
Prejudice: Unfairly biased and intolerant attitude toward others who belong to an out-group
Stereotyping: Exaggerated generalizations about a group
How can you improve intercultural competence
• Intercultural competence starts with…
1. Having an awareness
2. Having a desire to learn
3. Developing skills
1-Awareness of our own thoughts, feelings, values, views, and cultural identity
2- > Ask questions and listen to the answers; may also share information about yourself or your culture
> Be willing to learn, improve communicate, and accept others
> Be willing to learn, improve communicate, and accept others
3- Practice flexibility!
• Put aside assumptions and be open to learning
• Adapt your communication to others by being aware of the other person’s response
• Ensure your communication is free of offensive labels and slur
• Avoid using modifiers when they are not necessary
