Key Terms
CULTURE
A set of behaviors, beliefs, values, attitudes, and goals shared by a group. Race, religion, national origin, sexual ori
RACE
Classification based on physical attributes, geographic ancestry, and inherited characteristics. Race is NOT the same as
RACISM
The belief that one racial group is better than another, or that all members of a race are the same. Racism results in p
ETHNOCENTRISM
Believing your own culture is superior to others. All cultures are equally important.
DIVERSITY
Including and respecting different types of cultures.
STEREOTYPES
Believing all people in a group are the same based on one individual within that group. Stereotypes can be about looks,
CULTURAL AWARENESS
Understanding and appreciating the values and beliefs of other cultures. A lifelong process; impossible to know every cu
CULTURAL COMPETENCE
Incorporating cultural awareness into actual healthcare practice. Demonstrating respect for a patient's cultural beliefs
Nuclear family
Mother, father, one or more children; about 50% of families Single-parent family: one parent, one or more children; appr
Unmarried couples
Same-sex or opposite-sex, with or without children; about 1.5 million children have never-married parents Couples withou
COMMUNICATION
The process of exchanging information between two or more people.
VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Use of spoken or written words.
NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
Communicating without words. Includes:
INCONGRUENT MESSAGES
When verbal and nonverbal messages contradict each other. Example: patient says "I feel fine" but is sitting slumped ove
OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
Allow patients to respond fully and express themselves. Signal that what they say matters.